I may have mentioned in an earlier blog about not chaining yourself to just one genre of writing. I would like to expand on that statement by saying that I think you shouldn't limit yourself to just writing novels or plays or screenplays. There's no reason why you can't write as many different types as possible.
I started out in novels. The problem with that is there are a million novel writers out there who can be published as easily as paying $4000.00 to Tate Publishing or subjugating yourself to an online publisher that will not market your books, like Publish America. By the way, Publish America is a great way to get your book published quickly, but I wouldn't continue to publish that way.
Let me tell you what I think are the important steps to prepping your book, screenplay, play, etc. before publication:
1.) Start with an idea you would want to read about. If you don't want to write about the topic then that will be conveyed to the reader and they will lose interest. You do not have to be an English Major to write a book. Have an original idea that doesn't include what half of the world is writing about.
2.) Write like people really talk! If you are writing about teenagers please remember how they talk. "I truly deem you worthy of dating" is way off base. Some writers try too hard to entrance their readers with big words or fancy talking and they are way out of their league. Stick with what you know.
3.) You don't have to have a great ending right off the bat but some writers prefer to work backwards. Sometimes having a great idea is enough to start. If you have trouble starting your novel then start writing down a list of events you want to happen (it doesn't have to be in sequence) and maybe some character background.
4.) Don't worry about Writer's Block because it will eventually happen. during this frustrating period, be sure to continue to write down notes about events or characters. If you do this, the Writer's Block will more quickly disappear as opposed to just shelving it.
5.) Don't pressure yourself to keep the novel within a certain length. If you constrain yourself then you will add more pressure than you have to and there will be mental delays.
6.) Have a loved one read the novel as you go or when it's finished. Make sure it is someone who loves to read. Their insight as a reader can be invaluable and it also helps finding mistakes.
7.) Never publish your book without having it edited. If you are editing it yourself as I do mine, then be prepared to read and re-read your novel several times. You may not always catch a mistake the first time around. If you think you should edit it one more time than do it. Always be sure you have the best possible material for print. Some Publishers will edit it for you but it takes a lot longer.
The more time you take on your project, the better it will be the first time out. I recommend using Movie Magic (at least version 6) to write any project. It will guide you on plays, screenplays, novels and more. It is the best investment I ever made.
I have a copyrighted British Sitcom being submitted and I am turning my first book, Angel Falls, into a Mini-Series. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. God Bless until next time. Alan Riehl
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