Novel writing

[Ivo]

Another Ivo thread, I know... This one was inspired by the Stoke to Southend fares thread, and this post of mine in particular.

Ever since the age of at least 10, if not younger still, I have enjoyed thinking up and writing stories. And since the age of 16, I have been doing in full novel form. Indeed, creative writing is even in my Interests in my profile!

For instance, in 2008/9 I wrote a 35,000-word novel, which I am in the process of attempting to double to 70,000, about a girl called Amy who has some strange and almost psychic abilities which ultimately relate to a mysterious new "religion", which is intended to be the first in a trilogy. I shan't say any more than that for now, because [a] it'll take forever and it'll spoil it, but in relation to the post above I will say that Amy and her sister Chloe are avid fans of Southend Manor F.C., and that a match involving The Manor is a very significant plot device towards the end!

Anyway, does anyone else here share this hobby? Maybe if we have enough people who do, and some who enjoy reading novels as well, we could set up a book club -esque society in which we swap and review others' work?

Looking forward to hearing others' stories (pun not intended)

 

[90019]

Is it bad that this was my first thought when I read the title of the thread?

 

[Ivo]

Yes. Yes it is.

I genuinely want people to reply with interesting tales and ideas, not Monty Python references

Sorry

 

[ainsworth74]

I've had a bash at it from time to time, mostly when I was a bit younger and needless to say all my efforts have been poor at best. It's something that interests me but I don't think I have the imagination or time to do it (also I do quite enough writing in the form of essays, I've probably averaged about 15,000-20,000 words per year for the last two years).

 

[HST Power]

Novel writing? My forte!

I love writing novels and stories. A few years ago, some of my writing work was used at an English conference for examining marking standards. About two years ago, I wrote a modern adaptation of Macbeth, which was then broadcast at the local theatre.

Needless to say, English was my favourite subject for quite a long time. Then they started doing speeches, and analysis of poetry (runs screaming for the door) which I hate with a passion.

I enjoy creating plots, but a lot of the time I like to just sit down, start writing and see where the story takes me. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to stay in, properly plan a book and go published. But will I try in the future? You better believe I will!

 

[deltic1989]

I've dabbled in creative writing in the pastand stilldo from time to time. I mainly concentrate on short stories, in action and adventure genre, mostly with a military feel. I've written a fair few (probably about 30) in the last few years. Although as most of you have noticed from my postings on this forum I'm held back by appalling spelling. I would love to write a proper novel at some point, my problem is that my attention span is rather short so I may lose interest if i try to write a long story.

 

[Ivo]

Anyone fancy a lecture in creative writing then?

 

[HST Power]

I would love to write a proper novel at some point, my problem is that my attention span is rather short so I may lose interest if i try to write a long story.

I have exactly the same problem. I'm quite fastidious in my writing and am not the best when it comes to sticking at it.

 

[valenta]

I have exactly the same problem. I'm quite fastidious in my writing and am not the best when it comes to sticking at it.

Try short stories!
I enjoy writing novels, and was always good at English at school. Often my plot becomes too complex and I find myself lost in my story.

 

[HST Power]

Either that or I get distracted in various other little ways....UKTS, RW, etc.

 

[Madge Wildfire]

I have tried writing, but not serious novels. My attempts were at humorous writing, more akin to comedy TV sketches rather than anything else.

The people that I submitted them to seemed to think they were great, but I found it difficult to keep up the level of satire that I started with.

My last idea was going to be a pensioners guide to train travel, but my heart was really not in it. I have no idea how you manage 35000+ words.

I have decided to write about my childhood memories instead.

 

[Tracked]

I did that Nanowrimo thing a few years ago, write a 50k-word Novel in November, finished it a few times even.

Mind you, they were sh*te stories tbh

 

[YorkshireBear]

Being dyslexic it certainly isn't something i do as it tends to stress me out more than achieve anything. But very impressive that you have done so though i would like to say.

I often think of stories in my head when i cant sleep, i wish i could put them down on paper, youve made me want to give it another go now.

 

[Ivo]

That was the idea!

Just to let you all know, I am ready to go with writing the third version of my premier piece. The first was too fast, somewhat amateurish, and had more than a hint of adolescence about it, while the second was never finished and in practice was too slow. This time, I hope to make it work - and to take the whole thing past the 70K barrier. It is being written on my trusted Desktop Computer, which amazingly is just two days shy of reaching 10 years' service*! Compare that to my laptops :roll:

* We bought it the day Windows XP was officially released to retail - Thursday October 25 2001. Since roughly 2006, it has been exclusively mine.

 

[Oracle]

I admire you...when I was at Junior school I used to get gold stars for my comprehension...i.e. stories..and had one displayed at a conference on child writing. That was nearly 40 years ago! Since the early 1970s I have been writing non-fiction for magazines. After I started having work published I have been in contact with numerous publishers, and to be frank I would consider self-publishing. It is amazing what deals can be found as regards costs.

The reference to wording made me check my thesis: that's 100K words, and my book that I started many years ago on the history of General Motors in the British Isles is just under one million words (including schedule)...I once was able to write 4,000 words a day! I wish I had the ability these days! I would suggest that 70K in a novel is just about right...go for it!