|
Post by unclegarf on May 9, 2019 15:15:28 GMT -8
I go to a local gary oakie (think about it) just to annoy folk with my singing. A family go there with their teenage girl who not only has a really good voice, she is getting into all things creative, including writing. Fortunately for her, mum is an English teacher, so that's half the battle won. Girl cornered me to talk a little about my books. Happy to do so, but keener to encourage her to dream big and with little steps explore the world of creative writing. As we here all know, it is just as ok to S P a short story as it is a blockbuster. I'll not advise her on how to write, but if she gets an acceptable short complete, I'll offer to help her over the pre- publishing formating hurdles. I had help through the indie family back in the day and I get a kick out of paying it forward. When and if it happens, I'll let you know. Any experience in encouraging big dreaming this way? I wish I had met me a few decades ago. Now there's a scary thought....!
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on May 17, 2019 9:47:25 GMT -8
I've just bought two of my own books in paperback. These I'll be giving to the girl to help her with big dreaming. (hope they don't put her off!) One is fiction , One Man's Dream, written after divorce to expunge my regrets in not being able to buy the land as described in the book. The other, Starlight Army, was written when going through deep dark alcohol fueled times. Based on my friend Su Kane on the cover, who with her partner Keith have worked incredibly hard for charities. It is Su's sixtieth birthday next week and I'll have her and Keith sign the book for me to present to the girl the following day. Not bad to be given a book with the signatures of three main characters (I'm in it, too.) Worth spending a few quid to see the look on the girl's face.
|
|
|
Post by Julie Harris on May 17, 2019 13:23:14 GMT -8
Dreams are fine. In my experience, most people who have a story in them want somebody else to do the work.
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on May 17, 2019 22:37:56 GMT -8
I'll not be doing that. My regret in life is that I spent my time earning a crust as an engineer and not involved with something creative. That would be my message to the girl. Her mother is an English teacher so that side is covered. If she gets a worthwhile story down I'll offer to help become an Indie. Nothing more than that as I was helped years ago, including help and encouragement from you, Julie.
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on May 23, 2019 0:43:51 GMT -8
It was fun last night at my friend's 60th birthday party. Took along a paperback version of one of my books, Starlight Army, for the main characters to sign the book for me to give to the girl tonight. Said sorry to my friend's dad for 'killing him off' in the book.
Was introduced to another indie writer who is successful on W H Smiths with his children's books. His wife is from New Zealand where I lived for a few years. The writer (name I forget) is only with Smiths and Amazon, which surprised me. He'll be visiting me for tips on sites like smash and d2d, so looking forward to that. Getting the itch to start writing again for Drift's Quest 2, and have invested in a new loptap so I don't have to put up with sticking keys on old cranky. Happy days.
|
|
|
Post by Ted on May 23, 2019 12:47:04 GMT -8
Sticky keys? It makes my heart sadden at the thought of all those lost drops.
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on May 23, 2019 13:42:54 GMT -8
bane of my life, Ted. Girl was delighted with the two paperbacks. She had already bought another of my rare paperbacks, Dusty Miller 1, and had brought it with her for me to sign. (hard to sign an ebook) So she is happy and maybe motivated to take her writing seriously. I even told her about the convoluted style guide from smash. If she looks after her signed books, they might be worth a dollar or two when I'm dead and famous. I asked her mother, an English teacher, not to think too badly of me with my prolific use of commas as I was prone to do in the early days. My job is done there. If she gets a worthwhile story together with a beginning, middle and end, I'll help doing the tricky formatting to get the thing out there. If a seed is nurtured, that's all the thanks I need.
|
|
|
Post by Ted on May 24, 2019 7:58:56 GMT -8
You're a good man.
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on May 25, 2019 2:48:34 GMT -8
Thanks. But I'm sure I'm just a typical Indie. I would still like to hear from others and their experiences and tips helping newbies.
|
|
Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
Joined: Oct 30, 2013 14:12:26 GMT -8
|
Post by Ria Stone on Jun 3, 2019 9:59:13 GMT -8
Thanks. But I'm sure I'm just a typical Indie. I would still like to hear from others and their experiences and tips helping newbies. Hmm, I have been encouraging people all my life to write when I feel they have a story. But, most people do not want to make the effort.
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on Jun 3, 2019 11:23:21 GMT -8
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on Jun 10, 2019 22:54:48 GMT -8
Simon Taylor visited me last night to brainstorm and went away happy with his head spinning with all the possibilities out there. He's going to be busy. I particularly emphasized how to check out audio books which is where he'd score big time with a little effort. Hopefully this will be a pivotal year for him. I got a bottle of wine as a thank you so everyone is happy.
|
|