Anyone ever written a book?
Discussion
I find myself with some spare time on my hands at the moment, and something I have always wanted to do is write a book. I have even had a couple of ideas for one.
Interested to hear of anyone's experiences - how long it took them, how they developed/researched ideas, how they kept the motivation
Interested to hear of anyone's experiences - how long it took them, how they developed/researched ideas, how they kept the motivation
Have been putting together the definitive guide to the SW Coast path for surfers for about 3 years now, have got all my material and am ready to publish.
Have had threats of beatings/verbal abuse by "local heavies", thanks for the motivation chaps!
If you plan to use OS maps, be prepared to publish a book which 75% of the shelf cost is OS "tax". Bastards.
Have had threats of beatings/verbal abuse by "local heavies", thanks for the motivation chaps!
If you plan to use OS maps, be prepared to publish a book which 75% of the shelf cost is OS "tax". Bastards.
why is that thensccbishop said:
I find myself with some spare time on my hands at the moment, and something I have always wanted to do is write a book. I have even had a couple of ideas for one.
Interested to hear of anyone's experiences - how long it took them, how they developed/researched ideas, how they kept the motivation
I'm in the process of writing a book called "Things They Never Taught Me in Management School". I was approached by a publisher to write it - I guess I'm about a third the way through. Tips:
Get commitment from the publisher to "promote" it - not just "sell" it.
Don't be too influenced by "style" of writing. But write it how you'd like to read it - some publishers like to have their own style.
See what other books are around (in your subject matter) and make your book distinctly different.
bga said:
Have had threats of beatings/verbal abuse by "local heavies", thanks for the motivation chaps!
Why would they do that? Protecting their spots from tourists?
No, it's just bloody redneck hillbillies who refuse to go anywhere and assume their local spot, like Polzeath or Fistral is a secret spot. Seriously, these people have some funny ideas about what constitutes a secret spot. It is ridiculous that this localism nonsense still exists. St Agnes is a "Shit on your windscreen" place and I assure you it isn't a secret (try google). It's just bad behaviour. Most surfers are stoked about surfing/sharing new waves. I don't buy that Point Break bruvara for one instance, my advice to these idiots is "If you don't like it, bury your head in the sand". A lot of the crowding is due to the Interweb and Mo-Phones anyway.
love machine said:
love machine said:
Have had threats of beatings/verbal abuse by "local heavies", thanks for the motivation chaps!
Why would they do that? Protecting their spots from tourists?
No, it's just bloody redneck hillbillies who refuse to go anywhere and assume their local spot, like Polzeath or Fistral is a secret spot. Seriously, these people have some funny ideas about what constitutes a secret spot. It is ridiculous that this localism nonsense still exists. St Agnes is a "Shit on your windscreen" place and I assure you it isn't a secret (try google). It's just bad behaviour. Most surfers are stoked about surfing/sharing new waves. I don't buy that Point Break bruvara for one instance, my advice to these idiots is "If you don't like it, bury your head in the sand". A lot of the crowding is due to the Interweb and Mo-Phones anyway.
I know what you mean, we used to get people moaning about tourists using Bantham & Challaborough, ones a big public beach, the other is a s***hole. What's there to protect. There are plenty of places further round the coast, if you can be bothered to walk down the cliffs carring board & kit then you must want it pretty bad.
Good luck with the book though!
I've written a couple - one was a WWI film script that I realised later was a big string of cliches, whilst the second is a (very) black comedy about ex-yuppies in the mid '90s.
At the moment I'm writing a book about GT cars, which I actually have quite a positive feeling about - people 'in the trade' have made encouraging noises.
At the moment I'm writing a book about GT cars, which I actually have quite a positive feeling about - people 'in the trade' have made encouraging noises.
I have been writing a book but binned it beacuse someone I know had a similar idea and had been doing the same thing. She piped up first that's what she was doing and when I said - that oh I was doing something remarkably similar - it was clear she didn't believe me and thought I was copying her.
coco h said:
I have been writing a book but binned it beacuse someone I know had a similar idea and had been doing the same thing. She piped up first that's what she was doing and when I said - that oh I was doing something remarkably similar - it was clear she didn't believe me and thought I was copying her.
Dig it out and have a good look at it.
It's only natural to compare your work to others subconsciously. When I describe my book to people, they immediately think it's a rip-off of American Psycho, but it's completely different. It's set in the '90s for a start, it's British, and the main character isn't an egotistical psycho, but more like an extremely unlucky man with a rather strange outlook on life who gradually gets driven round the bend over the course of a week.
Seriously, have a good look. If it's your imagination and your book, chances are your friend will not have the same ideas or writing style.
Books are very private things, and I found mine a great kind of therapy, in a way.
love machine said:Sounds like my Grandad down in Liskeard. I think he'd be much happier to bomb the Tamar bridge and have those nasty tourists just send their money down by post.
No, it's just bloody redneck hillbillies who refuse to go anywhere and assume their local spot, like Polzeath or Fistral is a secret spot....
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff