How many people want to write a book?

[nekokami]

I actually have a couple of short stories and about 2/3 of a novel done and outlines for more. I was in a writer's group for a while, and that was very helpful -- I highly recommend it. I have a short stack of rejection slips from SF magazines, including one very encouraging note that suggested that I should send in a different story. But I have no time to write these days. Ever since we adopted the kids I just haven't been able to scrape together enough time and coherent thought to get any fiction writing done. (I write non-fiction for my employer, in the form of training documents and technical articles, and I actually do have a publishing credit for a non-fiction introduction to the internet, from 10 years ago.)

When the ideas fill my head until it hurts, I make notes, and that helps. But I'm looking forward to being able to spend more time writing again.

For those of you worrying about your skill with English, don't let that be a barrier. If you have a story worth telling, tell it. You can always ask for help proofing the language. (Again, writer's groups can really help you here.) And for those who have trouble writing, but still have stories to tell, consider voice-to-text software. You will still need to edit and organize your story, but getting the first draft down may get you over the worst hurdle.

Good luck, all,

[yvanleterrible]

You're right about English skills Neko, one can always find a friend who'll convert into a proof reader. Don't you have a know-it-all in your entourage that loves to prove you wrong? I've got a few. I can just take what I want and go ahead anyway.

As for stories or plots; when you hear about "The story of X's Life" did that person write it in the crib? A story evolves just like life, but I agree that a good setting is fertile ground for interesting stories.

[RWood]

I wrote for newspapers and played at being a managing editor for a while but found that I had a talent for explaining complex technical issues to non-technical folks. Most of the stand alone writings were something best described as "monographs." (Someday I may even learn to spell again.)

The only fiction I have ever tried (outside of the sci-fi, c&w, porno screen play) was a kids book that is now in its tenth year of first draft.

The old chestnut was that "if you can read this sentance you can read a whole book" morphs into "if you can write a whole post you can write a book."

[clicclic]

To all the foreign friends who speak english, stop doubting your language skills. You speak excellent english trust me. I can't think of anything more exciting than writing a story in English, then writing the same story in another language. Double the opportunity to get published! Very exciting and I wish I could do that!

Everyone on this site is VERY educated and there is no reason why they can't get something published. Just pick out your favorite publisher and call them. Ask them what types of titles/stories they're looking for. If they say "you tell me" then be prepared to send them a synopsis of your idea or the actual title.

Also, one of the best ways to get your book "sold" to a publisher is to just self-publish it. Check out Authorhouse

[Antoine of MMM]

Hey BobR;
Excelent piece here. On my end, I have been writing poetry in 13 month compliations and so in one respect I can say that I have been writing a book (or a few of them) for some time now. I enjoy it as it is a good release.

However, I did start writing a paper (that could turn into a book) on mobile technology and ministry. Whereas I do have a paper written and am working on a part two, I am sure that there is enough in that area to write out an entire book on that would both be enteraining, and eye opening. Tis something to consider that's for sure.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by raevyn1

Steve, got a question: How do you decide which story to write, which idea needs to be explored? I've got too many ideas, rolling around my head, but I can't choose which one to develop first. Or is it as some writers say that the stories or characters choose you, screaming to be told?

I've also got a backlog of story ideas. Usually, it's the one that gets you thinking about it the most... the "squeaky wheel."

My writing process involves various steps of getting a basic idea, developing a general progression, working out the tone of the story, developing characters, creating a story outline (which impacts on further character development), and writing. Basically, one story will prompt me to work through all those steps, and once I've gotten as far as outline, I'm so fired up on that story that there's no question that I'll start writing it.

Usually it's good to have more than one idea for a story. Some ideas need time and work, and shouldn't be jumped right into. You'll probably know which story is truly ready for writing, and which one needs further development first.

[raevyn1]

Steve, Thanks so much for the peek into your writing process

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

I've been writing tech-related bits for the last 10 or so years, since my very first web page. If any of you have visited my site and seen the Techlog section, you'll see that I just have the desire to write, to inform, and to pontificate.

My first stories were essentially short stories. They were written for a series of characters that I originally intended for a graphic novel treatment, and I knew I needed to develop the stories before I could start the illustration work (I'd fallen into the hole of creating a graphic project, then having no story to tell, more than once).

Those short stories turned out to be The Onuissance Cells. (For the record, the graphic treatment never happened!)

As I said, I started writing about a decade ago. This last year was the first that I'd ever exposed these stories to anyone! The tech-based articles were on my site, of course, but I received very little feedback from them. Still, I so enjoyed putting them down, that I kept writing them regardless. It was fun! And I felt I had something to say, something I had no other outlet for.

Writing is different things to different people. For some, it's just fun. For others, it may be an outlet... maybe their only one, maybe one of a group (acting, art, dancing). For others, it's a way to record something that needs to be recorded. And for some, it's just something they do well that can make them a living. For me, it was fun and outlet, and maybe someday, living.

I guess the more of these that are true about you, the easier it is for you to write. But in fact, any one of these are good enough reasons to write.

(Well, I'll try to leave this forum open to the aspiring writers now...)

[thebeaglebeagle]

Hi,
I am in my third year of participation with the National Novel Writing Month, and about to finish my third novel.

I've learned that writing a novel is far, far easier than we make it out to be. Writing a GOOD novel is far more difficult. I was surprised, however, how good my novels turned out. I was pleasantly amazed, actually... they are pure drivel and unpublishable, don't get me wrong, but I know that looking at what I have done so far, and how I am improving year by year, I could write something publishable eventually.

SO, I'm simply writing one novel a year until I die. While working on my novels, I am honing my writing skills by keeping a blog (beagley.livejournal.com) where I try to write real, legible articles that any stranger might find interesting. I aim to explore all the fanciful ideas and daydreams I've had over the years, and am having the time of my life.

I can not recommend NaNoWriMo enough. It has really changed my life.

Pick up a copy of "No Plot, No Problem," the NaNoWriMo bible.

[Satelle]

(First post here, hi!)

I would also like to write a book. I used to do quite a bit of writing back in high school, but since discovering the internet in '93, I haven't really done a lot of long, continuous prose work. Sure, text-based roleplay and whatnot, but that isn't Writing, at least to me. So I sit here with at least two, maybe three, good ideas for long works, and am still ramping up the mindset I used to have that let me do writing.

And for the record, having portable writing options doesn't help. Three portables later, and still no book, no matter my visions of sitting in a cafe somewhere banging out the novel.

Thanks also to Steve for his listing of how he gets to actually writing, which I've written down. It's hard to tell what will work, for me: being very systematic or the Nano way of just writing.

[yvanleterrible]

Very gracious of you Steve to share your experience. Thank you.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

No problem, guys! But remember: My methods may not be the best for you! I need copious planning processes to compensate for my on-again, off-again writing time, so I don't forget things between writing sessions.

I've also tried pressing my portables into writing duty, with mixed success. It's not always the device, it seems to have more to do with the level of distractions when I'm out somewhere being non-conducive to writing. But when I've got a nice, quiet, comfortable place picked out, my Toshiba handheld and plug-in Belkin keyboard have proven up to the task of banging out a chapter or two.

TIP: Need time to write? Plan vacations around it!

[rjnagle]

As a fulltime writer, I have several ebooks in the works, some of the frivolous variety.

All of it is stuff already written but I've never gotten around to publishing. Free/creative commons, etc.

That said, I think every halfway intelligent person has at least 3 good books in them. The key question is do you want to spend the time on it (given the lack of rewards and the other challenges that vie for your attention).

Another thing is what the audience is going to be like. The Audience for traditional novels is dwindling, but nonfiction is doing pretty well; so are technical books. Ebooks now make smaller forms more affordable for publication and more accessible.

I wrote a piece about the networked novel for teleread which might be relevant.
http://www.teleread.org/blog/?p=3905

Writing a book depends less on talent than motivation and the ability to set aside a certain block of time for it.

[nekokami]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

TIP: Need time to write? Plan vacations around it!

Sigh... vacations... I remember them fondly....

I don't get "vacations" anymore, I get "family vacations" which are not at all the same thing, and not conducive to writing.

[Satelle]

Originally Posted by rjnagle

Writing a book depends less on talent than motivation and the ability to set aside a certain block of time for it.

This is a great point. People who think they can't write due to lack of talent would probably be surprised at what they can do if they had the motivation to just sit and tap something out.

*wanders off to sit and tap something out during the two weeks of at-home vacation she has*