The Writer magazine forum is FREE to browse. LOGIN | REGISTER with The Writer magazine Web site.
|
Unpublished writers
Started by JReich at 08-16-2005 11:27 AM. Topic has 30 replies.
|
|
Page 1 of 2 (31 items)
|
1 2 > |
|
|
  
|
|
Sort Posts:
|
|
|
|
 08-16-2005, 3:08 PM
|
dbmaine56
Joined on 05-09-2004
Posts 94
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
I wrote for five years before I was first published.
I prefer to write novel length now, and continue to hone my craft with each one.
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
08-16-2005, 4:08 PM
|
Patti804
Joined on 02-12-2004
Chicago
Posts 53
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I've been writing for about ten years. I sent out a query for my last novel and got a rejection then I realized that the story needed a lot of work. I'm currently working on another novel that I hope to finish before November. I wrote a poem that won a contest and that will be published in the Spring but that's about it so far. Patti
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
08-16-2005, 5:38 PM
|
Linda Adams
 
Joined on 05-13-2001
USA
Posts 474
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I started writing at eight, so I had at least 15 years before I was published professionally.
Linda Adams
Member of International Thriller Writers and Washington Independent Writers
http://www.hackman-adams.com
http://garridon.blogspot.com/
Contributing Author:
http://www.hackman-adams.com/linda/credits.htm
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
08-17-2005, 11:20 PM
|
jasonD
Joined on 01-11-2005
Cleveland, OH
Posts 19
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
Technically, I've been writing on and off since high school (some of
those papers were fiction), but I didn't get serious about it until a
few months ago. I'd like to be published someday, but that requires my
actually writing something of worth, so who knows what the future holds.
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
08-18-2005, 10:39 AM
|
WordedWrite
Joined on 06-09-2005
Peoria, AZ
Posts 38
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I'm a longtime writer for private clients. I recently self-published and have another book coming out in a few weeks. It seems that none of my work (even in professional journals) is considered "published"--I'm not sure where the boundaries are. Are people considered to be "published" only if they have been paid by a "publishing" company?
Writing that gets results!
http://www.wordedwrite.com; http://www.bigbadboss.com; http://www.lulu.com/content/531796
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
08-21-2005, 10:56 AM
|
jobydog
Joined on 07-27-2005
Posts 68
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
 WordedWrite wrote: | | I'm a longtime writer for private clients. I recently self-published and have another book coming out in a few weeks. It seems that none of my work (even in professional journals) is considered "published"--I'm not sure where the boundaries are. Are people considered to be "published" only if they have been paid by a "publishing" company? |
|
Interesting question. I just now posted the same sort of question on another forum here on this site. I have won a couple of contests and I have had these "published" in a small local compendium. Also, I got a professional entry "published" in one of my professional journals some time ago, but I wasn't paid for it. I got paid an honarium for a winning short story. Does this mean I have been "published" or not?
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
08-25-2005, 2:44 PM
|
Blackdog
Joined on 08-21-2005
Posts 133
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
<BLOCKQUOTE><table class="quoteOuterTable"><tr><td class="txt4"><img src="/WRT/CS/Themes/default/images/icon-quote.gif"> <strong>WordedWrite wrote:</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="quoteTable"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="100%" valign="top" class="txt4">I'm a longtime writer for private clients. I recently self-published and have another book coming out in a few weeks. It seems that none of my work (even in professional journals) is considered "published"--I'm not sure where the boundaries are. Are people considered to be "published" only if they have been paid by a "publishing" company?</td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well, self-published may not count as a credit since no one else but you decided that it was publishable, but certainly pieces in professional journals count. Though maybe not if you are submitting fiction.
In answer to the original question, I began writing seriously about four years ago. I have "published" numerous pieces but have received a grand total of, perhaps, $75 for my writing. I have published only three of my short stories, in nonpaying markets. For awhile I targeted paying markets. (I always need to be climbing some kind of ladder), but despite all the sunny pieces in writing magazines, they are very tight markets and, IMO, without an MFA (which I have neither the time, money, or remotest desire to pursue) I may as well play the lottery.I also found that I was losing my unique voice in trying to "imitate" what I read in the more presitigious reviews.
Right now I am considering whether to scrap fiction all together and focus on articles and book reviews or simply keep submitting to the types of publications I have already gotten into.
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
08-27-2005, 11:40 AM
|
mrjeffrey
Joined on 08-19-2005
Posts 6
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I've been writing as long as I've been able to string words together. I'm sad to say however that throughout my grade school years I was actively discouraged from thinking of writing as an attainable career. Over time I came to believe that I could never do what I loved and get paid for it. I never stopped writing though and am glad that I didn't. Now with much prodding from my very supportive wife I'm learning to take this dream seriously again.
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
09-14-2005, 4:43 PM
|
beatlove
Joined on 09-15-2005
Posts 3
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I have been writing to some extent since i was a kid, then professionally for business, personally and finally in college I started a novel for which I am now looking for an agent and/or a publisher (no easy task). I guess technically I have never been published if that means paid but my writing has appeared in newsletters, newspapers, many poetry books and magazines, Christmas newsletters ( ;) ), a tour guide book, and a million school reports.
Of course the big project, the book, that I have been working on for 4 years is the one that gets rejected repeatedly.
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
09-22-2005, 8:25 AM
|
betsi
Joined on 08-21-2004
New England
Posts 19
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I feel like mrjeffrey took the words right out of my mouth (off my keyboard?). I have been writing for way too many years in a very private "this is just a hobby, I can't possibly make a living doing this" kind of way. Luckily I have married a man who has spent the last bunch of years believing in me enough that I am starting to also. Plus, I have two daughters whom I keep telling to follow their passion, who have recently called me on not taking my own advice. So -- now I'm at it again and working seriously towards getting published.
Good luck to us all!!
"You think your pains and your hearbreaks are unprecednted in the history of the world, but then you read." -- James Baldwin
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
09-26-2005, 2:18 PM
|
turtle
Joined on 09-17-2005
Posts 10
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
Hello, All.
My passion is to write thriller/suspense novels. It had been a dormant idea until I retired 20 months ago. Then I began to write. Not having any writing experience, I took an Introduction to Writing Fiction 101 course and have since been reading How To books that have been recommended: 'Writing A Novel' by John Braine, 'Writing The Blockbuster Novel' by Albert Zuckerman, 'Writing The Breakout Novel' by Donald Maass. I subscribe to Writers Digest and The Writer magazines, and I have joined the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Authors Association. All have been very helpful. I am constantly learning how much I don't know (which is a lot!). Along the way, I have also learned how difficult it is for an "unpublished" author to have their manuscript read by a top agent or publisher. That is somewhat discouraging. But, what's the saying -- nothing good in life comes too easy? Perseverance is the key. Happy writing,
Turtle
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
01-02-2006, 8:57 PM
|
Tormented
Joined on 08-23-2005
Posts 8
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
Hello Writers,
I have been writing since I was a child, I am also a practising artist. I find that my art inspires my writing and my writing inspires my art, but that's another story...
Other than several articles in local papers and magazines, I have not published. Recently I approached a publisher about a book concept and they are very interested in the concept. I do not have a contract yet, but we are meeting this month to discuss the details. Meanwhile I am researching and writing the book.
I am hopeful that everything will work out with this publisher. I have learned not to count my chickens.
Write on.
Tormented in Windsor
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
05-14-2006, 10:27 AM
|
Setsunacat
Joined on 05-10-2006
Posts 2
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I had some haiku published when I was in college about 4 years ago. Before that I had been writing just about anything since I was five or six. I want to publish more but I'm intimidated by the whole query and submission process.
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
05-24-2006, 10:11 AM
|
Jsikes
Joined on 05-24-2006
Posts 1
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I've been writing since 3rd grade. Started with poems, moved on to
horror in 4th and 5th grade, then 100 page tomes that read like Tom
Clancy juvenalized in 6th and 7th grades. I'm 21 now, college junior,
and starting to approach the practice as a serious career. I write
mostly short fiction--literary and scifi--but am trying to get a novel
going and am trying to break into screenplays, under the influence of
Aaron Sorkin's work.
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
06-08-2006, 4:46 PM
|
Writer
Joined on 05-08-2006
Chicago
Posts 12
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I've been writing for three years. It is my first novel and so far I am proud of it. My full time employment has given me the experience of acquiring thick skin. I am thankful. I read what many published and non-published writers say about writing and extract the important things. Every writer is different. I believe you can help a writer by explaining what assists you. The Writer Magazine does represent this type of assistance. It is the writers that insist you follow a particular criteria that bothers me. But then again, writing is an art form and we won't always like what the other has to offer.
Wish me luck!
It is always a writer's duty to make the world better.
Fiction loses its force when it departs from the resemblance of reality.
Samuel Johnson
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
11-22-2006, 4:54 PM
|
slowpoke
Joined on 07-17-2006
Posts 2
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I began writing 20 years ago when I took the Children's Institute writing course. Unfortunately, I would write the stories, then not pursue trying to get them published. Why, I don't know for sure. But working full time as a teacher did not leave me a lot of free time. (Not really a good excuse.) However, for the past 5-6 years, I have belonged to 2 writers groups, and a critique group. I'm still teaching full time, but after winning a contest recently (first place for a historical fiction for juveniles), I think the adrenalin juices really got me going. I submitted an article to Abilities magazine. And I received a very nice rejection letter. Since then, I have been searching other markets for it. I have also submitted a manuscript for a baby board book, and am waiting a response to that. I think 2007 is going to be a banner year for me, because I am excited and determined to be successful. So for others in a similar situation, there is hope. Don't give up. Pat La Vigne
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 10:34 PM
|
Belle
Joined on 08-05-2002
Posts 4
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I've been a writer all my life, but I had no idea what I did was unique.
It wasn't until 1999 that I began to take myself seriously as a writer.
At that point my mother who had been teaching English in college for thirty years
told me if I really wanted to be writer, I needed to hone my skills.
She provided me with many books and resources which I studied faithfully.
I began writing every day. She critiqued much of my work.
I can see how much my writing has improved these past few years.
I have published several articles, three co-op booklets of short stories with several
other authors, an historical of a small town in Utah with my mother, a reference
book on the business end of the cosmetology industry, and a children's book.
Each project has given me experience for the next project.
I get excited just thinking about writing. I love the energy
it builds inside of me.
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
12-29-2006, 9:45 PM
|
rite4IAM
Joined on 09-16-2005
Posts 4
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
Me too like mrjeffrey. I've been writing ever since I can remember. It's been my dream for as long as I can remember. I've been in writer's groups, written short stories, now into writing Christian fiction. We all live busy lives and for me it is hard to put aside the daily stuff and get in the writing mode. I work 40 hours a week at a regular job, etc. Right now I have two novels in the works. I'm not sure if one will be long enough to be a novel. Its easy to come home after evening meal, turn that time consuming tv on and I don't get any further before it is time for bed. Perhaps I'm too afraid of failing. I know I need to work on my priorities and be more self-disciplined. rite4IAM
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
01-05-2007, 10:51 PM
|
mrevelle
Joined on 08-23-2004
Coastal Georgia
Posts 160
|
Re: How long have you been writing?
|
|
|
|
|
I recently found one of my first pieces and from the date I guess I was around 12 years old. I wrote madly in high school but all but dropped it completely when I fell in love with my soon to be husband (later to be ex). I've written off and on since then and have almost completed my third decade of writing. I cringe at the amount of time I've wasted when I could have been putting together my ideas for different novels. I have a very supportive husband now and daughter who don't mind at all if I put the "do not disturb" sign on my office door (the cats, now that's another issue as they dare anyone in the house to shut a door without their permission). I'm in no rush at this point in my life to get my novels published and merely write for the satisfaction of it. It is probable that I will begin to organize everything and start submitting sometime in the future. For now, it's pure pleasure!
"Be who you are and say what you feel, for those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
|
|
|
|
Report Abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 1 of 2 (31 items)
|
1 2 > |
|
|
|
The Writer » FREE forums: General (open to all; must register to post) » Unpublished writers
|
Forum Jump:
|
|