Writing a book

[HallMark]

I think it's quite common for first books to not be published until after another one has been. (If that makes sense...)
I finished my first book last year and was lucky enough to get an agent, but then it wasn't picked up by any of the publishers it was submitted to, not for any firm reason, as in they all gave different reasons, but I've since looked into it more and this happens to a lot of writers, they publish something else and then go back to that first book. It's all experience I suppose and you just have to keep going.

As for having a book that's too long, I wouldn't worry too much about making it shorter before submitting it as once you get signed the agent will work with you and there will be a lot more edits anyway. However 'ready' you think your book it's incredibly valuable having someone look at it objectively. When I first saw my list of edits I bristled slightly, and automatically disagreed with them, but then realized that actually these people do know what they're talking about and I needed to stop being so precious. That's not to say you have to agree with everything suggested change but give it a go.

The hardest thing i find at the moment is feeling motivated to write, I have a job and kids and responsibilities, but I've also realized that I need to stop waiting until I feel inspired, and just write, whether I feel like it or not. It's kind of like a musical instrument and you have to practice every day so at the minute I'm making myself write during my lunch hour. I'm really wanting to get the first draft of my second novel done by Christmas. Of course, I could be writing now instead of being on a forum...

Good luck everyone!

[Moviefan2k4]

I've tried writing a book about my life so far, but it keeps getting stalled...mainly because I don't remember a lot of my childhood, or teenage years for that matter. I think its fairly accurate, that about 75% of my memories before the age of 20 are gone. I can recall pieces when I focus, but its still tough to assemble. I really need to interview some family members with a voice recorder, so I can make notes and get the history right.

[misthalu]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I've tried writing a book about my life so far, but it keeps getting stalled...mainly because I don't remember a lot of my childhood, or teenage years for that matter. I think its fairly accurate, that about 75% of my memories before the age of 20 are gone. I can recall pieces when I focus, but its still tough to assemble. I really need to interview some family members with a voice recorder, so I can make notes and get the history right.

I'm in a similar situation.
Have been writing on a semi biography for the past 5 years. When I got started I thought it would take about 2 years, but: First of all it ended up being a much bigger project than I thought it would be. As the project progressed I found myself remembering more and more, so it looks like it'll be about 3 times bigger than I initially thought.
Secondly, it also getting stalled by many different things. It's not easy to find the time when you also got a job and family to spend your time on.

This book isn't your traditional book in any way, because it will be release as a Blu-ray Disc your can buy (cheap), and at the same time as an ISO file you can download for free. You can call it a Blu-ray eBook I guess, and you'll be reading it on your TV using your remote control - or on your PC using a software media player that can play a Blu-ray ISO file.
I'm trying to re-create the cozy atmosphere there used to be in old diskmags.

The title of my project is "8-bit Memoirs", and it'll contain about 60 stories (equivalent of about 250 pages) from my childhood about how I experienced the 8-bit computers and gaming-consoles of the 80s. It'll have supplemental illustrations, screenshots and videos, along with background music when reading. I don't think anyone has made anything like this before on a Blu-ray Disc.

It's the first time I'm doing a project like this; writing. The process has been like this:
- Write the stories - then wait a couple of weeks.
- Read the stories, make corrections and edits - then wait a couple of weeks.
- Repeat previous step 50 times...

I'm hoping to be able to complete this project for Christmas this year.

Short info page at 8bitmemoirs com for anyone curious.

[ChainsawJedi]

It was always my ambition to be a writer but the art teacher at secondary school told me I'd starve if I picked that as a profession. Still, I've kept it up as a hobby and I've managed to get a few short stories written and published online.

I enjoy the art of writing but it's such a solitary occupation I could never do it full-time. It also requires more discipline than I possess. Consequently, I only write when I feel I have something to write about, which is hardly the basis for being a professional writer.

Anyone interested in writing should definitely get a copy of Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White (he's the fella who wrote Charlotte's Web). In my experience, it's absolutely essential and will cost you a lot less (in both money and personal pride) than those creative writing courses.

[KGHIma]

Funny I came across this thread. My other writer friend kept on encouraging me to start writing a book because I told her that I've been plagued with these stories that I just can't get out of my head.

Finally, after a few months of procrastinating, I finally decided to give it a shot. I wrote the first chapter in about three hours the other night. And now the plot keeps bombarding me day and night. I love it.

But it can also be very overwhelming. Good thing I have her. She's been writing for about a decade so she has way more experience than me. She never tried to make a living out of her novels though. She always puts them up on free reading sites (i.e. Wattpad).

I don't know if I want to publish my book. Okay, that's a lie. I DO want to publish it. But I don't even know how to go about doing it. I personally know a few bestselling authors, and I could probably ask for their help. But I feel like that's already the middle part of the process.

I guess for now, all I can do is write, write, write, and in a few months, I can start worrying about taking it to the next level.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Going to be getting in some serious writing time over the next few months, and I can't wait!

[ChainsawJedi]

Originally Posted by KGHIma

Funny I came across this thread. My other writer friend kept on encouraging me to start writing a book because I told her that I've been plagued with these stories that I just can't get out of my head.

Finally, after a few months of procrastinating, I finally decided to give it a shot. I wrote the first chapter in about three hours the other night. And now the plot keeps bombarding me day and night. I love it.

But it can also be very overwhelming. Good thing I have her. She's been writing for about a decade so she has way more experience than me. She never tried to make a living out of her novels though. She always puts them up on free reading sites (i.e. Wattpad).

I don't know if I want to publish my book. Okay, that's a lie. I DO want to publish it. But I don't even know how to go about doing it. I personally know a few bestselling authors, and I could probably ask for their help. But I feel like that's already the middle part of the process.

I guess for now, all I can do is write, write, write, and in a few months, I can start worrying about taking it to the next level.

Get hold of the writers' yearbook. You'll find the appropriate publishers for the stuff you're writing. Then, when you're ready, send it off to them.

I can definitely recommend the Stephen King approach of having some trusted friends read your work to give you some critical insight before sending it to a publisher.

Best of luck to you

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Hen17

It seems that only someone very well can write a book. How do people do it? Of course, to create your work, you need a lot of knowledge, and remarkable imagination, and willpower, and perseverance, and, of course, the ability to express your thoughts on paper.

Well, not only. People of all different levels of knowledge and imagination write and publish. These days, self-publishing platforms enable anybody--literally, anybody--to get their work out. The books are not always good, but the tools are there for any writer.

Writing is a skill that's refined through practice and learning, and a good finished product needs a few different levels of editing (which, in turn, can be focused with critiques, beta readers, and professionals if you can get a hold of them).

[Falaskan]

Last time I talked about a book I wrote, someone (almost certainly from here) trolled it on amazon. Be careful.

[jackmlt]

Originally Posted by KGHIma

Funny I came across this thread. My other writer friend kept on encouraging me to start writing a book because I told her that I've been plagued with these stories that I just can't get out of my head.

Finally, after a few months of procrastinating, I finally decided to give it a shot. I wrote the first chapter in about three hours the other night. And now the plot keeps bombarding me day and night. I love it.

But it can also be very overwhelming. Good thing I have her. She's been writing for about a decade so she has way more experience than me. She never tried to make a living out of her novels though. She always puts them up on free reading sites (i.e. Wattpad).

I don't know if I want to publish my book. I'd better keep providing essay writing help at https://www.wiseessays.com/essay-writing-help. Okay, that's a lie. I DO want to publish it. But I don't even know how to go about doing it. I personally know a few bestselling authors, and I could probably ask for their help. But I feel like that's already the middle part of the process.

I guess for now, all I can do is write, write, write, and in a few months, I can start worrying about taking it to the next level.

This is when people become professional. I didn't feel anything like this for years and I miss it when you are almost obsessed with what you are doing.

[SethRex]

I actually just published the second book in a trilogy through Amazon's KDP. It was a good project, through I felt myself procrastinating towards the end.