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Writing Your Own Book
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Writing is a blissful thing. If you call it ''a thing''. Writing to be published and be known is another thing. But to write because you just love to do it, it's different!
Writing is a blissful thing. If you call it ''a thing''. Writing to be published and be known is another thing. But to write because you just love to do it, it's different!
wow....hope I can write my own book too:(
I'm going to write a surrealistic postmodern tale about the battle between hard-nosed realism and our need for some kind of magic in our lives.(view spoiler)
I joined Jessica Zafra's writing class late last year. We were supposed to submit our first drafts last June but I only managed to finish 20% of my novel (figure is based on my target word count). I'm a pathological procrastinator. I'm still going to finish it though. Work is tough lately so I'll have to wait until it becomes easier. (The truth is I'm just stuck and I don't know how to keep my plot moving hahaha.)
Could you share what it's about? :)And how was Jessica Zafra's class? I follow her blog so I'm aware of it. I wanted to join too, just for the experience, but I don't fancy myself as a writer so feeling ko maggi-give up lang ako. Hehe.
Jessica describes it as "a novel about family, the past, and the instability of memory." I won't say no more. :DYou should've have joined. About 70% of us didn't finish, hahaha! Anyway, the first two classes had a lot of pressure. We were forced to write because we read each other's drafts in front of everyone, which is crazy and nerve-wracking. We had instant writing exercises, too.
Then somehow, we got comfortable. Jessica started joking with us. The pressure point was relieved. Some of us stopped sending weekly updates. The last class was more of a literary and celebrity chismisan than a writing workshop (well, there was advice given to us, the harshest being stop writing and explore).
Most of us aren't "writers" or "Writers" (some work for magazines and newspapers, some are editors, some are from call centers, some are bums, it doesn't matter). It's a great experience. I'm friends with my classmates na (most of them, hehe), and sometimes Jessica would ask us to do stuff, like cover events, do interviews, etc. I'm not sure if there's going to be a second batch. Mababa kasi yung turnout namin, so yeah, it's our fault. :D
Angus wrote: "Jessica describes it as "a novel about family, the past, and the instability of memory." I won't say no more. :D"Wow, my initial impression was that it sounds like a cross between Swann's Way and One Hundred Years of Solitude. Hehe. Sounds interesting. Would read!
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OMG parang nakakatakot nga yung babasahin mo yung work mo in front of everyone :-/ But I'm sure that there was a lot gained in joining that session, both from Jessica herself and your peers. How many actually finished at the end of the writing class?
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If you don't mind me asking: How do you write? Do you type directly onto a computer (maybe a typewriter still?) or do you do old-fashioned writing by hand on paper?
Just thought I'd ask since I actually tried writing something starting 2 weeks ago and I started by typing on Word (it's nothing concrete / outlined / planned... I just started with an idea and want to see if it will take form as I continued writing it). But now I bought a notebook and started writing what I had on paper by hand, and found myself tweaking and adding more to the story than when I had been typing it on a laptop. Maybe it's just coincidence or placebo or whatever, but I quite like the feel of writing on paper.
Hi! I'm a new member and last year, I have started writing what would be my first novel. I hope you won't mind me answering your question on the manner of writing. Personally, I type on Word for practical reasons like saving time, energy, paper and ink. However, I think that your writing on paper is brilliant. It somehow makes the writing act more genuine and sincere. It also gives you more mobility, so that, you can write wherever you wish to without the hassle of bringing a laptop with you. But ultimately, I think a writer will find any and all means to be able to write. :)
Hi Paolo and everyone, my name is Jerny. I love reading like the rest of you, that’s why we’re here in Goodreads. LOL. Anyway, I’ve been reading different types of novels for years now. I love writing too but more on just sort of writing nothing just to satisfy myself. I love wiring love letters for my girlfriend. LOL.I write all of the time just anything that I wanted to write personally. I used to join essay writing contest way back in high school and college. But this year, I finally came to the point of writing this story that’s been running in my mind for so long and I just finish it few weeks back. I write through paper and pen because it’s like real books and ebooks. Ebook is something that you can bring anywhere with your phone, tablet or laptop but real books are something that we still prefer. There’s something between the papers, something magical. I hope you feel that too. So when it comes to writing I also prefer paper and pen. It’s like my hand have its own life just writing and writing but my problem is I am having a hard time typing it now that I wanted to share it in Wattpad. So it might take time for me to publish it. Writing is just something that I do to fulfil myself but if opportunity will come that it will be published where I can also earn, that’s a bonus.
When I was writing this story of mine, it was a roller coaster feeling. When you’re at work or doing something you just think of the next thing that will happen and can’t wait to write it down. And believe me; I cried at some point because I am disappointed on this particular chapter and I want more. There should be more. I was all on it, feels like I am responsible on what will happen to the characters in my story. It feels like being a mom, they are mine and whatever happen to them is based on how I raise them. So funny me but that’s how I felt. Some nights, I am dreaming of them too. Sometimes I am hearing whispers to write because we should need to know what happen next. I am like crazy little girl and all, I swear. Hahahaha. :D
My story is just a simple love story, love and lost and finding your way back into love. Nothing extra ordinary but it’s mine. I feel so attach to the characters, well; I made them. :)
Paolo, whoops, I just read this now. It's nothing like those classics, medyo nakakalerks ang initial impression mo. I'm somewhere in the middle of Swann's Way, and the writing is nakaka insecure. It's so good that you feel that you can't write anymore. XDLima yung nakafinish. First is about a family of aswangs. Second is the coming-of-age story of a girl from the palengke. Third is about best friends, one of them died and the other has to sort out whatever business the dead has left. Fourth is about a group of friends, parang yung TV show na Skins. Fifth is hindi ko alam dahil the writer scrapped his proposal and wrote a different novel.
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If you don't mind me asking: How do you write? Do you type directly onto a computer (maybe a typewriter still?) or do you do old-fashioned writing by hand on paper?
I'd love a typewriter, pero wala eh. So I type on my laptop. I'd like to write on paper first (it's a practice still done by many great writers), but I have bad handwriting, heh. Nakakawalang gana siya, haha.
When you write on paper kasi, it's slower, so you get to focus more on the words. You get to feel your own writing. With typing, mas madaling makacatch up with your thoughts. I would suggest to write on paper first then type. That way, maeedit mo na rin siya.
But this advice is for people who don't have a lot to do. I have a full time job, I have books to read, movies to watch, other interests to pursue, so hindi ko masunod ang sarili kong advice. XD
Another advice that I find helpful is to write at cafes. Before, I used to sneer at people who work at cafes, because well, I thought you're supposed to eat at cafes, haha. But writing in cafes, or in any other place where there is a chair and table where you can write, and other people doing their stuff, you learn to keep your focus. I finished two long chapters doing this. Just don't ask for the WiFi password. :D
We all have our writing rituals, but in the end, we all have to sit down and write.
I really wanted to be a writer. But sad to say, I am a frustrated writer. I am currently writing A Song of Ice and Fire Fanfic but I'm running out of ideas even though I get a lot of inspiration from books I have read. I still don't wanna think I can't publish my own book. :D
I tried writing a book when I was a kid. I'm thinking maybe when I'm older as in supah old I will try again.
Yeah. I guess there is a gigantic difference between being a writer in the Philippines and in USA or other English-speaking countries. America has hundreds of publishing companies where a writer can submit his work in soft copies. For me, I think if we have publishing companies like those here in our country, many aspiring writers would have been published by now. But yeah. Kinda sucks. I've tried seeking after publishers, but their system of submission is over the Internet. Which is, to be honest, REALLY TOUGH. Excruciating even. You have to undergo a lot of pain in the ass until you accomplish submitting your piece. And if that's not straining enough, you bear this anxiety that your manuscript will remain unread, or worse, be trashed. It really is tough having a dream such as ours. I wish we have HarperCollins here in the Philippines. Or Little, Brown. I even gave up this writing dream of mine quite a few times now. Writing is a form of communication. And if there is no readership, communication will not exist. But my hopes are really enduring. I STILL want to become a published writer.Well, yeah. I suppose I am a published writer. If you consider having been published in a school paper as a "published writer". My poems and short stories are only known by those people back in high school. But other than them, the population of my readers is quite small. And by the way, I didn't get paid. Haha. Which kinda sucked, but just fine all the same. :)
I've been writing my novel on and off for close to 8 years now haha oh God, it's been that long. I posted it online chapter by chapter and my readers are getting antsy as to when it would end. It's almost over by the way. I procrastinate like crazy. I also don't get it. Ideas used to pour out of me. I read all the stuff I wrote for our college paper before and I sometimes wonder how the F I wrote all that haha Now, inspiration strikes sometimes. I take advantage of it every chance I get. I'm more comfortable with writing through Word. Just for practical reasons. I also prefer it because I do a lot of research. ALT+Tab is my friend hehe
Hi guys! Check nyu naman ang book ko. If you like novels in fantasy fiction genre. The 7 Tribes of Bukidnon is my primary inspiration of this book. 
Available na sya in Amazon as an ebook only.
http://www.amazon.com/Ascian-Portal-T...
Sabi nga pala ni Anne Rice - if you want to be a writer be stubborn about it because a lot of people will going to tell you that your not good enough. They just didn't get your story or they're not the right market for your book.
Pero don't worry kasi sa dami ng readers sa buong mundo imposibleng walang para sayo. If you can't find a publisher then the dream doesn't end there.... SELF Publish your work.
Sabi nga nila... this is the best time to be a novelist dahil nasa atin na ang freedom.
Keep on writing!
I once attempted to write a novel and miserably failed haha. It was about murder and stuff, inspired by my reading of Edgar Poe and Sherlock Holmes. In fact it's a lot like Sherlock Holmes--first person, long sentences, a Watson-like narrator. But the difference is, if Holmes and Watson go around solving crimes, these two somewhat similar characters of mine go around committing crimes, because they are young and bored, with the Holmes-like character leading the way.Like Jenny I was also on a "roller coaster" feeling as I was writing, but when I settled down and read what I wrote, reality hit. I had a very hard time editing afterwards, and I must say it takes a lot more time editing than writing the draft. I used to carry a little notebook where I jot down phrases that come to me in a flash of inspiration, eventually though, once I got my first android phone, I began writing ideas in Notepad for convenience's sake. I wrote randomly in Notepad, then transfer and fix everything in MS Word.
It was an on and off relationship with my novel, until we broke up for good. Once in a while I write short stories I couldn't finish.
were you able to finish it raphael? :)
Sadly, no. Being a writer is a lot harder than I thought. :(
Hi, Paolo! Hi, everyone! I've been studying Literature and Creative Writing for 8 years, been a college instructor for more than two years, and been giving seminars and workshops on Creative Writing for over a year now, but I only had the courage to write and really 'go out there' last year, when I worked with a publishing house who trusted me (or is crazy enough to trust me) with a book project.
I think about writing all the time. I even taught lots of people how to write, mentored people how to write and finish their books, and encouraged people to read AND write... but as a writer myself, I've only ever been successful at trolling. I joined and won contests here and there, but I only wrote when the 'mood' struck me or when the 'muse' visited me. It was when I finally sat down and committed to finishing my book that I did it.
It's the most difficult thing to do. Every time I hunker down to write, it's like ripping my skull open just to let it all out--and to let it all out in a book that people will appreciate and love. It's when you commit to it that you realize writing's only 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. You just set your eyes on the goal and even then, you try to go further.
Finishing your book is never the finish line. It's just the beginning. It's when you're holding it in your hands that you will truly feel its purpose, its message and its power, and you just can't NOT share it. If you believe in the message of your book, you'd go to the ends of the world to get it out. Sometimes, it's not even about the book. It's about the message of the book that you want to get across to people.
That's what I'm doing now. Going around in book launches, giving seminars about creative writing and creative reading, and empowering fellow writers to be brave and get their books out. The book signings are just a bonus. What matters is truly connecting with people.
This has been long, but I hope I enlightened you a bit. Keep writing!
Raphael wrote: "Sadly, no. Being a writer is a lot harder than I thought. :("Agree. I feel you. :)
Hi Paolo,If you really want to write and share your ideas to thousands and even millions of people out there, you have to start it now. Focus, dedication, and strong commitment to finish what you have started is the key to its accomplishment.
It is really hard to write even a single paragraph but if you are determined to do it, you can surely do it. You can write a book, just believe in yourself that you can do it. Just write and believe.
God Bless Us Always!
Hi Paolo! It's always nice to hear from someone who is interested in this craft. I'm a published writer--still very much unknown, and after 22 years of writing I've realized that I'm still in the beginning of the road and that there is still so much to learn. So if you ever wanted to start writing, start now. Now. Write everywhere: on the computer, in Notepad, Word, or online, in your notebooks, in your brain.
On the surface, writing just looks like putting words down on paper, but the craft is a lot more than that. You are creating a world, and then taking someone else and getting them not just to understand, but care about the world. So it's very important to know your tools and use them. Study grammar and use it properly. Learn what works in prose, what points of views are available, how to create tension in your scenes, etc. Writing is fun, but I believe it is also 95% hard work.
About your last question, about the differences of being a writer in the Philippines or elsewhere, I leave you with this: there is this tendency in the Filipino community to just do the bare minimum and then say "Pwede na". If you're doing this for the love of the craft, rather than the admiration of your fellow Filipinos, then "pwede na" should not be enough. Follow the industry standards--they are the same across the board.
Just some friendly advice. Keep at it, and do it for yourself. It's overwhelming, but if your passion truly lies in it, the rewards are well worth it.
K.S. wrote: "Hi Paolo! It's always nice to hear from someone who is interested in this craft. I'm a published writer--still very much unknown, and after 22 years of writing I've realized that I'm still in the..."
This spoke to me, as well. :) Great insights. Thank you for sharing!
Karren wrote: "K.S. wrote: "Hi Paolo! It's always nice to hear from someone who is interested in this craft. I'm a published writer--still very much unknown, and after 22 years of writing I've realized that I'm..."
Am a self-published newbie but there maybe one or two things I think are important: first of all, write for yourself. Second, it's your story.
Two months ago, I was happy if three or four people liked it. Still the same attitude but I may have increased the nunber to six to ten. Bottomline - the concept hasn't changed from the time man learned to communicate. It's to tell a yarn, a tale, a story. Your first reader is yourself.
The Filipino Group
Books mentioned in this topic
Swann’s Way (other topics)One Hundred Years of Solitude (other topics)
So I just also wanted to know if anyone here has thought of doing the same thing. Maybe some of you have actually started writing. Are you still writing? Stuck in limbo? Junked the project altoghether?
Maybe some of you have already finished your own book. What did you do afterwards? Are you a published author? Have you written more than one? What's your story about?
Maybe there are those who have gone through the effort and want to share their thoughts, reflections, lessons learn about the subject.
Are there any significant differences between being a writer in the Philippines vs. being a writer in the US, UK and the rest of Europe for example?