I've not been published...
..but I've somehow won 2 weeks of QOTW, which is (in my eyes at least) a far greater accolade.

It also greatly annoys my housemate - a published journalist - when I lay claim to being the only one in the house who is "an award-winning writer".
( TheMagicDwarf is back like ballroom dancing, Wed 5 Aug 2009, 11:44, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

My life has no point now after reading your achievements.
Even though I rarely submit QOTW answers anyway. Bah.
(The Apeface Cherub is not a cunty-uber-cunt, Wed 5 Aug 2009, 11:47, Reply)

*De-smugs*
On a serious note, good on you for giving it a go. Motivation is probably the biggest barrier to overcome, so if you can keep at it that's half the battle won.

The major part of the other half could be your family - my aforementioned journalist housemate is also in the midst of writing a novel. Her dad's questions on her progress are fairly limited: "How many pages is it now, kid? The last book I read was 300 pages, damn good book that one. Make sure you get over the 300 mark and you're laughing"

Wise words indeed.
( TheMagicDwarf is back like ballroom dancing, Wed 5 Aug 2009, 11:52, Reply)

Indeed
I shall bear them in mind and not stop until I have at least 301 pages, even if it's utter tripe.
Seriously though, I've carefully selected one friend who reads a LOT to be my lab-rat. I know she'll let me know what she thinks. Hope her advice is a little better!
(The Apeface Cherub is not a cunty-uber-cunt, Wed 5 Aug 2009, 11:56, Reply)

one piece of advice I heard from an author I knew
(not sure if she ever got published, but I read her manuscript and it was some really good sci-fi)

advice was: don't talk about your book to people. I can't quite remember what her reasons were, but it fell along the lines that talking to people about your story and characters etc. will cause you to lose it.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 5 Aug 2009, 12:00, Reply)

Totally
I'm not planning on revealing any of the plot / characters to anyone. Just this one friend who will get some of the chapters from time-to-time, and let me know if it's shite or going in the right direction. I was very pleased that nobody asked me here "What is it about?" to be honest.
Top tip, cheers.
(The Apeface Cherub is not a cunty-uber-cunt, Wed 5 Aug 2009, 12:04, Reply)