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Strange : is this a lockdown thing?

(80 Posts)
BBbevan Wed 21-Oct-20 15:37:19

I am nearly 76 and have been happily married for 55 years
Over the last few weeks I seem to be writing a book in my head. I have sorted the plot, the people, their history etc. I did not start out to do this, but now I just love to sit quietly and add to the story. I know the beginning and the end and now much of the middle. A lovely romance. I doubt I will ever write it down. Why did it start and how?

Grandmabeach Thu 22-Oct-20 10:26:20

Go for it BBbevan. I have been researching our family history for years and with Covid finally had the time to start writing a book including whatever was happening in the area at the time my ancestors were alive. Two books are now printed and working on book three. It is such a great feeling holding a book you have written yourself.

jaylucy Thu 22-Oct-20 10:23:13

Why not write it down and see how it turns out?
Maybe you have had it bubbling in your brain for years and because life happens, it just hasn't made itself known?

rowanflower0 Thu 22-Oct-20 10:22:01

I joined a I3A creative writing group, and after being asked to set a short story in a place I used to know well, found that the characters 'talked' to me in bed, and insisted on my writing their story - my short story turned into chapter one, and I have written chapters 2,3,4,6,8.9.20 and 21, as what will come towards the end, wont wait! Write it down. Lots of authors write later chapters earlier - even crime novels - then they know what clues to leave! WRITE IT - and good luck!

JaneD666 Thu 22-Oct-20 10:08:55

Who knows where stories come from? Terry Pretchett suggested they fly around in the ether until they hit a receptive mind :-) . Well done for being creative in these difficult times - it's the opposite to most creative people I know (including me) who've found creativity elusive since March. If you want some discipline for getting it down on paper, November is National Novel Writing Month. Why not give it a go? nanowrimo.org/

BBbevan Thu 22-Oct-20 10:07:24

Well I have found a note book and am going to start on the chronology. Thank you all for the encouragement.

sweetcakes Thu 22-Oct-20 10:06:42

Write it even if it's just for yourself you never know it could be the next pride and prejudice or Jane Eyre if you have time give it a go good luck.

Juicylucy Thu 22-Oct-20 10:06:23

There is a saying that says “ Therr is a book in all of us”. I’d say start jotting it down.

Tanjamaltija Thu 22-Oct-20 10:03:18

Write it - please.

crazygranny Thu 22-Oct-20 10:02:22

Start writing!
It's harder than you think to convert your ideas into words on the page. I completed the story of my childhood years (up to age 10) over two years ago and have been editing ever since. I have now also completed a children's story and have two more in progress.
Good luck!

EmilyHarburn Thu 22-Oct-20 10:01:41

You should write the book You may enjoy reading 'The Right to Write' by Julia Cameron

b1zzle Thu 22-Oct-20 09:50:35

Please, please, please get all those thoughts down on paper! Writing paper, toilet paper, brown paper - doesn't matter what it is. Take it from someone with four published novels - you can do this! You've done the hard part - the plot, now for the easy bit and enjoy! Health warning: writing is addictive. Once you get underway you forget to eat, sleep, shop, clean...

Astral Wed 21-Oct-20 20:23:33

I do something very similar that I was taught to deal with nightmares.

I tell a story in my head to fall asleep too and add chapters, it doesn't always work, I've had nightmares and night terrors since I was little but sometimes it carries on into my dreams.

PamelaJ1 Wed 21-Oct-20 20:14:35

I have a book that I write as I’m going to sleep.
This morning my DH was watching that programme where Fiona Bruce and her co presenter were looking at a painting that had a hair stuck in it. DNA was extracted from it. That answered a question that I had been struggling with.
Actually sitting and writing a book seems like such hard work.

Callistemon Wed 21-Oct-20 19:47:18

Yes, do write it, BBbevan
They say that everyone has a book in them although I haven't found mine yet.

Many Kindle authors are self-published.

Jane10 Wed 21-Oct-20 18:58:13

If its not written down what have you got? Nothing.
It's a discipline. Get started. It's so much easier to write these days using modern technology. Just get it all down then get on with the editing.

Esspee Wed 21-Oct-20 16:54:22

If putting it on paper feels too much you could start dictating ideas as they come to you. In time you will have enough notes to write your book.
Good luck.

FannyCornforth Wed 21-Oct-20 16:47:47

Ooh! 60 per cent sounds a bit much!
I just remember creating really in depth stories - especially the dialogue.
And I did the jiggling about thing.
In fact, when I was alone I would leap around the roomblush

AGAA4 Wed 21-Oct-20 16:40:06

This is how novelists start. If you have a good idea just have a go. You never know where it will lead. Good luck.

BBbevan Wed 21-Oct-20 16:37:12

Well I have just googled it. Seems a bit intense for what happens to me. I certainly do not spend 60% of my time daydreaming.

BBbevan Wed 21-Oct-20 16:33:32

I ah well do that. But where has it all come from. It just started in my head one morning.
Sounds right FannyC, and it is giving me much enjoyment

FannyCornforth Wed 21-Oct-20 16:17:18

It sounds to me like something called maladaptive daydreaming.
The name sounds quite negative but it isn't.
I didn't realise that it was a 'thing' until recently. I definitely did it when I was a child.
It may or may not be a reaction to stress - a lovely, creative distraction; you yourself wondered if it was covid related.
Google it, it's extremely interesting.

Jane10 Wed 21-Oct-20 16:05:11

Just do it! Don't put it off or waste time talking about it.
Lucca- get writing too.

Kamiso Wed 21-Oct-20 16:04:56

Go for it! You’re more likely to regret the things you didn’t do than those that you did. Lockdown is a golden opportunity that hopefully will never come again.

rowyn Wed 21-Oct-20 16:04:00

I'm jealous. I love writing - can do doggerel and and an opinion column in the local rag, but much as I would absolutely love to write a novel I don't have a story in me! Go for it!!

Lucca Wed 21-Oct-20 16:01:32

I envy you, I e always wanted to write a book.