I wrote a short story about all the folks I still work with and I just changed their names, they read it and thought it was funny. I spared no punches and told the complete truth about all the stuff they did.
Thinking of Writing a Novel
- Thread starter thestrangequark
- Start date
I wrote a short story about all the folks I still work with and I just changed their names, they read it and thought it was funny. I spared no punches and told the complete truth about all the stuff they did.
A bird just crashed into my window! I'm sitting here, in my Brooklyn apartment in the dark, writing a novel about a serial killer, having just read the profile of the actual serial killer currently active on Long Island, when a pigeon crashes into my winow flapping madly against the glass for at least 20 seconds and scaring the bejesus out of me!
But I do enjoy the process. In the same way I enjoy plucking my eyebrows. It's masochistic, and it makes my eyes water, but it's satisfying and makes me feel accomplished.
I'm not too concerned about agent/publishing stuff. I've been working on getting a children's book that I wrote and illustrated published for a couple of years now. I've read all the literature and I understand how that game is played. (I've actually got a promising connection on the children's book, now!)
Well, as I said to the poster who made that point earlier, my life probably is interesting enough for a book (there was a Lifetime TV movie made about my family when I was 9 -- Heather Locklear played my mom. Seriously.) But I'd rather not write about me.
I'm planning on going back to school for a doctorate in neuroscience soon -- anyone suppose I'll be able to fit a creative writing class into that course schedule?
Well, the first chapter I wrote in about a half an hour. It's shortish at approximately 2000 words. Now I have some smatterings of dialogue and such down, but I think I'm going to take it with the one chapter at a time sort of approach RJ mentioned, and then put the chapters in order when I'm done.
I was joking, darling.
But I do enjoy the process. In the same way I enjoy plucking my eyebrows. It's masochistic, and it makes my eyes water, but it's satisfying and makes me feel accomplished.
There have been too many ridiculously comedic situations in my real life for me not to draw on some of them. I've already asked my roommate if she wouldn't mind my modeling some of a character on her: the girl makes cappuccino by day and moonlights as a dominatrix. She came home last night and told me all about domming a dwarf -- how could I pass that up?
It's an omen, tsq! A portent! Criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot, so you must be able to strike terror into their hearts. You shall become... Pigeonwoman!
Remenber: there is something out there, in the darkness, something terrifying, something that will not stop until it gets revenge. And you will shit on their heads until you will have it!
^I can't believe you've just created a scenario in which I shit on people's heads out of vengeance! And I thought my storyline was out there!!!
Maybe I'll write a novel about it. 
I missed this one. I think because of my method I might have to edit as I go. In college I was a very good essayist, and the novel writing has been going pretty much the same way my essay writing went -- that is, I write it out of order and then put it together. However, my best friend is on her way to being a successful writer (she already has some stories published) and she gave me advice today echoing yours: write, write, write. She said not to show it to anybody, not to worry about my ideas and whether or not they are good enough or different enough, and just get my story down. So I am going to take the advice in that sense.
I am curious now. What role do I have in your novel?
I am the dashing hero, yes?
^My character is deluded, yes, but they are not delusions of grandeur.
It's not a good movie. "Based on a true story" does not bode well for accuracy! But there was a documentary about us, and 3 other people, too. I finally got up the courage to watch it last year. It was filmed when I was 8. Watching it was a bizarre experience for me.
I'm up to 7000 words! Man, writing a bank robbery was fun!
It's not a good movie. "Based on a true story" does not bode well for accuracy! But there was a documentary about us, and 3 other people, too. I finally got up the courage to watch it last year. It was filmed when I was 8. Watching it was a bizarre experience for me.
I'm up to 7000 words! Man, writing a bank robbery was fun!
I broke 10,000 words today. And I've decided that if I do finish this novel, and if I am lucky enough to publish it, I'll definitely need to choose a nom de plume -- I don't want people knowing that this is the sort of thing that goes on in my head!
I started writing a novel about 7 years ago. I had just broken up with my fiancee, had loads of free time and always wanted to try an write a novel. I got about halfway through it and met my future wife. Well we have been together almost 6 years and the novel has sat half done for pretty much all that time.
I would love to restart it at sometime, the rest of the book swirls in my head all of the time. With two kids, work and everything else it is tough enough finding time to read let alone write. I force myself to read a chapter every night before bed, maybe I need to do something like that with writing.
Good luck in your writing endeavor.
I would love to restart it at sometime, the rest of the book swirls in my head all of the time. With two kids, work and everything else it is tough enough finding time to read let alone write. I force myself to read a chapter every night before bed, maybe I need to do something like that with writing.
Good luck in your writing endeavor.
Wow. I actually really like that.
Wow. I actually really like that.
A mention in your Acknowledgements is gratefully appreciated; a share of your undoubtedly bountiful royalties even more so.
I wrote a novel while I was in college (8 years ago now), redrafted a few times and sent out it to agents. It was never picked up and I did nothing but write fan fiction 4-5 years with the occasional jotting down of an idea. In the last four years I've attempted no less than seventeen novels and the furthest I got was 40,000 words before I stalled. I've tried writing thrillers, science fiction, horror and romance and not got anywhere.
Right now, I'm trying to see if I can get a cozy mystery started but I'm trying to plow through writers' block and its not easy. I haven't found what works for me yet and if I want to actually sell something while I still breathe, it might help if I could find what works. I'm going to try handwriting it since it got me so far last time. The story sucked before, hopefully this one doesn't.
Right now, I'm trying to see if I can get a cozy mystery started but I'm trying to plow through writers' block and its not easy. I haven't found what works for me yet and if I want to actually sell something while I still breathe, it might help if I could find what works. I'm going to try handwriting it since it got me so far last time. The story sucked before, hopefully this one doesn't.
"Rick Hutchins."
