Sounds like a cool title...but one I may have heard of, already. 'Curious to know the nature of the story. Is this a "Tomb Raider" sort of adventure? Or, maybe a "National Treasure" or "The Da Vinci Code" mystery thriller.

I still can't fathom doing all that you do and managing to compose a complete novel in that time while so many struggle just to come up with the story. We all wait for the day when we have a moment like authors of such works as "Harry Potter" get such a brilliant idea that they spend all night/week/month writing it in full form. [Even she(J. Rowling) said in a TV segment I saw that she enjoyed writing the first book the most because there was no publisher hounding her for a deadline. We must not lose that spirit for the sake of deadlines and sequels.] I have several stories in my head. And, new ones appear now and then. But, I can't even wrap my head around completing them, yet. They are "piecy" at best. It's nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of and share constructive ideas. I'd like a writing team:P And, 'turn some stories into movies.

Yes, but after the first, the publishers do want to see the next. And most authors can't put them off as long as Rowling did. I have a publisher interested in this one already. They'll be looking to see the complete manuscript after the holidays. So, I have two months to finish and polish it, since it should come in closer to 70,000 words than 50,000. It just takes the determination to stay focused with the story.

You are writing for some contest(which is what? a website thing? or some nationally sponsored contest like in a magazine?)...and a publishing company is already taking it as a serious consideration for a real book deal? Hmm.

After I made all these comments about 50,000 words, I thought about how a novel to me is probably longer than that:P And, that I'd never be able to restrict myself to or count so many words. I am not sure how long my book/s would be.

These types of things happen for established or trusted authors. One example that comes to mind is Charles Frazier. After the success of "Cold Mountain" as both a novel and a film, Frazier was given a large contract ($8 from the publisher alone) for not only the publication of his second novel, but also for its movie adaptation (the studio also already greenlit the production). What's impressive about that? Well, when signing that contract, Frazier didn't even know what his second novel was going to be about yet. He hadn't even seriously thought about it, let alone starting writing it.

I would imagine Tina has a relationship with her publisher where as soon as she starts writing something the publisher will want to see it.

A novel runs about 70,000-90,000 words on average. Fantasy and Science Fiction can run longer. Romance can run shorter. For romance publishers you often have to write to specific lengths or "submission calls." But romance sells well. I currently have 2 published mystery novels and a shorter romance novella out. Writing is very competitive these days. Once you get published, you have to keep the track record up.

Right not I have a novella which was developed for a specific anthology call out to one publisher. Novellas are fun because they can run in the 20,000 to 30,000 word range and with the right romance publisher still bring in long term royalties. A short story out to another anthology call, but shorts bring in very little money. And a publisher interested in "Lair of the Jaguar God" from their pitch contest. Once jaguar is done, there are two mysteries and another romance partly drafted out that I need to work on. So the projects keep me steadily busy.

8 dollar contract?:P Heh, you mean 8 thousand or million dollar contract, right? Or, is that 8 dollars per book copy sold or something?

A contract for a book not yet conceived. That's a big mozza ball. I have heard of similar deals. In the movie "Funny Farm", I think Chevy Chase was a writer with a demand on his next book. And, I think he became enraged when his wife started writing books about a dead squirrel and outshining him. Also, when thinking of writing, I think of "Throw Momma From the Train":P heh. "The air was moist."

I don't think a man such as myself could write an entire romance novel:P Seems women(and maybe gay men?) are the only ones reading them. And, my romance stories would likely be a bit more adult than simple romance:P I tend to work romance and passions into other genre like Sci-Fi and Fantasy...or Mystery thrillers. But, I sure as heck don't have Tina's writing schedule:P Sounds more like work with demands than anything pleasureable. How can I fully embrace and enjoy what I am writing with a boss and a clock over my head?? Sounds dreadful.

I think the smart plan, if you stick with a publisher for a few books in a deal/contract, might be to write the books first...THEN seek the publisher. If they like book one and want book two ASAP...BAM, you already have it ready to go to press! I think that's how I'd one-up Rowlings. She wrote book one and then was pressed for the others. I'd write the series out first and then go to the publisher with the first one. If one publishing company says no...go to another. If they don't follow through, do private publishing. Like you suggested Lulu and that other one.

Maybe you will have to direct me to your published works:P Can I find these at Barnes and Noble?

Thanks for the info. Though my brain is bursting at the seems with numbers, figures and rules...it's nice to know.