Happy Travels and Novel Ideas...

Tomorrow I am taking off for Nashville and staying with some writer friends. Then we will be driving to Indianapolis for a Christian writer's conference. Although I do have a completed manuscript at this time, I am not yet ready to begin the submissions process. However, I have decided to interview a well known Christian author, who will be there and I have prepared a few questions for him. Just trying to make the most of my time at the conference to get as much helpful information as possible.

Also, I still need to learn how to write up a proposal. From what I understand, you do have to submit proposals even for fiction works. The problem is I can't wait to start writing a novel. When the characters are speaking to me in my head, I have to get my thoughts down on paper and write. If I don't write them down, they will get lost in the busyness of life. I find writing to be therapeutic and rewarding. It is important for me to write things out and see my work on paper. I wouldn't do this for non-fiction work at all, but for fiction I must. I can't see just coming up with a proposal for a fiction novel and not have most of it written already, but for a series idea - yes. But then that could be perceived as presumptuous to assume a publisher would even see this novel idea as a series in the first place. Too many things change in the process of writing. Characters sometimes take on different perspectives and take the story in a different direction. The story could actually get better during the actual writing. I realize I am still considered a new author and may not have a clear enough understanding as to the true purpose of developing a proposal for fiction work. Other than trying to sell your idea to the publisher, I am thinking the proposal can act as an outline to begin the writing process. But like I said, I can't see not having the story already written. Then too, I'm not really sure that it's all that necessary for first time authors anyway. I could be wrong and I will definitely be doing my homework on this. I'll keep you posted.