Writing Your Own First Book, Do You Have Experiences?

I've noticed that there's a discussion here about blogging. But I'm opening this topic because a blog would only partially help me. Over the past few weeks, I needed to find documents from my university days. Now I've found them, but during the long search — two and a half dozen years passed — I found a manuscript I'd written. I hadn't remembered that I had started to write a novel. I guess that I got excited about it and left it lying around.

Now I find the whole thing more interesting , so I'm considering typing it out step by step in my notebook. It's a love story, and I'm thinking of setting the story and all the characters in the ancient Rome. One day, I met a journalist whose crime story was set in the ancient Rome. Of course, I couldn't keep up, but I want to do my best. This time I really intend to stick with it. But do any of you have any experience of writing books? If so, I'd love to exchange ideas.

 

Nope. I started a few but never got very far. It is easier to get published these days though, as electronic publishing doesn't require all the money that paper books do. My spouse has her mother's diary from the Depression and was trying to put it into story format, but she didn't get far (yet) either.

 

I've started to write a book a few times, but since most wouldn't believe it, I gave up the thought years ago.
I do write to my grandkids and great grandkids about their great and great-great grandparents recent family history.

 

Good morning to all-
Yep, I've written and published some books. In fact, I have another book just about ready to go to "print". By that, I mean it's almost finished to my satisfaction. I don't use traditional paper and ink publishers much any more. I tend to do my most recent books on Kindle books and publish online. In fact, that's how I'd recommend anyone- especially a first-time writer- to get a book published.

And don't expect to get rich from writing books- that kind of thing happens, but not often, and certainly not to me.

you all be safe and keep well- Ed

 

Good morning to all-
John- I agree. And that's why I have never attempted to do a novel. My talents just don't seem to lie in that direction. My books are all collections of essays or one-theme with development books. I think trying to hold the plot and sub-plots of a novel together would be most difficult.

you all be safe and keep well- Ed

 

Good evening to all-
Lord, John Brunner, short stories are a whole 'nother thang- as Keb'mo sang. Writing short stories is very difficult in a different way. Everything has to be super condensed and there's little time or space for development. This writing thing is not an easy way to make a dollar. Each different field has its own set of limitations and requirements. It takes a bit of training in composition and a whole lot of skill and talent to make the words fit the work.
And I have never found anyone who I could collaborate with on any sort of writing- I think I'd make a same person go crazy.

you all be safe and keep well- Ed

 

I had a great idea for a book years ago, along the lines of Fried Green Tomatoes. An older woman's difficulties, intergenerational difficulties, some survival foraging thrown in. But I think the time is passed for interest in old ways, with all the technology out there now.
I had a few articles published in a horse magazine long ago.

 

Thank you for your answers, and sorry for the delay in responding! Unfortunately, I have a lot on my plate these weeks.

@Don Alaska: I agree with you that an electronic publication costs less money than a paper book. Not only because of the paper costs... But still, I suppose proofreading, graphics, etc. are necessary, aren't they? Is your wife doing this project on her own, or is she just turning her mother's diary into a story? (Hats off to this project, I imagine the book will be very impressive!)

@Ed Marsh: I've often heard and read that people don't get rich writing books. I want to fulfil my dream of seeing my story in a book. If the book is an unexpected success, all the better. But I would be happy just to hold my book in my hands. I also understand the reasoning behind Kindle books. But can I ask you how you approach proofreading, graphics, etc.?

@Ken Anderson: Why do you think writing short stories is harder than writing other books?

@Mary Stetler: I also notice that many people are buying e-books. However, the people I that know still buy paper books.

 

@Martina Peacock my wife's project will probably be postponed now until winter, as the summers here are too busy for desk work.

You can tell James Patterson that no one gets rich writing. Tom Clancy did pretty well too, but he's gone. Even Clive Cussler did well enough to buy a collection of cars to rival Jay Leno's.

 

Wellllll, now we don't have to write any books, AI can do it for us.

 

Some of the AI-written books and stories are obvious; others not so much. I think AI can do short stories better than novels.