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Original poster

Anyone writing a book??

124 replies

mrsmalumbas · 10/05/2007 17:48

Hi all

Has anyone out there written a book (novel)? Or in the process of writing one?

I have always had this feeling that I have a book inside me somewehere, but I'm not sure how to go about finding it!

Would love to share tips/ideas/experiences with other budding authors.

OP posts:

PeppermintStick · 20/05/2007 20:21

I have found if I plot too much then I get sick of it before I've written it. I think a first draft is like an outline for me. That being said I always have a rough view of the main plot, where it starts and where it ends and therefore as I write I'm always heading to that end point.

Of course I am not writing a mystery or anything like that. I did write a mystery short story once and the plot was flow-charted out before I started!

pillowcase · 20/05/2007 20:37

i think i'd hate to follow a programme or a book like marshall plan, I love the feeling of delving into the unknown. But then, i haven't got very far, so ignore that.

my ideas are all about the characters and the situation/location, a lot about the feelings, emotions, little events that effect the lives of little people.... but i'm always a bit short on plot. I've described my writing as 'contemporary mainstream' when submitting for publication, but it's fooled nobody! Anyone else have a problem defining what they write?

Genidef · 20/05/2007 21:31

I need to finish something first!

aikigypsy · 21/05/2007 00:33

Yes, I've definitely had problems defining what I write. I used to say it was straight-up genre fantasy, but that really doesn't capture it. I think (hope) that in terms of genre and style it's kind of close to Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea books. Now I'm thinking about calling it literary fantasy, whatever that might be.

For structure, I've used \link{http://www.ingermanson.com/writing/snowflake.php\the snowflake method] which has the great advantage of being free on the internet and you don't have to run out and buy the book. I've never gotten more than about 1/2 way through the process (to the character synopsis, and not all of those, either) but I tink it was really pretty helpful.

I've gotten stuck and not-finished a fair amount, but have no advice on how to get past it except to keep trying.

LucyDiamond · 23/05/2007 14:16

Hello,

I've had books published for children (under my real name Sue Mongredien) and my first novel is just out (Any Way You Want Me - by Lucy Diamond, published by Pan).
My best bit of advice would be to go on a writing course. Like you, I had always wanted to write a novel but never actually started...until I went on a course, where we had to produce fictional pieces each week, and give each other feedback. I found it was just the motivation I needed to get going, and all the support was very helpful and inspiring.

These days, I am part of an online novel race (I blog at beinglucydiamond.blogspot.com) and there are about twenty of us competing to finish new novels, posting our word counts and giving each other support. You are welcome to join in!
Best of luck xx

Genidef · 23/05/2007 21:11

LucyD

Congratulations and thanks for posting. Which course did you go on?

pudding77 · 24/05/2007 08:56

oohhh, a real writer!

Thanks for posting Lucy, I have done one course but everyone was a bit shy & reserved about reading out their work!

I guess I just need to sort out exactly what I want to write, one minute its a children's book, then a mystery, then chicklit!

fillyjonk · 24/05/2007 09:00

gosh i'd love to do this

I did a lot of writing pre kids and got stuff published and even won some competitions but

the kids have kind of sucked that out of me. my creative stuff is a bit more tangible these days, like crafts and so on. I will get back to it though.

when i've written the odd thing since kids-its MUCH harder to sqeeze stuff out BUT its so much better too. I have way more life experience.

fillyjonk · 24/05/2007 09:00

(stuff published in little magazines and zines, btw, I am not secretly JK Rowling)

pudding77 · 24/05/2007 14:13

I got this book a while back and I have skimmed through it but not tried any of the exercises. What about if I posted an exercise say one a month and we could all try them?

aikigypsy · 24/05/2007 22:59

I like the exercise-a-month idea, but when someone tried it in my online writers' group, I almost never did it. The one time I did was when we had a Christmas/Solstice/etc. story writing contest, and I happened to be at a lull in my big project, but the little monthly ones I almost never got to.

I think it would be fun to do more exercises... just as soon as I finish this rewrite!

pudding77 · 25/05/2007 09:26

Well, I can still put them up and they'll always be there should you fancy trying one!

Genidef · 25/05/2007 13:44

put it up pudding!

pudding77 · 25/05/2007 14:47

Ok, Exercise 1 - Seen through a window
Write a short anecdote (300-500 words) describing what is seen and the feelings of the person looking. This person may be your or someone imaginary. Similarly, whatever is seen may be real or fictitious. Here are a few examples: a homeless person looking into a luxurious drawing room; a child looking into a doll's house; a fireman on his ladder looking into a burning room; a bed-ridden woman looking out of the window at the garden she used to tend; a man looking in a shop window at something he longs to buy but cannot afford.

Arabica · 25/05/2007 15:10

Hello, can I join you? I love the sound of doing an exercise a month. I'm a journalist, with plenty of stuff published, but none in my own authentic voice, just stuff written to the house style of whatever the magazine is.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 25/05/2007 15:27

Is the idea to post them on MN? Or to CAT them to each other? Or what?

PinkMartini · 25/05/2007 15:37

Ooh can I join too?

pudding77 · 25/05/2007 17:12

of course PinkMartini, the more the merrier, tbh I seem to have hijacked the thread from mrsmalumbas , sorry.

Kathy, I guess if people wanted to we could post them on MN, or if people weren't happy doing that then just a general chat about how we got on/how we found doing it etc.

Tbh, I think if we're going to email/CAT them around it could get a bit much.

Any thoughts?

singingmum · 25/05/2007 17:53

Have written a few childrens stories and also a v.naughty start at a kind of black lace story.Also some short naughty stories.Am hoping one day to get guts to send to publishers.
How do you get the guts to do this?????
Am not sure I ever will

singingmum · 25/05/2007 17:57

Pudding am going to try the exercise.Will hopefully find time.
It would prob be a good idea to post on MN as then we can all tell each other what we think

Kathyis6incheshigh · 25/05/2007 19:37

OK I've done it but I'm not really up for posting it on MN where absolutely anyone can read it so I will just wave it at you mysteriously [waves piece of paper mysteriously then sits on it if anyone tries to have a look]

It was fun - thanks Pudding.

Singingmum, why do you need guts to send it to a publisher? They don't know you.

Shrinkinglily · 25/05/2007 23:12

Oh yes, I'm writing a book! Every now and then I write a bit, all the characters are like real little people floating about in my head waiting to be written out(of my head).

Having trouble getting disentangled from daily life enough to actually write very often.
Then once I start writing I don't want to stop and everything falls into chaos around me

I'm going to try that idea of setting time every day to just write something and get this book done!

pillowcase · 25/05/2007 23:27

oh i like the idea of exercises pudding (i'm sure i have books with these that i've never done) and am going to try that one... might even post up my attempt to get some constructive criticism. Anyone else going to post?

wonders if a glass of wine will get the creative juices flowing*

Ellbell · 25/05/2007 23:33

Genidef... you asked about writing groups in London. I don't have any details, but a friend's dh does go to one and finds it very helpful. He is retired, though, and I do get the impression it might be a bit 'retired-people-y' (iykwim). They live in Marylebone - don't know where you are.

I am in awe of those of you with imagination. Have published quite a lot, but all tedious academic stuff. I have the imaginative powers of a brick!

pudding77 · 26/05/2007 12:53

What about creating an online writing group with something like yahoo or google groups? Or are people happy to keep it on MN?

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