Writing for fantasy novels - Page 2

jedipencil · 07-26-2012, 04:52 PM

I like Scrivener alot. And I got $10 off the price when I did NaNoWriMo last November, so the price was right. Pen and paper was what I used for the longest time, and then I got my little mini laptop for writing a year and a half ago and used Word. Which was fine. But Scrivener lets you set up you chapters and scenes and parts and whatever... and it is super simple at the same time. Took me a few days to set it up the way I like it and now I don't bother with any settings anymore, just turn it on and write. (the hardest part is getting the time to write, like Kors mentioned...)

And the one story I wrote that got selected to be published had to be formatted in some writerly way of which I had clue, and the program does alot of it for you - doing it in the right font and spacing and all that.

I'll probably never get to set up a story for publishing again, but well, I can still do it!

Jasen Smith · 07-27-2012, 05:53 PM

I'm going to have to try it out, it looks and sounds like it's worth it.
Do you know if it can sync to an online profile? I like to write and edit when ever I get a chance and sometimes I don't have a personal computer near me.

jedipencil · 07-29-2012, 09:15 AM

I actually don't know, maybe someone else does...

Ria13 · 08-01-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasen Smith

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?

now I know the answer to this question. I want to motivate you to find out the answer yourself. if you want to know the answer to these questions, find a basic book on getting published and read it. if at all possible, read more than one. you will the answers you seek there.

call up the library and ask them if they have any books like that. saying you want to find books on the steps a books go through on its way to publication. if you have a good-sized library in your area, they will. if not, they can suggest some books. I can't think of any specific ones.

otherwise, a series of Google searches could help you out.

Ria13 · 08-01-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasen Smith

Do you know if it can sync to an online profile?

I checked just now and found that it has a "sync to external folder" function. I don't know enough about computers to think I know whether or not that answers your question.

Jasen Smith · 08-01-2012, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria13

now I know the answer to this question. I want to motivate you to find out the answer yourself. if you want to know the answer to these questions, find a basic book on getting published and read it. if at all possible, read more than one. you will the answers you seek there.

call up the library and ask them if they have any books like that. saying you want to find books on the steps a books go through on its way to publication. if you have a good-sized library in your area, they will. if not, they can suggest some books. I can't think of any specific ones.

otherwise, a series of Google searches could help you out.

I've done the Google searches but get mixed results.
Some do the art themselves, publishers pic them out, and then I find things that contradict this.

Figured I'd check these forums to get a general consensus since we have published writers here.

Jasen Smith · 08-01-2012, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria13

I checked just now and found that it has a "sync to external folder" function. I don't know enough about computers to think I know whether or not that answers your question.

External folder sounds more like to a server that's setup by the user. Since Google Drive just came out this might serve as an external folder but then again, since it's still new, they may not have it setup yet.

SuperMonkey · 08-02-2012, 04:11 AM

As I understand it (barely published writer talking here), the publisher almost always picks out cover artists these days, unless you're working through a (very) small publisher or a vanity press. In decades past, writers (Ian Fleming and Tolkien among them) who also happened to be competent visual artists did a lot of their own cover art, but I'm pretty sure those days are gone (aside from the exception I mentioned above). Unless you're someone like Stephen King, you're probably barely even going to be consulted when it comes to the design of the book.

jedipencil · 08-02-2012, 08:38 AM

I don't know if it's useful for you, but here is a link to the Scrivener help forum for both Windows and Mac...

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/forum/

And here is a link to some tips for using the program. I can't vouch for them as I haven't had the time to try them...

http://www.atfmb.com/tag/scrivener/

Ria13 · 08-02-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasen Smith

Some do the art themselves, publishers pic them out, and then I find things that contradict this.

you must have pulled up some results from self-publishers, then, if they illustrated their books themselves.

Quote:

Figured I'd check these forums to get a general consensus since we have published writers here.

as a general rule, you don't go to a forum dedicated to Subject X and ask for help on Subject Y. this doesn't just apply here. that bit of advice always applies. go to the place of specialist knowledge. you go to a forum dedicated to Subject Y, in this case writing prose fiction. I suggest one called Absolute Write.

again, though, if you have a general question like yours, it really pays to look into what your local library has on the subject.

Jasen Smith · 08-04-2012, 08:44 PM

You're right, this isn't the place to come asking questions or for advice, sometimes asking a simple question gets the ball rolling for a conversation and something good comes out of it.
Much like providing software to those who never used it in this case.

I didn't ask the question out of laziness on my part, I've gone through research and then some, I've read the pros and cons of self publishing and getting an agent.

If you are a control freak and want your words, your art, and designs to be in your books, then self publish it.

If you don't care and just want get the story out then get an agent.

Getting an agent is actually very difficult and a long process. You could be waiting around for years, at which during that time I suggest writing another book.
After several rejections you could have had your entire series of novels completed but is this the right way to do things?

If you want complete control, self publish.
If you don't mind waiting and having others tear your epic story apart, then get an agent.

In my research I have found that yes, the agent and publisher will take a large percentage of your sales but you are almost guaranteed to sell more copies. Your novels will reach more people as well through promotions on their sites and social pages.

However, the question I was asking above about art in books is a vague subject in most cases and people seem to ignore the question and without thinking go to the quick answers.

Self Publishing = your art in your books.
Publisher = Someone else's art in your book.

This isn't always the case as I have read that some authors that are published by one of the big publishers, have provided their own art. Not to the cover of course, but art within the book itself whether it be a full page or just a small symbol for each chapter.

So the question I asked isn't a simple one, it is one that is actually very hard to find due to the different circumstances. I'm sure if you have had your books published then chances of getting a publisher to listen to you and what you want are higher.

Regardless of any of this, it doesn't matter, I'd like to have my map included in my book, that's all I really care about. I don't want to self publish and am not concerned about making a huge profit from my story. I only care about making the reading feel like they are in the story and giving them the sensation of feeling like they are apart of that world.

07-26-2012, 04:52 PM	#16
jedipencil Rabid Horse Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East of Montreal Posts: 3,180	I like Scrivener alot. And I got $10 off the price when I did NaNoWriMo last November, so the price was right. Pen and paper was what I used for the longest time, and then I got my little mini laptop for writing a year and a half ago and used Word. Which was fine. But Scrivener lets you set up you chapters and scenes and parts and whatever... and it is super simple at the same time. Took me a few days to set it up the way I like it and now I don't bother with any settings anymore, just turn it on and write. (the hardest part is getting the time to write, like Kors mentioned...) And the one story I wrote that got selected to be published had to be formatted in some writerly way of which I had clue, and the program does alot of it for you - doing it in the right font and spacing and all that. I'll probably never get to set up a story for publishing again, but well, I can still do it! __________________ Rabid Horse l My Etsy Store l Goodreads I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the cooking.

07-29-2012, 09:15 AM	#18
jedipencil Rabid Horse Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East of Montreal Posts: 3,180	I actually don't know, maybe someone else does... __________________ Rabid Horse l My Etsy Store l Goodreads I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the cooking.

08-02-2012, 08:38 AM	#24
jedipencil Rabid Horse Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: East of Montreal Posts: 3,180	I don't know if it's useful for you, but here is a link to the Scrivener help forum for both Windows and Mac... http://www.literatureandlatte.com/forum/ And here is a link to some tips for using the program. I can't vouch for them as I haven't had the time to try them... http://www.atfmb.com/tag/scrivener/ __________________ Rabid Horse l My Etsy Store l Goodreads I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the cooking.

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07-27-2012, 05:53 PM	#17
Jasen Smith Lee Nordling is my hero Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: My own mind Posts: 3,977	I'm going to have to try it out, it looks and sounds like it's worth it. Do you know if it can sync to an online profile? I like to write and edit when ever I get a chance and sometimes I don't have a personal computer near me.

08-02-2012, 04:11 AM	#23
SuperMonkey InGenre.com Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Insert pithy witticism here Posts: 2,810	As I understand it (barely published writer talking here), the publisher almost always picks out cover artists these days, unless you're working through a (very) small publisher or a vanity press. In decades past, writers (Ian Fleming and Tolkien among them) who also happened to be competent visual artists did a lot of their own cover art, but I'm pretty sure those days are gone (aside from the exception I mentioned above). Unless you're someone like Stephen King, you're probably barely even going to be consulted when it comes to the design of the book.

08-04-2012, 08:44 PM	#26
Jasen Smith Lee Nordling is my hero Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: My own mind Posts: 3,977	You're right, this isn't the place to come asking questions or for advice, sometimes asking a simple question gets the ball rolling for a conversation and something good comes out of it. Much like providing software to those who never used it in this case. I didn't ask the question out of laziness on my part, I've gone through research and then some, I've read the pros and cons of self publishing and getting an agent. If you are a control freak and want your words, your art, and designs to be in your books, then self publish it. If you don't care and just want get the story out then get an agent. Getting an agent is actually very difficult and a long process. You could be waiting around for years, at which during that time I suggest writing another book. After several rejections you could have had your entire series of novels completed but is this the right way to do things? If you want complete control, self publish. If you don't mind waiting and having others tear your epic story apart, then get an agent. In my research I have found that yes, the agent and publisher will take a large percentage of your sales but you are almost guaranteed to sell more copies. Your novels will reach more people as well through promotions on their sites and social pages. However, the question I was asking above about art in books is a vague subject in most cases and people seem to ignore the question and without thinking go to the quick answers. Self Publishing = your art in your books. Publisher = Someone else's art in your book. This isn't always the case as I have read that some authors that are published by one of the big publishers, have provided their own art. Not to the cover of course, but art within the book itself whether it be a full page or just a small symbol for each chapter. So the question I asked isn't a simple one, it is one that is actually very hard to find due to the different circumstances. I'm sure if you have had your books published then chances of getting a publisher to listen to you and what you want are higher. Regardless of any of this, it doesn't matter, I'd like to have my map included in my book, that's all I really care about. I don't want to self publish and am not concerned about making a huge profit from my story. I only care about making the reading feel like they are in the story and giving them the sensation of feeling like they are apart of that world.