Worth writing a book?

Mephisto_Helix

Mephisto_Helix

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So I've had this idea to write a childrens book for about 2 years now and I think it's time to get the ball rolling. I've looked it up online but the one thing I can't find is if something like what I have in mind is already out there. I don't want to go to all that trouble and get sued for copywright or whatever, lol. I can't find genuine links for doing this in SA either (dunno). Hopefully somebody here has gone through it or has some info.

I'd also like to know general opinions on the topic from my fellow forumites. :D
 
What age would the book be for and what (without giving too much away) is the book going to be about?
 
Hmm .... there are two age groups that it could fall into. The first is the 4-7 range I think and the second 7 and up. All depends on how the story turns out. As for content ... I can't give away anything because I haven't copyrighted anything yet and this is the internet after all.
 
You didn't really specify what you were looking for? Do you only want to find out if something like it exists?
 
I was looking for the characters in the book. Like to see if they are licenced or copyrighted. Found a bunch of already licenced characters but they only listed the popular ones.

Do you only want to find out if something like it exists?
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... exactly.
 
Ok, generally speaking and from a creative outlook, don't you think it would be better to create totally new characters? Rather than lending from other sources?

If you wrote a book of let's say, Bible characters like Paul and Jesus and David, you can be sure it's not going to be copyrighted, but if you were writing about batman or superman, then it will be ;)
 
Ok, generally speaking and from a creative outlook, don't you think it would be better to create totally new characters? Rather than lending from other sources?
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You misread my post bru. I want to be sure that the characters I created for the book don't already exist. I wouldn't want to use someone else's carp. :D
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
You misread my post bru. I want to be sure that the characters I created for the book don't already exist. I wouldn't want to use someone else's carp. :D
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Ok, that makes sense. If it came out of your own head and mind and if you know it's original then I'm sure it is ;)

Don't get too hung up on all the technical details. It's going to make you sick. My mom is an aspiring writer and she has gone on writing courses and the list goes on, but I see that she forgets to tell the story and enjoy her writing, she gets too entwined in the technical aspects of it.

Just write and enjoy it, the love you put into it will be the best reward ;)
 
e-mail a secretary at a well-known publisher and smooth-talk her into giving you advice on the proper course of action.
 
I dont think you have anything to worry about apart from being accused of being unoriginal - even still jook at how many movies have basically the same plots even character names.
 
apart from being accused of being unoriginal
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... I would hate that (too proud) :D Besides, I want my book to be original and take the world by storm so I can retire young(ish).
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
So I've had this idea to write a childrens book for about 2 years now and I think it's time to get the ball rolling. I've looked it up online but the one thing I can't find is if something like what I have in mind is already out there. I don't want to go to all that trouble and get sued for copywright or whatever, lol. I can't find genuine links for doing this in SA either (dunno). Hopefully somebody here has gone through it or has some info.

I'd also like to know general opinions on the topic from my fellow forumites. :D
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I read about this website in today's Tribune. May be of some help in self publishing:).
 
then do it... the worst thing you can do is delay... you must make up characters and just hope that they are original! you must NOT worry so much... You have to right and enjoying writing. Success is weird though... If you become to Success full, then people will want sequels and new books and next thing you know, you're entwined in a world of money and such
 
Have all the characters created and named, even have ideas on what the illustrations will be like .... just need to flesh out the story and get on that hard road to publishing. :D

If you become to Success full, then people will want sequels and new books and next thing you know, you're entwined in a world of money and such
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... no worries there, especially being entwined in a world of money ... :D
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Have all the characters created and named, even have ideas on what the illustrations will be like .... just need to flesh out the story and get on that hard road to publishing. :D

... no worries there, especially being entwined in a world of money ... :D
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Your characters wouldn't be MyADSL members would they?
 
Your characters wouldn't be MyADSL members would they
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... nah, they were created before I started coming here. Although, I could say that there are a few similarities :D
 
Do you have any proof that these characters were conceived some time ago? If so hold on to it in case there is a problem. However I don't imagine that there would be. If your story has any value then it will be acknowledged as original just by dint of your style and ability to write a character. If not then it won't sell and you have nothing to worry about. Just jump into it if it's what you want to do and then show it to an editor or publisher.

A word of advice though - be able to take criticism, however harsh. Don't let your ego get in the way of improving your story. Most writers take years and hundreds of rejections to perfect their style.
 
Do you have any proof that these characters were conceived some time ago
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... yeah, luckily I do.

A word of advice though - be able to take criticism, however harsh. Don't let your ego get in the way of improving your story. Most writers take years and hundreds of rejections to perfect their style.
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... that shouldn't be a problem, I can take criticism if need be. I think that's also why the idea of a children's book might be more suited to me. Doesn't have to be as complex as a novel.
 
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