Topic: How to write your own first book - experiences and opinions? (Read 799 times)

That's true that in writing books, much more is left to the imagination of the reader. But I would also see it that classical authors and authors of comic books are different kinds of artists. Because the requirements are different. Whereas I'm sure that's kind of true for all authors.

And while an editor is indispensable when publishing a novel, that might play a smaller role when publishing comic books, because there's less text and a lot more pictures? In any case, you should make sure that you find a publisher who is also familiar with this genre.

You do need a story for comics, but drawing is much more important. For me, it goes in a completely different direction. With comics, you tell the story with the help of pictures; with writing, you have to try to get these pictures into people's heads with the help of words.

I think comics are really cool, too, and I have a lot of fun with them as a reader. But I have to say that as a writer, I'm not really the type for that kind of creativity. But it's a good thing that you have so many different options to try out!

For the professional context, I couldn't imagine that in my case either. That would be kind of inappropriate. But I can well imagine that you can do great things with it in education!

And writing your own first comic book would be a whole other challenge. Then you'd have to look separately at how you could get such a book published. Most publishers specialize in certain genres.

We know by now that there are different types of authors. And for each type of author, a different strategy works well. Some sit down with a good glass of wine and write only when they're inspired. Others are more disciplined and structured, setting aside a specific time each day to write, for example. I'm someone who needs a little pressure to function. I know that by now, and that's why I also make sure that I create framework conditions that work for me personally. As long as you don't get a bad feeling about it, I think that's perfectly fine.

You just have to be able to assess yourself and your own abilities and then draw the right conclusions. For example, I'm now very sure that I'll have my first book published by Novum Publishing and won't try the self-publishing route. That might work for many people, but it would probably cost me more money and time than going straight to an experienced service publisher.

I think you shouldn't put yourself under so much pressure. If it's a hobby, it should be fun. It's probably more beneficial if you enjoy it instead of forcing yourself to do it. That leaves you with a bad feeling. That's what you want to fight with hobbies. It should be an added value and not create additional problems.
A break is often good for you. After the break, you are motivated again and have more drive. You also have to have the courage to take a break. When you write you come back refreshed, when you do sports you are full of energy again,....

I had a vacation at the end of December and took a lot of time to write after Christmas with the family. I had a good phase and got a few chapters further. But it will take a while until the manuscript is finished.

In the meantime I dared to read the first chapters by friends and got positive feedback. I guess the story makes you want more, but they would also recommend that I edit again when I'm done with the book. I've also contacted Novum Publishing and they've encouraged me that publishing can work out. But until that happens, I might want to enter a short story contest to get some publicity.

In the meantime, I have also had such phases in which I could only have written under pressure. But I think writer's block is quite normal. Since writing is my hobby and should be fun, I then allowed myself a break and read more.

I think that is also the positive influence that writing can have. Other people go to sports and exhaust themselves there - but what remains is a positive feeling afterwards. With writing, it's the feelings that you get off your chest.

Often you have to take a step back and read other stories. Then at some point the focus comes back. Think it would also be bad in such a phase with pressure to continue writing - you would then notice.

I doubt family or friends are a good guide there. You have to know what you are doing and you have to know the market. And if you're honest, often no one from friends and relatives want to give you negative feedback.
In literature forums, on the other hand, it is quite different. For the people in the forums, everything is bad and everything is talked down. No one is good enough:)
I think the best chances for honest feedback would be if you participate in competitions and exchange with other authors.



I also think writing is hard work. You have to invest a lot of time. Many people think it's too easy. That's probably why there are so many writers who try.
I think you can often tell the difference between a story you had to write and a story you want to get off your chest. The publisher is on your back, there's time pressure, you have to write a sequel, you put yourself under too much pressure,... All this influences the story. If you can write freely what is close to your heart and it is a matter of spreading your story, that is of course more conducive.


Writing costs nothing (to very little). It takes time but so do all hobbies. It should be fun, a distraction.... you also benefit yourself from writing even though you don't want to publish. It should lift your mood or give you joy.
When it comes to a publication, it costs quite a bit. Not necessarily financially - but in any case time and nerves.

Hey there! I haven't looked in here for a while now... what's the current situation with your project? Have you made any progress yet? In my opinion, you shouldn't do without editing and proofreading - even the best professional authors have to swear by them ;-) There's always something to tweak about a text... but it's also important to let it "be" at some point... two or three revisions is the minimum, I'd say.

Thank you for your advice! I also think that books should not only tell a story, but also make you think.

That it is more difficult to write a good book than to have an idea in my head is something I am experiencing myself. It will be done, but it's a tedious process. I hope to have the book published next year.

Before it is published, it will definitely be proofread and edited. I think that's when you notice, for example in fantasy novels, whether the worlds described make sense or whether you have to formulate something differently or add information.

You are right, but everyone is different. if I'm complaining, I always write it in a diary. after I poured out everything that was on my mind through writing, it made me relieved. sometimes part of the novel stories that I write, are lifted from the habit of my true story.

but still sometimes I feel bored. so sometimes I switch from writing to reading.

Well, what kind of book? Fantasy, SF, autobiography, fiction, non-fiction? A novel? Short story? Novella? There's a HUGE difference between all of them.

Difference between "having an idea" and actually writing that idea down is night and day. You may think you have a great storyline, but once you start writing, you'll figure out how much "empty space" you have in between. That's where the hard part is. How to fill it with something meaningful?

Before writing anything, and especially fiction, you should have your characters nailed down. Their personalities, their motives. Why would they do something they did, how is their personality affecting the storyline, how may their decision impact the storyline? Fantasy and SF are even harder. You have to create the whole universe before you write anything. Universe that makes sense. The story must sit perfectly in that universe, otherwise you'll have illogical storyline and plot holes.

What you really should do is just write something short. 5k - 10k words. Give it to your friends and families to read. Ask for their honest opinions. Post it on forums or Reddit. Look what people think about your writing. Practice some more. Then maybe some magazines would want to publish your stories if they're good enough. Build up from that.

Writing is VERY hard for most people. It takes time and practice. Maybe only a handful of lucky individuals are talented enough to express their thoughts through writing in a really meaningful and beautiful, effortless way. I would say those are the top 1% of writers. Other mortals will have to grind their way to become good authors. I don't know why people romanticise writing so much. It's hard work. It's a constant fight with empty paper. Moments where you don't know what to write are predominant compared to the moments when words just flow from your mind to fingers.

On the other hand, it's probably one of those things anyone can try. It costs nothing. That's the beauty of it.

One of the strategies that authors who I love reading their books do is that, they start with a personal story. Usually in a narrative format, their history. Then slowly they start intertwine their their thoughts and opinions into the piece. The best writers are those who will leave you with something to think about after reading a chapter.You could do both.

I think one can and should only clarify and provide information here. The decision then loves but with one himself.  If you mention the example with the investment, it is the same.  My way can be good for me, but it does not have to be so for everyone or maybe you have completely different goals. The conditions are so and so different for everyone.

For a publication, I would strive for the goal of getting published by a traditional publisher. If you can not realize that and you still want to publish your story, you should also think about the alternatives. There are already enough options and everyone will find his way. You have to be honest with yourself. I think if you say, I do everything alone and then you have no time or the stress is too great, then you could quickly stop again.

I think that is a very important point. As a new author, when you find out how to write and, above all, publish your first book, you often get the impression that there is only one right way. But the demands and needs of authors are as varied as their books.

Some are satisfied if they can publish their book on their own homepage. Others find accommodation with traditional publishers and change their work according to the wishes of the publisher. Still others opt for service publishers and are satisfied with that. And some also discover a lot of joy in publishing their book via self-publishing, even if this also costs time and money.

You have to decide individually what is best for you. That's the same with investing money. Some prefer to invest their savings in gold, some in cryptocurrencies. And still others feel best when diversifying.

In the end, you can only know for yourself what is best for you. What suits you may not suit others. What's right for others doesn't have to be right for you. I think it's important to think about it carefully. Collect all the information and then make a decision for yourself.

That's right, you just have to be happy yourself. At the moment I'm not yet, but that's also part of writing and publishing a book in some phases. But I'm confident that I'll be satisfied in the end. At the moment, I'm leaning heavily towards ultimately turning to a service publisher. But other options may also come into question. Self-publishing, however, I do not have the time and motivation, as you have correctly stated.

You can only decide for yourself which path to take. You should keep all your options open and try traditional publishers despite all the circumstances. It costs nothing and you can send your manuscript to several publishers at the same time. You can't get more than one more rejection. I think if you still want to publish, you have to think about whether you can do it alone or you need help. You have to be honest with yourself or it won't work. You need a lot of time and nerves to create it alone. In addition, you usually still have a job, a family, household,... You have to take all that into account when making your decision. I'm not saying you can't do it, but it certainly takes longer. If it takes longer, you can also lose motivation, which would be a shame.



For some, the desire for more develops. If not, also ok. Basically, you only ever have to be satisfied yourself, what others want is their problem. Fortunately, not everyone likes the same thing and has the same interests. Now and then you wish then nevertheless that other people see what you actually do. If it gives you pleasure and you connect a lot of positive things with it, it can also happen to other people.

I think so too. It's the same in the music industry. In the past, you absolutely needed a record publisher. And today, some artists become famous via YouTube or TikTok.

Yeah, I'll definitely do that when I'm done. I felt really comfortable contacting Novum Publishing and if they actually want to publish my book and the price fits, I'll probably take the option. It may be that you also have a small chance with traditional publishers, but getting published there is also very time-consuming and involves a lot of rejections.

This is a nice example. And yes, I also believe that this is a normal development. Most people are more or less socially inclined and it's normal to want recognition for one's achievements.