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Creative writing

Whether you enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or fiction, join our Creative Writing forum to meet others who love to write.

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Original poster

I'm sat here reading and editing my own book!

22 replies

Daphnesmate · 28/03/2019 14:21

I don't think many people can say that but I am, that's what I am doing. A few people that I have spoken to have said that they want to write a book but I've gone and done it - for better or worse, it has a theme, a story and it is dedicated to my children. There are reams of paper on my desk and one day, those reams of paper could be made to look like the pages of an actual book and it could have a cover and I know exactly what that cover should look like. I have been writing my book for about 3 years now; I reckon another six months and I'll have reached the finished line. And what is even better, another story, a sequel to this book has come to mind when I thought that this book was the only book I had in me. Getting this book written has taken patience, resilience and a lot of hard work (I am a mum to 3 school aged children) and I never ever thought I would end up with a completed story. I say this as if it has all come as a surprise but I think it genuinely has. Soon when the last edit is complete, I can say I have finished my book, maybe, and I am determined to publish it one way or another, I will say "here is my book."

Anyone else close to completion of their first book in whatever genre?Please share your own thoughts on your writing journey.

OP posts:

Mammajay · 31/03/2019 22:48

Congratulations. I just completed text for a picture book...so nothing like as long as yours.

purplepingu · 31/03/2019 23:09

Well done!

I managed to write a 125k contemporary romance four years ago while I was pregnant. In the meantime I wrote another 120k (completely unrelated but still contemporary romance) and decided that I couldn't carry on collecting them and not doing anything with them.

So the first one has had a cover design, been beta read, edited and formatted, and is currently up for pre-order on Amazon with a release date of April 30th!

I'm terrified but excited at the same time. And just about 3k into book three!

pink412 · 31/03/2019 23:12

Congratulations. I’m starting to write a book about true tales and things which are said to me. The only thing is no one would believe what’s said.

ahtellthee · 01/04/2019 00:57

Amazing! An ambition but not one I have made steps towards realising.

Well done, and keep going!

Original poster

Daphnesmate · 01/04/2019 11:20

It's great to hear other stories about people working on creative things!

I'm intrigued about your book Pink. Wow Purple that's a lot of writing, how do you manage so much writing with a little one about? I really struggle but I don't suppose sleepless nights help much. Are you self publishing? Good luck, I would love to know how your sales go.

Mama, not easy writing text for picture books I shouldn't imagine, I wouldn't mind giving it a go one day.

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whitesoxx · 01/04/2019 11:24

Well done! I've been faffing about for years.

Really going to knuckle down now.

whitesoxx · 01/04/2019 11:25

@purplepingu what is your book called? Want to read it!

purplepingu · 01/04/2019 11:33

@Daphnesmate, I have two children now so and work pretty much full time so it's been interesting! My work is seasonal though so I've had a bit of time free over the winter to write. I find I can get things down on paper pretty quickly and I'm a fast reader so editing goes quite quick too. And both kids sleep 7-7 so that helps!

I'm self-publishing and doing all the marketing myelf, so I don't expect to sell very many anytime soon. I think I made the decision to publish because I've got stories lined up in my head so I figure I might as well put them out there. And I haven't got the time to go down the traditional route, even if it would bring me more success in the long term.

purplepingu · 01/04/2019 11:35

@whitesoxx, I'll PM you a link!

Original poster

Daphnesmate · 01/04/2019 13:37

purple can you pm me a link too please? Good luck with it x

I am determined to get my book published one way or another later this year...still editing and editing and editing and editing...you get the picture!
The Summer Holidays will be looming shortly, so I am determined to get it ready for Beta readers before then. I have thoughts about another book but it has taken me 3 years to get this one written and my little one won't start pre-school for another 2 years, so writing is painfully slow, plus I have one or more children up until 9 pm in the evenings - baby and eldest, so interruptions are par for the course unfortunately and there is only so much I can do in one sitting (because my brain can't seem to function after about an hour's work, so not ideal).

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purplepingu · 01/04/2019 18:10

@Daphnesmate I will do!

It can be hard, especially when you get on a roll with it and then you have to break off to make dinner or one of the kids wakes up. I’ve found that having a document on my phone dedicated to random thoughts helps. I’ve got about 3k of book three on my phone, mainly just speech. Whenever I think of something I write it down. And then I’m surprised how much I’ve got when I come to use it in the actual book.

septembersunshine · 03/04/2019 07:38

Well done op! Huge achievement!

I have 4 dc, the youngest is only 2 and has just dropped his nap. This is hugely significant because suddenly I have lost 2 golden quiet hours in the middle of the day when the three older ones are at school. I am left with the dregs of the night in which to write in. Its super hard isn't it?!

I am writing a poetry book, so less words (its about 40 pages) then a novel but there is craft to be applied and a huge amount of detail. Who knows who will take it up when it feels finished, especially for someone with no name but I am doing it for me!

Keep going op and keep submitting! Really, we are all in this for the long game.I don't know anyone who didn't have to fight for it!

Original poster

Daphnesmate · 03/04/2019 16:41

September, I'm dreading my youngest dropping her nap because as you say, it is about two hours of golden quiet hours when the other dcs are at school. She has only just turned one, so hopefully she will continue with her naps long enough to allow me to get this book finished! I have another book that I would like to write but I may have to wait until little dc at least starts pre-school and have a gap year from writing so to speak. Good luck with your endeavours x

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Original poster

Daphnesmate · 04/04/2019 21:15

I realise that the title of my thread might sound a bit arrogant BUT I find it amazing that I have something that has come together as a book (and has been nearly three and half years in the writing!)

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purplepingu · 06/04/2019 22:47

It doesn't sound arrogant at all!

I've been terrified of what people think of mine ever since I clicked the pre-order button on Amazon and made it public.

But the other day, someone asked how many words it is and I told them 125k (I don't do short stories!) and I realised that not everyone would be able to do that. And even if they don't like it, I do and I enjoyed writing it. And I'll carry on writing because I feel I have stories left to tell.

So don't think that your title sounds arrogant. You've wrote a book! And that's something that a lot of people can't do or haven't done.

Tumbleweed101 · 07/04/2019 11:29

I’ve written six novels now and that feeling of achievement is there after each one. Unfortunately I’m not getting the time I used to have so haven’t written properly for about five years. I used to work about 16hrs a week on my books when I was working part time but since I became single and have to work full time it’s had to go on the back burner. I miss writing though and hopefully now my children are getting older I’ll find time again :).

Original poster

Daphnesmate · 07/04/2019 21:31

Wow, six novels Tumbleweed, that must have taken some doing! How long did it take you to write those? 16hrs a week is where I'm at currently (on a good week) but probably other not so good weeks cancel this out and a lot of my time is baby nap dependent! I'm sure you will be able to claw back a bit of time if your children are getting older, it makes things a lot easier (I have a nearly thirteen year old, a one year old and another in between!)

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Original poster

Daphnesmate · 07/04/2019 21:33

Purple, it seems like a daunting and very brave step to launch a book on Amazon, wishing you all the best. I'm about six months away from anything like that unfortunately but getting closer!

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Tumbleweed101 · 10/04/2019 14:23

It was roughly a book a year. When I was writing the 16hrs a week it was about 6/9 months per book. That is first draft though.

Tumbleweed101 · 10/04/2019 14:25

I’ve still got one to write to finish the trilogy I’m in the middle of. I should add - my books are better written than my posts on here with the tiny phone screen and predictive text in the mix 😂.

Tumbleweed101 · 10/04/2019 14:27

I think it was having to work full time more than the children that stopped a lot of my writing time 🙁. Wish it were easier to write and make money from it. If I could I’d write novels full time.

Original poster

Daphnesmate · 10/04/2019 16:05

I don't think I ever set out to write a complete book, it just sort of evolved. It isn't a particularly long book (around 67,000) words and won't have wide appeal but I like to think it is fairly hard hitting in its subject matter.
Surprisingly, I have even been able to write during the Easter holidays, so far (are more accurately, edit). Today, I took the children out to the park and our returning home seems to have lined up with baby dd taking a nap (whilst the other two play together with lego and bicker a bit)
Hope you get some more writing time in soon Tumbleweed. x

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