Calling Fantasy Writers

Hello Kevin, I am a fantasy/science fiction writer, currently working on my two part saga, 'Alabaster's Legend', which is up on my account. I feel the main problem with fantasy/science fiction genres is to try and generate a unique world that hasn't already been seen before. I've read so many stories that seem to regurgitate bench marks set by writers such as Tolkien and Robert Jordan (Several stories of mine I've dumped because of this very reason). However, like you, I can't think of writing anything else other then fantasy or sci-fi. They were the genres of my childhood and they are where I feel most comfortable and creative. My view is to keep going and to never give up. I've been working on Alabaster's Legend for six years and only now do I feel ready enough to bring the Alabaster Universe to life. Keep plugging away and I'm sure you'll break through to the publishers, but I also think it's useful to just have a break from a certain genre every now and then, to refresh both your writing and your mind. You never know what you might come up with. I hope my opinions have helped in some way. I.L.Wiltshire

Hi all I write Sci fi for myself mainly, ok if people want to read it that's a bonus. My outlook is that Science fiction is merely a prelude to science fact, if people scoff I just remind them of the everyday things they use today, that the inventors have credited to Star trek as their inspiration. I love to write my stories as I do I am transported in to them, I am on the bridge of the Diana Orbiting Achin, or at the command as a battle cruiser bares down on us. I don't write for others I write to enjoy the experience, and be it be Fantasy or Sc Fi I know somewhere out there it most likely exist's we just haven't found it yet but one day we will. Then all our stories and fantasies will be archival science theory, as are the stories of other great writers of our genre's. Verne, Clarke, Asimov, and yes Rodenberry. So they all made it why shouldn't you just keep on slogging and one day who knows.

I'm a fantasy writer (or at least I try to be). On ABC Tales I tend not to write fantasy short stories as they are generally not well received. It is difficult to build the magic sufficiently I find. I'm in the process of writing my first novel (based on one of my stories on here....) so can't offer any real advice on the publishing side of things, however I know that over saturation is a real issue in this genre. As I L Wiltshire says above there us a real lack of originality and ten a penny fantasy out there so you really need to stand out. You need some original concepts (look at the magic system of Brandon Sanderson or the story telling of Patrick Rothfuss for recent examples). On a smaller scale I think perserverance is the real key. Work pm that feedback as much as possible and send it in to as many publishers as you can. Best of luck!

With Sci-fi and Fantasy, you're better trying small indie presses. Take a look here : http://www.sfsite.com/depts/small01.htm http://www.ukauthors.com

Hi Kevin, Having started out writing children’s stories, I now write Sci Fi (I’m on my second book in a series, whilst trying to get an agent for the first!). It was not something I actually ‘chose’ to do - I kind of just fell in to it! In hindsight, restricting myself to a relatively specialist genre was not the wisest of choices, but like you and I. L. Wiltshire, I can’t think about writing anything else now! Like Clive, my writing is pure escapism and I write just as much for the pleasure of being transported to distant planets as I do to actually make it to publication. That said, publication is my end goal and I am still striving towards it. One thing that I would advocate is getting as much feedback or critiquing as you can. I’m not sure whether I’m allowed to promote other forums so I might get a smack on the knuckles for this, but I also use youwriteon.com to get other’s opinions. In addition I am a member of the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA) and they have a critiquing group called Orbiter which is excellent. I agree with I. L. and Shep that it is difficult to come up with 100% new ideas, but I think if a story is well written, with a good plotline and endearing protagonists, readers will forgive some similarities. After all, take chick-lit – when you really look at it, most stories or plots are re-hashed and unoriginal. (Can you tell I’m not a big fan of chick-lit??!!) All the research I have done in terms of getting published says you must get an agent first. All my research into Agents says you have to approach those that clearly say they specialise in Sci Fi – or in your case, Fantasy. You could try the following link as a starter: http://www.t-party.org.uk/?page_id=493 My advice, for what it’s worth… do what you love – and just keep doing it! Good luck. Sarah

I love that idea of writing short stories set in the same world. Really love it. That would be a great way to build up familiarity with the new world. It could even sprout new ideas for sequels or side-stories. My book is based in this world with a few twists, so that's not overly applicable for me for the moment, but thanks for that grover!

http://sciencefictionandbooks.wordpress.com/ The above link is a new blog I have on Wordpress, now not to step on the toes of ABC. This is for those writers on here who like myself have no illusions about becoming another JK Rowling or Asimov, and who just like to write stories. If you send me an email to vortash@hotmail.co.uk or a request in the comments bar on the site, I will add you as a contributor and you can write to your hearts content without limit. The only rules are 1 NO Politics 2 No Religion 3 No Racial slurs 4 Only Science fiction and Fantasy stories 5 Absolutely No bad Language kids will hopefully be reading this page. You can write about that film you saw recently and if you enjoyed it or not, and what your looking forwards to next. Just a place were we ain't serious at all a fun place to be. Just click one the above link and your off simple's? Also if you feel up to it there is a video blog entry to vocalise your books for the visually impaired or for you to either contribute or just listen .

Hi Kevin The first book came out as a bit of an epic at 170K words, but since I posted the first chapter on here it has gone through a gazillion edits and now looks quite different from what you have just read! Thank you for your comments. I have been concentrating on the first three chapters (as agents don't want any more than this on first look), and have cut over 5 thousand words just from those. I have a habit of putting in a lot of detail which some people don't like, so I have been trying to make it more 'punchy'! I hope I have succeeded. In terms of planning... I had a beginning, an end and a few key events that I wanted to happen in the middle. The rest just 'happened' as I wrote - and I didn't plan how long it was going to be because I didn't want to restrict myself. Before I started my second book, I followed the same process of beginning, middle and end, but I think this time I did put a bit more structure in. Mainly because as a follow on story, I needed it to be about the same length as the first, so I have planned the flow of the story in more detail. Before I type each chapter, I write an outline which helps me to focus and not go off on a tangent. I couldn't tell you whether that's a good or bad way to do things, but it seems to work for me! My advice is do what you enjoy, or it becomes a chore and you will never be truly satisfied with the outcome. If you like writing shorts at the moment then stick with that until you make the decision that a novel is what you really want to do. It is a big commitment! Sarah

Hey. Im kinda new, (i joined a couple days ago) but two of my fantasy stories are a hit. There should be several chapters ending in suspence, and some of the other ones in questions. Fantasy stories should have at least one person who beleives that he/she is human, but is not. #1 MOST IMPORTANT RULE: in fantasy stories, there MUST be at least one fight between good/evil

And one should not repeat oneself.