General Chat

If so... how did you start it? Did you plan it or just sit down and write? How did you create and develop your characters (if applicable)?

Not a book as such but I am trying to write my life history. Ann Glos

Ann - that's perfect! Are you writing it in a methodical order or do you find yourself flitting backwards and forwards? becx

I finished my first book today!!!!!!!!!!! Going to colour another one in tomorrow...lol Dav

Dav - Did you do it all by yourself????

never went over the lines or anything... lol Dav

Dav - What a big boy??? (don't be rude!) Would you like a lollipop? lol

I'm planning one at the moment. Brief synopsis; group of strangers meet on a foreign expidition, they travel through treacherous terrain and one by one they gradually vanish....

................ and all that remains of one is a dodgy shirt. Gwynne

Bec I kept a notebook with me everywhere I went for a few weeks, jotting down memories as they came to me (had a few sleepless nights when the brain worked overtime. I have a book on writing your family history and it gave a few tips like what chapters to write etc. i mapped out the chapters and started writing. i find that I constantly go back to add bits as one memory leads to another. Did you want to know for a secific reason? Ann Glos

*Starts email to Sahara trekkers suggesting Paul is removed from the group* lol *Chucks lollipop at Dav*

Ann - thanks for the info. Yes, I'm going to try and write a book, it'll be a combination of personal experience embellished with some fiction (for comedy value) and I wondered whether there was a strategic way of going about it. xx

I am not writing a book but I am writing down my memories, some from 2/3 years old etc. I have been doing this for a week or two and only last night remembered 3 small incidents to add. I will add photos later too. I plan when it is finished, putting it on CD/DVD to hand to my grandchildren. I just hope they remember me as affectionately as I remember my parents. June xx

June - I think that's a lovely idea. My creation will be mostly autobiographical but not for young eyes! lol

Bec, check at the library i am sure there will be books to guide you. There is certainly a monthly magazine aimed at writing. I believe the best tip is how to get over writers block. When you write, never finish the days work at the end of a chapeter, always write at least a couple of lines of the next chapter. (even if you later delete it,) thatw as you always have somewhere to start when you strart typing/writing. ann Glos

Paul, joking apart, what a good theme for a novel though! was up your way last weekend looking after grandchildren - husband and grandson went to see the Dons - and they WON!!! Ann Glos

Ann - thanks for the tips *Add Dav to the waiting list*

Seriously (for a change), I've always fancied havign a go at writing, I discussed it on here a while back in fact and had a lot of encouragement, BUT I never got round to doing it, and I have far too much on the go at the moment to even contemplate it. Something for the future I think. Paul *that said I have an idea for a character for some childrens books, if anyone knows a good illustrator...

My Aunt suggested years and years ago that I write a book based on my own life ..... and then suggested it again a couple of years ago, when I started the family tree. I did make a start ... but then scrapped it - made another start and got the happy memories down but then it came to THAT part of my life that I don't want to think about, so I put the 'book' to one side and have never been back. The problem I found was actually getting the memories in the correct order .... being so young and having so many memories, deciding which one's to include and which one's NOT to include.... was and still would be a major headache. My cousin has said that if I ever get it finished, he will personally pay any and all expenses ... and that extends to if it was ever made into a film ! lol ! ...taking the P or what !!! Elaine :-)

Bec you could think about enrolling on a Writing Course? There are several home correspondence ones if you haven't got time for anything else? I did start a Writing Course, but was too young really and never got into it or very far with it, but it did give some really good advice on Plotting your story and characters etc. I think you need to have some sort of basic structure to try and work around and be very organised, otherwise you could find yourself in a big confused mess! Perhaps try a chronological approach - try and get some basic memories in a chronological order and that should help you get the rest in the right time frame too. Try and have an idea of the structure of your book - where you want to start it and where you want to end it and get a basic idea of the chapters. I've written the odd short story and a couple of factual things, but never got anything published in a magazine or anything - did try once or twice though. I've always said I will write a book one day - In defence of Bloody Mary! I know it sounds utterly boring. lol One day I will get round to it! Good luck Kaye x