Steven’s Comments (group member since Jan 22, 2008)

Steven’s comments from the The Reasons Why you wrote your book or books group.

Hi Guys, well, I had a great Christmas and New years eve party and have now, finally picked up my laptop to start working on my manuscript again. I must admit, I really have enjoyed the break.

Cheers

Steve

One of my New Year resolutions, is to complete a novel I've been working on for the past two years. I'm sure many of you are in the process of finishing manuscripts too.

Here's wishing you all, all the very best of luck with them in 2010.

Kindest Regards

Steven Preece
Author of
Always A Marine
and
Amongst The Marines

Please feel free to post links to articles about your books.

Here's one that was released shortly after my second book. An interesting read to say the least!!

Newspaper Article

http://archive.thisisthenortheast.co....


Steven Preece
Author Always a Marine The Return to Civvy Street

I've been working on a novel for the past two years. I'm as busy as hell at work, but hey, if you really want to be an author, you complete the manuscript no matter what.

Cheers

Steve Preece
Author

The transition into civvy street is by no means easy. I certainly had my fair share of difficulties but thankfully I came through in the end.

Steve

Guys: Following the release of my second book there were afew interesteting articles published in the news papers:

Here's the link to one of mine, please feel free to post yours.

http://archive.thisisthenortheast.co....


Steve

Its great being able to write about a job with a difference you enjoyed. for me it was my life in and after the Royal Marines:

Before I joined the Corps, the Marines were my ultimate goal too. My childhood ambition. I wanted to be a marine more than anything else in the world. As I prepared, I had the mind set that I was going to make the grade, no matter what. Others around me, whom I grew up with, kept saying what if you don't make it? Well, for some that does happen, due to injury, finding it not for them or for not being able to hack it. I just became more determined.

Any marine will tell you, Its not easy, far from it, and the end goal always felt as it it was never going to be in sight. However, as I went through training and the weeks went by, I kept my eye on the King's Squad (The most senior squad in basic training). I wanted to be one of them, more than ever.

Eventually, it was test week, the commando tests. I recall finishing the nine miler and our troop being met at the main gate of CTCRM by two Royal Marines' Bandsmen drummers. They drummed us into camp. It was great to say the least and we all felt 10 feet tall. They weren't many of the originals at the end of training, but thankfully I was one of them, I'd made it through and was a Royal Marine Commando. The passing out parade was one of the very best days in my life. One that I have never and will never forget. Its the point, where you are addressed for the very first time ever as a Royal Marine. You are ready to take your place within the Corps.

Looking back to that point and after when home on leave, I still listened to the many civvies who said, "I was going to do that." Well, the odd one did, the odd few tried, but the majority never got off the starting blocks.

Is the end goal worth it you have to ask yourself, after all the blood, sweat and tears.

My answer, OF COURSE IT IS.

From your passing out day onwards you will always stand out in a crowd, be swift at thinking on your feet and acting or reacting to challenging and dangerous situations. You will be fit, fast and furious, with great oppos, second to none.

And forever more, until the day you die, you will ALWAYS be a MARINE and will look back proudly at your years of service


Best Regards

Steve

Has anybody had any similar experiences to the one I posted about?

Steve

In my second book "Always A marine" I wrote about an out of body experience I once had. I often wondered if I had imagined this when it happened, as it did scare me. These years on through my own experinces I feel I understand it better now. I didn't imagine it and now know that our bodies really are a temple, where our spirit lives.

Cheers

Steve

When books are released, readers tend to sometimes go over the top about the content or even any minor spelling mistakes.

I released my first book "AMONGST THE MARINES" in 2004. Initially, it caused quite a stir and a lot of controversey. I did get a lot of flack and some people accused me of all kinds of things. However, at the time, I stood by what I wrote. Somebody even emailed me, telling me that truth and perseverance would shine through in the end. Thankfully it did. Those who served with me, stood by my story and for that I will be eternally grateful.

My second book, "ALWAYS A MARINE", explained a little more and sort of calmed the storm.

These days I tend to get less frustrated and let people make their own mind up.

Have a look through the comments on Amazon. They are interesting, passionate damning, complimentary etc etc. Just what you need, because even bad publicity is publicity!!

AMONGST THE MARINES

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/18...

ALWAYS A MARINE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Marine...

Best Regards

Steven Preece

Guys, looking through the many posts and reasons why you wrote your books, does at times amaze me. However, I'm now curious as to how each of you came up with your book titles. Some of them are very eye catching.

My first book title, "Amongst The Marines" was named that because that's literally what its all about. i.e. My life amongst the Marines.

My second book title "Always A Marine" is a little bit different, as it actually came from a sentence that somebody said to me, after which I just knew it was the title for my second book and I also knew my journey at that stage of my life was over.

So, what about your book titles?

Best Regards

Steve

Alice: You can find notes and the introduction to both my books inside my profile.

Best Wishes

Steven Preece

Julie: of course its okay. Welcome to the group.


Alice: I recall the film about: The Great Santini. The strange thing is, after all these years, I only just mentioned it to my son a couple of days ago and now you've mentioned it!!

Anyway: I thought I'd finsihed my recent manuscript last year, but realised after I'd put it away for a while that it needed more work. I believe at the time, it wasn't finished because it wasn't ready to come out of my thoughts until recently. So now it is complete.

Maybe your writing is the same. Pick up the manuscript you were working on and give it another go.

Best Regards

Steven Preece
Author

Margay,

Many thanks.

Steve

Hi Margay, yes I beleive in Angels. Strangely enough, I'm currently working on a book that I'm writing for my children. Its base is on dreams I had as a child.

best Regards

Steve

Daniel, I agree with Marilyn, your reasons and journey in life are certainly diffent from the normal stuff.

I also get the feel that you thoroughly enjoy your work as I know, sometimes it can become a chore. Especially on top of an already busy job.

Welcome to the group, btw.

All the very best

Steven Preece
Author

Well guys, a little bit of polishing and then I'm done with writing this novel. Yiiipppppeeeeee.


It'll be great to get my head out of the computer at last.

For a while anyway!!!!!

Cheers

Steven Preece
Author

Marsha, I totally agree with you. Once I complete this book I have another to finish.

As they say. No rest for the wicked!!


Cheers

Steve

Guys: Further to my last post on this. With fresh eyes these months on I'm finding my script is finally coming together well and is flowing from chapter to chapter. However, I'm now working on changing the ending as my ideas are opening up stronger too.

Consequently, it looks like it does pay off, writing the story, putting it away for a while and then reviewing its content again.

It does for me anyway guys.

Cheers

Steven Preece

Guys: I'm currently about 97% of the way to completing my first military novel that will follow my two autobigraphies.

I have a reason why I want to complete this novel, but at times the journey to finishing this script seems to be never ending.


I wrote the first 84,000 words last summer and then put the book into a cupboard for several months. During the first quarter of this year I took it out of the cupboard and have started redrafting it.

Fresh eyes have made a differnce and I'm now bordering on the 100,000 word marker. However, at times, whilst writing this, I'm feeling drained and sometimes get a little fed up with the long arduous journey and the thankless amount of soul searching needed.

Consequently, I'm going to step back from it for a week or so as I don't want to rush it and potentially spoil it.

For those of you who are writers, have any of you experienced anthing similar to this.


Best Regards

Steven Preece
Author of
Amongst The Marines
Always A Marine