Writing for fantasy novels

[Jasen Smith]

I have been working on writing a fantasy novel series for quite some time, the first chapter was by far the hardest as it is the starting point of the story. Chapter 1 is sets the tone, introduces main characters, and perhaps the villains.

At first I set rules for myself, "chapter one will be around 15 pages." or "The main character is this person."
But by the time I got to chapter five the tone had changed, I found myself restricted by rules I set up for myself when trying to create a formula.

Jump ahead 5 months and now Chapter one is chapter five and I decided to not have a main character. Not an easy choice since I had planned an entire six novels around this character.
I decided to not have him be the main character as it would ruin the surprise ending, making the character worthless and ultimately making the entire story as a whole not work.

Once I took him out of the main character role I felt a freedom and relief. I now had an open story to do whatever I wanted to. It felt more natural, it felt more like a story to read about the world I created. I am now seven chapters in and discovered that the main character is actually the world I created. Not sure how well this will work with readers to not have a hero to follow and relate to but I'm hoping that they will relate to one of the other characters in the story.

Now, I have read a lot regarding formatting for a manuscript to send to an agent, the type of font to use, the spacing, how to format the entire thing but I haven't found anything regarding art.

If the writer is also an artist, would I provide the art in the story or would the publisher pic the artist and do whatever they wanted to with it?

I far from being complete with the story but figured I'd ask these boards and see if anyone knows.

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by Jasen Smith

I have been working on writing a fantasy novel series for quite some time, the first chapter was by far the hardest as it is the starting point of the story. Chapter 1 is sets the tone, introduces main characters, and perhaps the villains.

At first I set rules for myself, "chapter one will be around 15 pages." or "The main character is this person."
But by the time I got to chapter five the tone had changed, I found myself restricted by rules I set up for myself when trying to create a formula.

Jump ahead 5 months and now Chapter one is chapter five and I decided to not have a main character. Not an easy choice since I had planned an entire six novels around this character.
I decided to not have him be the main character as it would ruin the surprise ending, making the character worthless and ultimately making the entire story as a whole not work.

Once I took him out of the main character role I felt a freedom and relief. I now had an open story to do whatever I wanted to. It felt more natural, it felt more like a story to read about the world I created. I am now seven chapters in and discovered that the main character is actually the world I created. Not sure how well this will work with readers to not have a hero to follow and relate to but I'm hoping that they will relate to one of the other characters in the story.

Now, I have read a lot regarding formatting for a manuscript to send to an agent, the type of font to use, the spacing, how to format the entire thing but I haven't found anything regarding art.

If the writer is also an artist, would I provide the art in the story or would the publisher pic the artist and do whatever they wanted to with it?

I far from being complete with the story but figured I'd ask these boards and see if anyone knows.

Typically the publisher will find the artist for covers and interiors from what I understand.

[Jasen Smith]

I figured they would and I'm fine with that as long as I can work with the artist.
Being an artist myself I'd like to have full control over my book but at the same time don't mind someone else doing art for it.

Not that I'm going to have illustrations in the book but I will have a map, mostly because I have a map made, and also a love for artistic maps.

[paul brian deberry]

Writing a novel, no less the first chapter is usually a real ball breaker. Great job getting past that.... it's all up hill now.

I do that A LOT write what I think is the first couple pages of a script and after reading it will think this is kinda cool but doesn't really fit the tone of the newer stuff.

I've worked with a couple literary agents and they all say the same thing. Unless you're self publishing don't worry about the cover. Your editor will tell you what the covers gonna look like, specially if your a first time author.

[Jasen Smith]

It's been a lot of fun writing.
Learning a lot and changing things as I go.
I have re read my story over and over so many times now but there's parts that I re read and think, "Wow, that was great story telling." other parts I think, "What the hell was I thinking?"

If you go back to my first post that I ever posted here you'll see a huge difference in grammar and punctuation. I'm not perfect but I'm learning as I go and I have learned so much since beginning this book.

[jedipencil]

Hats off to you Jasen! I wrote two novels so far. The first one isn't even worth rolling around the toilet paper dispenser in the bathroom, the second one isn't much better, but does have a few spots that don't reek kitty litter. Except for the ending= ew, yuck, blech... I'm taking my time with this third one, trying out a free-write version of plotting.

From what the millions of podcasts I've been listening to about writing - self-publishing vs submitting, they say companies do the cover thing for you.

Now that I have a smartphone that I can read on, I look endlessly at books and covers - most of the books done by publishers look nicer than self-published ones, but there are exceptions to both. Some covers in both camps look just horrid.

Just my humble/tourist opinion...

[Kors]

writing a novel is probably the second hardest thing someone can do for the first time, only surpassed by getting that first bastard published. I'm on my second one, and even now I dont know if its worth publishing...but as for cover art, they usually find someone to do it for you I believe.

[Kors]

Originally Posted by jedipencil

trying out a free-write version of plotting.

:

I too use a free write plotting method...couldnt do it any other way, its much more spontaneous and fluid that way. Of course I do it all in a notebook first then do my first edit when I type it all out, then 2 more edits afterwards just to be sure I've got everything straight.

[jedipencil]

Originally Posted by Kors

I too use a free write plotting method...couldnt do it any other way, its much more spontaneous and fluid that way. Of course I do it all in a notebook first then do my first edit when I type it all out, then 2 more edits afterwards just to be sure I've got everything straight.

Sounds like a good way to go...

Now that the worst of my day job deadlines are done, I'm continuing that third baby. I found a little tool to help me brainstorm how I'd like the story to end (endings have been my most terrible bane, even while doing all those flash fiction tales. Endings are hard, and a good ending seems next to impossible). And this morning, while desperately sipping an awful cup of coffee, a breakthrough happened. That little trick seems like it might actually help.

[Kors]

sadly my novel has taken a back seat to scripting and coloring our comics...I miss it...just not enough time in the day

[Jasen Smith]

This has turned into an active discussion it seems.

How do you guys prepare yourselves before you start writing?

I use my soundproof headphones and crank up some music. However, my I have several playlist for different moods. Can't very well write a romantic scene while listening to Slipknot.

I found that soundtrack music, no lyrics, seemed to work best. Since I can't sing a long, it feels like the songs are longer and has made me more patient.
I once listened to one of my playlist and before I knew it I had written 10 pages.

[Kors]

I never listen to anything with lyrics when I write...I too write with soundtracks or classical music if anything. I do tend to favor the Lord of the Rings Soundtrack, but I generally tune out the music when I write so tempo doesnt really factor is...just no lyrics.

[jedipencil]

My own method has taken quite some time to develop. I found this huge candle that can stay lit forever, then I take out my favorite pen made from the fingernails clippings of Fabio, take a strong Witches brew of tea, lock the family out of the house (this works well in winter), rip a piece of skin off my cat and make blood blotches on paper. Then I stare at the candle flame for ten minutes to get the brain in the zone, and then stare at the blood blotches on the paper, and voila! Story is born.

The cat population has diminished significantly of late.

I'm sorry. That wasn't really necessary...

Truth be told, I just yell at everybody to shut up and turn on Scrivener.

[Kors]

good lord, I had never heard of scrivener before you just mentioned it....and here I was using word..or even pen and paper like a sucker this whole time...one google later and i'm intrigued!..daddy gotsta get me some of that!

[Jasen Smith]

That is an awesome piece of software.
I've tried using software that has more options than what I use now, Google Docs, but when I do I seem to spend most my time playing with settings. I like to tinker with things a lot. Think it comes from playing Sim City back in the day.