Any writers in here

Absolutely, writer here! Always on the lookout for inspiration, whether it's from a random thought, a deep convo, or even scrolling through threads like this one. Writing can be a wild ride—some days it's flowing, other days it’s a staring contest with the blinking cursor. Also, if any of you write about real-life struggles or resilience, you'd be surprised how stories around things like dealing with a Raton Hurricane Insurance Claim Lawyer can spark powerful narratives. Real life = real drama = great writing material!

I went to a writing group at my local library which was run by an older man. The first few weeks were OK but then he started us to wanting us to write raunchy pieces which put me off. I love a clear, crisp style that evokes atmosphere, emotion and paints a colourful picture. I know within a page whether I am going to stick with the book. I can write and some of my articles have been accepted by local magazines as I usually write about botany, historical connections with the land or family history. However, it takes me about 9 edits before I am happy with the finished product. I go away, leave the article, return, change and I like my words to flow off the page. You always need to think of your audience and how they will read it. I know people who think they are amazing writers and if you pick up their work it reads as limp, bland and really quite beige. Writing is such a personal thing. It takes all sorts to both write and read.

I’m currently reading a book based on letters sent to her mother from a young woman working on a farm in the early 1950s. She found her letters in her Mother’s possessions twenty years after she died and used them as an aide memoir to put together a book about her early working life on a farm in Herefordshire. I just stumbled across this book and I’m surprised by how fascinating it is. A wonderful first hand account of country life just after the war. I wish someone had kept all the letters I wrote in the 1970s although I doubt I could cobble together something as good as this book.

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Wow. That's fabulous NotTooOld.
I'm sure those writing gifts for your family will be treasured.
I haven't looked into the publishing on Amazon thing - haven't written anything long enough yet anyway - but I've seen people who have done really quite well that way.

I'm currently writing my fifth novel. I write in the mornings after I've done the usual chores. Four of my novels have been about the same characters although new ones do come along from time to time. I have loved writing since I was a child and have occasionally had something published in a magazine. I was also lucky in having a career where I could utilise my writing skills.

I have never sent my novels off to try their luck with publishers but I would like to try self publishing with Kindle if it did not seem so extremely complicated - or if I could get someone to do it for me. I agree with the poster who said writing is the easy bit and it is what comes after (publishing, generating publicity, marketing) that is difficult.

When my grandchildren were little I wrote books for them and in the lockdown I wrote them a serialised adventure story, sending them a chapter a week, which they said they enjoyed.

A few years ago I wrote a family history book (about our family). I had copies printed and presented it to family members at Christmas. It was well received and I loved writing it. I'm planning another one based on my father's diaries when I get round to it.

I have sent short stories and poems off to PF, having first read their guidelines, of course (they are very prescriptive). I was shocked that in the case of the short stories I received e-mailed rejections almost by return, ie on the same day as I submitted them. I heard later that they do this at times when they are inundated with submissions. They also kept a poem for eight months before rejecting it. We writers need to have thick skins!

I've been reading People's Friend for a while now, since it was mentioned on this thread. I must say it is more to my taste than some of the others I tried. Not sure I'll ever be able to write to their standard but I am enjoying the read.

That's fantastic AussieGran. I'm in awe.
Wow, you too OldScallop. So much talent.

Sorry, I somehow lost the thread for a while.

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Excellent advice.

Yes - I started writing in my 60s and self published 6 novels, which still sell occasionally on Amazon KDP. A couple have won small accolades and did OK when first published. Hoping to get back into it with a third in my most successful series so far.

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There's notbing 'just' about easy reading Aveline - it brings pleasure and escape to a lot of people. You might have had a bit of luck along the way but people wouldn't buy them if they didn't have plenty of appeal in their own right. And the fact you published a second book which people bought shows they must have liked the first. Same with People's Friend, lots of people buy and enjoy it so you must be doing something right. I'd love to read one of your stories but don't want to 'out' you on GN. Perhaps you'd like to DM me a title so I could get one?

Serendipity22 wrote ^ I have had them all printed^.

Can you say something about that please?

Thanks MawTheMerrier I enjoyed writing them. I still like to disappear into that old world and PF have bought quite a few new chapters over the last wee while. I'm deep in writing another story about that institution just now.

I’m pretty certain that there is a GNer called MaryGrand (her user name and pen name) who is a very successful author.
I bought one of her books (‘The House Party’ on Kindle) after ‘meeting’ her on here (haven’t read it yet though )

I really enjoyed your books Aveline - they recalled a world and an institution I had happy memories of!

My books are just easy reading. I have had several fluky episodes of luck and meeting the right person at the right time.
As I said, writing is the easy part, it's the next bit that's most difficult.

That's fantastic Aveline. What genre are your novels?

Oh, that is marvellous Aveline.
Luck? Methinks you are too modest!

It's not a secret ixion! I've also had two novels published. A kind person in publishing attended my first book launch and contacted the editor of PF. Result was that I was asked to send in a sample story. I sent two and they bought them both. Many stories later I still submit the odd one if a story occurs to me. I really appreciate the luck I had.

Aveline

I write for the People's Friend. Anyone can. Their submission guidelines are available. Just Google them.

Ah.
Thanks for the confirmation!

That's fabulous seredipity22. I must admit, I find the writing process really therapeutic and a wonderful way to dig deep and understand myself and the world on a whole new level.

I write for the People's Friend. Anyone can. Their submission guidelines are available. Just Google them.