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Okay, self-published: which for some of you might be "meh" and for others might be nifty. Either way, I wrote a book and published it. If you're curious to see what it's about, just click on "My Book" in links.
First, though, a little background info should you find yourself curious enough to buy it. Though it's not the first novel-length story I've written, it is the first story that I've both completed and liked. It's traditional sword and sorcery, and though I begin the writing portion of a story with no intended audience in mind, the main target audience for this book is young adults (teens). The main character is a sixteen year old boy. There's dragons, unicorns (yes, I like unicorns, so sue me) wizards, elves, half man/animals, trolls and the like.
Sound cliche so far? Have I scared you off yet?;)
If it's any consolation, there are no prophecies about "chosen ones," no young man setting out a journey because some elderly wizard told him to, no magic books or enchanted swords. I like my stories to start off small, the purpose for a journey something seemingly simple, and in turn leading the character into something more grand and all-encompasing.
Then there's the character himself.
I'm a major fan of under-dog heroes, and the hero of my story is as underdog as you can get, IMO. I really put the poor kid through the wringer, and his personality isn't what I would call "plucky". Quite the opposite, in fact. My main character is a paranoid, nervous wreck - abused for most of his life. I know, probably not an appealing sounding character, but, dang it, I liked him :D. The inspiration for him came from the Charles Dickens novel Nicholas Nickleby and the character Smike. Smike - an abused kid rescued by the main character, Nicholas - fascinated me because it got me wondering "how does someone who's been subject to that much cruelty over come it?" One thought led to another, one idea to another and thus I came up with the main character for my book. Although I doubt I'll ever use such characterization again. I didn't like what I put him through, even though it was necessary.
Finally, should you indeed be curious enough to buy and read - don't tell me. If you're not interested - don't tell me. If you're thinking about getting it, or are just curious to know a little more, feel free to ask questions and I will answer to the best of my ability - unless answering means giving something vital to the plot away, of course ;). Being the author, I can't tell you if the book is wonderful, or if I think you'll think its "meh". Because, as the author, I have no idea if the book is good. All I know is that I was happy enough with it to take that final step and publish it.
*Winces* Hope I haven't scared you off. I know the agony of buying a book that you end up hating two-chapters in because it wasn't what you thought it was going to be. I hope this little insight helps with the decision making progress.
P.S. - If you have questions about the company I used to publish this book, I'd be happy to answer them. It's a self-publishing company, though, just so you know.
First, though, a little background info should you find yourself curious enough to buy it. Though it's not the first novel-length story I've written, it is the first story that I've both completed and liked. It's traditional sword and sorcery, and though I begin the writing portion of a story with no intended audience in mind, the main target audience for this book is young adults (teens). The main character is a sixteen year old boy. There's dragons, unicorns (yes, I like unicorns, so sue me) wizards, elves, half man/animals, trolls and the like.
Sound cliche so far? Have I scared you off yet?;)
If it's any consolation, there are no prophecies about "chosen ones," no young man setting out a journey because some elderly wizard told him to, no magic books or enchanted swords. I like my stories to start off small, the purpose for a journey something seemingly simple, and in turn leading the character into something more grand and all-encompasing.
Then there's the character himself.
I'm a major fan of under-dog heroes, and the hero of my story is as underdog as you can get, IMO. I really put the poor kid through the wringer, and his personality isn't what I would call "plucky". Quite the opposite, in fact. My main character is a paranoid, nervous wreck - abused for most of his life. I know, probably not an appealing sounding character, but, dang it, I liked him :D. The inspiration for him came from the Charles Dickens novel Nicholas Nickleby and the character Smike. Smike - an abused kid rescued by the main character, Nicholas - fascinated me because it got me wondering "how does someone who's been subject to that much cruelty over come it?" One thought led to another, one idea to another and thus I came up with the main character for my book. Although I doubt I'll ever use such characterization again. I didn't like what I put him through, even though it was necessary.
Finally, should you indeed be curious enough to buy and read - don't tell me. If you're not interested - don't tell me. If you're thinking about getting it, or are just curious to know a little more, feel free to ask questions and I will answer to the best of my ability - unless answering means giving something vital to the plot away, of course ;). Being the author, I can't tell you if the book is wonderful, or if I think you'll think its "meh". Because, as the author, I have no idea if the book is good. All I know is that I was happy enough with it to take that final step and publish it.
*Winces* Hope I haven't scared you off. I know the agony of buying a book that you end up hating two-chapters in because it wasn't what you thought it was going to be. I hope this little insight helps with the decision making progress.
P.S. - If you have questions about the company I used to publish this book, I'd be happy to answer them. It's a self-publishing company, though, just so you know.
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Date: 2008-11-02 01:45 am (UTC)From:no subject
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Date: 2008-11-02 01:51 am (UTC)From:erm, please?
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Date: 2008-11-02 03:38 am (UTC)From:*Toots horn*
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Date: 2008-11-02 03:53 am (UTC)From:no subject
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Date: 2008-11-02 04:49 am (UTC)From:I think that is WONDERFUL!!! I went to Hastings yesterday and there was this guy doing a book signing. He's apparently from around here and I talked to him for a moment and ended up buying one of his books. I couldn't help but think, maybe that will be me some day (this could be why my husband accuses me of living in a fantasy world). Anyway - if I ever get anything complete and polished enough, I might be asking questions about the self-publishing process. Good luck!!
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Date: 2008-11-02 05:14 am (UTC)From:If you do decide to go the self-publishing route, edit your book like crazy. Get a whole bunch of people to read it - family, friends, but most especially someone who's going to give you their honest opinion (and it also wouldn't hurt if they had some mad spelling and grammer skills;)). The biggest stumbling block with my book was that when people helped me edit, they were only looking for spelling errors, not grammer mistakes, plot holes, structure problems, etc. I nearly published the book as it was until my brother read it (he's a very avid reader and recognized that my book was in need of a few more edits).
That was three years ago... I think. Maybe four. I believe, as a whole, it took six years to publish this book. So some patience may be in order as well ;)
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Date: 2008-11-02 05:28 am (UTC)From:I tried to go to the book link to check it out (it's you for heaven's sake - of course I want to buy it). My stupid computer won't load the site. I've tried to get there several different ways. I have no idea what the deal is (STUPID computer), but I guess I'll have to borrow someone else's (smacks computer upside the back of the screen).
And I still think this is awesome!!
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Date: 2008-11-02 05:43 am (UTC)From:Fanfic's a great writing tool in that it's a good way to practice. But, man, does it ever pull you away from original writing. With my recent original (which I'm totally unhappy with) every time I sat down to write, a fanfic idea popped into my head. Not that the idea went anywhere, but that didn't stop it from being a distraction.
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Date: 2008-11-02 06:00 am (UTC)From:Fanfic does have it's good points. I've gotten lots of practice with different types of stories and characters and learned a lot (I hope). If it just wasn't so addictive. I was jarred by yet another idea this morning (like I have time to do anything with it). I wish I could just take a week off to do nothing but sit and write and use that to work on my novel. Hmmmmm??????
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Date: 2008-11-02 04:51 am (UTC)From:Well done!
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Date: 2008-11-02 05:17 am (UTC)From:That's cool. I have a former college teacher who's writing a book on the BTK killer. I wonder if she's finished it?
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Date: 2008-11-02 05:17 am (UTC)From:no subject
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Date: 2008-11-02 07:05 am (UTC)From:Thanks for the encouragement though :)
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Date: 2008-11-02 05:54 am (UTC)From:(Hey, you're using Lulu! I've used them before; I was very happy with them. I've never done the selling-off-their-website thing; I ordered shipments of books and then distributed them to stores.)
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Date: 2008-11-03 08:04 pm (UTC)From:Since this is my first book, I'm treading carefully. I'm going to stick with selling online. Should the book do well enough (in that sales don't end up coming to a complete halt or, worse case scenario, poeple demand a refund;)) then I might try expanding to selling the book in local stores.
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Date: 2008-11-02 12:38 pm (UTC)From:no subject
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Date: 2008-11-05 10:25 pm (UTC)From:That's actually kinda cool ^^