I've always had a passion for writing and history, so a few years ago I decided to try my hand at writing a historical novel. With a full-time career, four boys and part-time coaching, its been tough to give it a real commitment but I've been moving forward slowly.
I've done a couple years of research on my topic now - the 1862 Maryland campaign of the Civil War - including South Mountain, Antietam and the Emancipation Proclamation. I've been through almost every book published on this campaign, visited the battlefields on more than one occasion, been through letters and journals.
The research is done, the characters selected, the timeline put together, now I am starting the actual manuscript.
I've finished the beginning 'chapter' and looking for feedback before I continue much more. It is my first novel, so I don't want to spend the next several months working on something that fails to keep a reader interested after the first page or two.
Hoping there might be a history buff or two in The Fort that would offer their email and be willing to read the first 5-6 pages. Looking for unbiased and honest comments, not my family or friends telling me how good it is.
There is a "rule" in writing that you never want to start a story talking about the weather. I break that rule, but only because the weather is an important character in the beginning. I need to know if I pulled it off successfully?
I've never written dialogue between characters before, so interested if my conversation flows well?
And most importantly, does the beginning grab the reader. After reading these first few pages, will anyone want to read more?
If you are interested and have a few minutes to read and reply, please leave your email and I will send you a copy.
This post was edited on 3/15 12:17 PM by IABlueCrue
I've done a couple years of research on my topic now - the 1862 Maryland campaign of the Civil War - including South Mountain, Antietam and the Emancipation Proclamation. I've been through almost every book published on this campaign, visited the battlefields on more than one occasion, been through letters and journals.
The research is done, the characters selected, the timeline put together, now I am starting the actual manuscript.
I've finished the beginning 'chapter' and looking for feedback before I continue much more. It is my first novel, so I don't want to spend the next several months working on something that fails to keep a reader interested after the first page or two.
Hoping there might be a history buff or two in The Fort that would offer their email and be willing to read the first 5-6 pages. Looking for unbiased and honest comments, not my family or friends telling me how good it is.
There is a "rule" in writing that you never want to start a story talking about the weather. I break that rule, but only because the weather is an important character in the beginning. I need to know if I pulled it off successfully?
I've never written dialogue between characters before, so interested if my conversation flows well?
And most importantly, does the beginning grab the reader. After reading these first few pages, will anyone want to read more?
If you are interested and have a few minutes to read and reply, please leave your email and I will send you a copy.
This post was edited on 3/15 12:17 PM by IABlueCrue
