I was reading about beat sheets on another website and came upon your link. I would like to find out about” the Url link and the beat sheet that can be used for a novel that was mentioned on that website
Hi Natalie
You’re certainly at the right site – the beat sheet is a tool I’ve developed for revising novels. You should find it in the tag cloud on the right-hand side, and another way to find articles about it is if you type it into the search box. Plus it’s in my book, Nail Your Novel, available on Amazon.com. Good luck with your novel. Roz
Hi Paul – thanks so much for your interest and sorry you’ve had a frustrating time. Nail Your Novel is available in the UK and throughout the rest of the world, from Lulu – you can get it here http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/nail-your-novel/5301103
I would like to invite you to join our new social network for new and aspiring authors. You can promote your work on our site by adding your link in your profile or you can utilize our blog, video or discussion tools. We also welcome comments on the work that others add to the site. Please take a look and let me know what you think.
Hi Ian
Thanks very much for your enquiry. I’m looking into epub options at the moment. It might take me a while as I’m not a US resident and I have to get a US tax code – which I’ve applied for. In the meantime, if you’re desperate, the old-fashioned print version is available from Amazon or Lulu http://ht.ly/3MWBC and http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/nail-your-novel/5301103
Roz
We met on Hereafter – a long time ago now! Hope you’re well. I love you’re blog.
Im asking for help for a friend, she’s actually a characterful Tunisian woman who does my waxing! She has an amazing life story and is looking for someone to help her write it up. Do you know how she could go about finding someone?
I have a failed novel and revamped it. I used a friends friend to do the editing and the publishing. I was taken (Juiced) for 1,500.00. Now I am using a professional firm and paying even more. But my question is how to make sure I get my novel in your hands and others that are successful like yourself? If you will or have time pls e-mail me at terence_merritt68@hotmail.com
Hi Roz, I finished reading “Nail Your Novel” (wish I’d read it a year ago) and have a question: During the past 12 months, I re-wrote my novel 8 times as part of a critique group, and now I’m wondering if I should just go back to my 1st draft and start over? My book is different now. In some ways better, in some ways worse. I’m not even sure I can work with it (in it’s present, 8th incarnation). I’m feeling a bit discouraged and don’t know how to recapture the original freshness. I think there are some good changes in the revisions, but also a lot of bad direction. How will I sort through it?
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa
Interesting situation – but by no means atypical. I think a lot of writers have found themselves in this same situation so it would probably be most helpful if I answer this in a post. Stay tuned – and thanks for your kind comments about Nail Your Novel.
Hi Nicole – if you buy the Kindle version, the text-to-speech function is enabled so the Kindle can read it to you. Hope that helps – and thanks for your enquiry.
Hard to sort through all the info and know what’s best. What would you suggest for young adult fantasy? Three book story. Mainstream first or right to self-publishing?
I always advise writers to go conventional first. Querying is the way to test if your work is up to standard. If you have near misses, they will tell you what you need to work on – and that advice is free. If you never hear or get form rejections, you’ve probably got a way to go and should probably work on your craft. An agent may end up not taking you on, and you may have to query a lot of them, but if you can’t get detailed attention from them at all you probably aren’t ready to publish on your own.
Hi, Roz. I am in the process of making revisions to my first short story, and I would like some feedback. My degree is in English, but I spent my college career writing critical evaluations of other works. Now that I’m writing my own, I would like to know if I’m on the right path. I’ve heard of people using online critique groups in these situations, but the reviews are always mixed. Where would you suggest that I go to get feedback for an unfinished first short story?
Hi – forgive me, the comment doesn’t tell me your name! Online critique groups are a great resource, because you can find people who are at the level you need and in tune with the kind of story you want to write. In the old days of offline, writers were kind of stuck with whoever they could fine in their neighourhood.
You might need to audition a few before you take the plunge, to make sure they’re right for you. Good luck!
I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award on my blog, Story & History, http://mthupp.wordpress.com. Your blog has enriched my writing and my life, and I wanted you to know how important your posts are to me.
This may be a stupid question but how long does it take to write a novel on average? How many pages should a first time writer shoot for and would an anthology of short stories work as a first time book?
How long does it take to write? First novels can take years because you’re learning as you go. You keep realising there are other ways to write scenes, create characters. You’re getting your head around a lot of new techniques, and noticing more in your reading.
How many pages should you aim for? Per day? Write as much as you can, but keep the output steady. It’s more important to keep your flow and momentum than to race to fill a pagecount. And you have to edit once you’ve finished, so the length of a first draft bears little relationship to the length of the finished book. (Try Nail Your Novel, original flavour, for guidance)
Would an anthology of short stories work? Yes it would, but you’d sell them to a different market from novels. They might be good as a taster for readers. You can find plenty of websites where short stories are welcomed. And any storytelling work will hone your writing craft.
In the world of traditional publishing, short stories are regarded as much harder to sell – and therefore less attractive to editors and agents. But in the indie world, you make you own luck.
Good luck!
how have you been? My name is Terence Merritt and I have e-mailed you a long while ago. I am in search for an editor and publisher and if you remember I have one book that is publish called “Their Backs Against the Wall”. I have two in the aisle waiting editing and one that I am writing now.
I would like for you and I to work together. If this is possible please let me know soon. Or if you can assist me in finding a publisher that wants to find new talent please forward my information. I can be reached at terence_merritt68@hotmail.com
Thank you
Terence Merritt
MBA/HRM, MIS
404-673-1139 Cellular
I’m in the mid stages of writing three novels two are psychological fantasy and the other is a drama crime novel, would it be possible to send the synopsis of each and get some feedback if you do that? thank you
jay
I found your first book,” Nail Your Novel” very helpful and will be going on to your next book regarding character development shortly.
In “Nail Your Novel” you mention that sometimes you refer to your so called “technical books” when the need arises.
Since I desire very much to learn the craft of novel writing, can you tell me the titles and other relevant details pertaining to those technical
resources. Ideally this one of many resources would form a complete set of technical books that I can study to deepen my understanding of the writers craft.
I would be most grateful if you could fulfill completely this request.
Dear mam,
Being totally oblivious about the world of writing; one day, i accidentally came across your website, when my curiosity made me typed that phrase “how to be a novelist”. and thanks to your wonderful work, now i am an author. i really hope to show you my work one day.
Regards
Dev
Nail Your Novel 
Dear Writer,
I was reading about beat sheets on another website and came upon your link. I would like to find out about” the Url link and the beat sheet that can be used for a novel that was mentioned on that website
Sincerely,
N.R. Bennett
Hi Natalie
You’re certainly at the right site – the beat sheet is a tool I’ve developed for revising novels. You should find it in the tag cloud on the right-hand side, and another way to find articles about it is if you type it into the search box. Plus it’s in my book, Nail Your Novel, available on Amazon.com. Good luck with your novel. Roz
Your book seems very intriguing but why isn’t it on amazon.co.uk, if the alternate shop you have it on isn’t usable if your english?
You seriously didn’t think ENGLAND would be a big market for this?
The country famous for spawning novelists?
Let me know when you put it on amazon.co.uk or a shop that actually works for England, because I would like to buy the book
Hi Paul – thanks so much for your interest and sorry you’ve had a frustrating time. Nail Your Novel is available in the UK and throughout the rest of the world, from Lulu – you can get it here http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/nail-your-novel/5301103
I would like to invite you to join our new social network for new and aspiring authors. You can promote your work on our site by adding your link in your profile or you can utilize our blog, video or discussion tools. We also welcome comments on the work that others add to the site. Please take a look and let me know what you think.
http://www.newauthorsclub.com
the social network for authors and their fans
Arthur Dodge
Hello Roz,
Can I get a pdf or epub version that I can read on a Sony Reader, rather than a Kindle version that I can only read on a Kindle?
Thanks,
Ian
Hi Ian
Thanks very much for your enquiry. I’m looking into epub options at the moment. It might take me a while as I’m not a US resident and I have to get a US tax code – which I’ve applied for. In the meantime, if you’re desperate, the old-fashioned print version is available from Amazon or Lulu http://ht.ly/3MWBC and http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/nail-your-novel/5301103
Roz
Hi Roz,
We met on Hereafter – a long time ago now! Hope you’re well. I love you’re blog.
Im asking for help for a friend, she’s actually a characterful Tunisian woman who does my waxing! She has an amazing life story and is looking for someone to help her write it up. Do you know how she could go about finding someone?
Much love
Annalisa
Hello,
I have a failed novel and revamped it. I used a friends friend to do the editing and the publishing. I was taken (Juiced) for 1,500.00. Now I am using a professional firm and paying even more. But my question is how to make sure I get my novel in your hands and others that are successful like yourself? If you will or have time pls e-mail me at terence_merritt68@hotmail.com
Thank You
What to make for real this time!
Terence
I want to publish my Novel
Hi Sharad – thanks for leaving a comment! That’s quite a broad spectrum you cover there in your comment – do you have a specific question?
Hi Roz, I finished reading “Nail Your Novel” (wish I’d read it a year ago) and have a question: During the past 12 months, I re-wrote my novel 8 times as part of a critique group, and now I’m wondering if I should just go back to my 1st draft and start over? My book is different now. In some ways better, in some ways worse. I’m not even sure I can work with it (in it’s present, 8th incarnation). I’m feeling a bit discouraged and don’t know how to recapture the original freshness. I think there are some good changes in the revisions, but also a lot of bad direction. How will I sort through it?
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa
Interesting situation – but by no means atypical. I think a lot of writers have found themselves in this same situation so it would probably be most helpful if I answer this in a post. Stay tuned – and thanks for your kind comments about Nail Your Novel.
Hi, I’m blind. Is there an accessible version of the book like word?
Hi Nicole – if you buy the Kindle version, the text-to-speech function is enabled so the Kindle can read it to you. Hope that helps – and thanks for your enquiry.
I don’t have a Kindel.
Hard to sort through all the info and know what’s best. What would you suggest for young adult fantasy? Three book story. Mainstream first or right to self-publishing?
I always advise writers to go conventional first. Querying is the way to test if your work is up to standard. If you have near misses, they will tell you what you need to work on – and that advice is free. If you never hear or get form rejections, you’ve probably got a way to go and should probably work on your craft. An agent may end up not taking you on, and you may have to query a lot of them, but if you can’t get detailed attention from them at all you probably aren’t ready to publish on your own.
Hi, Roz. I am in the process of making revisions to my first short story, and I would like some feedback. My degree is in English, but I spent my college career writing critical evaluations of other works. Now that I’m writing my own, I would like to know if I’m on the right path. I’ve heard of people using online critique groups in these situations, but the reviews are always mixed. Where would you suggest that I go to get feedback for an unfinished first short story?
Hi – forgive me, the comment doesn’t tell me your name! Online critique groups are a great resource, because you can find people who are at the level you need and in tune with the kind of story you want to write. In the old days of offline, writers were kind of stuck with whoever they could fine in their neighourhood.
You might need to audition a few before you take the plunge, to make sure they’re right for you. Good luck!
Roz,
I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award on my blog, Story & History, http://mthupp.wordpress.com. Your blog has enriched my writing and my life, and I wanted you to know how important your posts are to me.
I hope you will pass along the award to other bloggers, as outlined in my November 28 post, http://mthupp.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/nominated-for-one-lovely-blog-award/ .
Thank you.
Theresa Hupp
This may be a stupid question but how long does it take to write a novel on average? How many pages should a first time writer shoot for and would an anthology of short stories work as a first time book?
How long does it take to write? First novels can take years because you’re learning as you go. You keep realising there are other ways to write scenes, create characters. You’re getting your head around a lot of new techniques, and noticing more in your reading.
How many pages should you aim for? Per day? Write as much as you can, but keep the output steady. It’s more important to keep your flow and momentum than to race to fill a pagecount. And you have to edit once you’ve finished, so the length of a first draft bears little relationship to the length of the finished book. (Try Nail Your Novel, original flavour, for guidance)
Would an anthology of short stories work? Yes it would, but you’d sell them to a different market from novels. They might be good as a taster for readers. You can find plenty of websites where short stories are welcomed. And any storytelling work will hone your writing craft.
In the world of traditional publishing, short stories are regarded as much harder to sell – and therefore less attractive to editors and agents. But in the indie world, you make you own luck.
Good luck!
Hi,
how have you been? My name is Terence Merritt and I have e-mailed you a long while ago. I am in search for an editor and publisher and if you remember I have one book that is publish called “Their Backs Against the Wall”. I have two in the aisle waiting editing and one that I am writing now.
I would like for you and I to work together. If this is possible please let me know soon. Or if you can assist me in finding a publisher that wants to find new talent please forward my information. I can be reached at terence_merritt68@hotmail.com
Thank you
Terence Merritt
MBA/HRM, MIS
404-673-1139 Cellular
Hi Terence – I’ve emailed as requested. Thanks for getting in touch.
Hi Roz,
I e-mailed you from the e-mail you sent earlier today. I look forward to hearing back from you when are able too.
Thanks
Terence
Hi Roz,
I’m in the mid stages of writing three novels two are psychological fantasy and the other is a drama crime novel, would it be possible to send the synopsis of each and get some feedback if you do that? thank you
jay
Hi John, was that you who emailed? You’re on my list for a reply. If that wasn’t you, then we’ll discuss by email. Cheers!
Hi roz, yeah that was me who emailed 🙂
Hello Roz,
I found your first book,” Nail Your Novel” very helpful and will be going on to your next book regarding character development shortly.
In “Nail Your Novel” you mention that sometimes you refer to your so called “technical books” when the need arises.
Since I desire very much to learn the craft of novel writing, can you tell me the titles and other relevant details pertaining to those technical
resources. Ideally this one of many resources would form a complete set of technical books that I can study to deepen my understanding of the writers craft.
I would be most grateful if you could fulfill completely this request.
Dear mam,
Being totally oblivious about the world of writing; one day, i accidentally came across your website, when my curiosity made me typed that phrase “how to be a novelist”. and thanks to your wonderful work, now i am an author. i really hope to show you my work one day.
Regards
Dev
Is there a way to subscribe to your posts or blogs?
It would surely be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jill Edison
Hi Jill! Look at the top of the sidebar on the left-hand side and you’ll find the subscribing options. Thanks for asking!