Is there anyone here with a lifelong love of reading that has taken a shot at writing a novel?

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

Guess I missed this thread while I was moving, and just now caught up with it!
My love of reading started at a very early age, and continues to this day. I prefer to read on paper vs. the electronic versions out now, just seems to flow better and stay with me more completely. After my stroke I lost the ability to retain memory from one paragraph, page, and or chapter to the next. It took multiple years of individual therapy and group sessions at the Wendall Johnson Speech and Hearing Center at the U of Iowa, top rated program in the U.S., to work my way back to where reading was enjoyable, and worthwhile.
In the process I reread multiple short stories and novels off all types that I had read before. The techniques taught at WJSH gave me better understanding of how to read and understand what I was reading. Somehow this doesn't translate as well to electronic media as a paper copy does. Maybe my generation of the late 40's, early 50's has a lot to do with this?
The main thing reading does vs. movies or TV is allow ones imagination to form pictures and thoughts yourself rather than someone else form them. Many authors are superb at this even though the total book or story may not come out well!
Reading also can expose the reader to the point of view of the time the product was written (good or bad) rather than much later as a movie or TV show does.
Early in this thread Brown on Resultion by C.S. Forester was mentioned. It was written in 1929. There were two films done based upon this novel, Brown on Resolution 1935, and Sailor of the King 1953. The novel was great as are most of C.S. Forester's novels. The 1935 film's ship's, crew, etc. was close to the the novel's time frame, but the 1953 movie with a Hollywood actor, and post WWII ship's was not as credible, given the advancements shown on the ship's, and design improvements, location, etc.
Another example is the abomination movie Starship Troopers susposedly based on Heinlein's novel of the same name. Nothing similar except several characters names.
Maybe reading versus watching is why history becomes distorted or forgotten, creating such a mishmash today?
Please excuse my diatribe on this! Great thread and great subject!!!!

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Wherever my mind isn't
Jim

Well, I started a couple but never finished them. One got so weird that it scared me. Where is this coming from, I wondered? The other just sort of petered out, and I lost interest in it.

Back in high school I won a creative writing contest with a short story and honorable mention for a poem. Then won another in college. That one was published in a collection of short stories . . . but that was a long time ago.

I still like the idea of writing, but I have realized it's not as easy as it once seemed.

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Or something like that . . .

We both love books and reading. Although not old I admit to being like Rupert Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a show we both enjoy.

In High School I wrote a great deal of poetry. Around 2008, I gave thought to writing an epic style pome of the Marine's delaying defense of Washington DC in the war of 1812. But my own stroke has taken me away from that at least for awhile. Besides our society has no attention span for anything over 4 stanzas long!.

"The Battle of New Orleans" sung by Jonny Horton, seems to be the only history of that war Americans know.

Ivan

Theater of the mind has better sets than any movie.

Reading takes me out of myself, makes me forget the daily toil, issues, etc.

I read all day, but I save the books for night time while in bed, it helps me to sleep.

A neighbor girl that babysat me as a small child showed me the way. She went on to an English major in college. Go figure. I was one of her first students.

I like techno thrillers, crime stories, Vince Foster and Jonathan Kellerman for instance.

A friend just gave me a couple books by Bill Bryson. His tour of Australia is hilarious!

Read on!

I use Kindle on my computer now for reading as it allows me to enlarge the print to keep the strain of the old eyes. My eye doctor told me it was better for me with my eye problems so I tried it and what do you know he was right. Been reading as long as I can remember and love it but the eyes were starting to let me down. I miss the books themselves but at least this way I can keep reading.

I like to read as it opens a whole new world to me.
So much to learn and so little time to do it in.

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Always Stay Strong!

I enjoy reading quite a bit; all on my tablet/nooks these days (easier on the eyes) which has also opened the door to some indie type authors who are quite good.

I mainly read fantasy or action based stories/series; never been much for reading non-fiction as I read to escape (same for my movie preferences). Just my .02 on that part.

In fact I tend to limit the # of tv shows i watch or will try each season; so I dont spend all my down time in front of the tv and instead can ensure i find time to keep up on my books....

As a child, I had one TV station that only broadcast a few hours a day with two crudely done kid shows so indoor activity consisted of reading. I was strongly encouraged by me mum and me Nana (deaf) to read daily. I completed my first book "Sammy the Shunter" at 4.

By the time I arrived stateside, at 10, I was more than familiar with a lot of the European fiction authors and poets. I was also 4 years ahead of my classmates in composition and reading level. Not because I was any smarter but because I started much earlier than they and I loved the escapism that reading brought so I read more.

Like others, I have to use my tablet as it allows me to enlarge the fonts.

I did some writing in college. It was good but not good enough to ever have a price tag on it so I stuck to music.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

"If I have a little money, I buy books. If I have any money left over, I buy food."

I've thought about writing novels a couple of times, but my [novel] dialog is awful. A movie script on the other hand, I think I could do quite well, as my conception of dialog comes primarily from film, especial film noir.

The reason I’m asking is because I’m in the process of writing (or trying to write one), and I have found the largest impediment, other than time, has been finding people to read it and give feedback on it. So far, I only have a co-workers wife who has read it and she really likes it. She keeps bugging me for more chapters, as I have kind of left her hanging. I have about 72K words and I’m shooting for around 100K, which would make it about a 400 page novel. I would best describe it as a romance-thriller, but not harlequin romance type stuff. More like meet the love of your life later in life, then go through hell with her and end up saving the world.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

@tlawler: Look for book or literary clubs near you and ask if they would like to critique and offer suggestions.

It couldn't hurt.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Not a novel but, I've been translating for about 10 years now-several books in German-to-English-that are about their Pour-le-Merite-Knights-Cross-of-the-Iron-Cross, German-Cross-in-Silver, German-Cross-in-Gold, and Panzer Assault-Badge-in-Diamonds-as well as compiling a list of all their Admirals and Generals from every branch (which does not exist) totaling over 3,300. The awards recipients in known totals--well over 33,000. I figure I'm around 50% done.

I might add-it's a collectors specialty book-so the general masses will most likely not be interested-unless they wanna look up certain individuals. This book is for badge collectors-like me.

I stopped mine because I went at it long and deep for a long period of time, got burnt out-but will get back into it again as I'm starting to miss it again. Last time I did it was about 4 years ago.

Hate to go of topic, but Phil started it. Get those cataracts gone.
I got set up for reading left eye, distance right. I did that with contacts 25 yrs ago. BTW, after the surgery, I no longer wear contacts, nor glasses. I even told the Dr to set my reading eye to 21" focus distance, happens to be where the front sight sets up.

Charlie

I have one of those Book nook things from Barnes and Noble, Now when I'm at the RV park and I finish a book I can just down load another one.
I have never liked a Movie after reading the Book, Your mind or Imagination is a far better Director....

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US Army 71-73 USMC 75-78

Reading is one of our greatest gifts.About 35 years ago I was rebuilding my stress filled life and for a couple of years worked 365 days a year, working or on 24 hours a day without relief. Only reading kept me going. I enjoyed books that could be read but put down and returned to in case an emergency came up. I am fortunate in that I can enter the story and break away from the unpleasantness or boredom of the day.

I've started some but I have a tendency to want to put the editor out of their job. I have spent a week editing the only page I've completed. I spent so damned many (11) years writing police patrol and investigative reports, then went in to QC (for 30 years) where it was very structured, that my writing is not very descriptive but rather dry and technical.

......hope these are not truly the case.

33% of High School grads never read another book.
42% of College grads never read another book
58% of new books never read to completion
70% of U. S. Citizens have not been in a bookstore in the last 5 years
80% of U. S. Families did not buy or read a book last year

And

Reading one hour a day in your chosen field will make you an International Expert in that field in 7 years.

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LEX ET ORDO

I once started a novel, intending it to be interwoven with very precise firearms data. However, I discovered that I did not have the vivid imagination required for writing fiction.

Accordingly, I did write a historical book of sorts, "101 Classic Firearms." Still very much available from Dillon Precision by calling 1-800-223-4570.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

After admitting to reading being a lifelong passion, from the time I learned to do it, I'll say that I don't think that I'v spent a day in my life since without reading. Now that old age has caught up to me, taken my memory, and a lot of skills that I really didn't want to part with, another affliction is developing. my arthritis won't allow me to hold a book, or my electronic reading tablet up, to read from it for any length of time. I have to shift it around constantly, but, it's still better than, what we all know the last step in that line is, blindness. I'm going to hang in there, and continue to read, but I don't know if I'll be able, or want to cope with blindness when it finally comes.

Chubbo

Just a suggestion, if you don't mind...

There are many book holders and tablet holders available. Some are styled as "lap desks". They are adjustable for angle and book size. I mean you can lean back in a recliner or on pillows in bed and all you have to do is maybe reach out and turn a page or click the "next page" arrow on a tablet such as an iPad or a Kindle. For books, they hold the book open at the page you choose.

You can set them as near to or as far away from your eyes as you wish.

Some have built in reading lights. Others are nothing more than a simple pad/pillow type thing.

Prices vary, and as with all things, you get what you pay for.

I had one similar to the wooden one shown below. It was great for sitting on the dinner table and reading while I ate dinner. Unfortunately, I lent it to someone and never saw them or my book holder again. Keep meaning to get another one.

I have enjoyed reading since I was very young. In fact, that was about all there was to do. From about age 5 until about age 10, I had a blood disease very similar to hemophilia. Since I was a bleeder, I couldn't do anything most normal kids could do, but I could read. (Fortunately, my disease went into remission at age 10, and I don't have any issues with it now.) At that time, there was no internet, no video games, and since we lived out in the country, the TV only got a couple of channels. I read everything in the house, and all the books my mom would bring from the library. I even read the encyclopedias.

I still read everyday. I use a Kindle now, and I really like it. I never thought I would, but with the adjustable font size, and the ability to carry hundreds of books with me at once, make it very attractive. I can highlight, make notes, and even access a dictionary on it. I still have some older "real" books that I cherish, and I'll always have those, but nowadays I buy eBooks.

I was in the same shape. I estimated that I had app. 80 LF of books only 1/3 of which were on shelves. I realized that I could not keep every book I owned. It was tough, but many have gone to the library. As I read now, the book immediately goes after reading. If I want a review I'll get another copy somehow. I have to be completely without ruth to get rid of my books. A few however were so outdated that the internet was a better source of the info in them and they went into the trash.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I have knocked out that list and am working on 'Crime and Punishment'. Then I'm gonna have to order more books.

OH BTW: I found the title of a book I had read called "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by and Afghani author about the lives of two women under the Taliban. An excellent, albeit sad read.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I also had
rheumatic fever when younger ( 3 Times ) you can only watch so many dick van dyke reruns , thank god for books
S

I have noticed, to my great disappointment, that very, very few people in a library are actually reading or checking out books.
They are there for the internet access.

Lately I have been reading, and in some cases re-reading some of the American classics by Twain, Steinbeck, Hemingway, Vonnegut.

Reading all my life, books everywhere, history, martial arts, guns and weapons, meta physics- house full of them and have a storage unit filled to the rafters, used to write magazine articles for fun back in print media days- Chinese martial arts and yoga.

"A book is like a small garden you can keep in your pocket"

"Books break the shackles of time"

Don't read much fiction but I think there mabe is a market now for well done novels with action and non P/C adventure- since movies have bee so watered down and P/Ced.

Recommend "The Chinese Bandit" by Stephan Becker as the best example of that type- old Marines might esp like that one.

I write bad poems and the worlds worse Haiku.

No sense of humor
So everything offends them
The new zombie life...

Ricky shredded new-
Hollywood hypocrite clowns
He owns all their base!

Catch all devils-
Seal them in the black jade jar-
using peach wood sword

I donated my-
Billions to the NRA
Just to tell you off!

The original,
Wong Lofan, a old hermit-
Writes the worst haiku.

lol ok sorry dun jei! gomen nasai!

I am addicted to the written word. I am grateful that I live in the internet age where I can download anything I want onto a portable tablet and enlarge the font. Plus I don't have to worry about my electronic books being eaten by silverfish.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Reading takes you places you can't otherwise go.

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OGCA Member.

Love reading too. I just started Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Before Covid I tutored 2nd and 3rd graders at the E.S. I attended back in the 1950s.

Those poor kids needed all the help they could get. I hope to go back soon and resume tutoring.

If students can't read well, they are going to have a rough time as adults.

Now I just got into this late, read fast and do not know if I missed a quote I remember from my childhood from my mother.

She always said if you know how to read you are never alone!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

My mom still uses one of these.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I, too, hope you get back to it.

My youngest home schools her two children and Ruthie and I home school the two we have under our roof. Every year the State tests place them far, far beyond their peers in English, reading comprehension and their required literature reading list along with every other subject. JR struggles with math but we're getting there.🎓

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Here’s a good one for you guys to read.
SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS by Harold Bell Wright.
I read plenty but haven’t read 10 novels in my life. But this is my favorite. Iirc he was the first American author to earn one million dollars from his writings. Lived part of his life deep deep in a cave.

I read that long ago and have seen the movie several times. Both are well worth the time.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Two years before I retired I worked as a night watchman at an empty Fedex warehouse. When Fedex left I decided I was going to put the time to use and catch up on my reading.

I decided to reread my favorite books from my teenage years. Then I started on biographies of historical figures. Then Fedex sold the building and I became a roving guard.

When I retired I decided to set aside 90 minutes everyday to read. I'm almost through the Longmire the series and I've been hitting my favorite used bookstore every couple of weeks

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Retired Career Security Guard

Before tablets and smartphones my bathrooms had magazine racks.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Love to read. But I go through cycles of it. Won’t read for months. Then I can’t stop.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

. I gave up Dish about 4 years ago and sold my TV. I now read a book a day or more. Don’t miss TV at all

I am working my way thru "Paradise Lost." Might be the most difficult read since high school. Some sentences arw a page long...I don't know aht Milton was on when he wrote it, but he sure created some dialog.

Robert

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

When reading about the PT boats in the Pacific I just could not imagine the distances they traveled from place to place, island to island. Hundreds of miles wasn't unusual for operations and rescues! Smiles,

I too like biographies and fiction just doesn't float my boat! 's

I can start reading something (book, paper,), put it down and take a nap. Pick it back up when am ready, no batteries/button pushing/recording required.

If a newspaper, can save it to cover table when cleaning something. Try that with a tablet/computer or what ever.

Can put a book in a box, and it will still be functional 20 years later (no batteries). Am now of the age can read a book, and forget what most of it is about several months later. Then read it again.

Growing up my father was a career Air Force officer. Due to remote living we didn't get TV until I was around 11. I spent a lot of time reading Colliers and Encyclopedia Britanica. To this day I breeze through Jeopardy and the NY Times Crossword Puzzle (except for mythology), and I don't even remember how I know the answers!

I just can't get into fiction or Sci-Fi! I read mostly bio's of historical figures. My wife and I are "hunter gatherers" and when traveling we always find book stores to rummage through. We're about to take an extended cross country trip and look forward to new bookstores as much as sight seeing!

I have at least 40 biographies of famous and not so famous characters from the American Revolution 1740-1820ish!
Also, around 20-30 books on the Civil war as well as 20-30 WWI and WWII "in cue"!

I try to read at least a hour every night.

We do have a weekly movie night to substantiate why we have several streaming channels! Plus the dogs love popcorn too!

Smiles,