First Blog Post Here

[Jonathan Francesco]

I'm bad at blogging so this is more likely to become a disconnected jumble of ramblings and irrelevancies than anything else. But I figured I might as well try this out and see if anyone pays attention.

This is a pretty interesting place. Like the discussion. Seems less arrogant than other writing forums I've been one. I value that. Wish it were more active but I suppose I can do my part to help fix that.

I wrote a short story yesterday. Probably the most awkward story I've ever wrote from a formatting perspective. Still not sure how to really make it work. I really like the story but the formatting feels awkward due to how the transitions work. It's definitely something to work on, which I suppose I needed.

I sent out another query letter this week. Probably bound for another rejection. But I guess that's the business. Hopefully I'll be surprised one day and will find a non-rejection response waiting for me. 

All in all, I should probably be writing more but I suppose I've been feeling a little less creative lately. Maybe posting around here could fix that. Here's hoping. 

[Jonathan Francesco]

I know what I want to do ideally. Practically, I'm still a bit undecided about a longer-term career that will provide a steady income. So I am still trying to work out how to find a long-term career. (Which I'll make every effort to supplement with my writing, if I can.) 

Well, I have quite a few novels written, albeit all but 1 unpolished. I'd like to be able to get them into print within a reasonably close time to when they were written. 

I'm lucky to have a few good writing courses at the college. They make you jump through hoops to take them but at least I should finally be able to see if they have anything to say. (A lot of times, what you learn in classes isn't really productive for publishing.) I'd love to connect with more readers. They're very important. Always looking for new readers. Hopefully I'll have a finished product to give them at some point not too far away. I'm not overly active in my queries but I send them out from time to time and I am hoping for a bite one of these days. 

[Caroline Trippe]

You may be young, but you  know what you want to do, and you are very articulate.   And as they say, "there's no time like the present."  So go for it.  I wouldn't worry about your body of work "sitting around getting old."  Language is infinitely malleable---an idea that doesn't work out "now" may be material for something down the road. You can always re-use "old" material.  You seem to have all the right instincts---taking courses, maybe getting some connections, and talking to other writers---and readers. Don't forget us readers! :) 

[Jonathan Francesco]

Actually, I'm a few years ahead of 17 (Hope I didn't typo that somewhere here.) But only a few. (3 to be exact) So yes, still on the young side of things. (Although I completed my first novel draft at 17.) Yes, probably am the youngest member here. Still trying to get a feel for writing, although I've definitely noticed improvements. I expect my writing to change as I get older, but I suppose it makes my current writing all the more important cause I probably can't write from this point-of-view forever. The entire publishing industry is quite discouraging, but I am hoping to make a few connections through the writing program at my local community college. They offer a pretty good program that seems to be better than what a lot of smaller colleges would offer. Taking the capstone course this fall and it is supposed to feature visits by industry professionals so that might offer some chances to connect. 

All in all, I am trying to find windows to get my work into print. I know there's time for that, but at the same time, there kind of isn't? Hard to explain. I think I got a fairly large body of work for my age. I just don't want it sitting around getting old, if you know what I mean. 

[Caroline Trippe]

Hi Jonathan, You might just be the youngest member of CrimeSpace---are you really just 17?  If so, you've got a lot of writing years ahead of you.  Best advice I can give---live! Get experience while you write. Then you'll have more to say. :)

[Benjamin Sobieck]

Welcome! Yes, you'll find this is an oasis in the crime fiction world. Great discussion and people.

[Jonathan Francesco]

I've heard such advice and I can't say it's necessarily "bad" advice as much as I don't necessarily agree. I tend to write only when I get the inspiration. And I suppose I haven't really done too poorly with that method. I've gotten a nice handful of novel drafts and a couple of workable short stories. My writing tends to come in spurts and dry spells. I suppose I've definitely averaged a page a day for awhile if I really think about how much I've written. 

I think the best thing for me right now will be some good writing conversation. (Or one of the places I've submitted to saying 'yes.' lol) I've gone back and am editing a short story or two. Maybe that'll give me more options for submitting somewhere.

Thanks for the comment. :) 

[Dana King]

I think John Connolly has the best advice for those who want to write more. Write every day, even if it's only a sentence. Before too long you'll feel the need to write a paragraph. Then two, Maybe a page. Get to where you're writing a page a day, and you're doing very well.

Welcome aboard and good luck.