Writing to get published
So i am planning to write a fictional book which will be autobiographical
I would add real incidents from my life with fictional twist
And ultimately i want to get it published
Any suggestions or guidance
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Build your book up from chapters or outlines you've created.
Know what the ending will be and write towards that.
If necessary, attempt short stories first before tackling a whole novel.
BTW, how does one have a fictional autobiographical story? That seems contradictory. What are some examples?
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I'm under the assumption that "Fictional Autobiography" refers to taking a large amount of personal experience/your own life; and transferring that to a fiction story. Generally, she's writing about her personal experiences within a fiction story.
Firstly, there's the concept of how much fiction you're planning to add. I'm under the assumption that you're trying to write something entertaining more than a direct re-telling of your life; although there's probably some of both in there. While Robin's idea is correct that knowing the ending helps; first impressions help as well - as good as the ending is, if the beginning is too boring they won't ever get to the ending. Make sure there's something to hook them in the beginning - otherwise they'll just put it down.
What's your beginning like so far? How much are you willing to change for the fiction aspect?
If it's your own personal life; then obviously you're going to know yourself well. Thus, take advantage of that and make the characters as deep as you can.
Here are some questions a teacher at my school gave me:
1) What is the character's overall goal in life?
2) What is the character's main goal in this story (what are they trying to achieve)?
3) What is the character's biggest fear?
4) What is the character's biggest regret?
5) What experience was the defining moment in the character's life, and why?
Ask your characters these questions - get a grasp of their personality and they will come through much easier. If you don't know it; make something up - it doesn't have to be an exact copy of reality.
>Here< are some more questions.
Give us more information; maybe an excerpt of the first chapter - and we can help more ;p
Another thing I've heard is - if you're having trouble figuring out how a character should act in a specific chapter - try writing the chapter from their perspective. Just don't actually put it in the book. Some people think it's a waste not to, but doing this helps make them deeper characters in what IS in the book.
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Kraichgauer
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Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Gender: Male
Posts: 49,751
Location: Spokane area, Washington state.
Firstly, there's the concept of how much fiction you're planning to add. I'm under the assumption that you're trying to write something entertaining more than a direct re-telling of your life; although there's probably some of both in there. While Robin's idea is correct that knowing the ending helps; first impressions help as well - as good as the ending is, if the beginning is too boring they won't ever get to the ending. Make sure there's something to hook them in the beginning - otherwise they'll just put it down.
Ya thats true. The ending has to be interesting. Like Memoirs of Geisha, The hours, White Oleandar they all have a specific ending. A ending which is happy. So what do you think whether i should keep a happy ending or a tragic one??
The beginning is about middle age experiences and how the middle age experiences are co related to the childhood abuse. Its like White Oleandar how the girl is at a happy stage and finally she moves onto a complex life she connects dot to realise that it was the childhood/mother who actually lead her to this situation.
I would be keeping characters from real life but i would change them little bit, like their occupation, their names(of course), their behaviour and experience wont be changed.
1) What is the character's overall goal in life?
2) What is the character's main goal in this story (what are they trying to achieve)?
3) What is the character's biggest fear?
4) What is the character's biggest regret?
5) What experience was the defining moment in the character's life, and why?
This is interesting. Thanks for passing on this hints. I look forward to more such hints and guidance.
Ans1) Her goal is to deal with a confusing life, getting help, not finding it and struggling to find it
Ans2) In this story she is trying to deal with world and finding it difficult to deal
Ans3) I think loosing the battle and giving up is her biggest fear
Ans4) Not realising earlier that she is different from others. And trying to mix up with others ultimately to be rejected
Ans5) Ya that would be a incident in her 30's a breaking moment.
Give us more information; maybe an excerpt of the first chapter - and we can help more ;p
Another thing I've heard is - if you're having trouble figuring out how a character should act in a specific chapter - try writing the chapter from their perspective. Just don't actually put it in the book. Some people think it's a waste not to, but doing this helps make them deeper characters in what IS in the
book.
Thanks for the link i would go through it in.
Should i write it in chapter wise form
Or should i just write in a continous form
I guess chapter wise would be good. naming the chapters on the main crux of that part story.What would your suggestion be???
The first chapter would start with the major breakdown at age 30 breakdown or breakthrough a opening of a shell a realisation.
i will add more inputs
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The only thing right in this wrong world is
WRONG PLANET
Well, aside from some stuff related to the writing itself, such as how good the descriptions are, there isn't much else I can say in some cases.
However, Character Development is very important in a story like this - since the protagonist's struggles are what the story is about, if the character isn't deep enough for the readers to care about her, the story falls flat.
Here's some more places for tips on writing.
http://www.writingexcuses.com/
http://www.davidfarland.net/writing_tips/
_________________
If you believe in anything, believe in yourself. Only then will your life remain your own.
Author/Writer
However, Character Development is very important in a story like this - since the protagonist's struggles are what the story is about, if the character isn't deep enough for the readers to care about her, the story falls flat.
Here's some more places for tips on writing.
http://www.writingexcuses.com/
http://www.davidfarland.net/writing_tips/
i will check them out in sparetime
and get back to you with lot of other questions
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The only thing right in this wrong world is
WRONG PLANET
Kraichgauer
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Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Gender: Male
Posts: 49,751
Location: Spokane area, Washington state.
-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer
are you a fan of that writer
cos your profile name is same
I am, but not just because the late Mr. Burroughs and I shared the same first name.
If you're at all interested, there is a great biographical documentary on him called William S. Burroughs: A Man Within. As well as movies such as Beat (starring Keifer Sutherland), and Naked Lunch (starring Peter Weller in a fictionalized account of his life, bearing the name of his most famous book), dealing with the chapter of his life where he sort of accidentally on purpose shot his wife.
Another writer who wrote very biographical fiction was the late Charles Bukowski. He wrote the script for the movie Barfly (starring Mickey Roarke) dealing with his barely disguised literary identity Henry Chinaski, while the movie Factotum (starring Matt Dillon) was based on one of his novels about the same character.
-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer
so i started writing yesterday
i have wrote down list of chapters
i will start with mid life crisis...cause thats where the character faces a opening of shell
then should i go to childhood and move up to adulthood
or the chapters should be named based on major events in life
i know i am asking real stupid questions
sounds worst then amateur writer
_________________
The only thing right in this wrong world is
WRONG PLANET
Kraichgauer
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Joined: 12 Apr 2010
Gender: Male
Posts: 49,751
Location: Spokane area, Washington state.
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