tierra_allen

Hello Ms. Tierra Allen,

No, I have not made a final decison, and I'll tell you why. Since I've been a fool, I've now come to believe that fools rush in, where wise men tread not. After having various conversations on this board (great suggestions)and elsewhere (on this subject), I realize that I do not have a keen direction. For instance, today Xeon suggested that I taylor my stories or write my stories with all the grit and details that I can employ. I can do that because the stories are real, however, I am still wondering who would want to read that. In other words, who would be my target audience. Moreso, to do the stories justice(which are already on paper), I have to write about other individuals. That's very problematic. Case in point, one woman that I was involved with, lead a somewhat double life of her own. The details of such (gritty details) are not known by many. Therefore, I question rather or not it's morally proper to disclose such details, or if I leave them out, will it hurt my final product? On the other hand (trying not to give too many details "here") another woman that I was intimately involved with (for years)... well, there's a young man (offspring)presently playing in the NFL. I'll leave that right there.

Also, on one occasion, a person overdosed in my home, and died. Now, needless to say, the details of that night and the following day, can go as low as I desire, because the memories are folded in my mind, and to some degree, on paper. But again, how much is too much and whom might I hurt in the process of divulging such information. The stories and/or episodes continue...

So, in short Tierra, I am still searching for the proper direction. In fact, I've even considered developing 2 books at the same time. They would be the same stories, written at the same time, but one would be a soft PG version, and in the other, I wouldn't leave any stones unturned. Gritty and real could be good, but who would want to read that, and what would be the ramifications of such? Soft and real could be good, but who would want to read that?

Yes, I still need an editor, but backing up, my most pressing need is the minds of those that can formulate a direction. See, money is not the issue, it's more about wasting time and rendering a product that others do not want to read. I don't want to write a book just for the sake of saying I wrote one. Hell, it's already written (rough), but is there a market and/or what is my market? At the present time, I am my only market. As Xeon said, and I agree, it is cathodic, and "I" think the book is rather engrossing. But again, who am I to make such a judgement.

Tierra, I know I've said a lot and it might have been somewhat confusing, but that's where I am at today.

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Seems like you're getting a little TOO much help. Your market would depend on the information you're writing. I also think "mood" is very important, what are you trying to leave your writers with when it's all said and done? That should determine how much information you share. The goal is to tell a well written story.

Did you find an editor? Among the varied opinions here, when it's all said and done, your eye (the same eye that knows your work so well) can only catch certain things, so it is ALWAYS a good idea to have someone else look over your work. I think it's a good idea and I think you should go for it. And I am willing to assist if you are still looking.

From reading, it seems as if the act of responding seemed to be a "chore" to you anyway, and it's like mama always said, if you don't have anything nice to say...shut up. Lol. My point is, yeah, the message was typo-ridden but it doesn't stop it from being a legitimate question. I do like Zane's approach. It helps to actually start writing. I think classes can be very discouraging, especially for new writers, you run the risk of coming into contact with people who have been in the "game" forever. It's simple, so this isn't just for her, it's for anyone who thinks they may want to write. If you're interested in writing...do it. Not the best speller? That's what editors are for. Now I will mention the difference in writing for leisurely purposes and getting published by someone other than yourself. But if the interest is there... do it. That simple.