Writing and publishing a book.

Sepheh · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:41

Moving on from my last thread but nothing to do with it...

After writing all my feelings and about that part of my life it felt really good, and it was a gratifying experience. That is not the only part of my life which is bought up and haunts me every now and then. This is why I have decided to write my autobiography.

Now what I want tips with is, what is the best way to go round all of this. I mean the writing is well easy enough its me talking about my life. The planning is something I vaguely remember techniques on how to do through my schooling creative stories etc.

I guess the best way is to start with writing all the events in my life down. Putting them into an order and then checking the credibilitiy of it all. I can do that with my mother. From then on I don't really know of anything else I can do to plan, other than just start writing.

I suppose while I am writing the story I need to find everyone who I mention by name and ask their permission for their name and get their written consent.

After that I suppose its a final grammar and spelling check. Make sure i am happy. Then I can add any visual references I think may be useful.

Once the story is finished this is when the hard work starts I think, reading it and altering it. Then reading again and altering it more. Then getting others to read it to make sure it is all correct. Then re-reading again myself.

From then on is it about finding a publisher or someone who will be interested in it?

So yes... Who else has tried to do this, who has got any hints? Is there any way to go round finding a publisher, I remember when I was younger channel four doing lots of competitions for young film makers. Did not know if there was anything similar for writing books.

So hints and help please? Anything maybe I should do first aswell. Maybe read a thesaurus or something!

kitten_caboodle · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:45

ok first thing to do is get yourself a copy of this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405041544/026-5168065-0167617?v=glance&n=266239

You can get it cheaper elsewhere, but it is considered the Bible for all writers and as well as full listings for all agents and publishing houses around, there are also lots of helpful hints and tips for the aspiring writer.

there are several writing groups you can join, to get advice and inspiration but I think first of all you need to find out what works for you in terms of getting it all 'out there' - maybe record your memories onto a dictaphone or voice recorder and write it from there.

Eitherway you need to structure what you want to say and like you say, a good way to start is to categorise your timeline like a skeleton, then fill in the gaps with content.

Sepheh · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:50

Awesome I will be purchasing that book on Friday provided I get paid enough! Now I was thinking, dangerous idea I know, as to getting everything in a timeline and stuff... Best idea to do it? On a computer where I can easily edit it, but probably wont be able to see it all at the same time. Or what I thought may be a good idea, I have a big long wall, just get some post-it notes and start sticking them all on there!

Quantic · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:56

Sorry to be blunt, but unless you're a celebrity, an autobiography will very rarely be picked up by a publisher. How many autobiographies have you read where the person is just your average Joe? Not many I would imagine!

Oh and the fact that you are 21 years of age!!! I'm sorry but it doesn't bode well!

kitten_caboodle · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:57

Sepheh said:
Awesome I will be purchasing that book on Friday provided I get paid enough! Now I was thinking, dangerous idea I know, as to getting everything in a timeline and stuff... Best idea to do it? On a computer where I can easily edit it, but probably wont be able to see it all at the same time. Or what I thought may be a good idea, I have a big long wall, just get some post-it notes and start sticking them all on there!

Personally, I think the post-it notes is a good idea, as is doing it on a computer, and having a seperate document for each 'chapter'.

Also consider using Mind Maps. Put each thing at the centre of a piece of paper then draw out each thing that's related to it - giving them a seperate piece of paper and doing the same to that...also called spidergrams....in fact that's not a good description - have a look at this instead - it explains it better than me!

Mind Maps

From reading your previous thread you may find this useful in everyday life as well as just in your writing. It is designed to expand your mind and make you think laterally, which could possibly aid you in getting your memory up to speed again.

Back to writing...I find that hand-writing everything first is much easier than on a computer - I have no idea why, as I can type fast and can think pretty quickly, but it just seems to flow better - maybe i just feel more creative and artistic that way

kitten_caboodle · 21 Jun 2006 at 13:59

Quantic said:
Sorry to be blunt, but unless you're a celebrity, an autobiography will very rarely be picked up by a publisher. How many autobiographies have you read where the person is just your average Joe? Not many I would imagine!

Oh and the fact that you are 21 years of age!!! I'm sorry but it doesn't bode well!

how about all the 'woe is me i was a battered child' type autobio's that have topped the charts in recent years though? The difference is between this guy and 'random joe' is that he has a good angle - the 'normal person overcoming terrible adversity....' and they often do well.

I'm sure he knows it's a hard market but there's no harm in trying.

Zip · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:02

Quantic said:
Sorry to be blunt, but unless you're a celebrity, an autobiography will very rarely be picked up by a publisher. How many autobiographies have you read where the person is just your average Joe? Not many I would imagine!

Oh and the fact that you are 21 years of age!!! I'm sorry but it doesn't bode well!

He is a celebrity though,he was once in an internet news article

And he has contacts

Not to mension hes lucky to be alive

Quantic · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:02

kitten_caboodle said:
how about all the 'woe is me i was a battered child' type autobio's that have topped the charts in recent years though? The difference is between this guy and 'random joe' is that he has a good angle - the 'normal person overcoming terrible adversity....' and they often do well.

I'm sure he knows it's a hard market but there's no harm in trying.

Yeah, I was going to mention those type of books as being an exception to the rule It's just that, unless the book was about a famous person, or involved something really disasterous like, 'I was on the Titanic' or 'I survived 911' - then I really wouldn't bother reading it.

cleanbluesky · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:03

I think you'd need a new name in order to do that TBH - Trent Steel, Jarod Danger etc...

kitten_caboodle · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:08

Quantic said:
Yeah, I was going to mention those type of books as being an exception to the rule It's just that, unless the book was about a famous person, or involved something really disasterous like, 'I was on the Titanic' or 'I survived 911' - then I really wouldn't bother reading it.

ok, sepheh, there you go - your title

'I survived 911'...it's true...sort of

Sepheh · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:08

Quantic you could always read my other thread. As said I do have a bit of a different angle on all of this. I have had a fairly eventful life. Anyway that is not what I want the thread about, and that is really quite off topic in comparison to the threads intention.

Kitten, I remember doing mind maps before, I had to do them with some of the tests I did when I first came out of hospital. Brilliant idea and glad you reminded me of them! I will try that. The hand writing idea aswell, you said it makes you feel more creative? Is there any particular reason, I know you kind of tried to explain it, just wondering if there was anything more specific. I dont know like the act of writing it on paper is an easier way to get thoughts down than just typing.

LOL cleanbluesky, really what name would you suggest for me then?

Also a cool name for the book

more appropriately would be something to do with Remember Remember 5th November, afterall that is when I got ill!

Quantic · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:12

I had read your other thread before I posted. My previous comments still stand. Without a celebrity name attached or a major news event, it's going to be extremely difficult to find any interest. Sorry for peeing on your bonfire

davestar_delux · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:13

Kanne Mind (that might only be funny in my accent).

In your other thread, I found reading about your condition and how it affects your everyday life very interesting. I would concentrate more on that, look how well that book by the autistic boy did, "The story about the dog in the night" or something.

Ooh, you could call it "The Real Memento" like after the film.

Although, definitely write your autobiography just for the catharcy (I made this word up) and if it turns out you are an amazing writer who manages to make your limited, dull experiences so far incredibly interesting THEN think about getting published.

Quantic · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:15

Yeah, maybe instead of an autobiography turn it into a semi-fictional novel like 'The Dog in The Moonlight' (or whatever it was called).

Sepheh · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:21

I am not looking at making any money out of this, its not a career move. I want to just be able to make my autobiography and get enough copies made to give to people. My story in the other thread was described briefly, and from a medical point of view it is all very interesting and have been used in several doctrines (sp?). My story has a specific market if I was to look towards selling it. I just wanted some help with the planning and techniques lol! Quantic you didn't really pee on my bonfire either. So dont worry. I never expected everyone to understand how others may find it interesting enough to read to buy

cleanbluesky · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:21

Sepheh said:
LOL cleanbluesky, really what name would you suggest for me then?

Johnny Pnemonic

ooh, im bad.

Sepheh · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:22

cleanbluesky said:
Johnny Pnemonic ooh, im bad.

Correct me if im wrong but that has been taken! I am sure I saw a link floating around here before to have your own pornstar name made before... Now they just need ones for authors!

Sic · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:28

Johnny Mnemonic is taken by Mr. Wooden himself, Keanu Reeves.

I'd objectively agree with Quantic on this one...but there are people who'd read it if you marketed it well. that whole Dave Pelzer, Virginia Andrews, Sylvia Plath audience (there was another, cant remember the authoress, but the book was called Prozac Nation) would get right into that. you should start by getting it a myspace profile...it'd be well received on there because that's the type of literature they're into (sweeping statement).

personally, i think all this kind of literature is so hypocritically self-involved...i actually can't stand to read it. but i understand that sometimes it's important for the author to get it out there. just please please please don't use people's real names - even if they allow it. it's not fair on them if they change their mind in the future.

Sepheh · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:36

Sic said:
just please please please don't use people's real names - even if they allow it. it's not fair on them if they change their mind in the future.

Yes okay I see your point about the real names bit, I dont know to what extend I would use peoples names. If I was to use their names it would only be their first names anyway. I read Anthony Kiedis autobiography and how he introduced everyone was really good. Best way I think would be to introduce characters by their nicknames anyway, impersonal enough to not know who they are, but personal to the author.

As said again I dont want to use this book to make any money, I just think it would be a nice thing for me to occupy my time with and something I will enjoy doing. Plus I think there are parts of my story which will help other people, as said if directed to the correct people. I am currently working on a script with one of my friends, we are both creative in the sense that we have all sorts of ideas floating around our heads that we like to write about. I fancy doing something slightly different and instead of writing a fiction piece, start writing a true story. True stories are always the more interesting reads I find anyway!

Also after reading Anthony Kiedis autobiog (not the only one ive read just my fav.) I think it is interesting with his introduction of characters, and quite ironic looking at it all myself. He has lots of ladies in his life, and each one he meets is the most amazing girl. Until he breaks up with them, and then the next one is the most amazing person. If i were to write in a similar style I really think it does have its place in the market for certain people to think about and look at, and well even get something out of their life. Something is only the hardest thing to deal with until you experience the next thing!

Quantic · 21 Jun 2006 at 14:51

Well, if you're not interested about making money you can PAY a publisher to make several copies for you to distribute amongst family and friends. It is quite expensive, but they don't care WHAT it's about as long as you're handing over the moolah!