I love writing. I got out of the habit for a long time so, when I started this blog, part of my enjoyment of it was to do with the simple fact that I was writing again. Not a lot, and not anything earth shattering, but putting my thoughts down into a coherent form and enjoying the process.
I have ideas and rough notes for 2 novels (although I am sure that everyone has their dream novel in their head, so until I actually write them they really don't count!) They're both utterly different, one is a fantasy novel with a heaven/hell theme and one is based on politics... Not quite sure how that works *laughs*
I've also written 3 children's stories. They do count, because I have actually written them ;) Boyfriend would love for me to get them illustrated and then attempt to get them published. I really enjoyed writing them, I have a very different style depending on what I am writing and the one that comes most naturally is the one where I feel more like I am talking to the reader than setting out a story. It just so happens that both my blog and the children's stories are written in that sort of style (albeit with fairly significant differences).
One thing I found with these stories is that I can't force them, I don't decide on a subject or character or storyline Inspiration strikes randomly and I write. The last story I wrote was actually inspired by a post on this blog. My "R is for" post...
I mentioned the word "reremouse" meaning bat, which I read as ra-ra mouse. I ended up writing about a slightly odd bat, a little bit flamboyant and playful, who saves the day through his eccentricities *laughs*
Unfortunately, the adult sized stories I want to tell don't flow as quickly and easily as those for children, so I struggle to force the words out. One day I would love to have a writing area with a huge whiteboard where I could plot out the details/timelines/characters/relationships, so that I could just get on with the writing part.
Until then, I shall continue to seek inspiration in the unexpected and enjoy writing at all.
Keep at it. While I love to read, I don't believe I have a novel in me as I don't really have that sort of attention span, but if you have the rough notes, don't abandon them. And I think the story about the bat has got to be a winner.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read a book you have written! I have a great love for children's books and hope you summit them to a publishing company. xx
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your boyfriend - get those books published!!!! The written word is so inspiring for children - they would love it!! You have a talent that you can put to use - you are very blessed.
ReplyDeletekeep writing and you just never know where it might lead to. Maybe a book in print!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! If you ever need advice on the publishing industry, I can help you out. Been researching/writing about it for years, and waiting to publish a novel myself.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid and then a teen, I was constantly writing stories and poems. Then a weird thing happened where I turned 17 and whatever flow I had with writing just sort of dried up. Maybe it was from taking a good look at my writing and analyzing it like I had to do in class and realized how cliched I am?
ReplyDeleteI took a creative writing class in college and I was so swamped with work that I just handed in some of my better stuff from high school. I did write the prologue to a story that I would love to really flesh out but that never went anywhere.
I'm really enjoying blogging but it's not the sort of writing that I aspired to do as a kid. BUT to end this comment on a happy note, I've found my knitting and crafting to be a better outlet for me than writing ever was. I love the things I make even after I've noticed its flaws. I can't say the same about my writing after I really looked at it.
I hope you'll follow through with getting the children's book illustrated and published. It might seem daunting, but you never know til you try. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI started out telling stories to my granddaughter. Then I thought it would be a neat idea to have a bound book complete with illustrations to give to her as a birthday present.
ReplyDeleteI found an illustrator on Etsy. She was also familiar with book layouts.
I used the site BLURB to "publish" and the book turned out great!
I think it will be something my granddaughter will treasure and pass along to her children.
I think you should take all the advice (especially lyndagrace) and get yourself published!
ReplyDeleteYou ever join in National Novel Writing Month? It's fun as heck and it's a really great kick in the butt to turn "someday" into "Holy cow, I actually wrote a novel!" The website, http://www.nanowrimo.org/, just went live for this year.
ReplyDeleteKeep writing. As Rogue Butterfly says, a monthly writing is not only fun it can leed to a printed book. I participated in "Novemberschreiben.ch) three years ago. It helped me through a horrible November and .. tha da I had a novel and found an editor and sold about 200 copies. I'm still proud of it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThere is bod (book on demands) where you can print as many copies as you like. Check the website. It is a good offer I think. I will print my next book at bod. It's half done.
This from your profile caught my attention:
ReplyDelete"Creative and impatient - unfortunately that combination leads to grand ideas and grave disappointment!" I can absolutely relate.
Something interesting I am noticing as I travel around reading peoples blogs .. creative people tend to be creative across the board. Knitters are also writers and cooks, musicians and painters. I thought I was odd in my ceaseless search for "the perfect outlet", but I'm not .. and that's nice.
Great blog and great style. Thanks for stopping by.