I Finally Started Writing
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” – Toni Morrison
I’ve talked about writing a book for as long as I can remember. I’ve mentioned it here several times. As a teenager I wanted to write a novel. That never worked out. I don’t know if it’s because I lack the technical skills or just the imagination, but fiction is not for me.
Inspired by two friends, whom I didn’t even know were thinking about writing books, I finally started writing mine. They both told me they had already started theirs. One is pretty close to being finished if I’m not mistaken. Upon hearing about their works already in progress, I was happy for them, but also felt as if I were sitting here procrastinating (again) and letting time pass me by while I’m not doing something I want to do.
I’ve only been working on it for two weeks. I’m on page nine. So far it’s sort of an auto-biography from a psychological point of view, if that makes any sense. It’s basically an elaboration on several of my most personal blog posts, and more….so much more. 
While the content is similar to many of my blog posts, writing a book allows for much greater detail than a blog post here and there. I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing, except taking a look at my life and analyzing how and why I ended up here. It’s even more cathartic than writing blog posts and allows me to clearly see things I have not even considered before. I don’t know if anyone else will ever even read it, let alone buy it, but the process itself is well worth the effort. At worst, my kids will have an amateurish account of my life to read someday if they like.
I find myself self-editing as I go along. I have deleted entire pages, moved paragraphs around and even saved some passages to be used in future chapters. This leads me to believe that in the end, it will be a much different book than I initially envisioned. That’s ok. I’m going to let it take me in whatever direction feels right.
Thanks for stopping by!
I will one will stand in line when the book is released! I have to have a signed copy of course. I suggest that you write and write and write and save all the editing til you’re closer to the end. One story can lead to another and what you have may fit in somewhere else. Don’t toss it out…just put it aside. (maybe it will make the next book)
That’s wonderful! Just keep at it!!!!
I agree with Paula, save everything.
I have been working on my book for 5 years. I have written,rewritten,restarted, changed directions, and so on and so on.
I just save the different drafts. I have found that I pull together the different pieces when it fits. Somedays I will write about one thing the next day or week it will be something totally different, but it all comes together eventually.
Good on you for starting on your heart’s desire. Wish you well, am sure it’ll be a fabulous book.
You go, girl!! I will also stand in line to be one of the first to purchase. I can’t wait to add it to my “overflowing bookshelf”. Keep us posted on the writing– I’m glad you’re enjoying it so much. I too, have always wanted to write a book, but have never been able to put my finger on what it is I have to say. Maybe it will come to me someday. Kudos to you!
Awesome, awesome, awesome! Take your time and don’t compromise.
congratulations, cyndi! i have always dreamed of writing a book, but just don’t have the time to start one now. over the years i have thought about turning my adolescent journals into a young adult novel, and may do some day.
before kids and grad school, and after college, i joined a creative writers’ workshop — we got together once a week and shared our work and provided feedback. i don’t know if it is something you would be interested in since your writing sounds so personal, but i do know they exist for memoir writing, etc. and i do know that published writers, a lot of them, are members of such groups and find them invaluable. and there is always the writing program in Ames, Iowa
good luck — i too will be in line to buy your book!
good for you! now i know you are getting all kinds of advice and mine might be worth shit but here it goes…don’t edit yet. just write. free writing is what releases the brain and the creative energy. if you write with editing in mind you really stunt some of that. most editors suggest getting out an entire rough draft before you edit anything. keep at it!
Radically cool. Let your fingers pour fourth your heart and enjoy the ride. If you need a great editor I know a few.
Way to go, girl! If your book is as good as your blog, you’ll have a hit on your hands!
hi cyndi, here’s the link to iowa’s summer writing festival — could be an inspiration? http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/iswfest/
Thanks Paula! I do tend to get lost when I’m working on it and just do keep on writing and writing. But then, when I re-read it, I realize that it belongs somewhere else or doesn’t belong at all. I probably should just wait until I’m done to completely delete anything though.
Thank you, that actually sounds like a good idea. I so wish I still had my adolescent journals….I would seem almost normal today by comparison.
Thank you!
Thanks Jess!
Five years? Do you think you’re close to finishing? Just curious, I’ve never done this before.
LOL – of course your advice is worth even more than shit!
You are definitely in the majority. No more editing! Thank you.
Close to finishing? Not even close!
I have not written consisently. I have walked away for months at time. The content is regarding a very personel journey which I did not want to deal with so there was a period of time which I had nothing to draw from.
When I finally decided to ride the wave of my journey is when I began to write more consistently. I have yet to completed my process and therefore feel if I were to finish now it would be an incomplete story.
I feel I will be blogging soon about some parts of the process, however I have two important people in my life I need to share with first.
Thank you Lynette!