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As someone who really admires an authors ability to create a totally original story, keep up with the details and make it consistent, and drop hints or symbols (clues) in the beginning of a story and make them connect nicely with the ending... I've often wondered if I could right a book if the urge struck me.

Have you ever written a book? Do you think you could? If not, what are the obstacles you think you would struggle with?

Those of you who think you could do it no problem: what tips would you give to sway those who are not confident in their ability to write?

The most fundamental ingredient for a book is perhaps the inspiration and determination of its author. To start is very easy; the trick lies on working and polishing despite internal resistance. As Edison said, genius is one percent inspiration, ninety nine percent perspiration.

When writing, the following help: Being creative, doing proper research, being willing to let go of one's "babies" in order to have better ones, tenacity to work and rework, and a strong believe in what you want to convey.

For beginners like myself, it is great to read abundantly and learn from the masters. Classics are my go-to, because they are so well constructed that they perdure through time. Writing a book is incredibly time consuming, and if you are going to invest yourself, then the outcome ought hopefully outlast you.

Such a well worded answer! Do you happen to write?

Sarah wrote: "Such a well worded answer! Do you happen to write?"

Thank you Sarah!

The above comment is based on my experience of trying to write a book in Mandarin. I got into 100 pages, before I realized it was not the book I wanted to write. It has been a great learning experience, and I hope it will prove useful for the future.

Currently, I am writing my diary and relishing myself with great authors. Some day, I might decide to re-embark on a journey of writing a book.

I have been reading Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within for a long time and still haven't finished it. Its "call-to-write" is so strong that whenever I read it, I need to pick up my pen. If you are interested, I recommend you give the book a try.

I will check that out, thank you for sharing! I started a google doc one night on a whim, made a fake author name even, but only got one page written before I gave it up. It was to be an account of an unconventional life, but I couldn't find the words to continue explaining my unique upbringing in a way that was humorous and would grab people's attention. Like your first effort, I think it was still a success. To even try, no matter the doubts and where it ends up, is a success. And like you, I will try again one day! I would like to be able to come up with a work of fiction, but it will take some thought and I need to brush up on my writing skills. I tend to write like I think instead of paying attention to the rules of written language.

An attempt is always a good start. A failed attempt is even a better one, for it gives us so many lessons to learn.

Writing and thinking are interconnected. As you write and pay attention to the rules of written language, your thoughts change. By changing the order of certain words, you shift your own perspective. Then suddenly, writing-thinking becomes an egg-chicken dilemma; and by the time your work is finalized, you have become a new person.

I love that perspective :)

I had fun in writing classes in college and I do have time and patience. But I don't have inspiration - the best stories have been told so many times already... the evidence is my huge to-read list!

That's how I feel too, Cheryl! And I'm always impressed when I read a really unique newer book like Thirteen Reasons Why or Ready Player One.... my mind has yet to come even close to thinking up a new idea like that!

A coworker of mine has written 2 books and she said she keeps a binder with sections. Character details, event time lines, etc. She said it's a must for staying consistent and linking details to later events in the book.

She also said the best way to start is a very rough draft. Just sit down and GO! Let whatever comes to mind fly out of your fingertips, then later you can go back and build on your original idea.

I desperately wish I could write a book. I read a ton and often just for the way the words are strung together as opposed to actual plot, but reading does not always equate to the ability to write! On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft seems like the best writing advice I've ever read, followed closely by a few articles about the craft by Neil Gaiman, but still... I can't do it!

I am so much more impressed with the ability to create magic with words than any other sort of "celebrity". When I meet an author I feel truly star-struck, unlike meeting an actor. It's kind of cool, but not as thrilling. Writers just seem to be magicians to me.

Kandice, I agree with you! All of my friends (who never read) say they could write a book no problem. I would really like to see them do it! I admire the ability to write 100's of pages that don't lose the readers interest! And YAY Neil Gaiman! I love his lecture "Make Good Art." It gives me goosebumps.

Sarah wrote: "Kandice, I agree with you! All of my friends (who never read) say they could write a book no problem. I would really like to see them do it! I admire the ability to write 100's of pages that don't ..."

Me too! I recently listened to the audio book of The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction which includes that lecture. I cannot recommend it enough! In his own voice, no less. His sublime voice...

Lol have you watched the video of him on YouTube reading Green Eggs and Ham? Amazing! Lol, he is such a neat guy. I sent the art teacher at my school the clip of his Make Good Art speech so that she could show it to her class. The way he delivers it in such a sincere way that shows his belief that anyone can be an artist is just so beautiful an perfect for children to plant beautiful seeds in their growing minds and give them confidence.

Thinking about that speech makes me want to try writing again! Trying just for fun is better than doing nothing at all and never knowing!

I have not seen that video, but will absolutely look for it. I just love the guy. I’ve seen him many times at Cons and events and he is always, always charming and sincere.

Im probably going to start to write a book in july when I have more time :)

Simon wrote: "Im probably going to start to write a book in july when I have more time :)"

Congrats!

Awesome, Simon! Let us know how it goes! And of course I will look forward to reading it :)

Sarah wrote: "Awesome, Simon! Let us know how it goes! And of course I will look forward to reading it :)"

I will, but i'm not sure if you will be able to read it tho. going to write in my native language (dutch)

lol you're right, I definitely can't read it!

I used to write a lot in my younger years. Just short stories however. I tried to write a novel when I was 17, but never finished. Now in my mid-30's with kids there's just no way I could do so. Maybe once they're a little older. :)

Short stories, great idea! That would be a good starting point. I think I'll try it soon!

Sarah wrote: "Short stories, great idea! That would be a good starting point. I think I'll try it soon!"

Indeed it is. Another thing that I used to do was follow writing prompts. They could be anything from a suggested subject matter to going to the library and writing about what you see and let your imagination just go. You'd be amazed how those activities can really give a kick-start.

What a great idea for a thread! I suppose its not surprising that a group of readers might also be interested in writing too.

I've always had an interest in writing fiction, though I've never made a serious attempt. I see some great suggestions for books about writing in the thread above. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, and Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within are my favorites.

Jessica, I used to participate in NanoWriMo every year (though that was many years ago) and I found that each year I got better. It was not a method for writing the world's greatest novel, but it was great practice.

I love the idea of writing a book, but only because I love reading books. I have never felt that "story that needs to be told" feeling. And any time I try to think of a book idea, it's way too heavily influenced by books I've read and loved in the past.

The NaNoWriMo seems like a neat idea. The name reminds me of a card game I have stashed somewhere called NanoFictionary. The idea is that the participants get a random drawing of cards with a few ideas and make a story out of it. Kind of like Rory's Story Cubes, but with cards.

Using tools like that, I love writing scenes. No backstory and no idea what happens next. But having just the snapshot makes it more fun for me. I felt like those kinds of things would be great to expand into small stories, but not a book. Maybe a book of several 3-5 page stories :)

Matthew, I love Flash Fiction. If you do ever write that book, I'll beta read it for you.

I also wish I had someone to play those games with. At one time I owned both, not sure if I still do.

"Writing a book is not a short run but a long marathon.....should have all the ingredients of a person writing their last work.....and even if no-one on this earth likes your story, the universe will want to see it finished".

I thought about writing out my unconventional life, but if I did it, it would be for myself. I realize that for people to be interested in you or to get your autobiography out there you have to know people, be known, or have done/been through something insanely awesome or unusual to get it read by the masses. I actually started the story one night after a few drinks, but it stopped after one short introduction about how I came to be: parents who met as teens on a beach and ran away together to travel the nation in a van. My life has never been the norm (homeschooling, attending a different church or temple every week, growing up doing martial arts and meditation, going with my dad to reiki groups to hear them chant while meditating and watch them heal with their hands, a mom who dabbled in paganism and had witch craft books that got me into trouble with friends parents, alcoholic mom in my early years, doing in home care and working with special needs, etc etc). But there's no story there, no topic to focus on, no interest group to zero in on, and I am just a nobody!

I think if you have a story to tell just tell it, Sarah. That your not a celebrity doesn't matter as you've probably had most interesting lives than half of them anyway! Just start writing and you can always work out things like target audience and markets for it later down the line. Don't let doubts put you off doing what you want to do!

Sarah, I was an ordinary person before I became an author.
You are definitely not a "nobody." Do not think that for even a second! You have a wealth of personal history you can use in a book, whether it's fiction or nonfiction. I had an ordinary childhood with very attentive parents so how could I write a book that had any drama? I had a background in journalism and worked on newspapers for several years. I stayed out of the job market for seven years to raise my sons. I couldn't even envision sitting behind a desk again. Fortunately, I found a secretarial job at an ad agency that handled movie studios. It was great fun until a recession hit and the agency shut down. I was fifty years old. What was I going to do with the rest of my life?
I wrote my first book so I wouldn't have to look for a real job. I thought it would become the great American novel. Editors wouldn't even look at it because I didn't have an agent. After three days in bed, I crawled out and started the long, tedious work of learning the craft of writing fiction and how the publishing industry worked. I wrote another novel, The Starlite Drive-in, certain that it would be a failure too. My agent sold it to William Morrow in hardcover and Berkley for paperback. It sold in seven countries and won a few awards. Now you may think you don't have the talent to write a novel. Talent helps but what counts more is perseverance. Keep learning about the craft and write about what touches your heart. Even if some New York publisher never releases your book, that doesn't mean it isn't worth writing. This is the age of self-publishing and small presses.
And keep in mind the journey is the destination.

Marjorie, thank you for sharing your story and for the uplifting motivation! You are absolutely right! I will check out your book :)

I'm trying to write a book.
I have several ideas that won't leave me alone.
Problem is that I keep picturing individual scenes, but I am struggling to put together a coherent narrative. I write (or should I say type) up whatever had come to mind so that I don't forget it.

I was recently on a cruise. One of the cool things was that author Ridley Pearson was onboard. It was a Disney cruise, so he did a series of lectures on his Kingdom Keepers series, but he also did a couple of workshops for aspiring writers. I plan on following his advice and trying the writing exercises he suggested in the workshops. Hopefully they help.

Jessica wrote: "I aspire to write a book. I even tried nanowrimo last year. Didn't get too far before I started second guessing everything. Hopefully, I'll work up the nerve this year for another attempt at writing."

It is my goal to attempt NaNoWriMo this year- either officially or just on my own. I hope to have at least a vague plan for one of my ideas to actually work on by then.

I just did! I published to Amazon today. What an amazing sense of accomplishment. It took two years to see it from start to finish. The first year, I wasn't really focused. The last year, I really decided that I was going to do it. It's free for the next week, The Sugar Run.

Amazing, congrats Alyssa!!! I'll get my kindle out! :)

Free starts tomorrow! Thank you

I am inspired to write a book now. I recently read a new book called Prosperity Cipher by my financial consultant. She explained how she felt so inspired to write about wealth, happiness, mindfulness and how she manages with her business. I am so interested in writing now. The book was published last week and I finished in One day. Can;t wait to re-read it

Took a tiny first step towards writing and surprisingly chose to enter a poetry contest (I don't particularly care for poetry). The theme was LOST and it had to be based on something you've experienced. Here's all I've got! Whether it's good or not doesn't matter, what matters is that I tried!

From Heaven to Earth:

Privledged tourists flock to town
To see the magnificent Vatican
A worn gypsy woman bowed down
Begging whatever she can.

People pass on the street
Cameras in hand
They avoid meeting her eyes
What's important is the days plan.

For the sights they must see
This display of need
Past the raggedy gypsy
The determined tourist must proceed.

She kneels and reaches out
As the feet pass her by
No tourist is devout
But to their bucket list they must comply.

Paused in place and almost trodden
She waits with open hands
The people pass on
And the gypsy is forgotten.


I also real quick typed out one about books just for fun:

Book Travel:

Naturally awoken by her biological clock
Mind full of wonder and experiences to be got
Words, ideas, perspectives, and plot
Shelf by shelf, page by page
The world at her fingertips waiting to be engaged
Travel, marvel, laugh, and cry
She doesn't need to live life by going outside
The deep, the daring, the impossible, the prized
Anything is possible with books and her mind!

I'm happy to report that my first attempt at writing was very rewarding. I won 2nd place in that poetry contest with From Heaven to Earth! :) If you don't think you can write... DO IT ANYWAY! You never know what someone may find valuable.

I wish I could - my life has enough in it for several Hollywood blockbusters; alas, I don't have a dramatic bone in my body.

If a dramatist could be found, patient enough to listen to decades worth of against-the-odds stuff, tragedy beyond the generally bearable etc....

I'm good at dry stuff, like manuals for machinery/appliances/software (done that ages ago as a sideline in some of my jobs), generally non-fiction, the plain old fact biz, but I can't think of anything that grabs me enough to even try.

So, for the time being, I shred what I perceive to be bad literature down to the size I think it deserves - tiny little pieces.

Sarah wrote: "Took a tiny first step towards writing and surprisingly chose to enter a poetry contest (I don't particularly care for poetry). The theme was LOST and it had to be based on something you've experie..."

I like the 2nd one better, probably because it came out "just for fun".

Absolutely fabulous, congratulations

Thank you, Alyssa! And I'm glad you liked the 2nd one, Frank!

Well done Sarah, hard work pays off! :)

That's great, Sarah. You all are amazing and inspiring.

I went to a workshop last week, by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar. She recommended joining a writer's group. Have any of you joined one? Was it beneficial?

Thanks, Leesa and Jessica!

I went to a workshop last week, by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar. She recommended joining a writer's group. Have any of you join..."

Hi, Sarah,

Critique groups and writing instructors can be helpful. I have my own collection of trusted writer friends. I know that surge of excitement when something resonates. They push me outside the box and offer ideas that simply hadn’t occurred to me. Sometimes, their offhand comments settle in my brain and grow into entire scenes that are among the best I’ve ever written.

Listen to the critiques. Take notes. Don’t defend yourself. Consider the comments carefully, especially if you hear them from more than one person.

But there’s another side to critique groups and workshops. The advice on your manuscript begins to sound like noise. You feel like the instructor or your writer friends are taking control of your story. You attend several writing workshops each year, and each instructor gives you different input. You have six other writers in your critique group. Three love your protagonist; three hate him. I’ve been there. I know how it feels.

The writing business is subjective. You’ll never get everyone to agree on what your manuscript needs or doesn’t need. If you have a critique group in which you read first draft material, beware. If you feel beaten up, tell them you’re moving to Paris to find inspiration.

No. I could not write a book. I can barely write a review for a book.

Frankly, I'd love to write a book, I have many ideas and I write quite alot, but I don't think I'll ever be able to get anything on the market. I sometime start writing, but my biggest problem is writing on regular basis. Since I'm working all day behind a computer screen, I often don't want to get to it in the evening and do something else. I like script writing, but it's so much more tiresome and slow than the computer.

I also get problems with the end of my stories: i have really great ideas about characters, settings, plots, etc; but I always feel my ending are a bit wobbly.

That said, I think that if you want to write, just write, write whatever comes to mind. Keep a notebook on you at all time, so when a story, a character or an idea struck, you're ready to write it. These elements won't necessarily make it inside your story, but who knows, they might be important for another one. Write want you want without thinking about style or "beautiful prose", just write in your style; you'll have plenty of time later for corrections, editing and revisions. I like to have some idea of what will happen next, but some people like to know everything that will happen and have a real nice plan, others just start writing and see the story unfold before their eyes. It's just a matter of style.

I know my advices are quite common (and have probably already been said in that conversation), but I think this is what is most important: write, write what you like, and write how you want. Once you have the basis, shape and mould your story until it is perfect.

But in the end, it all start with one think... someone writing. So, what are you waiting for? Write!

I think we could put together a writing group from this thread. I would be interested.

Sometimes when I am driving to work, I will record the story with an app on my phone.

I would be interested in a writing group too - been trying to write but never consistent b/c nothing's holding me accountable
'

Me three! Or four, or whatever... I would enjoy a writing group too.