How Many of us Write?

[sweetfrancaise]

I love to write. I always say that writing is theater for the shy--I feel very much like a method actress when I write, trying to put myself in the character's shoes.

I belong to a couple of online writers communities where I can mess about anonymously. I've written both on my own and in partnership with people I've never met IRL--Google Docs is a godsend! I'm in the midst of writing a Steampunk story and polishing up a suspense novella right now.

Additionally, I've gotten research credit in a couple of published books and I provided editorial services for the author of a pretty major biography published last year--my acknowledgement in that book is probably my proudest acheivement thus far.

I'd love to work as an editor professionally but I fear my hideous grammar skills would hinder me in that pursuit.

Ooh! what online communities do you belong to? May be off topic, but that seems like something worth getting the word out for. I'd love to be a part of a group where I can get feedback, beyond school.

And congrats on previous publications!

 

[AeroDillo]

Well...I restarted mine. Again.

On the plus side, it gets more retro every time.

Hmmm....

 

[Senator Jack]

Has anyone else entered this year's Zoetrope All-Story contest?

 

[Classics]

I write poetry, occasionally. And the occasional micro-fiction.

 

[broadway]

I write musicals and plays

with music the writing comes alive
it grabs you, has great emotional strength
it can be poetic
and when you can sing the music you heard, that's the beauty of it.

 

[Atticus Finch]

Hi Folks,

I love to write. Back in the eighties, I occasionaly wrote general interest articles for the Jacksonville Daily News, the local newspaper in Jacksonville, North Carolina. I even had my own byline and a little photo of me appeared with it.

But now I only write legal briefs, e-mails and the occasional post here or on the Flight Jacket forum.

Atticus

 

[PADDY]

While writing up my visit to USAAF bases in Norfolk..

I haven't penned poetry is years. This came out of no-where while recollecting my recent visit to Norfolk, UK. The photo is part of the old runway of the 100th Bomb Group, United States Army Air Forces in England. [huh]

"Where once wind sock blew and engine roared,
Grass tides now wash oer runway and floor
That reach for sky where kestrals roam
And echo New World cries, far from home ... "

 

[zaika]

I haven't penned poetry is years. This came out of no-where while recollecting my recent visit to Norfolk, UK. The photo is part of the old runway of the 100th Bomb Group, United States Army Air Forces in England. [huh]

"Where once wind sock blew and engine roared,
Grass tides now wash oer runway and floor
That reach for sky where kestrals roam
And echo New World cries, far from home ... "

that is really beautiful.

 

[imported_the_librarian]

Does anyone think the Noir fiction has been overdone? Don't get me wrong, I would absolutely love to write this genre, but I'm wondering if I would just be retreading the same old bad guys and themes, etc. Should I concentrate maybe on the late forties to mid-fifties--say a novel with the Soviets being the bad guys????

I guess this doesn't sound understandable...please forgive me if it's a big muddle.

 

[AmateisGal]

How did I not see this thread before? Thanks, Tony, for bumping it to my attention. I wish I could answer your question, but I'm not familiar enough with noir fiction to give you a satisfactory response.

I write for a living. My last job was as a copywriter for a book publishing company, and now I'm a copyeditor for another company. I've finished two historical novels, and am working on my third. Had a few short stories published, some encylopedia entries, and a few history articles. I think the writing bug hit me in 6th grade and I've been at it ever since.

 

[imported_the_librarian]

No prob! Glad I could help!

So since you're in the writing/pub industry, is there any truth to the fact that American's don't read?

I saw that stat. on the WSJ last week or so and just can't believe it. I think what and how we read may be changing more than people just not reading..err..maybe I'm way off base, but it seems that way to me.

What does everyone else think? I mean we are reading the boards today...

--------------

Neat job, btw, very cool! I'm trying to write today, but with the kids at home today, I'll end up watching the Cartoon channel most likely!

 

[AmateisGal]

I think there are plenty of people who read, but perhaps not as many as in past years. Technology - video games, loads of t.v. channels, etc. - may be one of the causes.

 

[Warbaby]

I've been writing off and on for most of my life, sometimes for money and sometimes for fun. I was doing pretty well doing corporate copywriting before the dotcom bust. Actually had fun doing the corporate caca because it was such pure bullshit. They liked my work because I'm not encumbered by artsy creative ego - I can write in whatever style is required, which is where I get my creative kicks.

Before I left the states five years ago, I was writing scripts for museum audio tours. If anyone is interested, I've put up some samples on my website

I wrote a couple of screenplays about 15 years ago and had a several H'wood agents interested in repping me - they were particularly impressed with my dialogue chops - but both said they'd only rep me if I moved to L.A., one of the last cities on earth that I'd want to live in. They told me it was because I needed to be there to do the schmooze bit, a thing for which I have neither talent nor tolerance. Prolly blew my chance at fame and fortune, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. I still love screenwriting and have more story ideas than I could ever complete in two lifetimes, but I would only consider doing it again if I partnered with a screenwriter who could be the front man.

Haven't done any writing at all since I moved up here to the land of plaid shirts and chainsaws.

 

[TessTrueheart]

I'm in a creative writing programme at university. Just finished my first novel (modern style) and now I am in the process of researching for a screenplay I'm writing, set in 1880. The dialogue part is the trickiest part of writing "vintage style", i think.

 

[skyvue]

I published a collection of humorous essays and stories in 2000. It got good reviews but managed so-so sales, alas.

But it was a fun ride, in any case.

Since then, I've been working on a humorous novel, but it's going very slowly. I like what I have so far, but I go so long without working on it that it's distressing and a little perplexing.

 

[AmateisGal]

Since then, I've been working on a humorous novel, but it's going very slowly. I like what I have so far, but I go so long without working on it that it's distressing and a little perplexing.

I have that problem, too, if I stray from my novel for too long. I get completely out of touch with my characters and the threads of my story. I'll often have to re-read what I've written and go over my notes to get my head back in the game.

I've found that keeping a journal for each novel I'm working on helps tremendously. Carrying it around and jotting down ideas as they come to me is sure a lot better than trying to put a bunch of post-its or used envelopes together (I have a bad habit of writing stuff down in the oddest places!).

 

[AmateisGal]

Looking for a crit partner

Ok, gang, I'm 'bumping' this thread because I'm in need of a good critique partner for my novels - I write mostly during the WW2 era.

Here's the blurb I put on my blog:

I am in the market for a serious fiction critique partner - one who is driven to write, who will meet deadlines, give me honest, constructive feedback, who has an interest in history, (hopefully knowing some about WW2), wants to be a published novelist and is seriously seeking a career as one, OR is already a published novelist.

And one more thing: he or she must not be a beginning or intermediate writer. Why do I say this? Please understand that it's not a question of snobbery, but more because I am not in either category any more. I need someone who has gone beyond the basics and is into the nitty-gritty of the craft - character motivations, plot arcs, GMC's, etc.

What will they get in return? A serious-minded, driven writer who will give honest, constructive feedback, meet deadlines, and wants a career as a published novelist!

Interested parties can get in touch with me via email: melissaamateis at earthlink dot net

 

[Midnight Palace]

I don't remember if I've posed these before but here are 2 recent pieces of mine:

Saved

Through years that turned decades
the dreams you once kept hidden away
eventually dug their tunnels and fled
brushing the forlorn wind chimes

They grew beyond your limitations
and spilled light on your secret
when all your conscious moments
were spent closing the most obvious windows

Your neatly stacked papers exploded
and you danced in the loose-leaf rainstorm
though the note which forgave your insecurity
celebrated alone...

We're no more than strangers, you and I
and we've known each other for decades
so when those decades have turned years
save a hidden dream for me


Whisper To Me

At the window I watched the afternoon
ordinary I suppose
and yet filled with people
who each represent a past love
that may have drifted with time

They rush down streets
weaving throughout relative space
there's nothing of interest
but somehow a million stories
waiting behind their constant minutia

I can't imagine the number of blank pages
poetry is trapped in the warp of our own oblivion
and we dare not rest on memory
where we benefit in personal recollection
the world suffers in ignorance

Yet from my angle I see only in vision
I'm deaf, not by choice, but merely left out
our distance has come between us
your chapters need voices; the city's asleep
...whisper to me

 

[Tux Toledo]

I write "The Lovable Rogue Mysteries" (www.thelovablerogue.com). I don't know if I would classify it as vintage writing but I have been heavily influenced by Raymond Chandler and P. G. Wodehouse.

I love the poetry people have been posting here.:eusa_clap

 

[Miss 1929]

Songs

I had written about 500 songs by the time I was 30 (and threw away all but about 40) in the pop vein When I started playing vintage jazz, my writing stopped until a few years ago, when I started writing in the 30s style. It's pretty hard to come up with a lyric that Ira Gerswin hadn't thought of yet... but here's one (a slow foxtrot once you're past the intro):

I Tried

(Introduction)
Nothing ventured, nothing gained at all
That's no way to live, always wondering "if"
In each life a little rain must fall
But it's been raining every day, so what's the diff?
I am such an optimist, I never feel that I can fail,
But I've crossed you off my list
And here's the sordid tale...

(Chorus)
I tried
Telling myself not to care
Not to stare
At you standing there
I tried
Telling myself you'd be gone
Like the dawn
Into the day, and on and on
I tried to convince myself
We were never meant to be
But I can't kid myself
Because your kiss was heavenly
I tried
Telling myself
Time will mend
All things end
Also evidently
You yourself never would want me no matter how much I cried
But at least I tried