Novel support thread...

[Selena_Kitt]

because!

"Romance" is an enormous genre, really, that covers a lot of bases. Don't worry, the characters will still be deviants and so will the sex!

I know it's enormous... but... but... your writing is so unique and interesting outside of formula stuff... I just don't want you to compromise such amazing talent.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I know it's enormous... but... but... your writing is so unique and interesting outside of formula stuff... I just don't want you to compromise such amazing talent.

!

Only-- everything I do still involves relationships, right? A bulldagger and a toy-boy that find they are attracted to each other-- kinda romantic, if you ask me

And "Sarabande" simply won't go anywhere unless I can find some kind of structure for it. The couple get together, they are perfect for each other sexually, they have enough money and power to do as they want, and they are open with each other emotionally- no conflict.

 

[TxRad]

The first thing I ever wrote ran to 287 pages and 20 chapters. I have no idea how many words. I ran a check on the chapters once but don't remember the total. I've just started to do some editing after letting it sit idle for nearly eight years....

It has a dozen characters, a basic plot and lots and lots of sex. I doubt there's a market for it as it's explicit to the max.

I hate editing..... with that said, let me say that what i have learned here on Lit is very evident in what I'm reading in that first story. It's short choppy sentences. one behind another. Words grammar check has its tongue hanging out. I had it turned off when I wrote the thing. Actually I wrote it in Works.....

I had a sequel half written but lost it to a hard drive crash... I've tried several times to recreate it but the second and third try didn't come close to the first in my mind.

I have two NANO books that need to be finished and two other or is that three other books started.

I write long and always have..... Not very good but long.....

 

[JPMMURPHY]

I write long. I have some poems up and had a hard time just writing short phrases. My only post out here is 98 K words. I recently submitted to an e-book publisher, they asked for more erotica. I added 8 K words of erotica and am waiting to hear from them.

Second novel is finished. 104 K words. Brings some of the Sentinel characters forward. If the first is accepted, I'll try with the second and (I'm sure) have to add more erotica.

I have three short pieces I've started for here (5 K words was my goal) and have been unable to finish any of them. Have no idea why, my wife is always saying 'That's it?'

To me, long is in the detail. It's in playing in their minds, digging out their thoughts and reactions.

I put novel three aside last week at 30 K words to wait and see what happens with the first. Three wraps up a series and I want to know if I need to add the extra erotica now, or forget about it.

 

[Guest]

I've written four novels this year and three that aren't completed that I'm still working on. I have two coming out in ebook this year and I'm editing the longest of my work, some 120,000 words to send in to publishers.

Oh and deathlynx, that has to be one of the sexiest avs, every time I see it I'm like, wow...

 

[Stella_Omega]

It has a dozen characters, a basic plot and lots and lots of sex. I doubt there's a market for it as it's explicit to the max.

Never make that assumption! submit a chapter or so to some of the e-publishers and let them tell you yea or nay

 

[CharleyH]

I am writing - okay so I have about a half dozen unfinished novels. However, I am on the verge of posting a drama on Lit. I say drama because the theme is such that it reminds me of drama, but otherwise I'm not sure it fits any type of erotic mould. I would describe it as an erotic exploration of the self, which is typical enough if we were talking masturbation (smiles). Out of the half dozen finished projects, this is the only one that is completely straight-forward narratively and yet it is proving to be one of my biggest challenges because it is a combination of flashbacks and present action and confusion within the protagonist, herself.

My problems in writing novel length (any of my half-finished works) are multi-faceted. However, my main problem (aside from over-description) is that I think too much. I have a tendency to over-analyze every single detail. Example: does she use red lipstick? What colour? Strawberry? Too soft for her character. Crimson? Maybe too sluttish for her, but it could work if I found the right name. How and where does she put it on? In bathroom mirror, compact, under bright or dim lights, as she's driving? Every choice a character makes is a reflection of their character. Every action and conversation must have some relevance to their varying struggles and for this reason I feel a need to debate myself over these simple little things. This, of course, turns a novel writing experience into a two, three or four year adventure.

In a short story there is generally one main conflict, and this is easy to overcome (or so I find for me). However, a novel is layered and a character doesn't simply have a one-dimensional dilemma, but dozens sprouting from even one.

In short, I have an interest in this novel writers thread/club/what have you. I have a self interest, yet also a selfless interest in attempting to help others in whatever area my personal expertise can assist in some way.

How would such a thread/club be structured?

 

[WRJames]

As you can see from my signature, I'm in the middle of a SciFi series (erotic, of course) -- four novels out so far, each a little over 80K words.

These are all parts of one really long novel, and I've been slowly developing characters and bringing them into conflict. I'm having a problem with the next novel in the series though -- I don't see how I'm going to resolve things without killing off a few of them, and I'm reluctant to do that. Maybe I'll hold it off until novel 6?

 

[TxRad]

As you can see from my signature, I'm in the middle of a SciFi series (erotic, of course) -- four novels out so far, each a little over 80K words.

These are all parts of one really long novel, and I've been slowly developing characters and bringing them into conflict. I'm having a problem with the next novel in the series though -- I don't see how I'm going to resolve things without killing off a few of them, and I'm reluctant to do that. Maybe I'll hold it off until novel 6?

Killing off characters is fun and profitable. Actually, in my last Nano novel, I was 12 pages in and realized the damn thing was very limited from the point i started. So instead of dumping it, i used it to set the reason forthe story and threw in some hot sex just for the hell of it. Then i nuked the whole bunch and started again from almost scratch.

 

[Stella_Omega]

...

How would such a thread/club be structured?

I'm afraid we need a forum for it, where we can begin threads that explore different aspects of novel writing. And of course, we'd be talking about erotic situations and themes and plot devices-- along with the more conventional content. And we'd want it to be less public, I shold think...

1) I can host a forum on my own domain (and blogs, as well!) as my host supports freee speech.

2)English Lady can give us a section on the forums on her new site, which is already intended to be a writer's support site.

3) Emily Veinglory hosts a forum, I know her from my lj flist. She has moderated membership. I don't want to post her link in the thread, but I'll gladly PM it to anyone who wants it...

 

[CharleyH]

I'm afraid we need a forum for it, where we can begin threads that explore different aspects of novel writing. And of course, we'd be talking about erotic situations and themes and plot devices-- along with the more conventional content. And we'd want it to be less public, I shold think...

1) I can host a forum on my own domain (and blogs, as well!) as my host supports freee speech.

2)English Lady can give us a section on the forums on her new site, which is already intended to be a writer's support site.

3) Emily Veinglory hosts a forum, I know her from my lj flist. She has moderated membership. I don't want to post her link in the thread, but I'll gladly PM it to anyone who wants it...

Yes. I thought it might have to be hosted elsewhere. Sounds cool to me. I am in ... just let me know, Stell. I really love the idea.

 

[jomar]

Count me in.

 

[CeriseNoire]

I'm in if that's OK.

 

[neonlyte]

I'm in... if you'll have me. I'm in the process of pushing two finished novels to publishers/agents. Second one goes out next week.

 

[jomar]

Would it be worth asking Laurel and Manu if they'd be willing to have a novel forum here at Lit before setting up something elsewhere?

And best of luck to you neonlyte.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Would it be worth asking Laurel and Manu if they'd be willing to have a novel forum here at Lit before setting up something elsewhere?

And best of luck to you neonlyte.

what a good idea!

It could be the "writing subjects" subforum we've discussed about a hundred times...

 

[CharleyH]

I'm in... if you'll have me. I'm in the process of pushing two finished novels to publishers/agents. Second one goes out next week.

God damn braggarts!

Cudos. Much luck, friend.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I talked to the mods atErotic Romance Writers Forum who says;

Sure, feel free! Any kind of erotica and/or romance is fine here!

I've been poking around and there are some non-romantic projects going on, for sure

 

[WRJames]

Well, what I want to do for the very first time, is write a romance novel. Or two. And I want to use basic plots, and create bad guys and get my protagonists into and out of trouble and have them hit bottom and redeem themselves. And fuck themselves sensless while they're doing it...

And what I've discovered is that I don't know how to do those things! I've gobbled books all of my life, and I assumed I'd have absorbed the vocabulary of plot somewhere along the line; but it just isn't coming easy to me.

I have scenarios aplenty, though

Currently my stuff is listed under SciFi and Erotica -- but Romance sells very well, so I've been bugging Terrie (the editor at Club Lighthouse Publishing) to list it under Romance. After all, I'm doing all the things you describe above. But she's a Romance author herself, and she has her pride. To quote her

Well, they really don't classify as Romance. To classify them as romances, there would have to be a story, in this case a continuing story centering around one couple throughout all four. I couldn't see them listed as romances, otherwise I would placed them in that category as well as Sci Fi and Erotica. Sorry James...can't help you there.

So -- beware. You have to keep things simple to stay in the Romance category.

 

[jomar]

what a good idea!

It could be the "writing subjects" subforum we've discussed about a hundred times...

Thanks - maybe the newbie who just doesn't know any better? Who should approach them?

 

[jomar]

Currently my stuff is listed under SciFi and Erotica -- but Romance sells very well, so I've been bugging Terrie (the editor at Club Lighthouse Publishing) to list it under Romance. After all, I'm doing all the things you describe above. But she's a Romance author herself, and she has her pride. To quote her

Well, they really don't classify as Romance. To classify them as romances, there would have to be a story, in this case a continuing story centering around one couple throughout all four. I couldn't see them listed as romances, otherwise I would placed them in that category as well as Sci Fi and Erotica. Sorry James...can't help you there.

So -- beware. You have to keep things simple to stay in the Romance category.

Interesting. I'm not familiar with the formula, but it sounds like you can do whatever you want as long as you keep at least a loose thread around a couple and they finanlly get together for a happy ending.

 

[WRJames]

Interesting. I'm not familiar with the formula, but it sounds like you can do whatever you want as long as you keep at least a loose thread around a couple and they finanlly get together for a happy ending.

I don't know -- it seems like most Romance novels are about falling in love -- and the happy ending is a marriage.

 

[CeriseNoire]

I don't know -- it seems like most Romance novels are about falling in love -- and the happy ending is a marriage.

Really? I've seen quite a few Romance publishers asking for HEA or HFN endings.

 

[deathlynx]

I'm certainly up for a forum anywhere! And if anyone needs to find a muse herder, you know where to find me

Maybe one thing we can do is read the half finished works for people...beta reading and the like...

 

[jomar]

I don't know -- it seems like most Romance novels are about falling in love -- and the happy ending is a marriage.

Yes, I should have been clearer. And I guess the story can't be to loose a weave about the couple. Maybe more of all kinds of things can happen that keep the yearning lovers apart until they can get together. I should read some of the romance stories here to get a better feel. For what I have in mind, action/adventure probably describes it best, but it has a thread of romance that really could go either way on a rewrite (i.e., wind up in marriage or stay as sex buddies). Hmm, the more I learn, the less I know.