Serious questions in need of honest answers.

[Fel]

As most of you know, I've been going to college, majoring in physics. The goal was to use the physics degree as a springboard to get back into my old career as an electronics technician. Though it's not an engineering/technician degree, ANY college degree + my 16 years of experience was going to get me better jobs...or that was the plan.

However, more and more here recently I find myself questioning this plan.

Writing has always been a hobby.

I've been pondering the idea of making it a job.

Now, those who know me know that this is just about the same as the Archangel Gabriel descending from On High before you and handing you a ham sandwich. I've always been MILITANTLY opposed to the idea of ever writing for anything other than fun.

But, as I get older and the idea of working until I'm 75 looms on the horizon, the idea of at least working a job I enjoy for that long begins to look more and more attractive. And almost all the time, when I'm at school, when I'm goofing off, even when I'm sleeping, all I ever think about are the STORIES.

So.

I ask these questions in total frankness, and I EXPECT honest answers. These answers will be taken into consideration as I continue to ponder the direction of my future.

1: Do you HONESTLY believe that I could make it as a novelist, understanding that I would probably never attempt to have the Firestaff series published? Any attempt to publish would come from one of my other stories, like Subjugation.

2: Would you consider it worth the risk to switch majors to literature to help me become a better writer, considering I'm paying for college with student loans and I'll be left holding a very large bill?

3: Would me registering a new domain and putting someone in complete control of it help advance my effort to publish and earn a living writing? Sennadar.com would remain, however...the new domain would be a much more professional attempt at starting up a webpage, and would include Subjugation and the other stories as well.

4: People have repeatedly yelled at me to put up a Paypal donation link, but I've always been VERY uncomfortable with this idea. If I do start a new domain and a new website, should it incorporate this feature to help defray the cost of the website itself?

Please, answer honestly, and remember that I am never offended by criticism.

Also, if you have any words of wisdom or other items of note that you might think pertinent, by all means, either put them here or PM them to me if you don't like the idea of putting it out where anyone can read it.

[Hearly]

Honestly, I feel Just with the Firestaff series, it is as good as anything Baen has online (Harrington series, etc..)

The Question I guess Fel is right now you do it I'm guessing is to relax, and for fun, but if you would be serious about publishing something, you'd need to ask yourself if you could do the amount of output to make it worthwhile...

I'd suggest sending the First book of the Firestaff series to some publishers like Baen, and see what they say, Granted it's been posted here, but if they'd be willing to publish you, they'd put it up on the Free part of there Book site..

If the stories are as good as the Firestaff series and Subj. is right now, I'd buy the books..

[montie1123]

I would buy the Fire Staff set in a newyork min. That series would sell, alot of people that would pay to read your books dont hunt for storys on the web like some of us. THe only thing you need to ask your self is are you willing to pump out atlest 1 full book a year or so. After you get a good following of readers that dont check these forums every day (like me). Your book would sell, and sell very well.

[Solarstorm]

Fel you are one of the most talented writers I have come across. I too would buy your Firestaff series in a heartbeat. I can get into the story so much easier with a book. I dont even remember turning pages as I read. It is much harder on the computer because you dont hold you finger over the page down key or mouse scroll wheel. It is easy to hit the wrong key and mess up where you were reading breaking the trace you fall into when reading. So never fear be able to publish your work many of us would buy as soon as it was availible. You could easily write for a living. In fact you have inspired me to try to write. I have written about 1/2 a chapter in 4 months (lol) it is very hard. The only advice I can give you is will you still love writing when you are under pressure to turn work out for a paycheck. If so then by all means do it. If any publisher read your work they would be beating a path to your doorstep to sign you up. Seriously give it a lot of consideration. I look forward to reading everything you write. Yes it is nice that it is free It is also nice to get updates monthly of your stories instead of waiting a year to a year and half for a new book to show up. It is also frustrating waiting for more of the plot especially after a cliff hanger ending. If you can get paid doing what you love that is the best job you can have. Best wishes no matter what your decision is and I can not wait for your next chapter.

[Finn]

I think, in the end, what you need to be looking for is a job that you'll enjoy doing, but one that can support you. I'd look for advice from other authors, about the type of life they lead, how they pay their bills, their level of output required, to see if it matches what you believe will happen.

I guess at the moment, writing is possibly more fun because you can, quite simply, stop whenever you burn out, or have writers block and not worry too much about the consequences (apart from the hordes of fans outside your window with big puppydog eyes =)), but if you make a living from it, there may be the extra pressure involved in 'getting that next chapter out' to the editor. You also might want to check if you can handle editing and re-editing huge amounts of your stories well after they're written on the request of someone else not always an easy task on the ego.

Send some mail to the more approachable authors out there, Mr Gaiman, etc, I'm currently reading Scott Lynch's LJ at the moment and he seems to have a good grasp on his life in terms of writing.

As for the level of your writing, never fear. All of your stories are immersive and interesting, and above all well grounded and researched in the background, which gives the worlds a whole lot more reality than in many 'popular' books out there. You certainly have the ability to write a good story, it'll just be whether the reality of being a full time (or part time) author is what you will feel content about in the long run.

[Shadowhawk]

First thing first, do you like your intended job? The one you switched to physics for? If so, then perhaps you should think on supplementing yourself as a writer, not trying to make a living of that.

Second, before publishing "Firestaff" or "Subjugation" you should probably correct the errors first. And you should think if you would still enjoy writing if you did it for a living, with deadlines etc. And no writing, no paycheck.

As to the quality of your stories... I have read better, but I have read worse paperback. "Firestaff" and "Subjugation" suffers slightly from overpowerfull main character, for example. But you can plan and write long stories. Descriptions of battles are also very good. The character development... sometimes you repeat yourself, not literally of course.

And if you go publish, I'd like it to be publisher which does also ebooks, like Baen.

Thats all for now

[Edengrave]

Well to answer your questions, Fel:

1. Honestly, I am surprised you would even ask. But yes I am totally certain you could make it as a novelist. I have read more books than I can remember or count, and If you don't know by now that you are DAMN GOOD, man you've got a confidence problem. EVerything you've written can stand on it's own, from Firestaff to Alpha... and Dragon...But Honestly, if you had published Firestaff, you would already be among the Great. That series has me floored. but the others are just as good in my mind. It's just that Firestaff is longer, and easier to appreciate because of that. Frankly, I think I would prefer Alpha or subjugation, if they were as long as Firestaff. still the choice would be close.


2. No, It's not worth the risk. I am an aspiring author myself Fel, and trust me when I say this, you don't need a major in litterature to improve or get better. a diploma is just a piece of paper man. If you want to improve, go out there an buy books, and find authors workshop, and do it on your own. don't put your eggs all in one basket man. as a matter of fact, if I were you I would continue doing the physics thing, and consider writing as a second job. If it works, well and good. you can then gradualy increase it's place in your life, until you can think u are ready to write full time. That's what I am doing. I'm majoring in accounting and computer sciences, and I have enough time to write. Frankly either you have what it takes or you don't. check out the great authors in history, and ask yourself how many have studied litterature in college? I'm sure you would be surprised. and finally college are just places to get diplomas. true learning is done by studing on your own, whatever the field.


3. No I don't think it would help. again check what established authors are already doing. you could just revamp this site, and honestly just by sampling what you have here for free, I would buy whatveer you've published blindly.


4. DEFINITELY put a paypal donation link. It does not forces or entails anything, but enable those of us who feel grateful for the fantastic reading to support you in a tangible way. honestly, I've wasted hundreds of bucks, on average litterature. and if given the opportunity, would gladly show my appreciation for the great reading that way. because when all is said and done, you've saved me a heck of alot of money.

[MISER]

Hello Fel.

Lets start with the beginning. You had a plan. You made significant investments of your time, energy, emotions, and resources in the plan, and now you want to question it! WHY?

Have you come to a solid realization that the plan will for some reason NOT work? Will you be unable to perform the duties of an electronic tech? Or have you lost your love for that work? Has something else happened in your life that is a barrier to that career field? If SO, then the plan NEEDS changed.

If not WHY does it need changed, is IT broken or are YOUR feelings about it changed? If it's you and you have a temporary burnout there's a reason they call it temporary, if it's YOU and it's PERMANENT then it is another STORY time.

You made the Arch Angel reference so answer me this.. What is your CALLING in life friend? Pushing Electrons, or Writing, Or Neither, Or Both, or even something else..... What ever that answer is, if it is definable, it is what you should pursue....

Now there is this investment you have made in so many fields to consider. Are you thinking of throwing it away and wasting it? Or are you capable of falling back on it and using it if you become another starving ARTIST/AUTHOR.

If you do make this change then make the real world transition to understanding that your stated source of FUN will become that dreaded 3 and 4 letter word combo we all must face up to. YOUR JOB and WORK! But I can say theres always kittens and fishing for fun!

So to answer your 4 questions finally.

1. Yes. You have the talent to become and make a professional novelist in the arena of Sci Fic and Fantasy. I believe your true talent lies in the realm of Fantasy, not Sci Fi which is contrary to your stated thoughts here. But you asked for the truth and honesty of your fans and friends so here you are. The Firestaff / Pyrosian series would have to be significantly rewritten and probably pulled from public forums. That sucks. But I get WHY you feel the way you do about them, and why you resist any trend towards their publishing etc... Having said that, they are your best works. I like both Sci Fi and Fantasy works. I do not like your subjugation and other alternative works any where near as well as I do Tarrin and Co... The world you have created in Sennadar etc... is your intellectual property for the most part and both classic and unique.

2. Your Risk FEL? I do not know. I cant speak for you!!! But I will share that I am thinking of moving on in my work too. I am an old pudgy bald bearded bespectacled man. I am a fomer military man, and now a DOD civillian. And I am thinking of going to the middle east and entering a war zone, to take on a long term project that would have lots of benefits for my nation, countrymen and self. I have all of the same investments you do, except in formal study. My education and time is all in LIFE. But in the end thats what yours boils down to. My reasons are my own, as are yours. The scale of your reasons worth, is yours to load and balance! I, WE, cannot do that for you. But our joy in your writings must be a factor in your decision so since weve all said for many years and on many different forums (some of us,) PUBLISH Darnit.... you can shovel those joys onto your scale pretty easily. But in the end CAN you PAY the BILL's.

3. The domain thing is beyond me. I like this. And as I have said before. I just wish I had your novels in professional leatherbound, long lasting, deluxe editions.

4. Paypal would give you a few dollars. Myself and others would glady buy you a steak or two for the joy weve had so far. But I dont know that you could live on it. But you may just surprise us both, and make it go, establishing a new style of reading. It is a risk. But it is your life pal. But yes if you plan to make a new domain get on paypal and go for it. Then the burden is on those of us who are and have been loyal to your writings in all forms to support your efforts. If you dont get the support it will answer your questions about being successfully published. Because you will either not get any money which makes all us cheap skates, or you will get an initial burst of funds from old friends paying their dues for your works, which will trickle off unless... you continue to attract lots of new readers who are not cheap skates and who will pay their and your way too..... its a risk....

So in the end it is your wading pool pard, fill it as deep and hot as you can stand without drowning.

Much Respect and Best Wishes

John[/b]

[Spec8472]

Here's my thoughts, feel free to take them or leave them as desired.

The quality of your characterisation and plot is very good.
There are some niggling errors (continuity, mainly), but those are things which an editor would work with you to correct. Nothing jumps out at me as glaring problems.

Would you "make it" financially? That's a really hard thing to answer, and I can't give you good advice on it.

Looking at the relative success of Penny Arcade, Player vs Player, and BBSpot, I think it could be very difficult to earn enough to earn a living without a large readership.
Unless you get that, you'd probably have to earn money other ways. Having large debts probably won't help the situation.

Becoming a full-time author also has the risk that the demand to constantly produce more would make writing a chore, and thus reducing any joy you gain from it.

Regarding the new site and paypal. I think you should go for it. Even if you don't get much in the way of donations, it would be a good learning experience, and it can't hurt.


PS: As always, the offer of hosting is still there - even for a pay-site.

[Journeywoman]

To be honest, most of what I want to say has already been said by the others. I can understand where you are at because I'm at uni wondering where the hell my degree is going to take me I also understand whatever advice any of us give, the decision is ultimately yours.

1) I agree whole heartedly you can write sci-fi and fantasy at a proffessional level. The only things I can nitpick about are continuty, including repeating yourself in on few things, which editing would solve and I personally find Demon's Bane getting a bit OTT on the power scale but even with that I'm enjoying the story because it is well written.
I am wondering about if you can publish subjugation or not since half of it has been published to the web already.

2) To be honest I agree with those who have already answered this question in the fact that it is a risk. If I were you I would probably start as a part-time writer (like you are now, but paid) and if it doesn't work out then at least you have a back up. And I also agree that you can get writing knowlege from other places, like Orson Scott Card's website. I have a whole list of writing links which I grabbed from Anne McCaffrey's forum before it shut down, I don't know what most of them are but if you want the list PM me. The only other link I will post here caught my eye because it's title includes For Writers Who Want To Be Read (this site is all care, no responsibility. I don't know what's on it).

3) To be honest, I think sticking with one major website is best, less confusion for new readers. But also you've got to take into account wiether having your stories online will affect your hope of being published or not.

4) Paypal, I'm not really sure about, some people will pay, some won't the idea is to come up with something to keep the money flowing. Jaime Robertson of Clan of the Cats Comic has done this through Sebo's Kitty Klub, which is paying (through pay-pal) to get an extra comic strip every week. I don't know if this would work for you but it's an idea anyway.

[aberia]

I'd suggest that u get into consultancy in your current line of work (16yrs of experinece and all should not be wasted. its an acquired skill) You should then use the rest of your time to write.

remove all the books from the net. and send a copy of the script of the first book to various publishing houses.... and see if they snap it up. I agree with Spec8472 that u need professional help for small errors in your stories but i can say that u r right up there with Christopher Paolini.

enjoy

cyberia

[acebrain01]

lets just say that if i went into a bookstore and had to choose between on of your boks fel and one of stephen king's i would have a very serious debate going on inside my head.
let's just hope i had nuff money for both cause i might just lean towards yours fel.

if you feel like you can make a living at it do it!!!!

[Hallmist]

Fel-

I would like to first say that your writing is incredible, and that I agree with every accolade that you have been given in this thread.

That said, YOU are the only one that can make the choice to change your lifestyle, and though you may consider the thoughts of others, do what you feel most comfortable with.

There is one other thing you must remember: there are always more than two choices. Multiple shades of grey exist between black and white. In one of these compromises you will find your path.

-Hallmist

[Shadowhawk]

Remove all the books from the net, and send a copy of the script of the first book to various publishing houses.... and see if they snap it up. I agree with Spec8472 that u need professional help for small errors in your stories but i can say that you are right up there with Christopher Paolini.

I hope if/when Fel decides to publish, it would be with publisher like Baen, which gives some of their published books as free ebooks. I don't know much about their preferences for new authors. I.e. if they allow new authors to retain rights for publishing electronic version of their stories or publish their books for free in Baen Free Library (compare untypical example of "Slayer" http://www.baen.com/library/0738847240/0738847240.htm on Baen, which isn't published by Baen, but author retained ebook publishing rights).

[zedd]

I think there are many authors trying to get their work published that can't get through.

My opinion would be to don't change classes, and try on your spare time to see if you can get published. Maybee send the firestaff books to a publishers as a sample/portofolio and ask them if they would be interested in seeing an unpublished (in the web) work from you when you have it done.

Your writings have as much quality as several books i bought. But i think that getting published is not only a matter of quality, but also about your contacts, opurtunity, etc ...

I don't think that a paypal link in the sennadar site could hurt, since noone is "forced" to donate.

How about selling new stories in ebooks format in your site (Sennadar or other)? Maybe if you have dificulties getting publishers interest?
Why don't you try to write one new story, perhaps one mentioned in the poll, and try to sell it on the site and see how it goes?