Have you ever wanted to write a book? If so, what genre would it be? What keeps you from starting?
I started a book several years ago. It was semi-autobiographical and intended to be funny, about how I ended up doing a lot of hiking (I called it “City Girl in the Woods.”). My problem was I kept running out of steam. Each incident would only get so far, then get boring. I gave up.
As I’ve been interviewing authors, I’ve been impressed with how much dedication and persistence it takes to get something published. There’s no way I’ve got that kind of focus.
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When I worked in the public library, I wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper as well as a different Facebook post each Friday & people would tell me, “oh, you should write a book!”. Well, I’m not that talented or, as kim.kovacs pointed out, dedicated/persistent. But if I were, a mystery would be my dream book but I think I’d be more apt to write about working in a library (several of us wanted to come up with a television show set in a public library --those scripts would write themselves!) After a few months of retirement, I’m again writing a weekly newspaper column, more human interest rather than book reviews and/or library events, so my creative itch gets scratched.
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The TV show is a good idea! I always thought a library board game would be fun.
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Or how about a dance production? I just learned about Lunch Dances at NYPL. This hour-long video tells all about how it was made and some of the reactions the troupe has had.
But no, I’ve never wanted to write a book. I enjoy the reading process too much.
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Before I retired, I was a children’s librarian for 36 years. I wrote short stories as a kid, and English and literature were always my best and favorite subjects. I actually have a small stack of picture book, easy reader, and board book manuscripts all in one stage or another of completion. And because of my decades long, close practical relationship with, and a deep understanding of, children’s literature, I know my work would be well-received. What keeps me from finishing? The daunting task of finding an agent is top on the list. And then everything else that comes after that. Oh, and did I forget to mention that I don’t handle rejection very well? 
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The thought “I’d like to write a book.” Has crept into my mind a few times - but for only a fleeting millisecond. There are so many talented, creative authors who juggle multiple plot lines in their stories.
Periodically, I’ve kept a list of each new character as I read a book in hopes of gaining insight into how an author develops their plot, only to find myself amazed at the end that some of the books had 50+ and that 30 of the characters were just incidental, intended to throw me off track.
Besides, have you ever stopped to think how scary it must be inside the mind of some authors with regard to the number of plots and subplots in just one book? And, I don’t mean only authors of thrillers.
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I hope you don’t give up on the book. It’s amazing how varied the writing process is for authors. Some like to write first thing in the morning. Some for 2 hours, others for 4 or more hours. Almost all of them have one thing in common: they write 5-6 days a week, even if all they only write one paragraph.
I like the title of your book and hope you don’t give up on it. While now may not be the time to focus on this book given all the other things going on in life, maybe that will change in 5 or 10 years.
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Thanks for the encouragement, @Jill_Mercier! I’d better get a move on, though, since I’m gettin’ up there in years, and I’m starting to get a little dotty.
I wrote and self-published a short novella, Pity Becomes You several years ago. It wa quite the ordeal for me who up until then had only written short essays and newspaper features. I discovered that pacing took a lot of thought since I was so used to writing quickly and concisely.
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Nope! I’d rather read than do anything else, but I’ll leave the writing to others.
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As a former American history professor I so admire Erik Larson and the entire genre of narrative non fiction. I just signed up to take a creative non fiction class at a local community college. As a senior I can audit ant course for no cost. Should be fun!
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I have written several short stories and a novel set in rural southwest Tennessee in the opening years of the 21st century about two teeneagers who meet and become friends. The girl, Jessica, escaping an abusive relationship from her mother’s live in boyfriend after her father dies in a car wreck and a boy, Todd, who discovers he is a pool savant which he uses to compensate for the bland life he leads with his disinterested single mother.
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I have wanted to write a book since I was a kid. At this stage it would probably be a cozy mystery. I have no illusions of fine literature!
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E gads, Kim, now why would you go and bring that up?!?
You might say I’ve thought about it. An historic novel set during the American Revolution has been in the back of my mind and some days on the tip of my tongue (and even my pen) for about 15 years! There are no less than 10 3-ring binders stuffed full of research and ideas. Old school is definitely my style. Yellow sticky notes are so old and curled it’s like they’re sticking their tongues out at me. I’ve squeaked out -not chapters exactly - but what I call scenes that are actually typed on paper. I’ve got a few hangups about formatting, but I see my characters in my dreams - so I think I’m getting there. Now aren’t you glad you asked…
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@Connie_K happy to help! 
I wrote a book… Fiction. A Viewer Discretion Advised..,.. loosely based on my career TV news. I got good reviews but my marketing efforts bombed. If you write a book, KNOW it’s only the first draft. You will rewrite that draft many times. But just do it! It’s so satisfying. Good luck!
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Yes, I have. It would be a thriller. My husband had an interesting dream a few weeks ago and I thought, that would make a great book/movie. I started putting together an outline with a few characters and a plot line. I go back to it now and then, but I think the idea of writing an entire book would be daunting. I like the idea of a short story format, or an idea or screenplay that you sell to a studio. It sounds like that might be a shorter process but I don’t know. I might take a creative writing class since I’ll be retiring soon!
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Of course. Although I love reading mystery/thrillers, I think my book would be general fiction, loosely based on my own life story. The only thing stopping me is time and other obligations in my life right now but I hope to have time to work on it in the near future.
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Yes, I’ve often considered writing a semi autobiographical book changing some names to protect the innocent. I’ve had friends and teachers that have encouraged me. I have written a blog since 2013 setting forth my opinions on multiple topics. It is random.
What has stopped me?
I initially I didn’t want my parents to read about certain of my experiences. Now,it is inertia.
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