The craft of FIction Writing

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shannon Celebi on June 23, 2009 at 10:08pm

Hi Kit,

I personally feel that it is important to write with passion first and worry about marketability later. It is not necessarily the tale you tell but how you tell it that makes it fresh and interesting and sparks an editor or agent's eye.

I can’t speak for all, of course, but I don’t think I’d be capable of working on two novels at once, although I do like to keep a few short stories brewing while the novel percolates and dust them off when the novel writing doesn’t flow as I’d like it to.

Hope that helps!

Shannon

Permalink Reply by Kit Crumb on June 24, 2009 at 6:43am

Hello Shannon
I was kind of fishing when I asked the question. What kind of FIction? Are you in middle of writing at this moment.

My ideas flow like water everyday,(I file them away) and I usually work between three books getting each one up to about 15 or 20 thousand words then one takes off and it gets finished first.
The reason for the fishing trip ( asking the probing question) is that I've been writing in a kind of a vacuum and was wondering what other fiction writers were doing.I've decided that it is time to share some of my methods as well as contacts I've made and would love to hear what other fiction writers are doing.
Also I'm putting together a little writer's camp up in the mountains where I live,and am searching for an interest level. This would be an idea camp, covering the craft of fiction writing kind of a fiction writer's brain storm,how to get ideas, determine if they can be turned into a book, and finding the best way to assemble the manuscript. No fee for this just the gathering of talented fiction writers with a common cause.

Permalink Reply by Haley Baldwin on November 2, 2009 at 6:43pm

Hello! I am looking for someone to mentor me on the ways of writing. You seem to know a lot about novels and so on so i just decided to shoot the moon and reply to this. I would love to talk to you or send an email somehow. I'm sorry for being so forward. It would mean a lot to me if you responded. I can give you more details about this odd request if we can email.
Anyone else who would be willing to mentor me?
Thank you!!!
Haley
Shannon Celebi said:

Hi Kit,

I personally feel that it is important to write with passion first and worry about marketability later. It is not necessarily the tale you tell but how you tell it that makes it fresh and interesting and sparks an editor or agent's eye.

I can’t speak for all, of course, but I don’t think I’d be capable of working on two novels at once, although I do like to keep a few short stories brewing while the novel percolates and dust them off when the novel writing doesn’t flow as I’d like it to.

Hope that helps!

Shannon

Permalink Reply by Kit Crumb on November 3, 2009 at 8:38am

Hello Haley:
I would be happy to help you find the aspect of the writing craft that is right for you and to then guide you through it. Feel free to contact me at kit@mind.net, and I'll get right back to you.
Kit

Permalink Reply by Kit Crumb on November 3, 2009 at 8:46am

Hello Shannon
Right you are about writing with passion. I simply have a lot of passion for my plots and characters. Writing more then one book a year is nothing I work at, it is just the way my writers mind works. On a different line of thought. The agent, publisher role has changed a bunch in the past 12 months and what got you picked up by an agent then and now has changed. It is no longer enough to have a good story written well.It is at least as important to write something that sells yet as a writer you can't write with that in mind. Any thoughts on this.
Kit
PS my statement about the change in the role of the agent publisher is based on current trends and talks with dozens of agents and publishers.

Shannon Celebi said:

Hi Kit,

I personally feel that it is important to write with passion first and worry about marketability later. It is not necessarily the tale you tell but how you tell it that makes it fresh and interesting and sparks an editor or agent's eye.

I can’t speak for all, of course, but I don’t think I’d be capable of working on two novels at once, although I do like to keep a few short stories brewing while the novel percolates and dust them off when the novel writing doesn’t flow as I’d like it to.

Hope that helps!

Shannon

Permalink Reply by Shannon Celebi on November 3, 2009 at 9:04pm

Hi Kit. I'm sorry I didn't see this post back in June! I would have definately been interested in a "fiction camp". What a cool idea! If you're ever interested, we have a writing circle that meets every other Sunday at the Ashland Library. www.roguewriters.info Just a small group of writers sharing the craft...


Kit Crumb said:

Hello Shannon
I was kind of fishing when I asked the question. What kind of FIction? Are you in middle of writing at this moment.

My ideas flow like water everyday,(I file them away) and I usually work between three books getting each one up to about 15 or 20 thousand words then one takes off and it gets finished first.
The reason for the fishing trip ( asking the probing question) is that I've been writing in a kind of a vacuum and was wondering what other fiction writers were doing.I've decided that it is time to share some of my methods as well as contacts I've made and would love to hear what other fiction writers are doing.
Also I'm putting together a little writer's camp up in the mountains where I live,and am searching for an interest level. This would be an idea camp, covering the craft of fiction writing kind of a fiction writer's brain storm,how to get ideas, determine if they can be turned into a book, and finding the best way to assemble the manuscript. No fee for this just the gathering of talented fiction writers with a common cause.

Permalink Reply by Shannon Celebi on November 3, 2009 at 9:18pm

True, so true, especially in this economy with agents closing their doors and publishing houses limiting runs. Unfortunately, the art does what the art wants. And I can’t help but think the second a writer begins to write with the “marketability factor” in mind, the second the spark begins to dwindle--something the agent or editor can usually detect on line one. The only way I can see around this is to keep on truckin’. Sooner or later, something will sell, based on the passion that drives each writer to the keyboard to begin with (and quality writing, of course). Or, at least, that’s what I tell myself each time a rejection letter winds its way into my mailbox...

Kit Crumb said:

Hello Shannon
Right you are about writing with passion. I simply have a lot of passion for my plots and characters. Writing more then one book a year is nothing I work at, it is just the way my writers mind works. On a different line of thought. The agent, publisher role has changed a bunch in the past 12 months and what got you picked up by an agent then and now has changed. It is no longer enough to have a good story written well.It is at least as important to write something that sells yet as a writer you can't write with that in mind. Any thoughts on this.
Kit
PS my statement about the change in the role of the agent publisher is based on current trends and talks with dozens of agents and publishers.

Shannon Celebi said:

Hi Kit,

I personally feel that it is important to write with passion first and worry about marketability later. It is not necessarily the tale you tell but how you tell it that makes it fresh and interesting and sparks an editor or agent's eye.

I can’t speak for all, of course, but I don’t think I’d be capable of working on two novels at once, although I do like to keep a few short stories brewing while the novel percolates and dust them off when the novel writing doesn’t flow as I’d like it to.

Hope that helps!

Shannon

Permalink Reply by TJ Askren on November 19, 2009 at 10:08am

Kit,

I am currently working on a project that I hope develops into a novel. I call it fictional truths. It is an idea that has been brewing inside me for a long time and I've finally found a way to get the story out. I am hoping to network with other local writers in order to hone my craft and get feedback on my work.

Permalink Reply by Kit Crumb on November 21, 2009 at 11:30am

I hope everyone attended the Southern Oregon Book fair I had a booth but am on a writing writing project. My publisher has a book he wants me to co-author on the Amelia Earhart mystery based on some new facts, this plus my own books for next year. I'm putting together a January date for a writers camp, a brain storming good time. This is not the usual, you read my manuscript and I read yours. The gatherings are to explore the fiction writers craft and discuss the state of the publishing world.
I hold the camp at my house, 4,500 feet in the cascades. Yes there will be snow but the drive will be worth it. And of course all is free. The January camp will be focused on the fiction writers mind, and as always the craft itself. Where you write and when (should be everyday) to much fun. It's a full day, sorta, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Hey Shannon, maybe some of the folks that meet at the library would like to attend.
Kit
PS I'll be taking on one person and helping them complete a manuscript.
KC

Permalink Reply by Shannon Celebi on November 29, 2009 at 10:07pm

Hey Kit,

I'll pass that along to my writing group. Thanks!

Kit Crumb said:

I hope everyone attended the Southern Oregon Book fair I had a booth but am on a writing writing project. My publisher has a book he wants me to co-author on the Amelia Earhart mystery based on some new facts, this plus my own books for next year. I'm putting together a January date for a writers camp, a brain storming good time. This is not the usual, you read my manuscript and I read yours. The gatherings are to explore the fiction writers craft and discuss the state of the publishing world.
I hold the camp at my house, 4,500 feet in the cascades. Yes there will be snow but the drive will be worth it. And of course all is free. The January camp will be focused on the fiction writers mind, and as always the craft itself. Where you write and when (should be everyday) to much fun. It's a full day, sorta, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Hey Shannon, maybe some of the folks that meet at the library would like to attend.
Kit
PS I'll be taking on one person and helping them complete a manuscript.
KC