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/lit/ - Literature

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1130644 No.1130644 [Reply] [Original]

Is it ever justifiable to start writing a sci-fi novel?

I feel like I'd be joining the legions of thousands of people who spent hundreds of hours writing a gigantic manuscript, only to create something that's a completely unpublishable waste of time.

Who should write a book?

>> No.1130659

yes, but rarely

yes you would

those who know who shouldn't write a book

>> No.1130662

>>1130644
Writing a sci-fi novel is like starting a metal band. It's never justified, but you shouldn't let that stop you.

>> No.1130680

It's only a waste of time if you believe it's a waste of time. Something you write is only worth something if it's published? Psh.

>> No.1130706

>>1130680
>Something you write is only worth something if it's published?

Yes.

This is 100% true. This is the absolute whole fucking point of writing anything.

>> No.1130724

>>1130706
So writing for your own enjoyment doesn't happen any more? Oh dear.

>> No.1130747

>>1130724
Trolling. Ignore this guy.

The only thing anyone writes that they don't want people to read is a diary, and half the time people really do want you to read those.

>> No.1130768

Do you have a idea for a story that haven't been rehashed a thousand times already?
Do you have a setting that likewise feels at least somewhat original?
Can you write good or at least decent prose?
Can you do characters that are not entirely made of cardboard; and dialogue that reads like something an actual person might say in an actual situation?

If not then maybe you should write a fantasy novel instead.

>> No.1130779
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1130779

>>1130768

I started to lose interest and then I read the last sentence and pic related

>> No.1131896
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1131896

>>1130768

>> No.1131905

I've written 2 sci-fi/fantasy novels, and enjoyed writing them. I've gotten relatively good feedback, and while I'm not making much in the way of money off of them, looking back on it, I wouldn't go back and stopped myself. I accomplished something.

Don't let anyone tell you that writing a book is not an accomplishment. I have talked with so many people who just can't even finish writing a book. The feeling you get when you finish....man, its indescribable. So whether its sci-fi, erotica, or your own personal bible, writing a book means something. In some small way, you've put your stamp on the world. And don't let any motherfucker tell you any different.

>> No.1131931

>>1131905
>and while I'm not making much in the way of money off of them

You got published?
Would you care to tell of the circumstances surrounding that? Did you write a little bit every week for a couple of years? Type the whole book out from start to finish in a month?

>> No.1131934

>>1130706
Kafka. That's all I have to say.

>> No.1131935

>>1131931

I typed the first book out without any outline or anything, which, in my opinion, is not the way to go. Too much stuff floating in your head, gets mixed up with other things. I wrote about half of it in the space of two months, hit full-on writers block, quit for about 4 months, and then went back and wrote the second half in about another 2 months.

With my second book, it took me about a month to write out an outline, after which I set it aside for about a year, partly out of my own laziness, and partly because of some bad shit that went down, and then wrote the whole book out in about 2-3 months.

And yes, I did get published through a company called PublishAmerica. They are a self-publishing company; which, basically, means that they will publish your book for free, but then as far as getting your name out there, you are on your own, which, for someone who doesn't have a whole lot of money, its very tough to get your name out there and sell yourself to the masses when a thousand other people just like you are trying the exact same thing.

>> No.1131951

>>1130768
Twilight has none of this and the book sold millions of copies.

>> No.1131953

fucking hell, write what you want: it's your time to do with what you want so go crazy. It's not like there's a quota for how many sci-fi novels can exist

>> No.1131952

>>1131951

Well, if you are in it to make money, write a shitty book full of fucking faggots, because thats all America wants to read right now.

>> No.1131993

>>1131935
>he thinks that self-publishing counts

So how many bookstores have you seen with self-published novels on the shelves?

>> No.1131999

If you want to write then it's better to write a sci fi novel then to give up and write nothing.

>> No.1132003

>>1131993

If you're only writing to get your books in bookstores then you're already doing something wrong.

>> No.1132004

>>1131993

Not a whole lot, but it can be bought online. *shrug* It still counts to me, and thats all that matters. A few silly little anon's opinions about it are about as worthless as dog shit. But thank you for contributing.

>> No.1132005

>>1130644
I guess people who can figure out some reliable way of getting published and those who just want to.

>> No.1132022

>>1130644

If you feel like you have something that you can contribute to the genre then you should go for it. At the worst it could certainly be a worthwhile experience for you as a writer.

>> No.1132318

>>1132004
Link to buy?

>> No.1132343
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1132343

>>1130644
If you're already in doubt, don't do it. You write firstly for you, not for the market. So if you're worried about what people are going to think, don't write at all.

Or try to write the next great American novel, like thousands of others, and look down your nose at people who do what they enjoy. You seem to have gotten that part right already.

>> No.1132524

DON'T DARE EVEN PRACTICE WRITING JUS IMAGINE HOW BAD YOU WOULD B IF YOU DID

>> No.1132585
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1132585

The human story doesn't need a genre. That is, if you are writing about humans, because if you're writing about aliens or some shit, well who knows what their story is? Who cares?

>> No.1133692

>>1132343
>>1132003
>>1130724

One thing I'd like to ask the people who are advocating "writing just for writing's sake and to hell with the rest of the world":

Is there any point learning the piano if nobody hears you play? Is there any point learning to be an excellent chef if you only cook for yourself?

If so, what?

>> No.1133704

>>1133692

Because there are moments when you are writing that you feel like a god. Its the closest I can come to explaining the absolute thrill when you are in the moment, churning pages, knowing everything is coming out the way you want. You feel like a god, creating your own little universe.

>> No.1133718

>>1133692

Cynicism is a cheap way of think in a holier than thou way where you don't write because it's morally incorrect for you to do so.

check >>1132343, I feel this bro set you on the right track.

If you think you're gonna suck, write what you want, and if it's not the best book you ever read, just re-write it, or fix the minor stuff for it to be awesome.

Do research, check your fact, expose theories. It's so motherfucking fun that you can feel better when they pay you almost nothing, because it's more the greatest joy than an actual work.

>> No.1133745

>Start writing a science-fiction novel for a second year university module.
>Quite cliche, space opera subgenre. Aliens, FTL spaceships and impossible technology.
>Feel quite awkward reading it aloud in seminars, other students don't really know how to give good feedback as it's not a genre they're used to. (English Lit student).
>Keep going with it. Hand it a 10,000 word extract at the end of the year.
>Tutor loved it.
>External examiner loved it. Mentioned it at a board meeting (something which doesn't happen often apparently). Liked it because of the good characters and use of humour.
>Get a first.
>Find out external examiner is an agent too. Thinks it's a publishable idea.
>everythingwentbetterthanexpected.jpg

If you have an idea, run with it for a while. If you find it's going somewhere and you're enjoying it then GREAT! If not, maybe you should brainstorm other potential ideas. Never ever destroy any of your work though.