My Father Is A Publisher Writer: Shall I Follow His Footsteps?

[Feather Gem 967]

Yeah.

Well, I've wanted to be a writer ever since I can remember. Since I was at least five years old. I don't know if I'm good. But I write practically everyday. I always practice. i have so many story ideas. But I obviously have a long way to go with my writing.

But I want to follow in his footsteps. He wrote (I think he said nine) nine books. I feel as if I want to publish a book...like next year. Is that even possible?

I'm 14 this year if it matters.

-shrug-

I might at least become a writer when I'm older. But I'd need a job either then that. I thought of being a teacher. For a while, thats what I wanted to become. But now I feel as if thats boring.

Maybe a nurse for animals xD ?

 

Uhm...anyway.

What do you think?

Is any of this possible?

[Fridge 382]

Of course its possible, don't be silly. As long as your writing is of a high enough standard your age is irrelevant. There are authors out that are the same age and some younger.

I would say don't push yourself to crank out a book, rushing it won't help you if you want to be published. Your only putting yourself under pressure, of course don't take the pressure off so much that it never gets done lol.

 

As for doing other jobs first, its a good idea. It'll give you things to relate to and life experience to use. Also not all authors are successful so having a job and training in a skill is a good idea because essentially writing will be your hobby until it pays, and until then you'll need to live.

 

Basically pursue the dream but keep one foot firmly on the ground

[Betez 1,734]

It sounds like you do want to be a writer or publisher, so I'd say go for it. I'm guessing it's pretty tough to get a book published when you're 14, but I have no idea. How old was your dad when he published his first book?

 

Anyway, I'd say keep working at it. One day it could happen.

[Feather Gem 967]

Of course its possible, don't be silly. As long as your writing is of a high enough standard your age is irrelevant. There are authors out that are the same age and some younger.

I would say don't push yourself to crank out a book, rushing it won't help you if you want to be published. Your only putting yourself under pressure, of course don't take the pressure off so much that it never gets done lol.

 

As for doing other jobs first, its a good idea. It'll give you things to relate to and life experience to use. Also not all authors are successful so having a job and training in a skill is a good idea because essentially writing will be your hobby until it pays, and until then you'll need to live.

 

Basically pursue the dream but keep one foot firmly on the ground

 

Thanks. xD I actually think I should be pressuring myself more. I haven't even got ten pages. xD I've been too busy writing another story.

But if I want to write something, I can't write anything else.

Again, thank you for your reply xD

It sounds like you do want to be a writer or publisher, so I'd say go for it. I'm guessing it's pretty tough to get a book published when you're 14, but I have no idea. How old was your dad when he published his first book?

 

Anyway, I'd say keep working at it. One day it could happen.

 

Thanks :3

I've asked a bookstore which has a publishing company and one of the workers (she said she didn't know much about it but she sure seemed to know alot xD) said that they rarely publish books written by children, as children don't have much skill to write.

But I think she meant not many children try to publish rather then children trying to publish awfully written books x3

My father was 45. xP

Edited November 27, 2012 by Feather Gem

[Tdroid 234]

I'd say go for it, if it is what you want to do. I know how appealing it is, I work towards that too.

 

I may give you a useless piece of advice here, but if you haven't already you should make a few external documents where you write down your plan for the overal story, the characters, important details about the world(if it is an original or modified world), location details and anything else you can think of.

 

As an example, for my Atenar series I have 1 document with the overarching story(for the trilogy), 1 document for each of the parts where I plan the chapters(including details such as who is in it, roughly what happens and any other details like a LotR reference I might have planned) and 1 "reference guide" where I keep the lore(world, characters, mythological aspects etc.). It is really helpfull with establishing a coherent story and character development.

 

And you should probably get a small circle of peer-reviewers, who can give you feedback as you write the chapters, but be very careful who you trust it too. Preferably, include a disclaimer message(sort of a "By opening the document of the email(?) you agree to not use it for personal gains) and save every email so you have proof that you are the original owner should it bcome a dispute.

 

I wish you luck in your writing,

T

[Shanks 10,816]

I say go for it, if your writing is good enough and you are able to get readers then why not. I am trying to become a writer myself, I think I have a great deal of potential and really should have gone ahead with it sooner. Who knows you may end up avoiding the sorry fate I got into by being a stressed, burnt out, disgruntled grocery store employee, but at least that experience will provide some good material for future projects.

[SagasaPony 122]

I agree with the other posters. Feel free to follow your dreams as long as you know where your next meal is coming from (this might not sound so important but you'll think differently when you strike out on your own   ).

 

Remember, before you can build your castles in the sky, you need both feet planted firmly on the ground.

[Feather Gem 967]

I'd say go for it, if it is what you want to do. I know how appealing it is, I work towards that too.

 

I may give you a useless piece of advice here, but if you haven't already you should make a few external documents where you write down your plan for the overal story, the characters, important details about the world(if it is an original or modified world), location details and anything else you can think of.

 

As an example, for my Atenar series I have 1 document with the overarching story(for the trilogy), 1 document for each of the parts where I plan the chapters(including details such as who is in it, roughly what happens and any other details like a LotR reference I might have planned) and 1 "reference guide" where I keep the lore(world, characters, mythological aspects etc.). It is really helpfull with establishing a coherent story and character development.

 

And you should probably get a small circle of peer-reviewers, who can give you feedback as you write the chapters, but be very careful who you trust it too. Preferably, include a disclaimer message(sort of a "By opening the document of the email(?) you agree to not use it for personal gains) and save every email so you have proof that you are the original owner should it bcome a dispute.

 

I wish you luck in your writing,

T

That's a lovely idea.  Its really helpful and I'm so grateful for your post

I've actually already made a PowerPoint document of my characters (because there are just so many in that story, but all so important) 

 

I say go for it, if your writing is good enough and you are able to get readers then why not. I am trying to become a writer myself, I think I have a great deal of potential and really should have gone ahead with it sooner. Who knows you may end up avoiding the sorry fate I got into by being a stressed, burnt out, disgruntled grocery store employee, but at least that experience will provide some good material for future projects.

xD You should keep striving for it.

Like me C;

 

 

I agree with the other posters. Feel free to follow your dreams as long as you know where your next meal is coming from (this might not sound so important but you'll think differently when you strike out on your own   ).

 

Remember, before you can build your castles in the sky, you need both feet planted firmly on the ground.

You gave me a quote.

I love quotes

I'm going to make a PowerPoint with quotes.

Starting with that one xD

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

Do whatever makes you happy. It doesn't matter what else you can think about. If you want to be a writer, then go ahead and be a writer!

[SagasaPony 122]

You gave me a quote.

I love quotes

I'm going to make a PowerPoint with quotes.

Starting with that one xD

 

Thank Terry Pratchett for that wonderful quote  .

 

Incidentally, if you're looking for inspiration, I heartily recommend his Discworld series of novels. They're a wonderful example of satirical fantasy that turns a lot of the conventions of that genre on its head. As an example, the novels have a recurring character called Death who is...well... Death. He has a regular pale horse called Binky because a skeletal one kept falling apart and the fiery one kept burning the stable down.

[Feather Gem 967]

Do whatever makes you happy. It doesn't matter what else you can think about. If you want to be a writer, then go ahead and be a writer!

Thanks

 

Thank Terry Pratchett for that wonderful quote  .

 

Incidentally, if you're looking for inspiration, I heartily recommend his Discworld series of novels. They're a wonderful example of satirical fantasy that turns a lot of the conventions of that genre on its head. As an example, the novels have a recurring character called Death who is...well... Death. He has a regular pale horse called Binky because a skeletal one kept falling apart and the fiery one kept burning the stable down.

Cool.  I've been looking for good books.

I'll look for them next time I go to a book store

[Critical Hit 69]

I say go for it.

Look at what Christopher Paolini did. He started the Inheritance Cycle when he was 15, and now he's one of the most popular (current) fantasy writers out there.

 

If you need someone to use as a sounding board for ideas, I can help you with that. I like fleshing out ideas, I'm just not good with the big stuff. I like details.

(plus, considering that I'm studying game development, it'd be good for me to know the next Paolini. )

Edited December 1, 2012 by Critical Hit

[Throwaway19573639385 764]

Struggling with what to do with the future, ey? I had that problem for a while and many people I know did too, so I'm first going to ask the most important question:

 

What do YOU want to do? What do YOU desire?

Contrary to popular belief everything you like, you can make a job out of it, it doesn't matter what you do. So let me rephrase my question:

 

What do you want to do most? What would you want to do if money wouldn't be a problem?

 

You tell me you want to become a writer, a teacher or a nurse, is that what you want to do? If that's so, go for it! The sky is the limit! The only way to become a master at something is to be really with it. Do the things you like, develop the skills you want to have. Live life like you want, it's better to have a life full of things that you wanted to do than a miserable life. 

 

Still not convinced? Well.. if you're gonna choose something that you don't like only to get more money, you will have to keep on doing that to support your life, in other words, you will need to do things you don't like in order to keep doing the things you don't like, which is stupid.

 

So.. go on then! Write away! If making stories is something you truly enjoy, then do it! The world is your canvas, waiting to be filled with your ideas.

 

Oh, and if you have written a story, be sure to let others read it, the only way to improve is through advice, criticism and practice.

[Mile high 61]

Go with what you want to do cuz it's a big deal what you choose to do in your life and you don't have to decide now I'm almost 2 years older than you and I have no clue what I want to do when I grow up so..... Anyways what would help you is wright some fan fiction so not only do you get some feedback on your weighting but you also improve on your writhing or make a book and let your friends read it and se if thay think if its good

But In my opinion (even thou my opinion doesn't matter) I think you would be awesome at eneything you do

[Coffee 4,323]

If its something you would like to do then you can, If you just continue practicing and if it is your passion, then you can become really good at writing. Don't give up on your Dreams.

Edited August 14, 2023 by Starry Sky

[Splashee 28,566]

If your father allows you to be anything you want, then it is up to you!

However, if he forces you, I recommend absolutely NOT following his footsteps

[ExplosionMare 18,085]

I’d say go for it! If you ever struggle with ideas, try using things from real life. One of my stories is based on an inside joke, which I somehow managed to build a whole concept on. 

[KatonRyu 1,033]

Go for it. If you've been practicing all your life and love doing it, then just keep trying until you succeed. It's definitely what I'm trying to do right now. No clue if I'm good enough, but I am going to get a book published one day, even if I have to do it myself. If it's something you're passionate about, don't let anyone stop you and keep on trying.