I have decided something.....

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:54 pm

I'm going to write my life story, I always say I'm going to when I tell people some of the things I've gone through, which I know there are people out there that have gone through much worse things than I have....I started a few days ago....and found it very theraputic actually....

I would appreciate any advice or pointers, since ummm yeah....never wrote anything other than assigned essays for school....

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:57 pm

Do it Wendy ... It puts everything into perspective :-4:-4

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:46 pm

Set X hours a day aside, seven days a week, in a room with nobody else and no distractions, and do nothing but write. Two's good, three's better. No correcting, no rearranging, if you get stuck then start a new page and carry on with a different part of the story. Don't go back, don't re-read, get it all out if it takes a thousand pages. Make sure you take regular copies for safety. When there's nothing left to write about, and not before, then put a frozen copy somewhere where won't get changed.

Then you can bother about ordering and expanding and making it cohere and flow. I don't think it's possible to mix those two jobs. I think you need to get into freeflow for months and empty yourself of everything that's waiting to get out irrespective of quality or readability. Effectively you're storing a deposit of reminiscence that you can mine for your final product. You can afford to make that first mining copy honest, too, if you're not for ever thinking of what it'll say in the final version.

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:50 pm

spot;819770 wrote: Set X hours a day aside, seven days a week, in a room with nobody else and no distractions, and do nothing but write. Two's good, three's better. No correcting, no rearranging, if you get stuck then start a new page and carry on with a different part of the story. Don't go back, don't re-read, get it all out if it takes a thousand pages. Make sure you take regular copies for safety. When there's nothing left to write about, and not before, then put a frozen copy somewhere where won't get changed.

Then you can bother about ordering and expanding and making it cohere and flow. I don't think it's possible to mix those two jobs. I think you need to get into freeflow for months and empty yourself of everything that's waiting to get out irrespective of quality or readability. Effectively you're storing a deposit of reminiscence that you can mine for your final product. You can afford to make that first mining copy honest, too, if you're not for ever thinking of what it'll say in the final version.

Wow Spot thank you!! I was just going to ask if I should include some pretty horrible things that happened to me when with the ex....if the kids read it....that wouldn't be good...but yet, it puts a lot of things into perspective.

I have been writing while the house has been quiet. Not sure about 2 hours a day though, but sure will try...trying to make good use of un-employment time while I have it....won't be this way for long....I HOPE!

Should I keep the names changed??

thanks Rj for that suggestion and your well wishes!

thanks Pheasy!!:-4:-4

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:56 pm

WonderWendy3;819777 wrote: Should I keep the names changed??If it's easy for you to keep them that way as you write. If you're fighting it then eventually a bout of global replaces could disguise them all just the same way as typing them disguised all through. How hard has it been keeping track?

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:03 pm

spot;819783 wrote: If it's easy for you to keep them that way as you write. If you're fighting it then eventually a bout of global replaces could disguise them all just the same way as typing them disguised all through. How hard has it been keeping track?

I only wrote my name once so far....but only in 2nd page:o

The names are similar enough to figure it out though....

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:17 pm

rjwould;819791 wrote: I think names are important because the whole idea is honesty with oneself. Don't disguise anything.

What your doing is a kind of self psycho analysis.

so I shouldn't change the names to protect the innocent....aka ME???

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:23 pm

WonderWendy3;819796 wrote: so I shouldn't change the names to protect the innocent....aka ME???

If you are going to do this you have to be honest ..... like I live in this 'my understanding' but you have to be in the real world .... sorry I am probably not saying this right, but there is a difference between 'how I see it' and 'my real world' ....like being honest and how you would like it ... sorry Wendy I am saying this wrong :-5:-5

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:33 pm

Spot I'm impressed you most certainly have written a book or 2 correct.

WW do it you have excellent writting skills and why not.

[QUOTE]Set X hours a day aside, seven days a week, in a room with nobody else and no distractions, and do nothing but write. Two's good, three's better. No correcting, no rearranging, if you get stuck then start a new page and carry on with a different part of the story. Don't go back, don't re-read, get it all out if it takes a thousand pages. Make sure you take regular copies for safety. When there's nothing left to write about, and not before, then put a frozen copy somewhere where won't get changed.

Then you can bother about ordering and expanding and making it cohere and flow. I don't think it's possible to mix those two jobs. I think you need to get into freeflow for months and empty yourself of everything that's waiting to get out irrespective of quality or readability. Effectively you're storing a deposit of reminiscence that you can mine for your final product. You can afford to make that first mining copy honest, too, if you're not for ever thinking of what it'll say in the final version.[/QUOTE]

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:48 pm

WonderWendy3;819796 wrote: so I shouldn't change the names to protect the innocent....aka ME???

You have to understand why you are doing it. Why is it important to you? Are names important? Would it make a difference if the names were different? Why is this important to you ..... it is but why?

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:21 pm

CARLA;819801 wrote: Spot I'm impressed you most certainly have written a book or 2 correct.

WW do it you have excellent writting skills and why not.

Wow Thanks Carla....you are such a great encourager!! I appreciate it so much!

JAB;819802 wrote: Nope. Just make sure to have a box of tissue next to you as you write. Stuff will come out that might even surprise you and like Spot said, if you're busy disguising yourself then you may never get to heart of you to put down on paper.

Good point, I just realized that I think I'm holding onto fear from the ex...afraid if he finds out, what would he do to me? WOW....I didn't think about it....and yeah, box of tissues is a great idea!

jimbo;819803 wrote: write it ww i'd love to read it :-6:-6:)

actually can you do a cd of it i'm not to big on reading

I'll read it out-loud and record it for you Jimbo....or maybe make it into a video!!:wah:

Pheasy;819805 wrote: You have to understand why you are doing it. Why is it important to you? Are names important? Would it make a difference if the names were different? Why is this important to you ..... it is but why?

Another good point, and there are several answers to that question....of course!

mrsK · Post by **mrsK** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:46 pm

Do it:-6

Or you may regret it for the rest of your life.

It helps the healing process.

A few years back I wrote down a lot of things I needed to say & it just kept coming & coming.

Really suprised me.

Worked wonders. For me & others involved.

I have it all written & in a safe place .:-6

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:17 pm

WW

Star a Journal - it becomes your book. a journal is therapy..

you could use a tablet - just write your daily expressions.

I write in mine from time to time. daily lately.!!

it's wonderful to refer back to for several reasons.

Tough times and a journal becomes a SOUNDUNG BOARD - go for it ..

Patsy

Victoria · Post by **Victoria** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:46 am

Hi

Just to say good luck.

I have written a book about the decision we took as a family to move country and the first few years of adjustment, most of it was funny stuff but there were some bits that I knew might offend some family members.

I thought about it and decided that everyone has the right to their opinion and their point of view, so it is right to write YOUR book from YOUR viewpoint.

When I finished I felt really proud of myself and even though I know it will most likely never be printed and only read by family and friends. I know that I achieved what I set out to do and thats what counts..

So go for it....

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:40 am

Id like to see a psychopathic killer...

Someone who runs away to the desert and lives off of cactus and rattlesnakes..

An horrific volcanic eruption that causes chaos in China.

If you can incorporate these adventures into your story I think it would be a NYT best seller.

Good Luck Wendy ! :-6

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:44 am

A very good thing to do WW, and you have some good advice from spot and rj. Set your time for writing on a daily basis, and try as much as you can to adhere to it. It takes priority over other adventures on the computer-like us here at FG. You will be glad when you have started into the routine, and it will be very good for you. Good luck, my dear.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:48 am

I think that writing you story would be great therapy for you. Keeping a journal is also a good idea.

From ages 11 to 18 or so, I kept a diary. My submissions were short. I still have it. It's kind of a sketch of my life at that time period.

Has anyone else ever kept a diary?

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:21 pm

Great Idea Wendiwoo

Id love for it to end up a bestseller and so that horrid ex ends up earning you millions lol.....

Good luck babes x:-6:-4

Musiclover89 · Post by **Musiclover89** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:22 pm

Good luck in ur book wendy hope it goes really well for you

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:46 pm

Good luck Wendy ! Getting into a fairly strict routine as suggested by Spot, is very important. As regards using legitimate names, I suppose it depends on whether you just want the book for your own personal reading, or whether you intend to get it published. If it is the latter, then when you have finished it, you will have to make a decision about names and possible litigation, although the written word can only be libellous if it is untrue. Also whether you want it to be an autobiography, or as a novel.

If you want it as an autobiography then real names are important. If you want it as a novel then I would recommend changing names and places.

:-6:)

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:54 am

I too have decided something.

But Im not going to tell you what it is.

Writhe, twitch, suffer, torment yourselves.

Im not giving it up, thats the way its gotta be !

littlemissgiggle · Post by **littlemissgiggle** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:36 am

Good Luck Wendy sweetie :-4

I would love to read it when its finished and I think its a very good idea.

lets you get everything out and able to understand. :-6

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:24 am

Wow, thanks everyone and yes I have kept a journal at different times in my life, I found them recently actually, I was bad about not sticking to it....I used to also write things on calendars like summary of my days all through high school, I have them somewhere too....I think!

I agree with the setting time aside....I have already done that for the most part. The more I write the more I want to write more....so I can see this as an adventure for me.

I really appreciate everyone's well wishes....and awesome advice! Thank you so much.....and JAB...I laughed at the thought of someone playing me, my first pick would be Sandra Bullock!....has to be a goofy but serious person.

Post by **spot** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:15 pm

WonderWendy3;820891 wrote: has to be a goofy but serious person.Diane Keaton then, innit. They don't get goofier.

pinkchick · Post by **pinkchick** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:36 pm

WonderWendy3;819739 wrote: I'm going to write my life story, I always say I'm going to when I tell people some of the things I've gone through, which I know there are people out there that have gone through much worse things than I have....I started a few days ago....and found it very theraputic actually....

I would appreciate any advice or pointers, since ummm yeah....never wrote anything other than assigned essays for school....

YAY!!

Go Wendy :-6

:-4:-4

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:06 pm

spot;820932 wrote: Diane Keaton then, innit. They don't get goofier.

I don't think of Diane Keaton as goofy, but a classy woman and awesome actress....I LOVE her!

Post by **spot** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:26 pm

WonderWendy3;821124 wrote: I don't think of Diane Keaton as goofyGoldie Hawn then. She invented goofy.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:13 pm

OK Sweetie:-4:-4

I'm standing on line waiting for the book store to open so I can buy your book.....oh, like DUH...you didn't finish it yet. Oh well, I'll come back another time and be the first one on line.....I know that you'll sign all of your books that I buy for my friends:wah::wah:

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:39 pm

Spot - Goldie Hawn is awesome too....another one of my faves, but don't you think a person playing me should be a brunette??? Perhaps Cher? Can she be goofy enough?

Kathy E. - you are too sweet! I will definately give you one of the first, if not the first copies of the book!! We are a long way from that just yet though.....

I love my signature!:-4

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:25 pm

JAB;821207 wrote: Having met you, I think that's a wonderful choice! :-4

:-4:-4 I take that as a MAJOR compliment, thank you!!

Isn't it hard to believe its been a year??? We are definately due for another meet up aren't we??:-6

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:48 pm

JAB;821217 wrote: Just say when. If nothing else, I can help you edit the chapter on "My life as a Protestor". Uhm, we'll have to work on the title...

:wah:

yeah, at first I thought you wrote "my life as a prostitute" and I was going to ask you how you knew about that??? That was a secret!!:wah::wah: