Thank You

[Anonymous]

Mr. Moorcock,

I just wanted to slip in here and say thanks, you've been my favorite author ever since I first picked up Elric of Melnibone' and have inspired me to become a writer as well (as I'm sure you've inspired thousands of others also). For twelve years I practiced and honed my writing, not to mention the simultaneous twelve years of cowardice at actually submitting my work during that time.

But finally I did, just about a year ago. I recently signed contracts with Wizards of the Coast for a short story in their Realms of the Dragons Vol.2 anthology and for my own novel Bloodwalk to be set in their shared world setting of Forgotten Realms. I don't plan to write in shared worlds forever, but for now I'm on top of the world and living a dream.

I consider you my greatest influence and just wanted to express my gratitude at having been introduced to your works all those years ago.

Thank You,

JP Davis

[zakt]

:D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol:

Go, JP! Nice happy post, and no wonder - applause & (nice) jealousy abound

:D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol: :D :lol:

[Michael Moorcock]

Much obliged, pard.
And the very best of luck with your fiction!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for replying Mr. Moorcock (or do you prefer Michael?). I just recently found this site (not too computer savvy here) and will hopefully join in more discussion when I can get the member sign-up to work.

I'm looking forward to your next book, The Skrayling Tree was awesome.

Thanks again!
Laters!

[Locke421]

Congratulations stranger!
Ill be looking for Bloodwalk in stores

[Anonymous]

Be prepared for a wait Locke. Bloodwalk isn't sue out until November 2006, ugh. I think its great that WOTC is contracting so far in advance to give authors more time, but the wait is a killer, especially for a first-timer like me! Realms of the Dragons 2 is due in May 2005 though, so not so bad on that one.

Eek! Here I am on Michael Moorcock's forum pushing my own books! My shamelessness knows no bounds, my apologies to all. :oops:

[Locke421]

well i may as well ask you something.
Did you start your novel from scratch and just develope a basic plot outline and take it as it went.
or did you take classes, study, and get a lot of other help?
the reason i ask this is because i wish to have at least one book published before my lifes over and im having a rocky start.
thanks
Mike

[Anonymous]

The basic story I came up with involved the major conflict and major characters. I think that's the true backbone of the story, to be able to sum up a proposal in two or three sentences, if they sound good take it further.

After that I fleshed out the outline a little more and brought in the "supporting cast" so to speak, adding in plot points to compliment the major conflict and eventually developed a loose chapter-by-chapter outline of the whole book. Nothing was set in stone and I'm making changes daily (my deadline is September 2005, so I'm only just inching toward half-way done), but the outline, to me, is an essential part of the process. To be able to hold a complete thought from beginning to end and then let it play itself out and take on its own life.

I took one creative writing class in high school, that's the extent of my formal education in writing fiction(not to mention all the required English classes as well). I think the biggest factor in deciding if your work is ready for submission is confidence. It took me twelve years to get the nerve, but when I did I knew I was ready and all that time paid off (though I feel I was at the right place at the right time also).

I don't think there's any one way to write a book, just find what you're comfortable with, but a strong conflict and intriguing characters are standards you can't go wrong with. I hope that helps! Good luck!

[Locke421]

Thank you
I was expecting a lame reply but that was great!
haha thanks for the help and luck to you and your novel
-Mike