Calling all publishers!

[legalbeagle]

I've always wanted to write. So I've started a blog, just so see if I can actually write, and sustain it for a while. It's still very new so it isn't very long, but I've sent it to various friends etc who have all said lovely things about it. But I'd be interested in some "professional" opinions too. Not pat on the back, well done you, isn't that lovely type comments, but actual comments from people in the industry who might be able to tell me how to get it turned into a book or a column or something. Assuming of course that it's good enough......

Anyone out there fit that bill and fancy being a critic?

[ianr]

Don't you need a USP, or at least some kind of schtick or leitmotiv, to make a saleable blog? What's yours? ;)

[not in the industry]

[Ladymuck]

legalbeagle Wrote:

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>...but I've sent it to various

> friends etc who have all said lovely things about

> it. But I'd be interested in some "professional"

> opinions too. Not pat on the back, well done you,

> isn't that lovely type comments, but actual

> comments from people in the industry...

So! I aint professional enough eh?

Anyway, well done you...isn't that lovely...

*pats LB on back (and legs it)*

[legalbeagle]

Ah LadyM you know I appreciate your readership and your comments, and I'm very glad you like it. But can you get me a step closer to international authorship? You cannot.

So budge over.

[legalbeagle]

ianr Wrote:

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> Don't you need a USP, or at least some kind of

> schtick or leitmotiv, to make a saleable blog?

> What's yours? ;)

>

>

Yes I think that's probably true, except my blog isn't really a blog, it's more like a column or the beginnings of a book. I've just put it in that form to demonstrate that I can write. Or at least I hope that's what I've done!

[VeryBerryCherry]

I find this interesting as I too have set up a blog (a couple of times now) to test the waters of my writing ability.

I have always wanted to write, but as you say, Ianr, I struggle to find the USP of my writing and found it even harder in a blog daily where it is up there for all to see immediately. I had the same reaction; friends loved it and I had some fantabulous comments from friends, but I still felt it was not a realistic marker of how your writing my writing was, it?s style, did I grab the reader, was I witty enough or how perhaps you should be progressing in order to be a better writer i.e. the tricks of the trade.

LB, do you write a diary or anything else like that?

[Ladymuck]

legalbeagle Wrote:

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> Ah LadyM you know I appreciate your readership and

> your comments, and I'm very glad you like it. But

> can you get me a step closer to international

> authorship? You cannot.

>

> So budge over.

International eh?

*scratches head for a mo*

*then, "budges over"*

;-)

[legalbeagle]

VBC, I don't write a diary, this is the first thing I have done. I haven't found the content difficult at all, I'm quite disciplined so I do find the time to write as well, but I'm just not sure how good it is. And if it is good, I'm not sure what to do next. I think I have something, I'm just not sure what!

[steveo]

C'mon, cough up the blog address please. You know you want to

[legalbeagle]

Wondered how long that would take! I don't want to actually Steveo, really. It's still very young and quite personal and I'm not sure I'm ready for a full on Lounge kicking just yet!

[Note to self, develop hide of rhino soon or you won't get anything published at all....]

[karter]

Great stuff LB. Looking forward to reading it.

*pats LB on the back*

[*Bob*]

But surely the best way to grow in confidence as a budding writer is to have your early efforts shot down in flames by vitriolic anonymous posters on your local internet forum?

[legalbeagle]

And that is why, on a daily basis, I thank the Lord for the gift of PMs.

Insert appropriate smiley here.

[VeryBerryCherry]

legalbeagle Wrote:

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> VBC, I don't write a diary, this is the first

> thing I have done. I haven't found the content

> difficult at all, I'm quite disciplined so I do

> find the time to write as well, but I'm just not

> sure how good it is. And if it is good, I'm not

> sure what to do next. I think I have something,

> I'm just not sure what!

Well I think the fact that you are motivated and disciplined counts for a hell of a lot, and that you have subject matter - even better, that in itself is a great start. I know everyone has probably said it and it?s not most helpful of comments, but well done. Like you say though, it?s how you then continue forward and progress with this. I know for me there is that lurching feeling about how you push this and your writing out there; I hated telling friends I was writing a blog as I didn?t want them to read it, despite their enthusiasm, yet at the time I wanted someone to look it over and suggest ways to move things forward. You want to get a decent evaluation of your work, but without all the niceties of friends and obviously not the criticisms of the Vampires on here. >:D<

Fingers crossed you might get some writers on here who can offer some experienced critique and that way you can send them your work. Otherwise, I would look to courses perhaps to take, even if it?s something very informal to start. I can only imagine the sheer volume of gubbins publishers/literary magazines get that they have to wade through. I would rather pay someone to get me up to speed in my skills before totally throwing myself out there. Plus they would know the smartest routes in to writing where you want and it being seen.

[PeckhamRose]

There is certainly money to be made as a writer. Just set up a writing class....

Sounds cynical but quite true.

Check out shootingpeople.org.uk writers bulletins and see that about 80% of the posts on the average day are for courses!

The wonderful character of Ed Reardon (BBC Radio 4) teaches us all we need to know....

I would, however, recommend joining a script writing group.

Player-Playwrights

ScriptTank

are two of the best in my humble opinion.

I am a member of both and a committee member of P-P so a tad biased.

You have the opportunity to have scripts* read / performed by professional actors and then everyone discusses their merits and offers constructive professional criticism. Usually.

* not blogs, sorry!

[legalbeagle]

Thanks PR, and thanks to everyone for all the PMs too. Glad to hear some of you like what I'm writing!