Looking to write something other than poetry..need advise on where to start

[RachelleNH]

Hi everyone! I just self published my first little compilation book of poetry. What I'd really like to do is find a course and learn how to write fiction/mystery novels..Anyone have any advise on the best place to do this?

Thanks!

Rachelle

[jules531]

I am writing my first novel.  I got a lot of information on twitter.  Do you use twitter?  I jion in on #yalitchat and #kidlitchat once a week.  There are agents, published authors, editors and more on the chats that can answer any questions you may have.  One day I decided to just write.  It took me about 2 weeks to decide what my main chacter would be like and the topic of my novel.  It took some research to see how I wanted to start it.  I spent a lot of time reading some of my favortie authors novels, just looking at how they began.  You will need some direction as to how many words to write.  There is a difference in length for different genres as well as different age groups.  YA would be Young Adult, MG would be Middle Grade etc.  I will post the link to a site I was giving that has helped me a lot.

[jules531]

Here is one link: http://www.right-writing.com/published-novel.html

Here is another link:  http://www.suite101.com/content/young-adult-novel-guidelines-a20436

This blog is a former agent and has a very detailed count of words needed for each genre:

 http://theswivet.blogspot.com/

Hope this helps!

[home4ever]

Do you have adult ed classes in your town? Check with your public schools- classes are often held there at night.

Also, check out  Writers Digest- they have an online presence and they hold classes.....

Read every book/magazine to do with writing fiction and mystery. They have different writing mags at Barnes and Nobel....also check your library.

Google different keywords "mystery writing", "writing fiction" "Writing for children (if you will be)", etc....

Start a blog! Write some of your ideas and see what your readers think. It is the best way to meet other bloggers who write and showcase their work online....

A blog is also a must if you plan on writing for the Internet at all - doing articles, submitting stories to any sites, etc....they want to see a blog with writing samples.

Good luck- I was a Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew fan (amongst others) as a kid and hope to one day write kids mysteries....

[RachelleNH]

I did find a class on what they call "Ed2go" which is linked to your local community technical schools. I am so lost in all of the options that there are..I need a writing for dummies book LOL

[home4ever]

...and I think they make one :-)

[RachelleNH]

BUMP!

[RachelleNH]

Lots of good advice...I read so many mystery novels..Tess Gerrittsen is one of my faves...I would love to finish something like that! But I want to do it right..and really get into it..I think I'm going to take that local technical course..can't hurt!