How Many Writers At This Party?

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kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
I have a family filled with writers, artists and musicians, and I've always considered myself a bit of a wordsmith. One of these days I'll get around to stringing enough words together and attempting to get myself published. There's always been this nagging voice in the back of my head that keeps asking me why I haven't done so yet. I keep telling it to back off and I'll do it when I'm ready. How long does it take to be ready though? You'd think 32 years would be plenty of prep time.

Then again, do you have to be published to be a writer? Is it a matter of recognition or the simple act of turning your thoughts into written word?
Welcome! Love your user name! I used to listen to Parliament and Bootsie Collins all the time back in the day. Even saw them live in Houston once- ol' George Clinton strutting around on stage and sitting on the edge of it smokin' his 'doobie'! To answer your question- you're ready when you're ready. You can't force the words out of you.
 

hossenpepper

Don't worry. I have a permit!!!
Feb 5, 2010
12,897
32,897
Wonderland Avenue
...you're ready when you're ready. You can't force the words out of you.

I beg to differ. A surprise OD of Ex Lax will force many words (and other things) out of you. Granted those words are typically "Please lord", ""kill me" and "I will never do XYZ again if it will just stop". But, still words...
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
A fair number of short stories (a tendency towards the macabre and fantasy, mostly with a touch of whimsy, some kids' stories. One story is in the process of being adapted into comic format, the inking is under way), one not-very-good fantasy detective novel, a shortish kids' novel, all unpublished (but thank heavens for Lulu.com print on demand - your stuff arrives and it looks wonderful!). A number of plays (not sure how many, it's in double figures, but only just), 3 of which have been performed: a panto (an exclusively British form of stage presentation) and two one-woman plays, both directed by the chap who played Admiral Ozzel in The Empire Strikes Back.

The US state I live in has a huge love of musical theater, and there is a close analogue to a panto that is very popular here--they call them parody, but they're actually broader than that. It can be quite fun!
 
Feb 12, 2014
11
62
42
Fowlerville, Michigan
Welcome! Love your user name! I used to listen to Parliament and Bootsie Collins all the time back in the day. Even saw them live in Houston once- ol' George Clinton strutting around on stage and sitting on the edge of it smokin' his 'doobie'! To answer your question- you're ready when you're ready. You can't force the words out of you.

Good eye! My username is also a reference to a brand of cigarette I once smoked. Parliament cigarettes have a strange tip on them, a very hard, short tube with a recessed filter. Due to this funky filter, we called them pFunks. Interestingly, at least to me, because of this recessed filter, tobacco would collect down inside of it and I would have to blow it out of each one before lighting up. To this day, despite now smoking Marlboros which have no recessed filter, I still blow on them before lighting up.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
Good eye! My username is also a reference to a brand of cigarette I once smoked. Parliament cigarettes have a strange tip on them, a very hard, short tube with a recessed filter. Due to this funky filter, we called them pFunks. Interestingly, at least to me, because of this recessed filter, tobacco would collect down inside of it and I would have to blow it out of each one before lighting up. To this day, despite now smoking Marlboros which have no recessed filter, I still blow on them before lighting up.
I remember those ciggies. They were a weird lot!
 
Feb 12, 2014
11
62
42
Fowlerville, Michigan
Grr! I hate rejection. Sent a story into a magazine. (My attempt at fiction) Stairway Denied! Oh well! I read it and liked it, that's what counts!

Writing is cathartic, while it is nice when others appreciate your hard work, in the end all that matters is that you accomplished what you set out to do. Hopefully it leaves you feeling satisfied and maybe a little happier knowing that a little piece of you, now embedded into a story, may have a profound affect on a reader or two.
 

mrblonde

Well-Known Member
Feb 4, 2010
247
119
MA
crawling out...

I wrote a zombie novel called "Sawkill" & self published it on Amazon. It has been downloaded over 9,000 times in 10 countries.
I recently packaged it with some related short stories & called it: "Sawkill Omnibus."
My plan is to keep adding to the stories, but not charge more for the book. It's will be like a live document for those that have purchased the original.

It's been a lot of fun.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
Writing is cathartic, while it is nice when others appreciate your hard work, in the end all that matters is that you accomplished what you set out to do. Hopefully it leaves you feeling satisfied and maybe a little happier knowing that a little piece of you, now embedded into a story, may have a profound affect on a reader or two.

I agree that if you're meant to do it, you pretty much have to do it to get the voices to shut up. Not entirely in agreement that all that matters is how you feel about what you wrote afterward--after all, if you are writing for yourself alone, why publish (or try to publish)? That's a part of wanting someone else to like what you wrote. :)
 

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
I've been away from this forum for a while, it's changed :). I've had 3 e-books published by an indie publisher, each book has 5 short stories featuring the same MC who is a psychic detective. I'm currently working on book 4, then they might all be put into print as a collection. I should be getting my first (very small) royalty payment soon. I still find it hard to call myself a writer though :uncomfortableness:
Congrats!
 

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
I WANT to write. But between a fulltime job and a family with 2 small kids, I can't seem to ever just sit down and do it :(
Excuses dude. Do you crap daily? What's to stop you from taking a pocket notepad into the can with you and jotting down a paragraph while you are waiting for nature / gravity to take its course? What is to stop you from taking your trusty notebook out at lunch break and jotting ideas?

If you haven't, read Uncle Steves copy of On Writing. I have an extra copy picked up at a thrift store. PM me if you can't find it local to you.
 

Angelo Bottigliero

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
764
3,103
Rotterdam
Excuses dude. Do you crap daily? What's to stop you from taking a pocket notepad into the can with you and jotting down a paragraph while you are waiting for nature / gravity to take its course? What is to stop you from taking your trusty notebook out at lunch break and jotting ideas?

If you haven't, read Uncle Steves copy of On Writing. I have an extra copy picked up at a thrift store. PM me if you can't find it local to you.
I have it :) Perhaps you are right :) Maybe that would be a good idea :D