Writers?

[momof3littlelilos]

Hi!
I'm new to this corner of the Dis.
I had a moment the other day when I realized that I really want to finish my book and generally just start writing again. I haven't really written in over 5 years. I mean, my frustrated inner writer fights her way out once or twice a week and writes overly detailed reviews on Netflix or Drugstore.com; but that's not "real" writing. On top of that, it's just enough writing to make me feel insecure because most people don't find my reviews to be helpful or relevant
I need some encouragement. Is there any point in doing something that you feel a continuing overwhelming need to do even if there's been nothing to indicate that you're any good at it?
Thanks for your input!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

do you want to write for yourself or to be published? what is your goal for writing? to express yourself, your opinion, to be helpful, or to release pent-up feelings and emotions?

If you feel the urge to write then I would definitely do that, wether you think you think it's good or not. It's all about the process. writing can be your therapy.

Why did you stop writing?

and yes, I feel the need to scrapbook even though I don't think I'm great at it. I am trying to get better at journalling too in my books even though I do not have a way with words. My pages may not look like those in magazines but I enjoy the process and the end result.

 

[Dopey19]

It is funny that I found your post because I have been having the same feelings. I love to write but haven't really focused on doing it. Over the past two years I have been soul searching for what I want to do with my life and I keep going back to writing. I've never been published but I would love to try.

I think if you write for your own enjoyment then go for it! I'm trying to start a book that I hope to be published some day but if not I hope the process is satisfying for me. Good luck! IM me if you want to chat more.

 

[rlovew]

What kind of writing are you interested in- my mother is a published author (9 or 10 books) and I have learned a bit about the industry in the last few years. I can give you some popinters depending on what you want to do.

Rebecca

 

[momof3littlelilos]

I wrote because I love to write.
I wrote my journal because, as a history major, I realized that the only experiences that are taught and accounted for are the ones that left written records, so as a former foster child and former welfare recipient and once battered woman and single mother I felt that it was important that I leave a record of my experience from my perspective.
I worked intermittantly on a couple of historical fiction pieces because I had stories that want telling. I thought they needed writing, but as I said, I'm questioning the value of my writing (based on my Netflix reviews, seriously.)
The main reason that I stopped writing was that I got married and just didn't have the time or space to write. Then DH and I had three more children.
I let DH know that I miss writing after I posted the other day. He moved my desk and computer into our room so I can have a quiet private space to write at night.

 

[Dopey19]

Any pointers on getting published would be greatly appreciated. I'm interested in writing on life experiences also but from a humorous prespective.

 

[rlovew]

If you ever want to get a book published start by finding magazines that you can write for. Any library will have a market guide (it is poublished each year) there are some that are general and others for specific markets (Christian, romance, ect). In the market guide you will see what magazines publish what kinds of articles and stories and also how much they pay and whether they take freelance submissions. It will also tell you where to get the guidlines for submission to that specific magazine. I would also suggest finding a writer's conference in your area to go to, the better ones have a number of publishers you can talk to while you are there. Start looking at other books that are in the area of what you want to write and make notes on how those books will be different from yours. As you begin developing a list of magazines you have written for (or even better regularly write for) you will be developing the credentials you will need to start into books. Very few writers start out on bnooks unless they are single payment books, royalty books take a longer time to get into the place for- the general rule of thumb is that you are doing well if you have your first book contract within 10 years of starting full time writing. My mother always felt that full time writing was when she submitted enough every month to get one thing accepted. Even Tolken and CS lewis took forever to get published. CS Lewis was rejected over 35 times for the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Rebecca