General Chat

My cousin wrote a book on his line of the family and had it published (just to get a copy in the British Library, maybe). Being a barrister, he's got a way with words, though. Not being a barrister, I have to think before I speak or write and it gives me a headache. len

Top Cat I recently wrote a book for my fathers 70th birthday. It was a family history book and I started it as far back as I had got with my family tree on his side. I made up a story (based on as many facts as I had) about them, starting back in Scotland in 1831. 'It is 1831, Edinburgh. John McIntosh is working hard as a hatter. Times are hard and will become even harder in the future, as John’s wife Mary has this week given birth to a son, John junior. By the time he is 14, John junior is working as a Coach Lace Maker. A few years on and he is living at Blackfriars Wynd, Canongate, with his family. He has grown up with Elizabeth Hume, who lives around the corner, at Fountain Close, Edinburgh, (1.Fountain Close Picture) with her parents, David and Elizabeth Hume. Times are also hard for David and Elizabeth, although David enjoys his job working as a bookbinder and Elizabeth stays at home to look after her family'. I added to this any certificates, photographs, etc, that I had. When I got into the 1950 onwards, when he met my mum, I mentioned all the relevant number one records (along the lines of 'They arrived at the Kings Arms in Greengate. They had both been to this pub before, but never together. As they went in, Sammy’s friends all gave Shirley the once over, Shirley’s friends doing the same to Sammy. It was December 1955 and the most popular song on the Juke Box was Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock. Sammy grabbed Shirley and had a bit of a dance. None of them were really good dancers, but both of them thought they were. Who are we to disillusion them? The Juke Box continued to churn out songs, Dicky Valentine with The Christmas Alphabet and Jimmy Young with The Man from Laramie. Shirley noticed a girl in the corner staring at her. She recognised her as an ex-girlfriend of Sammy’s. She smiled sweetly and cuddled up to Sammy, looking over to make sure the girl was watching. She was, she still carried a torch for Sammy and was devastated to see him with another girl, a pretty one at that'. I then made a CD of all the songs I had mentioned and put this with the book. There is a bit of sadness, as I am sure there is in most peoples lives, but my dad was thrilled and absolutely loved it. If anybody fancies a read of it (go on, be brave!) email me and I will be happy to email it to you - warts and all.

id love to ive always wanted to write a book, i just lack being able to word it properly, i did start one on hubbys life as a child , and up to now, but i got it all caiotic

Have always wanted to write a book. Lots of ideas floating around which never used to find their way on to paper but a couple are formulating nicely now and once I've done my Trek I shall concentrate all efforts on writing. Daisy

I would like to write a book. I have written down parts of my life, mostly childhood up to yet but still writing, and would like to write a book based loosely on my life.

Len - loved that - it was unique! Friends have always told me I should write a book as I have had quite an eventful life. Maybe one day I will get round to it.

I had a poem(?) published in a local paper. Just remembered ! A cousin found and submitted it. It was about my motorbike, Henry. It went something like this: My bike's antique, The gaskets lique And since last wique The bearings squique But even though The oil don't flough 'Twill be a blough To let it gough. len

I've written a travel book and been rejected numerous times - my motto is: If at first you don't succeed- give up! These days, unless you are a celebrity chef or a soap star, you don't stand a chance of getting published. I had started a new one but unfortunately am spending so long on these boards and family history that I don't seem to get round to doing it now! Allie x

Top Cat I've thought about writing one about my Mother's life, as she has 6 brothers as well, and what ever i wrote would include them. I think I will have to put that idea on the backburner for now. Joy

When I was a teenager I wrote the beginning of a family saga set in the American mid-West. As I knew nothing about this, I didn't get much beyond the first two chapters! I would like to write a book about my poor great-great-uncle, who was found innocent on the grounds of insanity of the murder of his fiancee in 1862, but I need to do a bit more research first. I know about the trial, but nothing much about what happened to him during his 40-odd years in Broadmoor. nell

Apart from writing comic newsletters for PTAs, I've helped to edit lots of books, and I ghost-wrote one once. Unfortunately, the lady I wrote for died before it could be submitted to a publisher, and although her family intended to do it, I moved away and never found out if they did nor not. When I began my family history research, I had ideas about publishing a book of the family history, just for family members, but after 18 months of work, I'm still nowhere near being able to do that, and I'm starting to get very bored with the time it's taking to find out what I need. I can't bear this slow drip, drip, drip of snippets of information. I want progress - and if I don't get it soon, I'll lose interest. >*|*<

When I was at primary school, I had 3 poems published in a book for primary school children!

oh, Len... go on.. can you not find another literary spurt?

I have a feeling I shall never finsh it Em. Perhaps I should have entitled it 'The Unfinished Story' but someone pinched my idea before I had thought of it. len

i would love to read your book, len when you have finished it ;))

hi paul, any one can write a book. if you have it in you then do it. i have written loads of short stories and poems, but i only let my family read them. my daughter wants me to have them published but i tell her she can do it when i'm gone. it wil be her inheritance!! all you have to do is use life experiences. dont use too many unheard of words as the reader will have to sit with a dictionary. you could use the threads on this board to give you ideas. then change them around a bit. dont forget, that a story has to have a start a middle and an end. start by jotting down notes and befor you know it you have a story. i wish you loads of luck all the very best from taylor

I've started one on the reach of the mind. Got up to page 60. Just tried it out on a friend to see if it's interesting to anyone else. Shall find out next week. Paul If the book is good, get someone else to correct the grammar and syntax, if you are worried about it. len

written, and had published 3 books now.... and am i heck as like going to tell you under what name! lol

I have for sure, took all my courses needed but have only written short stories, never got the nerve to publish. My creative writing teacher told me I should submit to a publisher but not yet. Maybe some day. Told my mum once I was going to write about the family, scared the hell out of her. She thinks some secrets should be left in the closet. Told her I would use ficticious names. When she pi$$es me off I tell her I'm going to use her real name, shuts her up for a while. Deb

Claire I admire what you want to write and I wish you well, my father wrote his life story and I am trying to continue from where he left off with our family history so I can pass it down to my grandchildren.