Y'all know me and my little stories

[Droopy]

Well, I have 29 of them together now totaling 21,733 words. A writing instructor once told me that fiction novelists should shoot for around 100,000 words for their books. I don't know if the same holds true for non-fiction, but if it does, I'm one-fifth of the way there. It has taken me about three years to get this far, but the stories are starting to come to me faster. Maybe in another 5 years or so I'll have this deal done.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Take your time, my dear Droopy...

Don't be in a rush to finish your book.

Let the stories come to you as they will...

I think it's better to let the words out when they want to emerge, rather than trying to force them...

That's how I do my poetry, anyway!

I'm looking forward to your book, whenever it gets here!

I'll want an autographed first edition, please!

:hi:

[Droopy]

4. I think you are right, Peggy

I'm not one of those big-time prolific writers who can sit down and write 2000 words a day every day. I'm reading a biography of Stephen King and I guess the guy never takes a day off unless he's forced too. He literally cannot stop writing. I wish I had that kind of talent, but I think if I get this one little deal going I'll be doing pretty good.

I'm thinking that my stories might not make it in the commercial market. But that's not going to stop me from publishing a book. I'll just self-publish it if that happens and you will be among the first to get a copy. I really do appreciate your encouragement. Every time I put one of my stories up there you are replying to my thread.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. ...

:hug:

[XemaSab]

2. I love your stories

I look for them, and enjoy reading them. :)

[Droopy]

5. Thanks, XemaSab

I enjoy you enjoying them. :)

[XemaSab]

9. .

;)

[Ptah]

3. Your stories transport me, Droopy

I am often left speechless after reading your words.

Thank you for sharing.

:thumbsup:

[Droopy]

6. Thanks, Ptah

I might have given up a long time ago if it weren't for all of you nice DUers. Now I have something that will always be with me and a hobby that I will always enjoy.

[harmonicon]

7. does it have to be a book to be published?

Have you thought about trying to have things published in magazines or journals? My sister does some writing, mostly for children, of both fiction and non-fiction, and has had some things published. I think it's pretty great and admire her a lot for it, and don't think any less of her because the stories aren't all together in one book.

[Droopy]

10. No it does not

But I have not thought about trying to get my stories published individually. Maybe I don't think highly enough of my stories. I've been accused of not thinking highly enough of myself which turned out to be true. I will think about this some more, harmonicon, and consider sending individual stories out for publication.

[CreekDog]

11. That's a great accomplishment

as far as publishing them, you might wait to decide what you want from your stories. with enough thought, publishing them might be a way to get there.

also, i wouldn't judge your work too harshly. our internal critics wreak havoc with the creative process and are more often than not wrong.

[Droopy]

12. Thanks CreekDog

I want my stories to make people think. I want people to think about the way they treat each other and the way they view working class people. I want people to be able to empathize and relate to each other. I also want my stories to entertain people and maybe even shock them sometimes.