Comments on: Advice to writers: your first novel

By: Glenda Larke

Glenda Larke — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 07:24:00 +0000

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By: Glenda Larke

Glenda Larke — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 07:23:00 +0000

We all have those moments, Anon, of thinking it's crap. But don't you also have those moments of thinking - hey, wow, did I write this? That's not so bad!

It takes me about a year to write a book, if you include alterations after my editor's and copy ediitor's input.

How do I survive? You just do what you have to - write. I also have another job which involves something totally different: getting out in the field.

Keep trying Nicole, for as long as you enjoy what you are doing.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 02:04:00 +0000

I wish I’d had this advice before I sent the first draft of my first novel off to agents with the dream I’d be famous in 12 months. I am very grateful that they didn’t actually laugh in my face but rejected me very gracefully.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 01:06:00 +0000

Every book is your first book. I HATE everything I write, because it could have been better. “Art is never finished” someone once said that. If I had a chance, I’d spend my entire life on one book, and it would still not have been finished. So everytime I read something I wrote, I see all the mistakes that I could have fixed, I see all the things that I would have done differently but was outvoted by marketing and editing and others. It’s all crap. I’m just writing ‘cos well, as she says, otherwise I’d be dead. It pays the bills, and other people seem to like reading it. Other than that, it’s crap.

So how long do you take to write a book, and how do you survive in the meantime ?

By: Glenda Larke

Glenda Larke — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 15:55:00 +0000

Satima, I don’t think I would have the courage to even peek at my very first novel It would be too embarrassing!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Mar 2006 19:27:00 +0000

Glenda, there no way I’m going to throw out my first novel! I love it too much. Every now and then, I go back and read it and still enjoy it, even though I shudder at some of the faux pas.

The poor thing will probably never be seen between cardboard cover with piccies on, because it’s very definitely a practice piece. Maybe one day I’ll revise it and send it out, but in the meantime I’m busy writing three more novels. More practice…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 19:52:00 +0000

What she said. In spades.