Can you write a book?

@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
December 12, 2018 11:21pm CST
I couldn't write a book. Sigh. And friends have been pressing me to write one. I know they mean well but how can I, I do not have the patience to sit down and formulate a plot, let alone imagine a topic for a story. One friend prods me to write a book for children. Wow. As if the library and the bookstores are not filled with kid stuff. I love to write but I can accept the fact that I am not novelist nor a short story writer. Neither am I good with essays. Worse, I don't think I am ever a poet. I suppose I am not deep enough nor intelligent enough to transcend to the level of the poets. Sigh. But if there is one thing I can do, I think I can blog. Blogging is super easy for me, as easy as one two three. Yet who knows, perhaps there comes a day when I get this stroke of genius thing and wella, produce a book in a jiffy. Till that day comes, I will just be contented on writing here.
14 people like this
15 responses
@skysnap (20154)
13 Dec 18
I am planning to write short story book. hopefully I get it to finish.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
Like O. Henry? Or Conan Doyle? That is an exciting task. Have you many stories now?
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
@skysnap Most likely a series with the same protagonist, I actually like the Nancy Drew/Harday Boys series. And now, the netflix has embarked on a new kind of viewing - seasons upon seasons of tales of men extraordinary or not. But we love watching anyway. That is a tough feat and I wish you finish the whole lot soon enough.
1 person likes this
@skysnap (20154)
13 Dec 18
@eileenleyva 4 so far. I connected each story. and I want to make atleast 10. so kind of slowed down.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
Yes I can write and in fact I have one unpublished novel so technically its not yet a book. But I think I did.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
Care to share how you got to write the novel? And what is the story about? Drama? Thriller? Love story? Hey, am happy you got it done, Get it published. I will buy a paperback. Promise.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
@ilocosboy More often, writers write because they want to translate their thoughts and feelings into words. You have compassion for the people. Wish you could have your work published., Send a copy to UP Press or Ateneo Press. They read new materials, I think. Who knows, you might be a Manuel Arguilla or a Carlos Bulosan.
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
I hope I don't look like boastful on you but I have won Palanca Awards in short story in regional language category. I have written short stories but never publish a novel.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
13 Dec 18
@eileenleyva I wrote one complete book once. When I could choose how many copies I wanted to sell I sold them but when I was told I had to get a certain number I did not sell those. It was a lot of money learning how to write one and do not intend to write another one.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
Did you mean the business side of marketing the book?
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
15 Dec 18
@Hannihar Always will there be people who will appreciate and there will be people who will not find pleasure when others succeed. Meaning - just do what you must and be happy.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
14 Dec 18
@eileenleyva I will just say because suppose to talk about business or anything to do with it here even though others do and their posts do not get deleted. It was a cute story I wrote about my cat and her adventure and had to learn how to write it so all was expensive for me. That is all I can say and not sure what I wrote will be accepted.
1 person likes this
@Raj7779 (3657)
• Canada
13 Dec 18
i couldn't write book too as dont like to write but i love to read books.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
Good, Now I am not alone. I have many books that need to be read, too. Let us just be the readers. Perhaps each time we finish one we could post criticisms here. What dya say?
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
@Raj7779 In the literary world, criticism is a constructive thing. It is not meant to put a work down but to assess the valuation. For example: Harry Potter is a book for children but because of the criticism bestowed on the novel, the world was taken by storm, Young and old both got excited about the succeeding installments. The criticism defined the worth of the work. If a work is not good, I do my best not to criticize it. No use hurting people who worked on it. Not my thing.
1 person likes this
@Raj7779 (3657)
• Canada
13 Dec 18
@eileenleyva i dont like criticism so i am not agree with this but if you like it then you can do
1 person likes this
@TJGray (291)
• Hallettsville, Texas
13 Dec 18
I have a novel i started years ago. I lost motivation and inspiration. My dad actually introduced me to blogging and i love it. Been doing it off and on for 5 years or so.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
Care to share your blog? And your dad's? My daughter actually introduced me to blogging, too. She was busy with her freshman college work some nine or ten years ago and I kept on talking to her, and she said I was pestering her, and so she logged me in on the net, and when I sat down writing my first thoughts, silence somehow ensued, to my daughter's satisfaction. My daughter is now a doctor.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
@TJGray I kinda like your father-child relationship. Parents are actually the best teachers. My other daughter, an Environmental Planner/Writer, just last week said she was following my example. However, I concede that she is the better writer and the better income earner. Just glad to be her mother. Always remember your gratefulness to your dad each day. Oldies love to hear words of endearment.
1 person likes this
@TJGray (291)
• Hallettsville, Texas
13 Dec 18
@eileenleyva i just write here. Haven't really ventured to other sites. My dad doesn't write anymore. He retired from his business, stopped writing and now he's a seller on ebay. Which I do as well. I learn a lot from my dad.
1 person likes this
• Cuddalore, India
13 Dec 18
I am planning to write a novel. I am learning about novel writing.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
I think India encourages its people to write. 3 Idiots, the movie, is a good story. Perhaps you could watch the movie and explore on stories people can relate. Sometimes, the stories of ordinary people are the meaningful ones. Best of luck. One request. Could you put my name in one of your characters, no matter how lowly. Nothing sinister though.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
@Lignitecityabishek96 My name is Eileen Leyva. It means light of the law.
1 person likes this
• Cuddalore, India
13 Dec 18
@eileenleyva Yeah, I have watched that movie in Tamil version named "nanban" . I am not an expert I am only a blogger. What's your full name?
1 person likes this
@jeanena (2198)
• Bucklin, Kansas
17 Dec 18
I had many short stories written and 7 chapters of a journal style book(?) A few of my shorts were a series of stories that were nonsense books about a friend of ours . I made the mistake of not saving them to the cloud ,when our house burned down I lost my laptop with all my stuff on it . I haven't been able to sit and write since.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Dec 18
That is a sad story. No one can really reconstruct the original. Not even the author. Yet, from the fragments in your memory, you can begin anew. I am sure the tales you will write would mean so much more, because you know already how it feels to have lost.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
One of my goals is to write a novel as well. I'm still pursuing that dream.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
@eileenleyva will definitely do.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
@allen0187 I will buy a paperback and read your story. Is it an autobiography?
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
Hmmm. Make it happen today. Life is pretty short.
1 person likes this
@id_peace (14005)
• Singapore
13 Dec 18
I had already drafted my idea content yet but I had not started my first draft yet.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
That's the hardest part, the opening line. You must decide which one would catch the interest of your prospective readers - a short sentence or a long one. Have fun writing,
@HazySue (39264)
• Gouverneur, New York
13 Dec 18
I am currently working on another book. You can do it but you can't force it. If you are meant to write you will. I would do just what you are doing now. Write here, enjoy it, build up your confidence, and someday you will do it.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
That's a good thought. Perhaps there is hope for me still.. I will seriously meditate upon it. If I succeed, I have you to thank.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39264)
• Gouverneur, New York
14 Dec 18
@eileenleyva You can do it if you work hard enough and let your imagination shine through.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Dec 18
I lack the talent and imagination to write a book.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
Sometimes, writers say, or even song writers, it takes a quiet corner to envision a masterpiece or find the depths of one's creative soul. Perhaps you are just distracted by the place where you live, Just a thought,
1 person likes this
@a_jerobon (2304)
• Eldoret, Kenya
14 Dec 18
If your friends believe in you to write a book then maybe you can. Nevertheless, it is important to follow what you love doing and you are sure that you can do it best.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Dec 18
A wise advice. I will ponder on this more. Perhaps I am being complacent, Or my friends think my blogging is trivial compared to book writing. Sigh, Thank you.
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75656)
13 Dec 18
Yes i wrote a book. I just couldnt publish them because im still establishing my online business. It is not practical to priotize the ones that will not generate me money but writing is my first love.
1 person likes this
@Janet357 (75656)
13 Dec 18
@eileenleyva i want to earn from anything i do. Because everyday, we need to spend on food and bills in order to live. So i need money for that.
1 person likes this
@debjani1 (7207)
14 Dec 18
I am not interested in writing. But my sister is a content writer. Its good to write something by yourself.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
15 Dec 18
Hmmm. This is a writing site.
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
13 Dec 18
I'm currently working on my fourth book, but as you say, it takes a lot of patience and hard work. If you really wanted to you'd find a way of writing a book. However, blogging sounds like lots of fun for you, so stick with it.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Dec 18
Wow. Really, I am impressed. Authors are an admirable lot. Glad you have three stories to your name. Yes, blogging is totally pleasurable for me. Makes my brain work. Thank you, I will stick to blogging.
1 person likes this