What type of book would it be? Writing a book is a dream for me, whether it be a book for adults or a childrens book. I've made a few attempts, but my hectic scheduly usually gets the better of me, and I lose my thoughts of what I was writing about.
What about you? What kind of book would you write, if you were to write one? What genre would you focus on? Would the kind of book you wanted to write differ from the type of book you would be able to write well? Sometimes we can do things well, but they may not be our favorite thing to do.
I am good at getting into a character's mind and describing his perspective. It might contrast, but I like writing Science Fiction. My book would probably be a combination of both. I have already thought of the book I will write, and have created the universe and characters, but have never gotten into actually starting writing.
The science fiction I would write would differ from typical science fiction, and would have the future as background, not the theme. One issue I was thinking about was having scientists that discover that the science and facts we consider true are, in fact, wrong, because the prime assumptions were wrong - and they will set into discovering the new truth. Of course, the scientists will face emotional conflict as they discover their whole system of belief was wrong. I don't have much time to write a book right now, but I'll save those ideas for later.
Honestly, I would like to write an auto-biography. Not because I am self-centered or I think my life is fantastic, but I think it would be neat to put my life on paper, even if it is for my own recollection and for my family. I always remember the commercial here in the US for the Army. In the commercial the voice over says:
"If someone wrote a book about you, would anyone want to read it?"
Of course they are trying to tell you that if you join the Army your life would be filled with stories and incidents that would make great reading. However, I think everyone's life, whether it be the President or the school teacher, is filled with interesting anecdotes, that anyone would be interested in reading. It would be nice to read about other people, not necessarily celebrities or political figures, but the 'everyday' person. I would hope someone out there would find my life somewhat interesting; enough to read about it.
Malexander, you read my mind I also think that if I would ever write a book it would be an auto-biography. There are so many things I have been through in my life that I do not think I could ever end up writing the book in the first place!
Maybe I have Adult ADD or something - I hardly ever finish reading a novel. My thoughts are too scattered to focus for the duration of the story. Therefore, my book would probably be nonfiction, or perhaps a book of short stories. I also love to write poetry, so maybe I'll compile a poetry book eventually.
I could never write about myself, I struggle with a journal. Even if my life was filled with interesting experiences I think I would write about them from an abstract point of view such as writing a biography based on that autobiography or otherwise interweaving it into a work of fiction.
I am interested in writing non-fiction but if I only ever wrote one book I think I would choose a work of fiction which had a powerful message. As I favour symbol to the didactic approach I would choose a "fantasy" genre with a setting in the past, or a past.
It would probably be very close to The Lord of the Rings. In fact I started work on such a book back in the late 80s, and from 91-94 put quite a bit of subcreation work into it: history, races, geography, language, etc. (I've got a large html database glossary on it!) The map is quite developed but on looking at the ms. a year or two ago I have struggled with the actual storyline and it has had three major changes since its inception. Although I had about 100 pages written at one time (and it was going to be an awful lot longer than that) I discarded most of it and have about 3 chapters now.
The thing about fantasy is that it has the power to be the greatest and deepest of genres but also the worst - and in my opinion 98% of fantasy is in the worst literature category.
Over the last year or two I have left it alone and been working on a lighter, less mature fantasy fiction crossover/kidult novel.
I find lighter writing easier in some ways, and it tends to flow. But my real love is the more Tolkien-like style which is hard to plot and get to flow
I also find writing short academic articles (with the odd long essay) quite easy but only if I feel it needs writing. I had a political article published in a national print magazine a few months ago, and it was also picked up by a few web sites. This was pleasing but I would be hundred times more pleased if I ever got a novel published.
Finding the time can be hard. You must clear your mind of all else and that can be difficult because if you're anything like me you keep on thinking about all your other tasks, responsibilities, ad. inf. and even feel guilty at being so indulgent.
One thing I've found though - though seldom learn from it! - is that worrying about lack of time usually is so counterproductive that you get nothing accomplished!
Well, I think that answered the question
Is there a critique forum? Maybe we could post small samples of writing and get feedback?
Dubhdara (still writing).
Edited: dubhdara on 3rd Jan, 2005 - 11:50am
I would write the story of my life. I would like to write about every important experience that has and ever will happen to me. I would write about the most important people to me throughout my life. The ones who treated me wrong and the ones who treated me right. I would like to right about the people I loved and the people I hated. I would write about the things I've seen. The places I've been and the most wonderful thoughts I have ever conjured up. But my favorite part of writing my own book would be finding out what the critics say about it. I think it would be good.