So I want to Write a Book

Terror of the Skies · #1 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 09:25 AM

I've been thinking lately about how much I'd enjoy to write a novel on WWII. However, there's a twist. I want mine to be fictional. Most WWII books are biographies, historical accounts, or books based off real units and battles. Rarely is there a fictional book on WWII. The one I can only recall at this time is Hart's War by John Katzenbach (which is a great read, just for the record).

In addition, I want it to be different than other WWII movies and novels. I want to be different from the kind that glorify the action, but still holds enough combat or conflict to still keep the reader intersted. I had thought of something along the lines of the movie "U-571" but it would be British commandos instead of the U.S. Navy. That or a secret OSS mission to capture a V2 rocket before it reaches the launch facility or something along the lines like that.

Here's where you all come in... give me ideas, lol.

I want to hear from you all here who would appreciate a good war read that would still be interesting even without the glorification of major combat and guns blazing everywhere. So do you want to see some sort of special ops? The view of combat through the perspective of a soldier? Let's hear em!

Joe · #2 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 10:09 AM

I think writing a book is a great idea. I say you should write three little stories, eg. First chapter, an American soldier. 2nd, A Russian. 3rd, British soldier, and alternate between each for every chapter.

sommecourt · #3 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 12:03 PM

Don't want to take the wind out of your sails, but you need to do a little more research if you seriously want to do this. A statement like "Rarely is there a fictional book on WWII" is patently not true; you would only have to spend half an hour on Amazon to see this. There are literally thousands of fictional stories about WW2, many of them have been made into films (by the way all 'novels' are fiction...).

I would also advise you to go and take a creative writing course if you are unfamiliar with the process of writing; writing is something you just can't 'do'. Plus it is a journey fraught with disappointment, as any author will tell you. And it's far harder to get published if it's a novel you do intend writing, as for every novel published there are probably a 100,000 submitted to publishers.

Mussolini · #4 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 12:52 PM

Trust me, its a lot harder then you think it is. I majored in Creative Writing so have a lot of insight on the process. I have been thinking of turning my movie script into a Novel, but its a very timely process and i still need to do a lot of research. My movie script is also posted up on the Forums some where too.

My Movie/Novel is based on the 44th Infantry Division "Hoch und Deutchmeister" and follows a fictional character through some of the historical events the Division went through.

skunk works · #5 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 02:55 PM

Go ahead and try. You wont get experience by not doing. Don't get frustrated about failure (it's only temporary).
Joe's idea about three "Novella's", flipping between fronts/nationalities (please, not in order) is a good, and original idea.
Have the entire story (front to back) in your head before you start. If you don't (semi) conclude chapters, it will smell of run-on.
Make an outline.....follow it.

An old saying...."Writers write, others think of excuses not to."
Ray Bradbury writes 10 pages a day.....every day
The majority of Publishers are Women, keep this in mind.

If you fail miserably, you may still, (link is screwy, just type it in.) win...http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/
(read some of this stuff....it's Hilarious)

Above all, have fun. After all you're doing it to please yourself. You will get better (IF) you keep at it. Save your old work so you'll be able to quickly see, how much you've improved. Then throw it away because you'll know what and why it "Stinks".
A rejection slip (or a thousand) will find you....So what?

Happy Trails !

FalkeEins · #6 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sommecourt

I would also advise you to go and take a creative writing course if you are unfamiliar with the process of writing; writing is something you just can't 'do'.

...so right Paul -

..and who said 'have fun..' possibly not a writer ! ..it's excruciatingly hard work ..(most of the time..)

...besides, a good writer never ever invites discussion on what he's planning to write..!

..I once knew a guy who wrote for a soap opera - his watchword - " all a writer needs is application - application of the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair.."

skunk works · #7 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 03:58 PM

Writing for a Soap Opera, Sit-Com, Newspaper where you have to be serious, factual, funny, and have Dead-Lines looming is indeed "Masochistic" Hell.

Why do it? Be freelance (key word "Free"). When you acquire (writers block), as all do, just stop. No desperation at all.

If you want to do it as a primary occupation, and expect miracles the first time out, and everyday afterwards, then the pressure and disappointment will kill you.

Do it for fun, or don't do it. Demanding gainful full time employment from writing (for yourself) requires you to do it for someone else. Stress central. You may have better employment opportunities being a "Drummer" for a Rock Band.

Joe · #8 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 04:14 PM

And besides, you could always post it here for us to lau.....sorry, congratulate you!

Ps. Dragged this from the free fire zone.

arneken and ww2 stories

Terror of the Skies · #9 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sommecourt

Don't want to take the wind out of your sails, but you need to do a little more research if you seriously want to do this. A statement like "Rarely is there a fictional book on WWII" is patently not true; you would only have to spend half an hour on Amazon to see this. There are literally thousands of fictional stories about WW2, many of them have been made into films (by the way all 'novels' are fiction...).

I would also advise you to go and take a creative writing course if you are unfamiliar with the process of writing; writing is something you just can't 'do'. Plus it is a journey fraught with disappointment, as any author will tell you. And it's far harder to get published if it's a novel you do intend writing, as for every novel published there are probably a 100,000 submitted to publishers.

Actually I had several writing courses over my highschool career (though I can honestly say I never really payed attention to the fact a novel is always fictional), all in which I had passed with honors (not to brag). I had written dozens of short stories, etc. I'm quite familiar with the writing process.

Also, I think that's my fault for not clarifying my statement. I believe I meant to say was that I've rarely seen a ficitonal WWII book. I know there's a lot out there, just personally I've never seen that, and I failed to clarify it in my original post.

And @ skunk, I do want to do it for fun, sort of as an on the side hobby to my actual life. So I know it won't be finished anytime soon once I start it, but atleast this way I'd take the time to detail it very nicely.

Thanks all for the assistance. I pretty much have the prep stuff ready, I would like to hear some plot and storyline suggestions.

Slipdigit · #10 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 08:12 PM

I would offer that you need to read, read, read if you aren't already very knowledgeable about your subject. Read first hand accounts, tech manuals or anything to do with your subject.

Oh, yeah, leave out the love stories.

Mussolini · #11 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 08:20 PM

High School classes in writing really aren't anything. Been there done that. Theres a whole lot about writing that most people don't know about. Its usually better to come up with your own idea otherwise you'll get lost in writing some one else's idea.

Terror of the Skies · #12 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mussolini

High School classes in writing really aren't anything. Been there done that. Theres a whole lot about writing that most people don't know about. Its usually better to come up with your own idea otherwise you'll get lost in writing some one else's idea.

Then brainstorming I shall go. Thanks for the advice. I'll post here once I've developed a plot.

skunk works · #13 (**permalink**) December 16th, 2007, 09:38 PM

Don't get me wrong, by all means do it. Too many that should don't try. Usually because of peer pressure. Don't be defeated before you try.
The world needs more.
Don't kick yourself in the arse years on saying you should have done this or that.
Anyone can be a critic (it's the easiest job in the world).
A friend whose opinion I really respect "hates" my writing, (I write Science Fiction). He says it's hard to follow.
I just tell him that my style is a little taxing for the "blunt".

Nostalgair · #14 (**permalink**) December 17th, 2007, 03:01 AM

Hi 'Terror',

In my humble opinion, 'go for it'!

I had toyed around with the idea of writing for quite some time before I actually wrote a few pieces for journals back in 2002. It subsequently became more than a passing interest and grew into regular magazine articles and ultimately my first book was published this year.

It is not my job, but it is a genuine passion and creative outlet. Sure, it is hard for manuscripts to be accepted in this day and age, but nothing ventured-nothing gained. I genuinely enjoy the process and publication is the reward. If it's not published, I still enjoy the process and the people I meet along the way.

If I was to give any advice, I'd say simply, "Start." Write short pieces about topics your comfortable with and see how it goes and build up to a book.

Personally, putting pen to paper is one of the best moves I've ever made.

Enjoy!

Owen

dtearth_L.gif

von Rundstedt · #15 (**permalink**) December 17th, 2007, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terror of the Skies

I've been thinking lately about how much I'd enjoy to write a novel on WWII. However, there's a twist. I want mine to be fictional. Most WWII books are biographies, historical accounts, or books based off real units and battles. Rarely is there a fictional book on WWII. The one I can only recall at this time is Hart's War by John Katzenbach (which is a great read, just for the record).

In addition, I want it to be different than other WWII movies and novels. I want to be different from the kind that glorify the action, but still holds enough combat or conflict to still keep the reader intersted. I had thought of something along the lines of the movie "U-571" but it would be British commandos instead of the U.S. Navy. That or a secret OSS mission to capture a V2 rocket before it reaches the launch facility or something along the lines like that.

Here's where you all come in... give me ideas, lol.

I want to hear from you all here who would appreciate a good war read that would still be interesting even without the glorification of major combat and guns blazing everywhere. So do you want to see some sort of special ops? The view of combat through the perspective of a soldier? Let's hear em!

Yeah one thing, you as the Author has the power to dictate where your book goes and that means in the end if it is not a book based on true facts then anything is up for grabs, you make the rules. In the end you have to satisfy yourself and no one else but if some one else likes your stuff bonus.

TA152 · #16 (**permalink**) December 17th, 2007, 03:56 AM

I would try writting magizane articles and get them published and get reactions. It would also give you experience and a reputation when you go to get the book published.

Years ago in one of my flying magizanes a guy wrote a series of fiction pieces based on a Lear jet co pilot and his incompentant first pilot. It had alot of humor and alot of truth to it.

Look at all the books that Tom Clancy and John Gresham have put out. Most of them are fiction base on life like events and human behavior.

A forum member has put out parts of his novel about WWI on the forum and asked for comments. Fredrich only comes and goes now but he used to be on the forum alot. (around 6000 posts) Give of some samples and we will give you lots of free advice.

tikilal · #17 (**permalink**) December 21st, 2007, 04:27 AM

I think you should do it. No matter the outcome. Personal virtue should always be developed.

Remember that everything in the book should build to the conclusion, done be too obvious with the plot. Heaven for bid that maybe the Germans won the war or that Poland was never defeated. I just got done with a book called Jerusalem Vigal and the story was great, but the end was poor. IMO If your purpose is just to entertain it wont be that good, try to inform, and make the reader think, don't spell out every historical detail but make the reader want to go learn more about it. Make it realistic, again that is my opinion. Good luck now off with you.

JKilts · #18 (**permalink**) December 21st, 2007, 04:35 AM

Whenever I want to write something like that, I turn to the game Medal of Honor. You do all kinds of stuff with the OSS, including stopping a V2, like you said. Medal of Honor Frontline would be the one to get, as it has a lot of cool heroic fiction things, I bet you could get a lot of ideas from that.

Terror of the Skies · #19 (**permalink**) December 21st, 2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKilts

Whenever I want to write something like that, I turn to the game Medal of Honor. You do all kinds of stuff with the OSS, including stopping a V2, like you said. Medal of Honor Frontline would be the one to get, as it has a lot of cool heroic fiction things, I bet you could get a lot of ideas from that.

I also bet I was playing MoH while you were still wearing diapers too.

I know all about the series, Medal of Honor, Allied Assault, Frontline, all of it. I'm quite familiar with it all. Allied Assault was my personal favorite.

The rest got stupid because it was beating a dead horse, OSS this, OSS that. Finally Airborne came out and there was no more OSS!!! YAY!

Joe · #20 (**permalink**) December 21st, 2007, 05:30 PM

ARGGH! Don't talk about airborne! Those conspirators at EA must have sat down and said,
"Lets make that twerp from Lancashire, England, never be able to play our masterfully crafted game, Medal of Honor Airborne, ever! HA HA HA!"
It's a global conspiracy!
Heres what happened
1st computer-Installation just ends at 75%
2nd-Installs but runs like a slideshow
3rd-bad graphics card
4th-took 2 hours to get to 2% install
5th-BAD GRAPHICS CARD!
AARRGHH! CURSE YOU EA!