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I have an idea for a new book

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Posted 12/13/2008 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys - many of you know by now I'm a writer...and my career has been severely RUINED by this fibromyalgia. (I used to work full-time and write on weekends and after work and on all my holidays and study leave...now I can only work 4 hours a day and go home and CRASH completely)

Anyway, here's my idea...it got sparked by the thread about writing a letter to fibro.

The working title would be "THE TIMES I LAUGHED"
It would be a memoir - story of my life (first 50 years anyway)...written in my 50th year of life. Each chapter would be a story about "a time I laughed". When I say "laughed" I mean totally and completely lost it - cracked up. I outlined the book and found about 36 such "incidents" starting from when I was 3 and going all the way to this year when in my fibro FOG I couldn't think of the words "vacuum store" as to where I went one Saturday morning and said to my husband "I went to the BROOM FACTORY"

Anyway, each chapter would be funny, of course...but also tell of the sadness and tears surrounding that time in my life.

Just an idea.
Do you think anyone would wanna read a book like that? (Be honest! I don't need encouragement - I need honest feedback!)

Thanks!
Posted 12/13/2008 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...can't believe how many writers there are on this forum...I'm one too and this recent flare had stopped me dead in my tracks. The Fibro book would be great...go for it!  I write satire and all in the male voice so can you imagine what spin I would put on it if I tried something like that??? LOL. (no offense to the men who have...I feel for you, it but there aren't that many).

Just wondering...do any of you that write get blurry eyes after looking at the computer for a short time...that's one of my problems at the moment.

donna

Posted 12/13/2008 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Invisible Disability, Ya gotta laugh. I remember and incident last winter when walking my Rottie when she galloped up and hit my kneecap so hard it sent the kneecap pointing backwards. the pain was like electro shock treatment. Ever since, whenever my knee is under any pressue whatsoever, I get that electric shock. After two trips to local emergency ,room, i went to see my primary care doc. he wisely pointed out a sprained knee was just a sprained knee and i had no pain Tolerance. Two for two, pretty good, Still havig that pain,
Posted 12/13/2008 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Shutz, I think anything that would get people to understand the daily struggle it is to live with fibro is worth writing about and to show that through it all we still laugh.

 

I started writing my memoirs for my granddaughters when I was 51. It was my 40 yr journey through womanhood. I started my first period on my 11th birthday and I started writing on my 51st birthday. I haven't written anything for several years now but would like to continue with it someday. As I was doing genealogy research on my grandmothers I so wished that I had diaries or something from them telling what their lives had really been like. Of course for them writing down their daily struggles would have been the least of their worries as they buried child after child and fought themselves to stay alive. I hope the fog will allow me to finish someday.

 

So many great minds and so much fog in them. cry

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 12/13/2008 11:10 PM (GMT 0)

Yes, I would read it.  It reminds me of a book by David Sedaris.  His first one "Me Talk Pretty One day" is really good.  The second is not so great (imo).  Do you have an agent who can give you feedback and information?   You can send the outline to him or her to help you decide which direction to go next.  Good luck

Sue

Posted 12/14/2008 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Great to read your feedback and responses! To be clearer, the book wouldn't be about fibro - except the ending of course. I've only had it for a year or less even. I dunno, actually. But a year ago I had a ton of energy and now I'm toast so....most of the book would be an autobiography. The writer that never was. Something like that! Maybe it could be more about fibro...having a life of some description, and losing it all within one year.

Actually today I feel pretty good. My doctor gave me Tramadol time-released and I took one at 9 am (before any pain started) and it's 4:30 and I still feel ok!

Do I have an agent? I wish! At least, not for what would be a book of memoirs. I normally write non-fiction and used to by a syndicated columnist. I've still had a heck of a time getting anyone to look at my stuff. And it takes a ton of ENERGY to market a manuscript. *sigh*
Posted 12/14/2008 1:04 AM (GMT 0)

Just an idea you might consider...I belong to the Women's Writers Guild and they send a list about twice a year with all the agents that will actually consider reading manuscripts from WWG members.  From my experience, finding an agent is as difficult as finding a publisher.  I have had two agents...don't anymore.  I had my last book published without one, but I got lucky.  The Guild sends info every month on what publishers are looking for manuscripts all the way from poetry to cook books.  It's just a thought.  They also send out information on writing seminars where agents show up and you can give them your work to look at.  I have never been to one because most of them are in NYC....and the hotels are too expensive!

Donna

Posted 12/14/2008 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
I have an almost agent. A fellow writer is submitting my latest proposal to her agent which is very nice of her. I had another few of agents in the past but since becomming ill, I do not know if they remember me and are still around.

I think the book idea is great. Memoirs are supposed to be the in thing now.

Then best to you, donnaeil
Posted 12/14/2008 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
thanks, donna and donnaeil....nice to see some fellow writers here. I have been a non-fiction person (psychology, self-improvement) and had no trouble in that area, as I have the credentials and built a writing career over the years. But I do believe I have a rather good knack for fiction...but as you say it's a matter of convincing someone else of that. I know a fair bit about the publishing industry and my best friend is a Canadian novelist who teaches at the local university. I have also been to a fair few writer's conferences and met a good friend there who is a humour writer. He presents at conferences all over the USA and Canada. He read my fiction, actually, in a "blue pencil cafe" and we really hit it off. None of this seems to matter in trying to get an agent, however. I send out queries and get the silliest of responses, or no response at all.

Again, if I just had ENERGY I'm sure I could do it.
*sings dreamily* ...one day my prince will come....!

When I write one of the chapters or a part thereof, I'll post it here for y'all. See what you think.
Posted 12/14/2008 8:15 AM (GMT 0)

I think that would be a very interesting & fun book to read.  It is something that people can relate to.   Yes, I am an avid reader & I would love to read it.  I used to write short stories but life kinda got busy with kids & work, I have been thinking of taking a few writing classes online in the Spring.  My life has changed & I need to change with it & adapt.  You go for it, it sounds like you have what it takes.  Hugs, Denise

Posted 6/10/2010 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I think the book would be great. Often times it's the little things that make us completely loose it with laughter. Litterally crack up. I think with all this pain we tend to loose sight of the little funny things is our life, the things that give up pleasure. Thanks for making us think about it.
I don't often laugh enough, even though my life is totally hysterical, espcially when I listen to myself moan and groan.
Posted 6/10/2010 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
I also can't believe how many animal (dog) people we have on here.  Soooo K9, what kinds of dogs do you have?
Posted 6/10/2010 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
I would read it, I love books like that. Each chapter would be a different story, but make a whole life, I love the idea. I would love to know what books have been written by members, maybe I can find and read some. I have a real weakness when it comes to books, lol, I have so many and even after reading them I can't seem to get rid of them.
Posted 6/10/2010 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'd sure read it! I love books about what people are really thinking and feeling. Right up my alley.
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