I couldn't agree more.

JB

Hey Colin,

Thanks for posting the 'character development problem', I've been playing with this idea for a while, trying to make it work. I've found out - it doesn't. Grrrrr!

Luke - Sounds very positive. Good luck to you, hope it all works out.

Dawn

It's done in younger fiction quite well, but in a slightly different way; usually it's the bigger picture which has to be kept at bay. It's well used formula. The big story that is going on is kept in the shadows.

His Dark Materials (Pullman): the adults' interest in Dust.
Skellig: the premature baby
The Liberation of Gabriel King: Local KKK members in a small town.

And for a bad example, Harry Potter!!! Draco Malfoy is by far the more interesting character.

Snort. John bloody Major is a more interesting character.

If I have an idea, I'm always wary of sharing it with others too early. My fear is, either they will tell me it's shit or they will steal it. Or they will do both.

I think there are certain things known as high concept books (or films). As far as I understand it, these can be sold up front as an idea, or synopsis. The writing itself isn't necessarily all that important. So long as it's functional. For me, the writing is always central. When it comes to my own work, I can't really separate an idea for a book from the way that book is written. If I approached agents/publishers with some sort of idea and they said, 'No, it will never work,' I would probably go ahead anyhow just to prove them wrong. (But, of course, they would end up being right.)

This is one of those threads that provokes rambling. Sorry.

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Oh by the way, what I meant to say all along, well done Luke - hope it works out for you.

Another point worth mentioning up front is packaging. One novel I planned required unusual printing methods. It took a while for a printer to get back to me, but when he did his answer was along the lines of, "don't bother - waaaayyy too expensive." Definitely worth considering if you're considering mechanical books, such as advanced pop-ups. Just seen a fantastic dinasaur pop-up book at the weekend. Beautiful, but so complicated that it cost the earth and only had about eight double-page spreads.

Colin

Colin,

I'm in a dilemma. One side of me sees your point, the other totally balks at how coldy aware of the industry you're saying people should be.

For me, if I had to think of all these things while I was writing - packaging, publishers, saleable character development, synopsis pitching - it would have a seriously detrimental effect on my art.

JB

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Lol.Maybe I'd be famous?

Yeah, but I come from an industry where you have to consider all of those thing right up front, so it doesn't feel unnatural. (an industry I gladly left behind - video games). I think it's essential that there are people out there who write what they want and don't bow down to trends and marketing because it's those people who push the boundaries. But I'm not really of that vein any more, and I'm not too concerned with art versus risk. By the same argument, I don't feel governed by the market, but if someone is writing for profit, not the love then it makes perfect sense to use business strategies to guide your creativity.

Colin

Sure, each to their own.

Jb

Er... Aliens have taken over Waxy. This can't be his words.

ah, hang on. Just spotted the wink!

No, I'm not attacking you. I was just expressing my usually over-opiniated self, and my take on the issue from a personal standpoint. I was genuinely curious. We can't all be the same. More power to you.

JB

No, dude. I'm a fan of your heated arguments. Diplomacy seems a step down. Thought you must have a cold or something.

Lol. This isn't an issue I can really get heated about though is it? I mean, it's all down to an individual's taste and stuff. Now, if you'd have insinuated I was a nazi, or started berating me over an argument that had nothing to do with you, you might have had more luck.

JB

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By the way, it's actually the other way around Colin. I take over the aliens. The aliens being lifeforms like you. Humans. Yummy.