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I’ve been toying with this idea for a while now, and figured I’d finally throw it out here – has anyone here ever written and actually published their own book? I’m not talking about some ghostwritten business eBook or crypto whitepaper (though that counts in its own way, I guess), but more like a personal project – stories, essays, maybe even poetry or fiction? Something that really came from you.

Lately I’ve felt this weird urge to pull all the scattered texts I’ve written over the years together – some are half-finished, some are just thoughts that never made it past the note app stage. But I keep wondering: what does it take to turn all that into something real? Like, how do you go from idea to book without totally losing steam halfway through?

I’ve read about self-publishing, or doing a small print run with local presses, but I’d love to hear real experiences. Did you do it all yourself? Hire someone? How did you even know when it was done?

And maybe most importantly: how did it feel? To hold the thing in your hands, or to send it out into the world? Was it worth the hassle?

Would love to hear your takes – no matter if you’ve published once or ten times, or if you’re still stuck somewhere in chapter two. Let’s talk.

I didn't so I haven't but, I am planning this for a long time but I just can't execute it.

How about by just writing it and looking for the steps and guidelines on how you'd do it.

I think that I've seen some guidelines from udemy or such websites on how to publish one. As long as you've got your write up already, publishing will be easy but of course it comes some investment on your side to pay for the publisher.

It's also likely that the publishers can help you by giving some idea, I haven't contacted any though.

Well I do think I did have a very interesting life when I was a kid. It was not a good life but I do have alot of memories I do think I will want to tell some people about them 1 day.
But there is sites on the internet that will publish for you. I have not looked into that alot but the 1 I did find was called Pine Book Publishing.  https://pinebookpublishing.com/

if you can find a very interesting and entertaining way of telling the story i am sure it can sell as i am sure that a lot of people would relate to childhood stories if that is what you are talking about

either way telling a story that you remember from when you were a child can be very intriguing to readers as we think and feel differently at the time
accessible but would probably take an awful lot amount of money and people do not have the time to actually write a full book and also not rich enough to publish one

Yes, I have published several articles. But that has to do with my work at university, so I'm not writing any personal stories. You don't have to be particularly creative. You are given a topic and then have to write something about it.

I can well understand that. I think it's the same with every hobby. At some point you want to take the next step. If you run, you want to take part in a marathon at some point, if you paint, you want to exhibit your paintings,...
I would look for help. There are writing courses or you can take lessons from authors. Some publishers also offer writing workshops (Novum publishing,...) or you can look for courses at universities.

It's difficult to find a publisher. Many switch to self-publishing or get help from service publishers. You could also get a literary agent involved. The alternatives to a traditional publisher are certainly becoming more and more popular because it is so difficult to find a publisher. You have to see which option is best for you.

I can only talk about the professional perspective. Some articles get a better response, some a worse one. But I have to do it. I'm certainly proud when colleagues approach me about certain articles. That's where the best conversations between colleagues come from. That also helps you move forward. But I don't see it as the main part of my job. That's why I focus on other things. That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy some of it or that I wouldn't be proud of my work.
But I think it's difficult to compare that with personal stories, novels, autobiographies,...

What's stopping you?

I think that I've seen some guidelines from udemy or such websites on how to publish one. .
[/quote]
I'm glad you mentioned it, I'd forgotten about it before.
You can also simply search for help on YouTube. There is really good help there for all kinds of areas.
You'll also find a few blogs that can help you.
Podcasts have also become increasingly popular recently. You could also find help there. Although the focus here is certainly on book reviews. But you will also be able to find discussions about literature.

Writing a book is a rewarding but challenging journey. Gathering your writings is a great start! Self-publishing gives control, but an editor helps. You’ll never truly feel “done,” but holding the final book is worth it. If you’re feeling the urge, go for it—you won’t regret it!

Time maybe. Real world problems that I have to deal with and that's what makes me stop me from doing.

Yeah, there are so many resources that you can check out that shall guide you in publishing one.

All you need to do is to gather them all or whichever covers the entire thing for the instructions that you need. It might take time but as long as you're encouraged to do that, you'll be able to do it.

Try it, good luck to you. Maybe you'll make some money from it.

@boyptc: Totally get what you mean with “planning for a long time but can’t execute” – same boat here, to be honest. Life keeps getting in the way, and even when I sit down with the best intentions, something always pulls me out of the zone. I guess it’s that combo of wanting it to be good and not knowing where to start that slows me down. Curious, though – if you did get the time, what would your book be about?

@Fretum: Appreciate the detailed reply. Your point about this being like a natural “next step” in a hobby hit me right in the gut – never thought of it like that, but yes, that’s exactly the itch I’m trying to scratch. That mix of pride and self-doubt, you know? I hadn’t thought much about writing courses, but now I’m tempted. Do you think it helps more with structure or with staying motivated?

@mich: Childhood stories can be powerful stuff – especially if you can weave them into something relatable. Don’t underestimate your experience just because it wasn’t easy. Often, that’s where the truth lives.

@DediRock: Thanks for that encouragement – and yeah, the “never really done” part feels very real already. I keep tweaking things endlessly. Maybe the trick is to just set it free at some point and let go?

You know that feeling right?  ;D

Maybe an autobiography type, life experiences, some life hacks, what I've figured out. So, that's pretty much it and it will circulate to what I've been through.

The worst and the best of my life's journey.

Absolutely, I do know that feeling. That tug-of-war between ideas and reality – and the gap in between where time disappears. An autobiography with life hacks and real moments though? That actually sounds like something people would really want to read. Honest, raw, and a bit reflective – I’d pick that up over another polished “how-to” any day. Sometimes sharing what you've been through helps someone else figure out where they’re going. Have you ever tried just recording voice notes when things come to mind? Sometimes speaking feels easier than writing – and you can shape it later.

alot of people want to start but dont know how to start. EG they dont even know what the story will end up being but want to worry about do they start with "once upon a time" or other beginning. and how to introduce characters

.
whats sometimes best is forget the start.

just ponder a story you want to tell like a simple 1 sentance overview

"a boy is kidnapped and raised by space aliens"

then break it up into parts

"the boys family life"
"the event"
"the transition from foe to friend"
"growing up"
"the conclusion"

then keep expanding each part to be more descriptive, more detailed
you dont have to start with the start. if you have idea's for details of the mid section. add it to the mid section
build the story up from within
that way you have many places to start coming up with idea's for, instead of one position(the start)

that way you can think of surprises/plot twists in the mid section. which you can then subtly add to the beginning which go unnoticed at the beginning for readers, but then when the mid surprise is read, causing readers to realise 'omg so thats what the beginning was on about' which adds more entertainment and makes it more interesting
EG
adding to start. "the boy walks passed a man with a limp, on his way home" (no other mentions of man with limp so its dropped as a non-important narrative/thought/observation)
but later in the book you write "the alien has an accident while using the time machine to stalk his prey, he breaks his leg stepping into the machine"
and now your like 'omg he was stalking the boy at the start, it was the alien that walked passed the boy at the start'

..
so yea dont try to write a book in logical order. doont try thinking of surprises and plot twists in start to finish order.
develop the book in sections adding detail in different parts which you can then edit other parts to reference to add more detail to other parts to create the plot twist from the mid point backwards

once you have the content, you can then re-read the book and then change a few words to be more embellishing, emotional
EG instead of just "boy", change it to "the lad who loves to chuckle"
EG instead of just "mother", change it to "the well dressed, beautiful, huggable woman to whom he calls mom"

---

a life hacks book, has no flow of narrative, so can be better as its just a collective list of things to try. however making it interesting requires learning some synonyms and using a thesaurus to change words to make them more interesting to the reader, adding some jokes or context to keep the reader entertained aswell without going off-message
ordering the life hacks into a chain of idea's that are most useful but not ruining the good stuff just at the start to bore people with useless stuff at the end
so deciding which order to put the life hacks in sometimes is the tough part
but sometimes the easiest part. EG categorising them "tips for boys(children), tips for men(adults)"

---

as for publishing. to even get to a full production with a publisher, usually you need to do a small self funded batch to have copies to send to publishers. even if its just 100. heck you can keep 50 as a limited 'first writers draft' edition to auction off when the book goes mainstream via a mass publisher. but mass publishers like to see your book and read it to be interested in taking you on as a client. which requires you having a few copies ready to give them to have their team read/vet your quality

also if you mock up a book cover and self do a small print run. as oppose to whitepapering it with a paper clip to mainstream publishers.. you can trick publishers into getting more invested by saying you are open to them changing the book cover and critique, so they then actually not just read it and bin it. but start thinking of how they will control the presentation and thus you cause them to get more interested in and invested in

where as just whitepapering it. they have to first enjoy the book to see potential and then scratch their design brains to think of how to present it.

its one of those reverse psychology tricks

November in the USA has something known as nanowrimo. National Novel Writing Month.

https://nanowrimo.org/

I tried for multiple years to participate and write a 50,000 word novel inside of 31 days of november.

The best I've done is to get 5'ish words down.

Maybe this year is the year.

@franky1: That was honestly the most unexpectedly useful breakdown I’ve read in a long time – thank you for laying it so clearly out. That idea of not starting from the beginning kind of hit me in the best way. I’ve definitely gotten stuck trying to write “the perfect first line” while the rest just floats shapeless in my brain. Starting with a sentence like “a boy is kidnapped and raised by space aliens” and building out from there? That flips everything for me.

Also, this whole concept of planting small details early that pay off later – I love that kind of structure as a reader, but I never thought I could engineer it as a writer. Do you think that kind of “backward foreshadowing” works just as well in nonfiction or memoir-style writing too? Or is that more a fiction trick?

And re: your publishing advice – super smart. I hadn’t even considered the psychology angle of handing publishers something physical and “almost ready,” just to draw them in. Did you (or someone you know) actually try this approach with a print mockup? Curious how it played out in practice – especially whether it helped spark any real publisher engagement.

@Hydrogen: Respect for trying NaNoWriMo even once, let alone multiple years. I’ve stared at that 50,000 word target and immediately retreated into making coffee instead.  ;D What usually stops you – time, motivation, or just not knowing where the story’s going? And… any chance 2025 is finally your year? If so, maybe we start a micro-accountability thread here? Just sayin’.

Raw with your personal experience seems to be the interest of people. I don't know but it looks like this idea is what is on the mind of most people.

We're interested to know how other people went through thick and thin and how they are storytelling their life experiences and what we can learn from that.

Yeah, I tried it but just for a few times.

Never had an outline I liked enough to develop.

I'd be down for micro accountability thread 100%.

Yeah I actually went through that process last year and it was one of the most challenging but rewarding things I’ve ever done Mine was a mix of essays and personal reflections nothing too polished but it felt honest I did most of it myself from editing to designing the cover and used a self publishing platform.It took a lot of pushing through uncertainty particularly in the middle when I felt like none of it mattered but completing it provided me a form of closure I didn’t foresee 
Holding the first copy felt surreal like all those scattered thoughts had found a home I’d say it’s completely worth it even if only one person reads it and connects with your words

If you’re experiencing the desire to create then go for it You don’t need a faultless plan simply start bringing the parts together and trust the process

If it's a hobby and you're not just doing it because it's a ‘job’, then the most important aspect is the journey.
Writing should also give you something. Normally, it's a kind of balance to stressful everyday life, you can forget everything and let your thoughts run free.
The journey is certainly worth much more than the result.

You are happy to take the time if it brings you something. You also benefit from it.
You can assume that you're interested in writing and literature, so you're happy to put in the time.
As long as that's the case, you should give it a go. It just shouldn't become a burden and you shouldn't stress yourself out.

This point is likely to come up for many people. You are not sure whether you should run your first marathon, whether you should really take part in a competition,.... When you've jumped in at the deep end, you often think to yourself, it's not that bad, I should have done it much earlier. These concerns are usually unfounded.

I think such courses can also show you that you're ready for it. When you get feedback from other authors or you get good reviews for your stories and writing style, it takes away those doubts we're talking about.
Courses or exercises could be the final push you need. As long as it's not the motivating words here in the forum :)

@boyptc: Yeah, it’s wild how drawn people are to real-life stuff that’s unfiltered. Like, even when it’s messy or quiet, if it feels lived, it sticks. Your point about learning from other people’s stories really hit. That’s the kind of reading I crave too – someone putting it out there without smoothing all the edges.

@Hydrogen: I feel that on the outline. I keep changing mine every time I open the doc, which basically means I never get past the early chapters. But alright, let’s do this micro accountability thing. Could even keep it super low pressure – like one-liner check-ins: “Wrote 120 words and hated 90 of them.” Still counts. What would your ideal story feel like, if you didn’t need a perfect outline first?

@Theupdude: Really appreciate you sharing that – especially that bit about it not being polished but feeling honest. That’s the energy I want to hold on to. I’ve been so caught up in shaping it into “a book” that I forget it’s allowed to be raw and incomplete before it finds form. The part about closure resonated big time too. Did you hit a point where you almost quit – or were you able to push through without too much second-guessing?

@Fretum: That metaphor with the marathon got me. Like, you’re absolutely right – half the hesitation is just standing on the edge of the pool, looking at the water. And I love how you framed writing as something that should give something back to you. That’s probably what I’m trying to reclaim – letting it be a balance, not another pressure point. Quick question though: have you taken a course yourself that really helped shift your perspective or flow? Would love a recommendation if any stood out.

Yeah, that's the joy in it when it takes time and you're enjoying it because that's part of the process.

I guess that's all natural for most of us and we want to know what happens to someone's life and what we can learn from it.

The beauty of that expression of an author is really amazing sent to the readers.

Ah, I’m so glad the marathon metaphor landed – it’s wild how much energy gets spent just hovering at the edge, right? That internal build-up before we even begin. And yes, totally with you on reclaiming that balance. When writing starts to feel like just another obligation, it loses the very thing that drew us to it in the first place. I’ve been trying to notice when it gives me energy versus when it drains me – not to judge it, but just to adjust how I approach it.
As for courses – yes! I’ve taken a few, but one that really shifted something for me was a generative writing workshop led by a poet who focused less on polish and more on process. It was such a relief. We were encouraged to write messily, with zero pressure to “finish” anything. That freedom unlocked a lot. If you're looking for something similar, I’d recommend checking out classes through places like Catapult, novum publishing, or even local writing centers or further education centres. Sometimes it’s less about the content and more about the vibe – finding spaces that feel generous and low-stakes. There is also a lot of help online. Youtube is full of tips, there is also a lot of good help. It's worth a look.

And that, for me, is the difference between a hobby and a job.
With a hobby, you do it voluntarily, but you have to do the work. That's not to say that work can't be fun, but there's more pressure behind it.
You should see writing as a hobby for as long as you can, even if you're a professional author, it shouldn't get to the point where you have to write. You can write and enjoy it.
If you enjoy it, the result will be much better.

@boyptc: Exactly – there's something kind of beautiful about that slow, stubborn process, right? Like, even the frustrating parts are part of what makes it feel real. I guess that's why life stories resonate so much – because they're messy, incomplete, and still moving forward. It's wild to think that something so personal can reach across to someone else just because you decided to put it into words. Have you already thought about whether you'd structure it chronologically, or more like little snapshots from different stages?

@Fretum: Your whole post hit me at such a weirdly perfect time – it’s funny how sometimes you know something deep down, but you only realize it fully when someone else says it out loud. I really needed that reminder that it’s okay to write messily, to not polish every word while it’s still being born. I love the way you framed it – finding spaces that are “generous and low-stakes.” That’s honestly the energy I want to stay in.

The workshop you mentioned sounds amazing, btw. Were the sessions more freeform, like pure writing time, or did they build in small exercises to help push past blocks?

And about the other places you mentioned for courses – when you looked for local centers or adult education stuff, did you find it helpful right away or was it more trial and error? Would love to know what made a good course “feel right” for you.

Also when you said YouTube was worth checking out – were there any specific kinds of videos that actually helped you? Like, more motivational talks, or super practical stuff on techniques and mindset? And you're so right: when writing feels like a duty instead of a choice, the whole thing tightens up.

Keeping it in the “hobby heart” even if you dream bigger – that's such a good way to put it. Quick side thought: have you ever stumbled onto a moment mid-writing where you suddenly felt that joy coming back, even just for a random paragraph or line? Like a little spark reminding you why you started?

yep, each word can then be expanded on until each word becomes paragraphs or chapters
you dont need to start at the start, begin by describing the 'aliens' or the 'kidnapped'.. basically whatever idea comes to mind

when it comes to memoirs, you can start with today and remember events that lead upto today. then put things in chronological order
some good memoirs actually do begin in their books with a brief description of how today turned out because.. [lead into childhood memory]


it works in many genre's, if not to add depth to story but also a writing aid, if you add a detail mid memoir it can remind you of an earlier event that lead to the detail so then you can go nearer the start and fill in the trigger, which then adds more depth at the start, and .. back to the readers point of view can then aid the overall explanation/experience


they got more call backs with critique and advice more so than plain paper, typewriter style
cant remember if their books ended up in shops, but they did tell me it got them to atleast get more calls


more advice about publishers
some small publishers are just scammers. they will demand you to hire their editors, hire their illustrators, hire some sales dude, ask you to front a small print run, pretend they approached the big stores but then something went wrong(after you paid because they pretended your book was going to go on best seller chart, if you just....pay)
so research publishers you pick, get reviews

It all comes down to themes, like:

----------------------------------------------------

If democracy dies in darkness, does evil also meet its end if it steps into the light?

----------------------------------------------------

“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires.
Seek discipline and find your liberty.”

----------------------------------------------------

While you may not fear death.

What you do fear.

Is change.

----------------------------------------------------

Immortality

Mechanisms behind biological longevity could be genetically linked to conditions of causality which may be defined and identified by empirical science.

Leading to conditions of cause and effect with interesting implications.

----------------------------------------------------


I'll try to come up with a theme I like ^.

Then build an outline and story around it.

But if it resembles something that has already been done, I'll give up on it.

While portions of the story might seem unusual. I would like people to feel better about themselves, after reading it.

You should only pay for what you really need.
I would also like to emphasise quite clearly here that if you are looking for an editor, etc., then you have to pay for it. Many people believe that everything has to be free and as soon as it costs something, you don't need it any more. It's not like that. If you self-publish, you have to take care of everything yourself. Of course, a professional editor, graphic designer,... would also want to be paid for their work. That's not a scam.
I think this should be communicated clearly, this prejudice is widespread among many people.
You have to make a clear distinction between the black sheep in the industry. Just because you pay money for a service doesn't mean it's a scam.

I find that if I search for an author I really like, and find a section in one of his/her books that is terrific, if I write out in longhand about a dozen of the pages 36 times, I automatically can write like him/her for a while.

8)

@franky1: That whole idea of not starting at the beginning keeps bouncing around in my head. Like – yeah. Why do we act like the first line has to be the thesis of our soul? Half my favorite books don’t even hit their stride until chapter four. And that bit about starting from today and letting memory pull things backward? That really stuck with me. Especially for memoir-style stuff – it just feels truer to how our minds actually work. I also loved your take on planting small seeds mid-story and using them to enrich earlier sections later on. That’s the kind of structure that feels invisible to the reader but anchors everything emotionally. Wild how memory and narrative kind of mirror each other there.

The publishing angle – so smart. I wouldn’t have thought showing up with something that looks like a book already could make such a difference, but of course it would. And yeah, it’s kind of sad how many shady “publishers” prey on that dream. Appreciate you spelling it out. Notes taken.

@Hydrogen: I keep coming back to your themes. Honestly, they hit like questions I haven’t figured out how to ask myself yet. That “Seek freedom and become captive...” line? Feels like it could carry a whole collection. Maybe even without a conventional story. Like a series of connected thoughts orbiting a core truth. That’s the kind of structure I’m drawn to lately – less plot, more pull. I also get that itch to scrap a thing when it feels too “done before.” But maybe originality lives more in tone than idea. And I get the sense your tone has its own lane.

@Fretum: So true what you said about cost not always meaning scam. It’s weird – some people will drop 1k on a laptop without blinking, but expect editing to cost fifty bucks. If someone’s helping shape your voice, they deserve to be paid. That said, yeah: not everyone charging is legit. Your point about separating grifters from professionals is important. I think I needed to hear that right now, honestly.

@BADecker: Never tried handwriting like that, but now I’m super tempted. Curious – did it make your own voice clearer, or just temporarily shift into theirs?

You are individually you. It only lasts for a time. But the longer you try to make it a part of you, the more success you will have at changing yourself permanently.

8)

if your self publishing(finding a printing company) (finding a independent editor) then yes obviously all costs come on you. to do the edit, illustration, print and distribute

however if a publishing company show interest of making your book where your pitching them to take you on under their label and they want a cut of the profits then they should take on the costs. especially if its using their own inhouse talent to edit, illustrate and such

this is usually where they cover the costs to get your book into stores fully production ready, and they take the rest of the profit to cover their upfront costs after you take a royalty. if they see your story is very intriguing or is worthy of a series of books. they would also offer you a stipend to cover your living costs whilst you further develop your story

but yes there is a big different between a publishing company vs a self print self publishing model

---

the biggest emphasis is some people that want to self publish try to find volunteer editors and make fake promises of % of profits later. however this is where the book writer is trying to scam independant editors. because many scam book writers just want to abuse other skilled eople for a one time use with fake promises of ongoing royalty.. so just make things simple pay for the time you use

I'm thinking of writing a book about a serial killer who hunts cyclists - the ones wearing faggy-tights.

It will be based on real events, I've already got a title: "Satisfaction", it will be a bestseller.
Right before the hit-and-run, he'll loudly play the 'Jaws' theme music.

https://i.postimg.cc/Gt0nkSMs/1.jpg

I thought too long and just started.

I kept going until i was done and it took me exactly 8 hours

I felt very good and I actually did it.

The sales were worth it too, however, after a while you no longer get sales so you have to think of a new book or new platforms to sell at

Yes, I have written many poems, my writing experience was great, although no book has been published about the poems yet, but I have many poems written by myself in my collection.

I published my first novel in 2017. It was a fantasy one, and the feeling was very good when I received my author copy. I also had it when I published two more after that, but then you may face certain life issues and make choices about whether it is worth continuing to do that. You need to take into account how much time it takes you to write regularly, and how much time you have left to spend with your family and to make a living. I have already published eight novels, six of them in print with traditional publishing houses, two were self-published. Before those novels, I published short stories in printed magazines. The feeling when you hold magazines/books with your first stories is great, you really feel high. But it fades away gradually, at least for me.

I've written three books so far, fourth in the works.  The first is collecting digital dust on my harddrive, the second and third didnt get a publisher so went on Amazon, and the fourth is slowly coming along.

""Like, how do you go from idea to book without totally losing steam halfway through?""

I discovered the answer to this early in my second book.  It's all about the outline.  The outline is the fun part.  You can do it in two or three days if you have most of the story worked out. It doesn't keep you from losing steam later (that happens to everyone) but it gives you clear direction.  For example, "today I'm going to write the chapter where dude breaks his leg snowboarding, simply stepping off the ski lift".

Hello everyone, I am Amelajhone. I am a new user here, and I am eager to learn more and gain knowledge through the discussions.

Any luck selling your self-published books on Amazon then? Are you doing any marketing on social media or running ad campaigns on Amazon? My book was marked as one having a sensitive topic, so Amazon has banned me from doing any advertising on it.

In my opinion, writing a book is unlikely to justify the time spent on it. The current reality is that in just 5-6 years, artificial intelligence will be able to create works of the level of Shakespeare or Dickens in seconds, if someone needs it. Young people, 15-25 years old, today practically refuse not only long texts, but even videos longer than a few minutes. I think that in the near future, completely new forms of art will appear that will be associated with the virtualization of sensory perception through the organic fusion of human memories and impressions with the generative power of artificial intelligence. It seems to me that a creative person will be able to find success in this direction. No matter how fantastic it may seem now, the future is coming very quickly.

Not really.  A few hundred apiece.

I think it's because people don't differentiate between the publishing variants. For them, self-publishing must be as free as if they had been published by a traditional publisher. You don't realise what the publisher is actually investing in you.
The result is that many unedited books with photos from the last holiday are published. Just because you can choose a cover picture yourself and a friend who is good at grammar can correct the mistakes for free.
So you don't have to be surprised if nobody reads the book.


Basically, as an author you always pay. The only question is whether you pay before or after publication. Of course, your own financial risk is lowest if you are published by a traditional publisher.
Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities there. That's why more and more people are opting for self-publishing and service publishers are becoming increasingly popular. I don't know what the situation is with literary agents; they are more common in the English-speaking world and are not yet so widespread in Europe. At least as far as I know.

It's like everywhere else in life, if you need (professional) help, you have to pay for it. Of course, you can also look around to see if you can get it cheaper. If you have a friend in the industry or know people in this field privately, it's probably easier. Some people also offer to do things for you via social media.

@BADecker: That idea of temporarily writing like someone else to find a rhythm? I’ve never tried it that systematic, but now I’m genuinely tempted. Kind of like jazz practice – imitate, improvise, integrate. Maybe the voice you’re trying to find shows up more clearly once it’s bounced off a few others. Have you ever felt like the borrowed voice bled into your own in a good way?

@franky1: Your breakdown of the publishing paths is gold – especially the nuance between self-printing and being signed under a label. I keep reading horror stories of “vanity publishers” who basically sell hope, not books. But the idea that real publishers should invest first if they believe in a work? Yes. And that stipend concept? Totally forgot that was even a thing. Makes me wonder: what would be enough for you to say yes to a deal – full rights, partial rights, creative freedom?

@MeGold666: That book concept is... honestly wild. Morally tricky, sure – but if you're serious, the execution will decide everything. Dark satire has its space. But yeah, title’s got bite. Have you started a draft or still playing with the idea?

@wez: Respect. Eight hours from start to finish? That’s a clarity most of us only dream of. Did you go in with a detailed plan or just start typing and see where it took you? And what platform worked best for you afterward?

@Bluedrem: Would love to hear more about your poetry – what themes you explore, what sparked that journey. Have you ever thought about publishing a chapbook, or are the poems more for yourself?

@tekowe: Makes total sense – we all lean on tools. Was there a point where using those tools actually helped you write something that felt more you, oddly enough?

@Antol8133: That balance between writing and life is real. Eight novels is no joke. Did your writing rhythm shift more because of time constraints or motivation ebbing after a few publications?

@OrangeCoinGood: You said it – the outline really is the anchor. I used to resist planning, but now even just sketching the next 3–4 chapters gives me something to swim toward. How do you keep the process fun when the initial thrill starts to dip?

@Bitconsum: Appreciate the broader view – but I’m still convinced that what makes writing matter is less speed, more resonance. If someone finds a line and feels seen, even in a sea of AI text, that connection still counts. Would be curious though – do you still write creatively at all, or have you shifted to other forms?

@Fretum: You nailed something there. The expectation of free help for a deeply human, skilled process like editing says a lot about how people misunderstand books. It’s not just “typing well,” it’s shaping meaning. That line about paying either before or after? Perfectly said. What’s your own experience been so far – more with self-pub or traditional? And have you ever collaborated with an editor who really got your work from the first draft?

full rights are ideal if you think your story is possibly good enough to maybe become a movie, because you get money from movie deal. where as partial rights is more so just like a royalty on the book deal but they own the rights to any other things like movies, audio books and such. so its upto you to think about the future of your story. is it just a novelty book thing or an intriguing story that has enough action/suspense that it can entertain movie watchers

..
as for other idea's for developing your story, look locally for book clubs/readers clubs. get people whom you dont know nor related to, to read your book and get some real critique. also use them as a thinktank of experts if the book is unfinished, ask them where they see the direction of the book going, eg further character development or how they'd want the story to end
usually book club people have already read dozens of books of your genre so they'd know what works or not, and whats been repeated too many times in other books, that its become boring.. so ask them genuine questions like 'what would be an un-expectant plot twist or ending to make your book be better than others like it'
even with creative freedom, dont fear asking for feedback. you can always just not include it after they tell you. so no harm in asking

@planingkoala
It shifted because regular writing took longer every day, along with the increasing amount of work I needed to do to earn cash. The time I could spend with my family shrank drastically. Besides, I didn't earn much from those published books. It wasn't only about the money, but the fewer books you sell, the fewer people read them and can appreciate your stories. That was the problem. It was pretty discouraging. But I continue to write.

@franky1: That’s exactly the kind of clarity I wish someone had told me earlier – the part about thinking beyond the book itself. I used to see full rights as just some technical detail, but yeah, if there’s even the slightest chance the story could live on in another form, why hand that away too easily? And your take on book clubs really made me think. I’ve always hesitated to bring unfinished stuff to strangers, but the way you framed it – not just as readers, but as a thinktank with lived genre experience – that actually sounds kind of brilliant. Asking them what hasn’t been done too often… that’s a way better question than “do you like it.” Have you ever seen someone really change the direction of their book based on that kind of group input?

@Antol8133: That balance you talked about – writing, family, the money side, the energy drain – it’s so real. I really felt that line about how fewer readers means fewer chances for your work to mean something to someone. It’s not even about fame, just about resonance. And yeah, it gets heavy when the return isn’t there. But the fact you still write says a lot. Do you still have moments when it feels like you're writing toward something – a future reader, a version of yourself – or is it more like you’re writing because it’s just part of who you are at this point?

That's the rub, isn't it?  I have no ideas.  I just kind of forced myself to write every night before bed.  Sometimes I'd only do a few lines, but sometimes I'd get into a groove and write for hours.  I'd get a spark and off I'd go.

before getting too excited about possibilities of turning book into movie, the book needs to get enough interest from readers. so take advice from book lovers.. but then add enough extra emotion/imagery to the words that people could or want to visualise it, which can create the demand to want to see it as a movie

you might even, when you think you have finished, decide to take the story but convert it into a movie script, which may reveal where the story is weak or strong to help emphasise where you can add or remove detail in the book to garner more interest from book readers, to draw demand to make it into a movie
(you separately write book in a way that's ready to make a movie out of it.. which publishers also notice and see $$ signs of possibility)


personally me in regards to book clubs, no. but others i spoke with have
but the advice applies to all industries. if you are a chef and you get a group of experienced food tasters, instead of asking them if they like it, asking them whats different to the norm about it. whats been made too often a certain way.. same with clothing

when comfortable with a book group you could even just show them a pivotal scene/paragraph/chapter but wrote in several different styles, to ask their preference.. much like cooking pasta 4 different ways to get food tasters preference for best recipe

when it comes to writing a book it can be as simple as being told that certain adjectives are used too often and told to just use a thesaurus or synonym index to find better words that provoke different emotion/mental imagery for the same scene. they may not be asking to change the story, just how the words hit them in their hearts and minds better.

never fear asking for advice from others, big industry do it as standard. even in the movie industry, they do test screenings before releasing a final edit to theatres
even if a movie is based on a book they still test screen the movie to see if the directors cut is entertaining or needs further work
(everyone knows the story of snow white, but it went through many changes and edits before the recent 2025 movie release, they tried to be too different(woke) initially)
(everyone knows batmans origin story, but look at how many movies of batman have different levels of emotion.. from comical to dark-knight)

simply changing the adjectives changes the emotion imagery, which can be the difference to a unsold book, to best seller, to adapted for screenplay
EG when saying "the boy walks passed a man with a limp"
it can be changed in many ways
"the boy crept by a stranger with a limp"
all the way to
"as the youngster strides like a king down his street, a frail shadowy figure hobbled by in the opposite direction"
..

its all part of story development.. dont fear it
the movie industry is a great example of story development: test screenings, edits, re-writes, re-shoots.. so if a billionaire movie industry doesnt fear getting advice from interest groups. nor should you fear getting advice
dont take it as critique take it as a thinktank exercise to maximise the entertainment value of your story

@planingkoala, It's kind of both and I'm still enjoying it.

@franky1: Absolutely – that landed hard in the best possible way.

It’s funny, I used to think writing meant protecting a story like it was this fragile thing – like, don’t touch it, don’t poke holes in it, don’t even look at it until it’s “done.” But what you’re saying flips that completely. It’s not about shielding it – it’s about letting it breathe in front of people who actually know how stories move. And yeah, maybe the first draft limps a bit, but so what? Limping can still get you somewhere if you pay attention to the terrain.

The bit about asking what’s been overdone instead of “do you like it?” – oof, that’s a sharper question than I’ve ever asked in a workshop. I’m stealing that. There’s so much more to learn from that angle – like, not just “is it good” but “what makes it stand out in a world where everyone’s already read twelve versions of this?” I guess that’s what separates resonance from redundancy.

Also: turning the story into a script to find weak spots? That’s honestly genius. I’ve never written a screenplay, but the discipline it forces – just the bare bones of action, voice, and motion – could strip away a lot of the fluff I’ve been clinging to. Maybe even stuff I thought was poetic, but is really just fog.

And the thing about adjectives? Guilty as charged. I swear, I must’ve used “tired” twelve times in one chapter. Not even in different ways. Just… tired. The character was tired. The light was tired. I was tired. I needed a damn thesaurus and a wake-up call. So thanks for this little reality-check-without-the-condescension. It hit right.

Honestly, all of this makes me want to go back to that one scene I thought was finished and read it like I’m prepping it for an audience of ten strangers with no reason to lie to me. If it stumbles, I’d rather know now than after it’s in print.

So yeah – not fearing the feedback. Not treating the story like porcelain. More like clay. Let it get messy. Let it get better. Thanks for handing me that lens. It’s staying on my desk.

I don't think it's just about books, that also shows the attitude nowadays. People often believe they are entitled to everything. They don't want to do anything for it, and of course they don't pay for it or pay as little as possible. But of course they do take the benefits, they are supposedly entitled to them.
People don't see or don't want to see the work behind a success. It's often a long and rocky road. But others don't get to see all the setbacks and all the work. As a result, many people assume it's easy.

I have published many articles in connection with my work, but you can't compare that with a novel. It's a completely different process. I no longer have to worry about a publisher. People come to me and want an article on a certain topic. The process is completely different in the academic field.

That line about people wanting the benefits without effort? Couldn’t agree more. Feels like everyone loves the result but skips the climb. And yeah, when something looks easy, folks assume it was easy. Nobody sees the drafts that never made it or the nights you sat there, stuck between two half-sentences.

Your academic writing sounds like a totally different rhythm. Like, when people ask for a text, that must shift the pressure, right? Less guessing, more delivering. Do you still tweak endlessly, or does the structure help you let go sooner?

Also – when you write without that academic frame, do you ever catch yourself editing too cleanly, too soon? I wonder if switching voices like that reshapes how we write without us noticing.

choose a scene of interest and just record yourself narrating it. then watch/listen to it. see where it appears like you need to force yourself to emphasis things, where the word plainly spoken does not convey the importance of the story, but your brain knows its of importance. where you need to use your vocals to push the words further..(like a subtle nudge/wink to the audience that they need to be aware a detail) then adjust those words to be pushy by themselves by changing the words

reciting the story to yourself vocally not only prepares you for any speaking engagements but also lets you hear the story in a different format(instead of written paper) and allows you to hear if its even good enough for a audiobook.. because lets face it not many people have time to sit still and read, they prefer to listen to audiobooks while at the gym or work or doing home chores. so it can help prepare the story for audiobook format

if your book was to be made into audiobook format, and a publisher hired a narrator. your story should be readable that a narrater that does not have your vision in mind can see where the things of emphasis are, via the word play you use. so without pre-coaching a narrator about which parts to emphasis with vocal pitches/emotion/tone. try to use specific words that convey its importance to the story plot

Because you only ever see the good sides on social media. You don't see the hard work, the stress, what you had to sacrifice for it. Only the beautiful pictures are shown, how easy not everything is, how quickly it went, how easy it went,... That attracts other people and of course tempts them. You can see that in all areas (sport, losing weight, etc.). It's always portrayed as easy and that everyone can do it.
This can also cause a lot of frustration - if you can't do it even though it's supposedly easy, I can understand why many people despair. It often takes a bit more and you really have to make an effort and sacrifice a lot for success.

The pressure comes from elsewhere. I also have to publish some writings. As everyone has to and everyone has their own specialism, it all goes round in circles. I write for you, you write for me....
I've already written most of the texts and I just have to adapt them to a specific question. Then you already know what is expected of you and what you can contribute. You build up expertise over the years, and of course you live from that. It makes things a lot easier and quicker.

Of course, it makes a difference whether you have very precise guidelines as to what you should write or whether you write completely freely. These are completely different things. You learn a lot over time and can approach things much more consciously with a lot of practice. You also have to read a lot in my job, which also helps.

@franky1: That whole “read it out loud like you’re performing it” thing – yeah, I can already picture myself doing it and immediately cringing in three places I thought were “fine” before. It’s such a different filter when you hear it instead of just staring at it. And you’re right, if the line doesn’t carry its own weight without me artificially leaning on it with tone or hand gestures, then the word choice probably isn’t pulling its load.

And the audiobook angle – hadn’t even put myself in the shoes of a narrator who knows nothing about me or the story. That’s a brutal but necessary test. I like the idea of words being able to “self-direct” the performance just by how they’re built. Have you ever found a moment in your own work where just swapping one or two verbs totally shifted how the whole sentence lands when read aloud?

@Fretum: I feel that hard – social media’s endless highlight reel is the perfect recipe for unrealistic expectations. Like, the “before” never makes it into the post, only the “look at me now” version. And yeah, it’s the same in writing – nobody posts the 17 discarded drafts or the week you wrote nothing because the plot just… stopped moving.

What you said about having a bank of already-written material to adapt – that’s kind of genius. It turns “blank page” panic into “okay, what fits here?” instead of starting from zero. Do you ever feel like that speed and structure from your professional writing leaks into your free writing – like you catch yourself setting imaginary guidelines even when you don’t need to?

Also, that bit about reading a lot for your job – does that make you more critical of your own sentences, or does it loosen you up because you’ve seen so many different styles work in their own way?

Exactly. That's why many people think it's so easy, that you don't have to invest a lot of time and resources, that everything happens quickly and easily... until you realise that it's not that simple after all. Then many people despair, or they stick with it and believe that they can achieve success with little effort. You can see that in their stories, or they simply have no chance of being accepted by a publisher.
Yes, writing is certainly influenced. I find it difficult to write freely and really get creative. I have clear structures and if I'm not careful, I squeeze everything into these structures. Because I write more professionally, everything tends to go in that direction. Certainly not the best structure for a novel. 
At work, I don't really care, because it's about the content, and the faster and more accurately I get it, the better for me. There's no need for sentences that go across the whole page. I don't see myself as a literary critic either; all I can say is whether I like a style or not. And everyone has their favourite authors and authors they can't stand. No matter how good a story is, if you don't like the writing style, you just don't read the books. At least that's how it is for me.

I'm starting my outline for nanowrimo 2025 in november.

Hopefully I can get more than 5 words down this time before november ends.

@islasmith: Totally feel that – reading aloud is like shining a harsh light on stuff you thought was smooth. I’ve had lines I loved collapse the second I tried speaking them. That thing you said about outside feedback is spot on too – sometimes you’re too close to the page and all you see is what you meant, not what’s actually there. Curious, when you got that feedback, did it change the way you approached new drafts from the start, or was it more like a polishing layer after you already had a full draft?

@Fretum: I get what you mean about structure sneaking in even when you don’t want it. It’s like muscle memory – your brain defaults to what it knows. But maybe that’s not always a bad thing? Like, could those structures act as scaffolding you later break apart once the draft’s alive? And that bit about style being such a personal thing – yes. I’ve dropped books mid-way just because the rhythm didn’t click with me, even if the plot was solid. Do you ever catch yourself resisting certain writing styles just because they feel “wrong” to your trained eye, even if they’re effective for other readers?

@Hydrogen: Starting the outline early is a power move – respect. Five words last year is still five more than zero, so maybe this year’s the breakthrough. Do you see yourself actually sticking to the classic NaNoWriMo “write now, edit later” chaos, or would you still want the outline to feel polished before diving in? Also – what’s your gut telling you the theme will be this time around?

I need to feel good about the outline or I can't commit to it.

Every once in awhile I have an idea for something that might work.

In the way Michael Crichton wrote a story about dinosaur DNA being collected from prehistoric insects preserved in amber.

Sometimes, I write these ideas down and think they might make for a decent story.

Although maybe the world has too much content, data and information atm and my time would be better spent elsewhere.

Structure helps me. But when I write academic essays, I'm not trying to entertain. It's all about the facts. That can be very dry at times, but it's better to be brief and concise than too long and ultimately meaningless.
That's basically the opposite of creative writing.
So structure may help with research and planning, but I don't find it helpful when it comes to the actual writing. There is no right way to do it. Everyone is different. I always thought that longer stories in particular needed a plan. But then I read in a blog article by novum publishing that there are also authors who just start writing. In the end, it works that way too, you just have to be the type of person who can do it. I couldn't do that, I like to have a plan. You don't have to stick to it 100%, but it's good to have something that gives you structure. But not too much :)
When I write, I always slip into a rigid structure. You have to keep reminding yourself that this is creative writing and not a scientific text.
Yes, of course, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I have to make a clear distinction because you can't apply the structure of an academic text to a novel. You'd fall asleep. It's a text that wants to bring you closer to another world in a playful way. Academic texts are meant to explain and present results.

@Hydrogen: That bit about needing to feel good about the outline before diving in? Yeah, I’m with you. If it doesn’t carry a kind of tension or movement already, I end up staring at it like it’s a locked door with no key. It’s wild how sometimes a sketchy note with the right energy pulls you further than a polished plan ever could. And you’re right – there’s a lot out there, but I don’t think it’s too much. The stuff that cuts through still does. Probably because it doesn’t try to be loud – just honest.

@Fretum: That thing you said about academic rhythm sneaking in – oof, I felt that. I catch myself doing it too: suddenly there’s structure, subtext, clean transitions... and the soul of the piece starts fading out. Like you, I’ve been trying to lean into the drift. Let it get messy first. Let it wander. Weirdly, that’s when the voice feels truest. It’s not about rebelling against structure, but about remembering it’s there to serve the story – not the other way around. Thanks for naming that so clearly.

yes. however many times. just writing straight from the head without thinking, ends up with the wrong landing initially, but thats what drafts are for and proof reading

its the difference between 'walks' vs 'hobbles'.. 'looks' vs 'notices'

a boy sees an old man walking down a street
a boy recognised an old man walking down a street

the first sounds like just a meaningless passing glance
the second lands more like there is some relationship that might get explained later, or hints the boy is having thoughts about the person more so than just a passing glance

that one word change puts a unanswered question into the readers mind
the second one makes the reader intrigued to read on, hoping to find out more about the story between the boy/old mans relationship,

leaving subtle unanswered questions is how you hook a reader to read on

even then

a boy sees an old man walking down a street
a boy recognised an old man hobbling down a street

now adds extra questions, is the boy feeling sympathy for the old man by noticing the old man struggling? will the boy stop and help?
you as a writer can use synonyms to help give new ideas for possible story development archs
..the boy continues home [left as a meaningless glance. until a time travel/flashback plot twist many chapters later]
..the boy realises it's Col Jim McBride, the villages famous war hero, shot in the leg by the nazi's in WW2
..its 11pm, the boy realises it's just Jim, the villages famous drunk walking home from the pub