Does this sound like a good plan?

Question

Ok, so I have been working on a fantasy series I hope to publish someday. I have been practicing writing to get some practice in and am making many outlines to work from and develop on. I am 15 and hope to publish when I am a lot older and more experienced. I have never actually taken english courses, etc but I am hoping to when I'm older.

Does this sound like a good plan? I am very patient and will wait many years to publish.

Answer 1

It sounds like a great plan, but perhaps a little too involved. All you need for success is a fantastic imagination and the ability to draw

people into your stories. Just start writing and never stop. Write every

day and let it flow...you can always go back and edit and change

things but the momentum is very important. You don't have to be

a grammar king or have a huge command of the English language

to become a great author. In fantasy, the visuals are the thing and

it's up to you to convey great imagery and develop characters that

are believably fantastic because you've fleshed them out in your

descriptions. Best of luck. Age has nothing to do with your ability

to write..there are very young authors out there doing great things.

Very best of luck to you...and remember, writing is not a left brained

activity, it comes from your soul...

Answer 2

Little,

Yes, it's a very good plan. Get some books from your favorite bookstore on writing and publishing. Also, get yourself a Writer's Market 2008 and go through it. In it you'll find literary agents who accept query letters (something you'll have to send one day when you publish). If you buy these books you can mark them up with yellow marker, which is something you can't do with library books.

Try writing a few short stories as well. You can get these published even at your age. You just need parent or guardian permission to do so since you're a minor.

Good plan and good luck!

PJ M  

Answer 3

     Sounds as though you're right on track.  You must write because you want to, not to be published.  So many people think they'll be published with their first story/novel, and it seldom happens.  Certainly carry on with your English classes and learn how to lay out a manuscript.  Well done, though.  You certainly have the right idea.

Good luck

Mike B

Answer 4

Hey, don't let your age stop you.  Like pj m said, try some short stories now...look at some of the books/magazines at the book store that have fantasy stories.  Be sure to read the stories that they publish to get an idea of their content/style.  Go to their web site and the Writer's Market to find their submission guidelines.  This will tell you what you need to submit stories.  As an example; the first link is for Realms of Fantasy magazine and the second is for their guidelines (link found at the bottom of their home page).  Get a rejection from one, look for others, write some more and keep trying.  Good Luck