Any Writers Here?

[MissyLouWho?]

I loved to write,,oh youmean like writing a story,, thenno, I never did that much,, I thught you meantloved to write,, well I did like to write,, but I cant hold onto the pen anymore,,darn thing keeps fallingout of myhands,, and what ink i do get to paper,, it looks like a preshoolerfirst attempt at drawing a cow,,,,,

This 'weak hand thing' is something I've been going through to a lesser degree.  My handwriting is awful.  I do things like smashing dishes while washing them, can't fold clothes, can't paint anymore, I miss letters when I type.  My rheumy said I have lupus and with these (and other) neurological symptoms (and a clean MRI, so no stroke) it is a very good possibility that it's lupus of the central nervous system.  I'm having a lumbar puncture done on April 2nd to check my spinal fluid.  Not saying this is what's going on with you (I don't know if it's definitely what I have even).  Just something to keep in mind.

[susanep]

I always wanted to write a book. I even went  a couple of years ago to a local bed and breakfast place in a historical area not too far from me that were having 2 authors to give a presentation to those who came. I went, bought their books, took part in their writing exercise, and really enjoyed it.

Now I am just stuck in a bigger fog since my mother passed away. It started before that though. Inside, I just kept looking for a particular direction to go with my writing, but never settled on one.

I also like writing poetry, but never stayed with it.

susanep

[cargillwitch]

I  have loved writing since pre-adolescence! I entered several national juvenile writing contests and won one.
If you had asked my highschool peers what i would do later in life I am sure the majority would have assumed my lifes work would somehow involve writing.
and yet I became a nurse- I love mysteries and figuring out peoples health and how our bodies work is the ultimate sleuthing.

I have attempted to rekindle this latent  interest in the past year a bit by blogging. It is a way I hope to rebuild and tone some literary out of shape muscles.

www.cargillwitch.blogspot.com

[lostone]

I know i have some CNS problems,, it was somethng thats come on slowly,, no plaque on hte spine,, so its not MS,, its just a gradual thing,, but dropping more and more stuff,, but I did liek to write ,, I was always writing in a dairy,, every day i wrote something,, even if it ws on the back of a envelope till I got more paper,, this disease has taken to much out of me for me to do it again

[KatieB]

  I'm so glad you started this post! I've always loved to write and am trying to make more time (and motivation) to do more of it. I tied for third place in an alaskan woman's writing contest last year and it was so encouraging. I would love to be part of a writing group!
  Thanks for all the good advice. Lulu and some of these programs sound great.

[susanep]

I have read this post a few times now, and decided to add. I have always wanted to write a book. I have started one many times.

All the way back in high-school, I loved writing poetry, but it has always come out the best when I am going through something emotional.

What does it mean when I have a title in my head that at times seems like it is good, and other times like right now, doesn't make a bit of sense? (title for a book to write)

A couple of years ago, I attended a writing event hosted by a nearby bed and breakfast in Rugby, Tn.  A couple of published authors told us a bit about their books, and what they did in their lives to really feel the stories they were writing. At the end, they had those who wanted to participate to write everything they could in 5 minutes about a word they would give, and then we were to read our piece for everyone.

That day, I had the absolute, most fun, I have had in a long time.

susanep

[MissyLouWho?]

Susanep~

I think now would be the perfect time to star writing again, especially with your recent loss.  A diary of emotional poems maybe?  Maybe you could write one every day and extra ones as they come to you.  I'm glad you find enjoyment in writing  .  It can help you heal too.  Maybe when you are ready to share your work, it might help your dad and siblings heal too  .

[susanep]

Yes MissyLouWho,

I agree. I just might start tonight.

Thanks
susanep

[susanep]

I started my writing tonight.

susanep

[MissyLouWho?]

Wonderful!  I hope it proves to be a good outlet for you.  I am stuck in a fog at the moment (and a bit of a migraine after the lumbar puncture on Monday ) but I hope to join you soon with letting the creativity flow!

[warmwaters]

Always liked to write, but found that in my professional life, my writing was non-fictional. I was in the computer industry, so I wrote a lot of specifications about how things should work, manuals, how to's, and so on.

Had a period before the Sjogrens hit where I did some writing of historical fiction. I have always loved historical fiction, especially that which really gives you the sense of time and place, and gets the facts right. I'm less excited about bodice rippers set in the past  . And so I wrote some historical fiction short stories for kids that got published.  One of the happiest things I've done.

Haven't been writing lately. One of the problems is that I find it so hard to focus, and that I make so many mistakes with words - using the wrong word for what I meant, or messing up the there/their type of words.

But I'd like to....

[JaynaB]

Warmwaters, I write some historical fiction too (short crime stories, some published). Mine are mostly Canadian history from the early 1900's. What period and region are yours?

Before I got really sick about 5 years ago, I did a lot of writing. Mostly short stories but a couple of novels. One of them was a finalist last year in a novel contest. I haven't marketed it to a publisher yet but sent it to two other contests that offer publication to the winner. This week I'm trying to edit and polish the second novel after years away from it, but like others have said, my hands and brain aren't cooperating very well. Lots of fog and typing the wrong letters or words. Very frustrating as I used to be extremely good at English and at typing.

As for those of you hoping to get published, it's a long hard road especially for novels.

There are lots of small regional publishers that don't require agents. You can google for those in your area and just check their submission guidelines to see if they accept 'unsolicited manuscripts'.

Also check out any publishers on http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22

That will tell you if they take money for services or do other things that a legitimate publisher wouldn't do, that might hurt you financially or tie up your rights to your own work.

Best of luck,

Jayna

[MissyLouWho?]

Thank you JaynaB for the helpful info!