Re: How long have you been writing?

Unpublished writers

Page 1 of 2 (31 items) 1 2 >

How long have you been writing?

---

JReich 08-16-2005, 11:27 AM
Are you a longtime writer but have yet to be published? Do you hope to be published one day?

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

dbmaine56 08-16-2005, 3:08 PM

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.

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

Patti804 08-16-2005, 4:08 PM
    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

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

Linda Adams 08-16-2005, 5:38 PM
I started writing at eight, so I had at least 15 years before I was published professionally.

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

jasonD 08-17-2005, 11:20 PM
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.

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

WordedWrite 08-18-2005, 10:39 AM
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?

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

jobydog 08-21-2005, 10:56 AM

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?

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

Blackdog 08-25-2005, 2:44 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE><table class="quoteOuterTable"><tr><td class="txt4"><img src="/WRT/CS/Themes/default/images/icon-quote.gif">&nbsp;<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.

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

mrjeffrey 08-27-2005, 11:40 AM
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.

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

beatlove 09-14-2005, 4:43 PM

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.

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

betsi 09-22-2005, 8:25 AM

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!!

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

turtle 09-26-2005, 2:18 PM

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  

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

Tormented 01-02-2006, 8:57 PM

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

 

 

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

Setsunacat 05-14-2006, 10:27 AM
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.

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

Jsikes 05-24-2006, 10:11 AM
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.

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

Writer 06-08-2006, 4:46 PM

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!

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

slowpoke 11-22-2006, 4:54 PM
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

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

Belle 12-27-2006, 10:34 PM
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.

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

rite4IAM 12-29-2006, 9:45 PM

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 

Re: How long have you been writing?

---

mrevelle 01-05-2007, 10:51 PM
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!

Page 1 of 2 (31 items) 1 2 >