What keeps you interested in a book?

[Miyenne]

I really don't like doing this, asking for help, but none of my friends or family are into reading, let alone fantasy novels.

So I'm stuck. Back in January I quit my job with the support of my family and decided to do what every 30 year old dreams of doing; write a book. So I did. I published it online and it's barely sold, even though I don't think it's too bad.

That aside, I'm halfway through the second book. And I hate all 40,000 words of what I've written. My characters have become tools and the story's just devolved into political maneuvering that I can't even seem to control. It's just a mess.

So I want to start again.

It's a fantasy novel, pretty basic premise. I won't explain it as I don't think the characters or overarching plot would interest anyone.

I know what I like. I can't begin to compare myself to Robin Hobb or Guy Gavriel Kay, or of course Martin. I try and strive for a pacing like Salvatore or Lackey.


Want I want to know is what keeps you invested in a story, a character? What are your favorite stories or series, and why?

What are some of your favourite scenes, or least favourite?


I just need something to spark me that I can tie into my series and wrap this book around, because I've been fucking around with it for two months and going nowhere, even if I have the plot all written out step by step, I just don't like it.

Thanks guys.

 

[Lilani]

Try just starting a new project for a while. It could be that you're just a bit burnt out on the whole things, so just set it aside for a while and write something else. That'll help get your mind clear so when you go back, you'll be ready to approach it with fresh eyes. Sometimes you just get so close to a project you can't see your end goal anymore, and that is especially true in writing. So just freewrite or something for a while, maybe try a short story instead of a novel.

 

[Miyenne]

I've been thinking about that. There's two characters in the same world who have the makings for short stories, I guess I could work with that.

I guess there's nothing wrong with leaving the other book alone, even if the ending of the first clearly shows there's a continuation. I just can't get into those character's heads, nor do I even like them very much at this point. In the conceptual phase they were a great team, but I struggled with the first book because they ended up not meshing well at all (in my mind) and the whole plot I had planned went out the window and the characters kinda took over my hands themselves, if that makes any sense.

 

[Albino Boo]

Try reading some history. If you read some history from periods with well documented political maneuvering you can get a feel for what the drivers were behind people who created the real world events. The late Roman republic is a good a start as any, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catiline , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulla . You also could look at Italy between 1200-1550 and the Byzantine empire. It might help you to get back into your character's heads.

 

[Tiger King]

I really don't like doing this, asking for help, but none of my friends or family are into reading, let alone fantasy novels.

So I'm stuck. Back in January I quit my job with the support of my family and decided to do what every 30 year old dreams of doing; write a book. So I did. I published it online and it's barely sold, even though I don't think it's too bad.

That aside, I'm halfway through the second book. And I hate all 40,000 words of what I've written. My characters have become tools and the story's just devolved into political maneuvering that I can't even seem to control. It's just a mess.

So I want to start again.

It's a fantasy novel, pretty basic premise. I won't explain it as I don't think the characters or overarching plot would interest anyone.

I know what I like. I can't begin to compare myself to Robin Hobb or Guy Gavriel Kay, or of course Martin. I try and strive for a pacing like Salvatore or Lackey.


Want I want to know is what keeps you invested in a story, a character? What are your favorite stories or series, and why?

What are some of your favourite scenes, or least favourite?


I just need something to spark me that I can tie into my series and wrap this book around, because I've been fucking around with it for two months and going nowhere, even if I have the plot all written out step by step, I just don't like it.

Thanks guys.

don't start again, not yet anyway.
Take a break, start something else and let the story leave the imagination so you can read it again later with fresh eyes and an unbiased mind.
Something that big would need a few weeks to a month in my opinion, a long time to wait but it will help.

Took a look at your blog website, is your other book availible as an ebook?

 

[Miyenne]

don't start again, not yet anyway.
Take a break, start something else and let the story leave the imagination so you can read it again later with fresh eyes and an unbiased mind.
Something that big would need a few weeks to a month in my opinion, a long time to wait but it will help.

Took a look at your blog website, is your other book availible as an ebook?

I haven't scrapped it, I always keep everything I write. I have moved on to writing something more action-y and funny, since I'm getting sick of the emotional drama and abuse with the other characters.

The first book is on amazon for kindle and smashwords for all other formats, there's links just under the title banner of the blog.

Your interest makes me happy, thank you!

 

[Tiger King]

don't start again, not yet anyway.
Take a break, start something else and let the story leave the imagination so you can read it again later with fresh eyes and an unbiased mind.
Something that big would need a few weeks to a month in my opinion, a long time to wait but it will help.

Took a look at your blog website, is your other book availible as an ebook?

I haven't scrapped it, I always keep everything I write. I have moved on to writing something more action-y and funny, since I'm getting sick of the emotional drama and abuse with the other characters.

The first book is on amazon for kindle and smashwords for all other formats, there's links just under the title banner of the blog.

Your interest makes me happy, thank you!

That's quite alright, I just downloaded it and will give it a read later.
I'm sure a break will refresh your batteries too!