Has anyone authored a book (published or not) or is anyone considering it?

Question

I have an urge to write my biography, but the thought of it is bit scary. I'll like to know if anyone felt the same way.

Answer 1

I've written 16 novels and am working on #17; it's getting close to 100,000 words already. Number 18 was started, but it's part of a four-volume series and #17 is volume two--it that makes any sense. (I had finished volumes 1 and 3 previously).

I began writing my personal stories, starting from my earliest recollected years until the present. Then I turned them into fiction stories--novels and short stories.

Further, I maintain a Personal History journal in two separate formats--one in printed form and the other as a journal I keep maintained in MS Word format.

So I say to you: Start writing your biography short story by short story. You can always put them in order later.

As you write them, most likely in the first person, it will be extremely difficult to hold back on the many "I's" that naturally follow. Practice by beginning a sentence with a word other than "I" and go from there. Three paragraphs in succession starting with "I" is too many.

Pull out your photo albums because they will trigger memories and events, both good and bad. Write of both of them.

I can guarantee that by the time you finish your biography you will be tired of writing about yourself. When that happens, turn your experiences into fiction accounts by creating characters in situations similar to your event, but taking a plot into a different path other than what you chose. That's the beauty of fiction writing--you're the creator.

Tip: Write through inspiration and get it down. Then go back and edit for grammar, punctuation, spelling, the whole nine yards. (Watch for cliches as "the whole nine yards" when you write. Try to avoid them). Edit again and again until the next story crops up in your mind.

But get started and have no fear--you only have to please yourself for now. Publishing your biography is a whole set of different priorities unless you're a Hollywood celebrity, a strong political figure, or a member of the rich and famous to boot.

Writing your biography is an excellent way to get into full-bloom creativity so get started.

Publishing a novel, as another poster just mentioned on this thread, is next to impossible for an unpublished author. I've only published a dozen or so personal stories on a Web site. My reject file is as thick as the Detroit phone book, so don't be alarmed at getting your first reject--more will come.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I've written & published books of poetry and children's stories. It wasn't scary to me. There are a few questions to answer before you go through with this, though. Why do you want to write this book? Do you want to write it for others to read or for yourself (doesn't matter about writing - just about publishing it). Are you old enough to have had relevant experiences? Would you read it if you were someone else?

No matter what the answers are I'd say to write it. It's just that answering these questions (particularly when considering an autobiography) would be helpful in getting your mind around what you are going to write about.

Start with an outline and add details later. Go to people in your life who you still know for direct quotes. And just let it flow.

Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Yes, it may be a little scary, but if you have something interesting in your life to share that may help others, I say go for it. I am an author and I am publishing my book by the end of this year. I really wrote it along time ago, when God delivered me from a Cult. I started writing just as therapy really, but then it turned into a book. I am finally editing it and have a publisher....self-publishing. Co-workers and friends have been reading chapters as I go along...THEY LOVE IT! Can't wait for it to be published! I am very excited about my venture, and I plan to write more books when I am finished with this one.

Answer 4

If it was once ate up through the general public, sure. The extra permitted the publication is, the extra I'll suppose I'm an completed creator. I have had matters released each on the whole and self released and take into account myself released for having performed each varieties. I suppose it is major to notice "released" is centered at the phrase "public". Simply printing some thing does now not make one released. Printing it and having it ate up through the general public, makes one released. Yes, I suppose there's a difference among self-publsihed books and on the whole released books, however it is just one of the matters that distinguish one publication from an extra and it is ordinarily some of the elements the studying public cares least approximately. They care extra approximately content material, fee and availability. Certainly on the whole released authors and academia to a few measure get hung up in this. Yet, at a rather educational college I attended, 2 books greatly used have been: "What Color is Your Parachute" and "The Elements of Style", each self-released books. I absolutely do not categorize John Grisham any another way for self-publishing "A Time to Kill" after conventional publishers rejected it. If something I categorize him as clever and discovered for now not giving up on a marketable product. I suppose the procedure he went by way of being rejected, then publishing it himself was once each and every bit if now not extra rigorous as different books he had instantly permitted. I observed having to design and edit a publication myself and bring a ideal print capable dossier an excessively rigorous procedure. When, requested, I categorize or outline what I've released through describing precisely what it's. Again, the writer is just a small facet of the categorization. Books or articles are the content material that fills their pages.

Answer 5

I also have a story to tell and am having a hard time getting it out. I have stared writing whenever the urge strikes me. If I don't pressure myself I am much more creative and it really flows. I heard of an author that only got out one chapter and didn't write anymore of the book for a year. She did complete it and did well. I've given myself permission to take as long as it needs to write my story. You might consider it a work in progress just like your life.

Answer 6

My list of goals includes writing a non-fiction technical book and a fictional story. Both prospects excite me.

What holds me back is time and dedication. It is a lot of work to write a book, and it takes long-term focus.

I'm not scared of rejection or publishing problems. On-demand publishing is putting an end to the problems authors once had with making their work available for sale.

Answer 7

the thought of writing anything is always scary, the trick is to get on and do it....then read it and then work on it again....i wouldn't advise starting with a biography...but by all means something of your life in it

Answer 8

I am doing a few, mostly Comic Books, poetry and an autobiography. I want to be a Ren Women when it comes to books.

Answer 9

I wish, but publishing a book is very hard... rejection.
You need to know competent publishers and all.
If you have connection, go ahead!
Good luck, can't wait to read it!

Answer 10

I'm writing 2. One is a crime novel. The other is a cookbook.