Writing on spec

[BitterYoungMatador2]

What ever happened with this?

PM sent.

To give the Readers Digest version on here - it's progressing.

 

[Smallpotatoes]

So should I just go ahead and write the first chapter since I’m apparently committed to it whether I want to be or not?

 

[SixToe]

So should I just go ahead and write the first chapter since I’m apparently committed to it whether I want to be or not?

Write the chapter and submit it.

If she says no, you're a chapter ahead and don't worry about her. If she says yes, meet with her to discuss it and see if you want to move forward.

I like to be paid for my work, just like anyone. But don't **** up this opportunity by being stuck in 2007. It's one chapter. The agent has opened the door. See what happens.

 

[Liut]

Write the chapter and submit it.

If she says no, you're a chapter ahead and don't worry about her. If she says yes, meet with her to discuss it and see if you want to move forward.

I like to be paid for my work, just like anyone. But don't **** up this opportunity by being stuck in 2007. It's one chapter. The agent has opened the door. See what happens.

+1

 

[Liut]

Writing from experience here ...
My hope is you have passion for your subject/project. Without that, I never would have completed my book. It was one of the hardest endeavors in my life.
When the book was published, I was both thrilled and, when readers started purchasing it, terrified LOL.
Finish it ... and I hope it sells bunches!

 

[wicked]

So should I just go ahead and write the first chapter since I’m apparently committed to it whether I want to be or not?

I mean this in the nicest way possible, but sometimes you can be your worst enemy here.

Write it. Put everything you have into it. Smoke a blunt or have a Jack and Coke, if you dabble in those things. Remove any possible inhibitions. Pound that keyboard like boots would drill his neighbor up the ass and have a happy you just completed a chapter day.

Now if I could only take my own advice.

 

[wicked]

Bringing this thread back to life because I’m selfish.

I’ve started some research on an idea I’ve had for a while that I referenced upthread. By starting research, I mean printing out about 350 articles — still gotta read them. (Newspapers.com is a great, but expensive resource.) I already have 20-something interview subjects that ideally I’ll get.

I’m still struggling with how to con the well-known folks to talk to a guy without a sure plan, other than to try and publish a book ;even if it’s self-published), but I’ll cross that bridge in a bit.

 

[Here me roar]

So I had a short story published in a book once upon a time ago, and then whatever. But my understanding is the place to start is to try to get an agent, not a publisher. If you can send a sample to an agent and they bite, they can help you with the publishing aspect. If none of that happens then yeah self-publish becomes the option. You need an agent, but you have to have a product to pitch to them.

 

[Typist Clerk]

Newspapers.com and genealogybank.com are go-to resources I use almost every day for research. NY Times’ Time Machine a lot as well. Pricey in one respect, but it’s a business expense so a 100 percent writeoff.