How To Write A Novel

I often wonder why some people are against self published books. I know many self published authors who have made their way into bookstores and sell thousands of dollars worth of books.

Still, authors always feel they must be traditionally published or they are not legit. Why? I often wonder if this is because self published authors feel that they do not have a publisher's validation on their book. Do they realize that 80% of all books released by traditional publishers bomb terribly, and many never make back their advance?

I would love to hear some of your ideas on the subject. I recently suggested to a student that their self publishing company was not working in their best interest. This student went 'off the handle' and wrote a long scathing email about my attitude against self publishing - which, was not voiced at all. This student was insecure - the problem was not mine - it was hers. I felt bad for her, because her attitude is costing her book sales.

I submitted a novel today. I cannot believe that after all these submissions, after all these years, I am still scared to death of sending that submission out to the publisher. I keep thinking that I have missed one small mistake, or worded something wrong, and will receive a rejection letter before anyone will actually read the submission.

I had to stop working today and take an hour off. I was litterally shaking. I do not know if I will ever get over the fear of submitting a novel. It use to stop me from submitting.

I never sent in another submission for almost a year after my first rejection letter. Of course, looking back, I feel sorry for the editor who had to read that manuscript - it was bad. Of course, at the time it was my baby. I thought it was a great novel.

I'll let you know if the book is accepted.

How to Write a Novel
There are two groups of writers those who preplan, and the seat-of-the-pantzers

Pre Planning a Novel
Do you preplan a novel before writing? Do you take the time to storyboard it, working out all the plot mistakes and problems, smoothing the pacing, adjusting, adding more to the tension?

Do you write character outlines, match them with a character's history or bio, and then attach a personality type? Do you go to online personality type websites and test your character to make sure they are 'emotionally stable' and that the actions, decisions, and reactions you want them to make are well motivated.

Do you preplan because it is the best tool to help new writers get published?

Off The Cuff Novel Writing
One editor described this group as 'vomiting on a page and cleaning it up later.' Of course, these people still do all the work the preplanners do (if they received a publishing contract).

Some of them have written so much, or read so many novels in their fav genre, that the structure, character arc and tension come naturally.

Others write the novel, and then spend up to a year doing all the preplanning steps under the guise of editing and rewriting.

With NaNo fast approaching - I thought it would be fun for everyone to tell their adventures in novel writing.

I have been rejected - again. Well, I haven't been rejected. It is just that the publishing company states that if they want your book, you'll hear back in three weeks.

It has been four weeks.

Novel Rejection Letter
I sucked in my gut and started looking at books from publisher #2 on my list. That is when I realized that I should be writing a blog about rejection letters - even the ones you do not receive.

It is easy to say to writers:

just get over it
just start writing again
send it out to another publisher
ignore rejection letters
do not take it personally
it has no reflection on your writing ability
a rejection letter does not define your talent.

Or, the myriad of other 'off the cuff' - slaps in the face - that authors give new writers.

Instead of that, I am going to tell you whey published authors do not worry about rejection letters. "They have learned the difference between a novel and a marketable novel."

Publishers want a marketable novel. I sent them a great novel. It was accepted by a publisher before, but hasn't been in print for two years.

I know exactly why this book was rejected - it lacked tease. That does not mean sexual, but it means emotional. This publisher wants stories that hit reader's emotional, hard, and on page one.

Research Publishers
I had researched this publisher. I had read their books - I just happened to overlook this one thing.

It was on their author's forum that I found the answer.

Many publishers take extra steps to connect with authors. They have forums, chats, their authors promote, - there is a dozen ways to connect with a publishing company.

Promote
One new feature that I see on submission pages is 'we are looking for established writers who will bring an audience with them.'

This is why it is important to grow a fan base.

However, there are times when a novel will just receive a rejection letter because the publisher doesn't need it.

Authors
Authors do not fear rejection letters. Most of the authors I know have 5 - 10 favorite publishers. If a publisher rejects their current book, they send it to a new publisher and then keep researching.

They know that they will get a book accepted sooner or later, by someone. I have four books currently in circulation and another three on my desk.

If you receive rejection letters then do the following:

Join author groups
Join publisher's groups
Learn from authors
Take courses
Read books
and then read more books.

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Writers make one common mistake when trying to promote their books - they promote to other writers. Now, I know a lot of writers who read 2 - 5 books a month. The odd one reads 10. However, 'fans' read 10 - 40 books a month - according to RomanticTimes magazine.

How do you reach readers?

Not by joining writing forums
Not by advertising on web sites
Not by writing articles

You reach readers by sending out book reviews. Each review, good or bad, is going to draw a crowd.

Another way to attract readers is to build 'book review' blogs, that focus on your niche. And by offering 'information' sites for individual niches. I have two new ones Historical Scot Novels and, Regency Novels. While I haven't gotten around to doing many reviews, you can see by the stats that people are visiting the sites.

One of the best things that an author can do is find as many online and print review sites as possible. Online are great, because you can send a free PDF.

Authors can ask their publisher for 'galley' copies of their books - this is usually a copy that lacks formatting and a cover - it might not even be through the editing task. Don't worry, pro reviewers are familiar with galleys and won't let a few typos or unformatted pages damage the review.

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I have had so many people ask me questions about publishing basics that I wrote a short book that answered most of the common questions.

There is no secret to becoming published. It is not always easy, but there are ways to stack the odds in your favor.

At only $5, this is one of the cheapest ways to get my 'course content' without having to take a course.

I am excited that The Pledge and The Pawn will be re-released through Enpsiren press in the Spring of 2007. My fiction has been out of print for almost three years, so this is exciting to have it back in print.

Both my novels are historical romance/suspense novels, set in the 1550 England/Scotland. Of course, they include intrigue, challenges that almost seem impossible for the characters to overcome, political back-stabbing, and a choice - to hold on to nobility or give it up for love.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, visit my blog at www.historical-novel.blogspot.com

Hello,
I am the topic editor for this section of inspiredauthor. I have taught the art and craft more than 2000 online writers. I enjoy teaching courses at www.writersonlinecourses.com and www.universalclass.com. Both of these schools have something to offer.

I am also the moderator of the Friday evening chat at www.inspiredauthor.com. This chat has been visited by some great chats, including Enspiren and Phaze publishing.

I look forward to reviewing your comments, or chatting with you in my forum at www.forum.novelwritermagazine.com