How many of you DID NOT give up on your first novel?

[Prawn]

I am at 64K on my first novel, and the other thread about giving up on your first novel (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40418) scared me. I avoided reading it for several days, before breaking down. It was a pretty discouraging thread for someone coming in on the home stretch of his rough draft of his first novel.

Does anyone have any good stories about first novels? Ones they liked, ones that were good ones that (whispers) might have sold?

[seun]

This probably isn't the answer you were hoping for but either way: my first book is crap. I wrote it about six years ago and wouldn't consider submitting it now. While I have a soft spot for it simply because it's my first book, it's still crap.

I wouldn't say I've given up on it from the POV of being fond of it, but it will never be read by anyone again.

[aadams73]

Prawn, don't let the statistics get you down and don't for a second feel that you're wasting your time. Every time you put your pen to paper(or hands on keyboard) you're exercising those writing muscles and (hopefully) learning something. Very few people are perfect at anything right off the bat.

[Shadow_Ferret]

I have not given up on my first novel, as I explained in the other thread. It is just on temporary hiatus while I work on my second one.

My first novel, if I do say so myself, has very interesting characters, exciting action, and many good plots and subplots and twists. It's just needs a dedicated effort on my part to do the revisions because it clocks in at nearly 200,000 words.

[Diana Hignutt]

Maybe this will help. I finished my first complete novel in 2000. A fantasy thriller. I got wrangled in by two scam agents (first one, then the other). The second scam agent "landed me a deal" with a scam publisher (regarding which there is a rather long thread in the Bewares forum). The book was published and I promoted it like there was no tomorrow--got major newspaper coverage, national tv interviews, dozens and dozens of radio interviews. But, it was a scam publisher; only so much was going to happen. I was lucky enough for the book to be nominated for the 2004 Spectrum Award, however. Stupid as I was I eventually figured out that I was in the grips of a scam publisher, I got a lawyer and got my rights back. Another publisher offered me a contract for the book and then, after nine months, cancelled it before publication.

Here and there I've queried agents to no avail. Then, a couple of weeks ago, a noted fantasy writer of my acquaintance contacted me out of the blue and asked me to send a copy to the top editor at a top fantasy publisher. We'll see what happens.

I will never give up on my first book. I might leave it aside for a while. Sooner or later it will get picked up. I'm not in a hurry. I've written other things. Had another book published. I'm working on a couple other books. But I will never give up on that first book. Never.

[jchines]

I buried my first book because it was a bad book. Bad dialogue, overly purple description, cliche characters. There were some good bits, but overall, it was a mess. (I did recycle one of the characters in my second goblin book, though :) )

With that said, I'd still suggest you finish the book. Why? Because it will give you practice at finishing a book. You're learning right now. Maybe this book is good enough to sell. I'd be surprised, given that it's a first novel, but I'm certainly not going to say it's impossible. I learned a lot from mine, not the least of which was that I could actually do this.

Writing the end of a book is a skill we need to learn, just like the rest of it. How do you wrap up plot threads and resolve all of those questions in a way that's both satisfying and true to the story?

And of course, there's the most important reason: until you finish, you don't get to brag that you've written a book! ;)

[Saundra Julian]

I still love my first book and will see it published one day!
Hang in there...

[NeuroFizz]

The first attempt of my first book was crap, mostly because I didn't bother to learn the craft. In the meantime, I got my act together (to a degree) with my second book. When done with number two, I resurrected book number one. So, now book two is really serious book number one (and published by a small press), and book one is now serious book number two (and just sold to a mid-sized publisher). This isn't a "bestseller" story, and probably never will be (such are the odds), but it's a story still being told, with two more completed works being shopped and another in progress.

Even if your first attempt is crap, don't give up on the story (if you think it's a good one). It can be resurrected and reworked so it avoids the trunk (my trunk is empty thus far).

[earthshoes]

I remain in love the concept behind my first book (sci-fi) and will return to it when I'm ready to do a major re-write. It's unique and I suspect will have wide appeal. However, I need to go off and learn some other things and write some other books first.

mary
never give up

[DamaNegra]

The first draft for my first book was absolute crap. I have rewritten it so many times it's finally taking shape. I'm never giving up on it. Never. It doesn't matter how badly written something is, there are parts of every novel that can be salvaged and turned into a better novel. Just don't get stuck on your first novel for years or you'll never finish anything.

[Carrie in PA]

My first attempt sucked. However, I adore the MC and the story, so when I'm done with this WIP, I plan to start from scratch and do it justice.

[waylander]

My first novel is currently on the desk of the editorial director of a major UK publisher as a requested resubmisison. I've also had half a dozen US agents read the full manuscript.
But.........I wrote and published a lot of short fiction before I did the novel.

[icerose]

I should have.

My book fell in with the same scam publisher as Diana's did.

I have plans to rewrite it as a completely new book as it is part of a larger series that I believe very strongly in. I just can't do it right now. It's too painful at the moment.

[badducky]

When I was in my senior year of college, I looked around at all the professors I knew, and all the other writers in the writing program. I knew that I was just as smart or talented as any of them, and I had something they didn't have -- or, rather they had something I didn't have. I have no common sense. I went for this book thing relentlessly.

I outlined, built a world, built characters, built early sketches and early scenes. I kept working on it. After about a year, I had a very solid first draft. After another year, I had a real, honest-to-goodness book on my hands. I started sending it out, and collecting rejections.

I was rejected by Tor, Daw, and Baen. I was rejected by many, many, many literary agents.

The day before my 25th birthday, Wizards of the Coast asked to see the full manuscript. One year later, they made an offer.

I then turned around and made a list of my dream literary agents. I cold-called them. One of the agencies that hadn't initially rejected me prior to my offer read my book, loved it, and picked me up.

So, this all started when I was 22, and I'm 26 today. And I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

"NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER" - Commander Peter Quincey Taggert

(This timeline is not to be trusted for future reference with WotC company, as there were mitigating internal things happening that slowed them down. It sucked, but it's long over, and isn't it cool how an editor championed my book for a very long time until the smoke cleared? I think so...)

[Mark Lazer]

I'm not working on my first-started novel, but I haven't given up totally on it yet.

[Jamesaritchie]

My first novel sold, and I wrote it start to finish in three weeks, so there's always hope.

[Prawn]

Now were talkin'! I am glad to see that not all first novels sucked. I think with a few month's perspective, I might see the flaws in mine, but right now I am in love with it, and it was depressing to se a 40-post thread detailing the depths of my self-delusion.

[Southern_girl29]

Honestly, my first novel was really bad. It was full of head-hopping, adverbs, too many dialogue tags, really bad, stilted dialogue and more. I haven't really given up on the story; I've just given up on it in its original form. I'm going to start all over. I love, love, love the MC and I like the story, too. My second novel, while I think it works in it's present format, needs some work to it. I'm going to restructure it as soon as I get finished with my WIP which I'm very excited about.

[Popeyesays]

I sold mine to a small press (nearly micropress) after 26 rejections (pubs and agents). I finished it in May this year and sold it in mid-August. I'll be lucky to sell a couple thousand probably, but if I do, then I can see about another pub releasing it.

Regards,
Scott

[Zolah]

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

If that don't cheer you up, nothing will.

[Patricia Lieb]

I didn't give up on my first novel, nor second; I have three other novels (all romance) in their first draft that have been in a trunk for years. Doubt I'll ever return to them because I'd find writing something new from scratch more interesting and exciting. Also, I like writing true crime and have written a book of 17 true crime cases.

How could one give up? I can see trashing a story that doesn't move but at the sme time, start a new one. For me, writing is like reading a book.... quite easy.

By the way, I'm starting a "Book of the Month" on my Website at <http://liebbooks.com> I will choose the book from people who write about their books in the guestbook there. Include your Website so that I can pull a copy of your book to include.

[Aubrey]

I was one of the people on the other thread who was able to get a reworked short story, sequel, and eventual prequel (when I get around to finishing it) out of her first serious novel attempt. I think I may one day make it into a novel,. Usually first novels have large problems, seeing as how the author is in the middle of a huge learning progress, but often there's things in there that are good enough to be reused. And if you're really lucky, you might have a complete skelton that you can rebuild a novel around.

[TrainofThought]

Hi Prawn,

I haven’t given up on my first novel, too much faith and love for it. Don’t let other writer’s decisions sway you into throwing it away. If you love it and want it to flourish, hold onto it. In the Rejection and Dejection thread, writer, Elizabeth Slick, received 500 rejections for her one and only book, http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35272.
It just depends on what you think of your story and your dedication. Good luck.

[AdamH]

If you believe in the story, doesn't matter if it's your first or your hundredth, finish it.

I didn't give up on my first novel even though there were many times I just wanted to throw it into a trash bin and torch it with a flamethrower. But, finally...and recently...I finished it. It's a much different story than what I envisioned so many years ago.

I reality, I've probably written equivalent to four novels before I got to this current incarnation. So I think that's about right for any beginning writer.

[darkkazier]

Wasn't "The Historian" Elizibeth Kostova's first novel? Mrs. Kostova got a 2 million dollar advance from Time Warner and sony bought the movie rights for 1.5 million. So some few hopefuls first novels do amazingly well.

[TrainofThought]

Wasn't "The Historian" Elizibeth Kostova's first novel? Mrs. Kostova got a 2 million dollar advance from Time Warner and sony bought the movie rights for 1.5 million. So some few hopefuls first novels do amazingly well. Yes, and I believe she won a prize for novel-in-progress (something like that). It took her 10 years to write.

[Sesselja]

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

If that don't cheer you up, nothing will.

This was her first published novel, not her first written novel.

[Jaycinth]

My 'first' novels were piddles. Ridiculous. But my mom and my friends read them. (age 10-16) My 'Real' first novel started as a short story I wrote to keep me sane when my mom died. People kept telling me that 'being a writer' was a silly idea,and unless I was writing political analysis or biographies people would think of me as a joke. So I kept writing and hiding it. Then one day, my son found the first 'real' one and asked me why I never published it. I explained and he gave me succh a look then said, "How COULD YOU!, you told me never to give up on anything."

So I read it, and it was half crap. That left 200,000 words that weren't crap. So, I started quietly re-writing and editing and came up with a book (books, actually) that a couple of friends said were not crap. I've been subbing the first one, (science fiction seems to be a hard market) and I'm about ready to sub the second.

The nice thing, though, is that since finding AW, I'm more relaxed about the whole process, and I don;t care if I have to write 20 novels before one is published. (Well, yes I do, but in a mellow and reflective way. You see, I will have written them and If I pass before they are published, My son will be able to haul themout of the 'trunk' and tell his kids...'Your grandma wrote these books' Hey, if they're lucky the market for sci-fi will have opened up by then......)

Happy thoughts...happy thoughts....

[Serena Casey]

I wrote my first novel in two weeks and have been rewriting and editing since (that was June). I know it has some serious problems, but I don't think the writing or the concept is beyond help, so I'm not giving up on it. I have another story idea percolating, though, so I may move on to that one, using what I've learned about writing since then. But maybe, like NeuroFizz, I'll go back to the first and try to bring it around after I can figure out how!

[MidnightMuse]

I have one that isn't my 'first' but definitely is my favorite. It'll never get published (proof of that is the lovely pile of rejection slips in my earthquake preparidness kit -- they take up less space than 2-ply)

However, since the two main characters in that series are so near and dear to me, I'm reinventing them in a totally new scenario that's far removed from the original. With every intention of making it big this time (happy thoughts!)

Of course, I also drink.

[ORION]

When I finished my first novel I submitted it and garnered many rejections but got a few handwritten comments...I immediately started novel number 2 and after that number 3 and 4...two years later novel number three was the one that got me my agent. I have not abandoned number 1...I still love the premise but have revised/changed POV/edited and know that eventually I will submit that one-
The fact that I had four completed manuscripts was very attractive to my agent.
I have started 5 and 6 while editing the rest.
The mistake I see most people making is not starting number 2 while editing/rewriting/submitting number 1 and so on.
Each novel written teaches you so much.
The chats with editors that I have had reinforces this. They LOVE prolific writers.

[Sunshine13]

Well, I may get lectured on this, but I am writing my first novel, and it's the begining of a trilogy. HOWEVER (mind the big cap letters here), I plan on writing it as a stand alone because of all the warnings I am getting on no one ever publishing a newbie author and their trilogy.

With that said, I started this story almost 10 years ago but never got serious about it until now. I revise it with each chapter. Each chapter gets like, atleast 5 revisions before I move on. Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is, I have no actual experience and haven't yet tried to get published, but, as many newbs I guess, I have a lot of faith in my first book, regardless of the statistics and what other people say. Call it naive or being overly positive or optimistic, that's me. If I learn the hard way, then I learn the hard way. I do plan on continuing to write another book though when I finish this one.

So, that's my two cents. If I happen to get published I'll let you know :p

[Marlys]

It can happen. My first novel sold, too.

[Tracy]

My first novel was published too, and not by a small press either but by one of Ireland's biggest publishers. Not only that but it won a Writer A Bestseller Competition and so got national TV coverage and had its own window in our biggest bookseller's flagship shop on our premier street (boy that was exciting), and spent 3 weeks in the top ten.
So it can be done.
(Now, in a country as small as Ireland, 'biggest' and 'national' and 'bestseller list' probably aren't as amazing achievements as in a bigger country, but still!)

So don't whatever you do give up. (And even if it doesn't get published, you're learning your craft. How can that be a waste of time?)

[Diviner]

For what it is worth, I have not yet given up on my first novel, a YA fantasy with no magic. I have had genuine enthusiasm from beta readers (including three teenagers) and zilch response from agents, but to be honest, I have been so busy writing other things I have not done a thorough job of querying it--maybe just three queries in all. Since it is first in a series where I am working on the third already, I do need to get it out. I wrote it three years ago but only finished the editing in January of '05.

I am a better writer now than when I wrote it, but I doubt I will rewrite it, because the style of the story suits it. It is not that I think this is such a work of genius, but it is entertaining.

[JonnyBGood]

I remember reading an interview with John Grisham where he was asked what his favorite novel was. He responded with "Time To Kill". Which, if I'm not mistaken, is his first novel. So there.

[TwentyFour]

I am not giving up on my first either, its my love, my inspiration, and it keeps me writing! I should say I lost my writing virginity to it!

[CaitlinK18]

My first novel landed me a great agent and it's on submission to editors right now. Of course, I have a ton of false starts going back to 2004, but this time I finally got it right.

[Rob Gregory Browne]

My first "novel" was written when I was sixteen. It really wasn't a novel. It was only about 160 pages. But it had a beginning, middle and end. Sort of. When I finished it, I stuck it in a drawer. I don't usually count it when asked about first novels.

My first official 428 manuscript pages novel was KISS HER GOODBYE. Which is coming out in February from St. Martin's Press.

It only took me a few decades to decide to try again.

[mkcbunny]

I'm working on it now. Well, not now now, not this second. This second, I am procrastinating. I'm in a "stew" period, which involves a lot of pacing around the house, talking to myself, and walking to the lake.

Recently, I finished my third and beta-ready draft of Novel: Part I. This came after about six months of revising and editing. Getting to that point was difficult but thrilling. Even better, the new, lean version works. I say all this because six months ago, my head was spinning. I had confused myself with intertwined plots and subplots, and I feared that I'd sunk a good premise with a load of crap. I was worried.

Now, I am at that point again, this time with Part II. Having re-edited Part I several times, I now see what a mess Part II is. I knew there were holes, but here I am staring at chapters of flabby work, contraditcions, and dangling threads that need tying. Once again, I'm feeling overwhelmed. But knowing that I've faced this challenge before and met it, I'm convinced that I can do it. it might take a couple of weeks of walking around the neighborhood in a daze, but the gears will click eventually.

So, I suppose my advice to folks who are struggling with completion is to keep going. As long as you're still working with an idea/character/whatever that inspires you, keep at it. Every little bit of progress gets you closer to being finished.

[spacejock2]

My first book is now in print, although if you read it side by side with the original I doubt you'd recognise it.

It does take two or three novels to develop an eye for pacing, dialogue, characters and so on. I was working on book four when the first sold.

The question isn't 'will my first book sell?' - it's 'How many books am I prepared to write?'

[earthshoes]

My first book is now in print, although if you read it side by side with the original I doubt you'd recognise it.

It does take two or three novels to develop an eye for pacing, dialogue, characters and so on. I was working on book four when the first sold.

The question isn't 'will my first book sell?' - it's 'How many books am I prepared to write?'

Well said.

[Matt]

My first real novel was a ghost story called The Forever Chain. I started writing it when I was 18, and it nearly found a home at HarperCollins.

I finished writing The Forever Chain, not because I thought it might get published (it didn’t – and to be honest that’s a good thing, it wasn’t well written) but because I was driven to complete my first book out of ambition for the future, a sense of accomplishment, and because my main inspiration – my first serious relationship – ended on an abrupt sour note, and the book was then completed through frustration and anger. It’s really odd reading it now – it starts off almost as a dark fairy-tale, before descending into straight horror half-way through!

After 14 years of writing and learning my trade, I might go back to it – HarperCollins always liked the plot, they just thought the writing wasn’t good enough!

[Zolah]

This was her first published novel, not her first written novel.

It was the first novel she ever completed.

[Sesselja]

It was the first novel she ever completed.

Was it? I beg your pardon. I read this:

Then when I was eleven I wrote a novel about seven cursed diamonds and the people who owned them. Since then I’ve written loads: short stories, bits of novels for adults, all kinds of things.

on her home page and thought it meant that she wrote and finished a novel at the age of 11.

[Jamesaritchie]

Was it? I beg your pardon. I read this:

Then when I was eleven I wrote a novel about seven cursed diamonds and the people who owned them. Since then I’ve written loads: short stories, bits of novels for adults, all kinds of things.

on her home page and thought it meant that she wrote and finished a novel at the age of 11.

I don't think a "novel" written at age eleven really counts, even if she did finish it.

[Jamesaritchie]

The mistake I see most people making is not starting number 2 while editing/rewriting/submitting number 1 and so on.
Each novel written teaches you so much.
The chats with editors that I have had reinforces this. They LOVE prolific writers.

Yes, a huge mistake. Far too many writers put all their hopes and dreams into a first novel. Sometimes a first novel does get published, just as sometimes it's possible to hit the lottery. And the odds are fairly close either way.

There's no logical reason why a first effort should be good enough to sell, and they almost never are.

It's being willing to write the second, third, fourth, and fifth novels that usually makes the difference. You can't just sit around waiting for a first effort to sell, and you can't spend years trying to make it sell. When the first one is finished, get to work immediately on the second.

[Karmanaut]

I am at 64K on my first novel, and the other thread about giving up on your first novel (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40418) scared me. I avoided reading it for several days, before breaking down. It was a pretty discouraging thread for someone coming in on the home stretch of his rough draft of his first novel.

Does anyone have any good stories about first novels? Ones they liked, ones that were good ones that (whispers) might have sold?


My first novel, a fantasy, sold to Tor and Bantam. So don't be disheartened. It can happen.

[Zolah]

Was it? I beg your pardon. I read this:

Then when I was eleven I wrote a novel about seven cursed diamonds and the people who owned them. Since then I’ve written loads: short stories, bits of novels for adults, all kinds of things.

on her home page and thought it meant that she wrote and finished a novel at the age of 11.

In that case, I wrote about sixteen 'novels' between the ages of 10 and 15. They numbered up to 20 A4 pages each (written on both sides of course) and my teachers loved them (as did my school-mates). Well, who wouldn't have, with the pink unicorns, giant rubies, talking dogs and magic shoes? Why didn't I realise that the 'first novel' I completed when I was twenty-one after a year's loving labour and which I attempted to get published was actually my seventeenth novel? Because of course those stories written in the pages of my school notebooks (and illustrated with my favourite thin-line black pen) are just the same and should be counted as novels too! Oh - and what about that story I wrote when I was eight - about the pig and the rabbit having a party? That must count too. Why, I could have been trying to get all of them published years ago! O, foolish Zolah! Thank you, Sesselja, for enlightening me on the definition of a novel!

[Carrie in PA]

[quote=Zolah]Well, who wouldn't have, with the pink unicorns, giant rubies, talking dogs and magic shoes? quote]

Damn! I thought I was being original!! *crumples up work in progress*

:ROFL:

[Marlowe]

I've written two novels, and neither of them will ever be published (at least, not if I have anything to say about it). But I don't regret any of the time I spent on either of them. It's an awesome thing to know that you can actually write something that long, and that it have a discernable beginning, middle and end. And I'm just terribly glad I put all that time in learning how the process worked for me, struggling through edits and just grooving on that THE END feeling.

You have to write a first novel to write a second novel. That's just the way it works.

[Zolah]

Well, who wouldn't have, with the pink unicorns, giant rubies, talking dogs and magic shoes?

Damn! I thought I was being original!! *crumples up work in progress*

:ROFL:


S'all right - I won't sue you for plagiarism. I've just used up all my cranky on Sesselja.

[Prawn]

Hi Prawn,

I haven’t given up on my first novel, too much faith and love for it. Don’t let other writer’s decisions sway you into throwing it away. If you love it and want it to flourish, hold onto it. In the Rejection and Dejection thread, writer, Elizabeth Slick, received 500 rejections for her one and only book, http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35272.
It just depends on what you think of your story and your dedication. Good luck.


Thanks for the vote of confidence, TrainofThought. I am to finish it, and if it is a stinker, so be it. It stink, or it may not be so bad, but the next one has to be better.

[Zolah]

You have to write a first novel to write a second novel. That's just the way it works.

Which is a very positive and sensible way of looking at it. How'd you get to be so clever? I can't seem to let my first one go. Though I've put it away and am working on other projects it haunts me still and I have a not-so-secret ambition to go back and somehow make it work. There's so much I love about it, so many scenes that I know do work, so many characters that actually live and deserve a better story to exist in. If no one ever reads them, then in a way they'll be dead, and I can't bear that thought. But the novel itself does not work - I know that from my agent, my editor, even my own voice of reason. Maybe I should just dismantle it and try to use the constituent parts elsewhere...

[Branwyn]

I give up everyday. But it's a mental game I play. It's out there being read and I hope it finds a home. I really like my characters and would hate to give up on them. I don't think I could. Maybe I'll have to give them plasitc surgery and move them to a new location...

[Button]

My first two books sort of lack a good plot. Both are pretty predictable. While I feel like they are good stories, I don't feel like they are strong enough to show to anyone right now. Book three is a sequel to one of the first two books.

So I'm working on book four and five now. I should have those done before the end of the year. If those suck, I'll start on six and seven and see what happens.

Your writing career doesn't live and die with the first book... if you write another one.

[Oliveman]

I'm currently writing my first novel and am determined to not skimp on anything I have within me, and to never give up through all the frustration, stress, creative pushes, half-written histories, and maps with alot of white space. The novel will be finished, and I intend from the get go for it to be worthwhile. I'll keep you guys updated!

[skylarburris]

Well, the first novel I wrote is about to be re-published by a small press (I originally self-published). So, no, I didn't give up on it...but then, it really wasn't my first novel. It was and it wasn't. I had completed the novel, and then I gutted it and rewrote it, completely changing the heroine into another character. But the skeleton and many of the characters and scenes were the same as my first novel. So I guess you could still call it my first novel.

[dragonjax]

The first draft of my first novel was wretched. It got marginally better from there. About 15 drafts and 16 later, with more than 100 agent rejections, I finally was able to try something different. I kept the magic system, I kept the main characters. I changed it from adult contemporary fantasy to YA urban fantasy. I changed the world building dramatically. So far, my crit partner and my five beta readers (including published YA authors) have supported this latest version completely. My agent has it now. Fingers crossed. I feel in my gut that I finally, FINALLY got it right. It just took 17 years to do so...

Never be daunted.

[C.bronco]

I will never give up. I'm way too dense.

[scarletpeaches]

You have to complete the first novel so you can get the crap out of the way. If you give up, the next one you start will become your first.

If you see what I mean.

[Ssressturl]

I still haven't given up on my dream to be a published novelist. Throughout my career of writing, I have done many revisions, but I am still going on strong!