The Terry Pratchett Prize, Round Two...
- Thread starter Quatermass
- Start date
Dotsie said:
That's great! Good luck with the rest of it 
I'm trying to think about the specifics of my plot for the new TP Prize novel, but it will be a very science fiction story, involving aliens. That's as much as I will say.
As for the other one, the one I just completed, I need to set it aside for a while while I consider how to fix it.
Penfold said:
Good luck with the rest of it Q.
Every author, no matter how successful, has to do a certain amount of re-writes and revisions when it goes to editorial - getting the whole plotted and in some semblance of shape is the hardest bit in a way as you don't always know how your ideas will sit together all the way through. Well done for getting this far and as you don't hold with The Lady try to enjoy this consolidation phase - research can be very rewarding and can give you m ore inspiration to improve what you already have
Thanks. I don't believe in luck when it comes to writing. Except the bad kind (I'm more of a fervent believer in Finagle's Law, if anything ).
I began the revisions last night. The relatively easy part, the first 20,000 words of the novel, has just been done, although I might want to add some nunaces (for flavour) later. I found some blatant errors and corrected them (artefacts of changing the novel from a third person viewpoint to a first person viewpoint, incidentally, and copying and pasting sequences from older drafts), changed a minor plot point. Now comes the hard part...
).I began the revisions last night. The relatively easy part, the first 20,000 words of the novel, has just been done, although I might want to add some nunaces (for flavour) later. I found some blatant errors and corrected them (artefacts of changing the novel from a third person viewpoint to a first person viewpoint, incidentally, and copying and pasting sequences from older drafts), changed a minor plot point. Now comes the hard part...
Good news on revising the first novel. I've finished a much better draft. I'll need to do some revision, and maybe extend it a little (as it is, it's more of a novella than a novel), but it's workable.
However, I am having less luck for a novel for the TP Prize. I currently have two ideas under consideration, but not much luck with either...
However, I am having less luck for a novel for the TP Prize. I currently have two ideas under consideration, but not much luck with either...
Good news, as noted on another part of the forum. I have already begun a new novel for the TP Prize, based on a concept I was kicking around for a while. I've written the first five chapters, plus a prologue, and am working on the sixth. In all, I've written nearly 17K words so far, and the momentum hasn't been lost yet.
More good news. After a potentially fatal SNAFU with a sub-plot, I went back and started again, albeit with my usual copy-and-paste restructuring. Not only have I made one of my key characters a little better, but the sub-plot feels a little less slapped together. I'm now approaching the 40K words mark: halfway there as far as the minimum is concerned.
BTW, does anyone even bother reading this thread when I post? Don't be shy, post...
BTW, does anyone even bother reading this thread when I post? Don't be shy, post...
I read it, there's often just not much to add. I wish you every success in this. We have several friend who are published authors and know how difficult it can be. It's not just a case of coming up with a good idea for a story, the actual writing process isn't easy and getting published is other thing altogether.
I know. People should stop asking authors where they get their ideas from. It's putting ideas together which is the real knack. And I don't know where to find a proper agent. At the moment, I have only a few avenues for publishing, and this is probably my best chance to get right to publishing and get some moolah into the bargain.
Of course, the advantage is, if I do win the TP Prize and they want me to write further books, I have at least one completed book (albeit the first installment of a series) ready for publication, and I only have to do some revisions on the one originally conceived for the TP Prize.
And yeah, you're right, it's not like there's anything you can reply with... :|
Of course, the advantage is, if I do win the TP Prize and they want me to write further books, I have at least one completed book (albeit the first installment of a series) ready for publication, and I only have to do some revisions on the one originally conceived for the TP Prize.
And yeah, you're right, it's not like there's anything you can reply with... :|
Hi guys, first post big fan.
Is the TP First Novel Award 2012 definitely still on? It's just that the web has been quiet about it since it was announced in December 2011. Maybe that's because there's nothing more to say until the stories are all in and judged? Does anyone know for sure it's still on?
Reason for asking: I have 32,000 words of a story down, 16 weeks until deadline. That's 3,000 words a week minumum. I'd hate to do that then find out there's no prize this year.
Is the TP First Novel Award 2012 definitely still on? It's just that the web has been quiet about it since it was announced in December 2011. Maybe that's because there's nothing more to say until the stories are all in and judged? Does anyone know for sure it's still on?
Reason for asking: I have 32,000 words of a story down, 16 weeks until deadline. That's 3,000 words a week minumum. I'd hate to do that then find out there's no prize this year.
According to the Transworld website you have until December 31st.
I would say that means it is still on - so get writing!
Welcome to the site, and good luck!
I would say that means it is still on - so get writing!
Welcome to the site, and good luck!
Well, I only just joined the forum and so I only just discovered the competition. I think it might kick me into getting that old novel out and the polish rag that's so worn out. There are stains all over the first chapters and no matter how much I rub, they stay. How hard can it be to throw away the first words written? I know they say you have to 'kill your babies' (and before anyone panics, for those non-writers, it means that you sometimes have to get rid of your favourite lines), but I can't get those babies out of my head. It's like trying to sing a song that you've sung all your life to a different tune. No, harder than that.
I have an incentive now. I've got about 120,000 words to play with and a lot of those to get rid of and throw into L space. Now there's an idea...
Bed time. I've got to be up at five and now it's one in the morning! I'm not Sam Vimes, I can't do all nighters!
I have an incentive now. I've got about 120,000 words to play with and a lot of those to get rid of and throw into L space. Now there's an idea...
Bed time. I've got to be up at five and now it's one in the morning! I'm not Sam Vimes, I can't do all nighters!
