Have you ever written a book? Or at least tried?

Writing a book is probably the hardest thing to do, especially if you sit down thinking to yourself "Now I will write me a book!". It almost never ends well. I have had no problem getting plots down, getting them organized, making notes and planning out buildings to be used and characters's personalities and such; but then I sit down to write, and I can't get anything out. I've decided now that I'm just going to write short stories, on the fly, whatever I feel like writing, and see if, when I'm done, I can put them together somehow and make some sort of disjointed story. We'll see if it works.... A good tip is: Don't force yourself. Write when you feel like it, and write about what interests you. Have a plot, but can't get it out? Just start writing anything, even random things, to get the juices flowing, and then switch over to writing what you wanted to write in the first place. Don't think of writing the entire book--think of writing the chapter/section you're on. And then, when you're done, you can think about the next section. That way you won't become overwhelmed by the massiveness of the project, but you'll still be able to keep yourself focused on a goal. Hope that helps!

Congratulations to you for being published and for winning first prize. I haven't managed that, though I have entered the Toronto Star Short Story Contest several times over the last few years. I also have two novels written, but both need editing before they are ready to be sent out to the publishing world. I strongly suggest you join a writing group. You think your writing is crappy but past experience has proven that it isn't. You need some writing friends around you who can motivate you and give you feed back. We always underestimate our own writing capabilities. I am not a journalist. I don't write articles. But I have been writing articles just to make some money on Triond. My friends in my writing group have been chastising me for saying I can't write articles, that my articles are great. I suggest you read my article on 10 reasons to join a writing group. You can find it here: http://www.writinghood.com/Writing/10-Benefits-of-Joining-a-Writing-Group.72571 Good luck. I know you can do it!

Well, my tip is to go at your own pace. You don't have to sit down and write the whole plot all at once. You can do it in increments, and I'd recommend doing it only when the mood strikes -- not just because you feel it's time to do it. Elsewise the inspiration will probably be lacking and it won't turn out very well. I've written several books. A ton of short stories. I've published only one book and am dragging my feet at more. I don't finish every story I sit down to write, either. And I tend to go over and over and over them before I consider them finished. I started writing when I was about twelve...and bit by bit I've progressed. I wrote and published my first book between age 13 and 14. Although, I had an actual editor back then. Writing is an art, not a science. There's no one exact formula. You do what you can, when you can, and you learn as you go to make it something good for anyone to read.

I usually write non-fiction articles and blog posts, but I've entered NaNoWriMo three times to try to get a novel written. I haven't made it yet, but I keep all my notes, and whatever I've written so far, in case I can get around to it some day. Lots of novel get written by people who don't have much free time. Just keep plugging away at it when you can. The first draft is always crappy. If you keep throwing them away, you'll never get anywhere with your book. Just get it finished, doing the best you can, and then go back and revise and edit. If you want a book that will really clue you in to writing and help you keep going when nothing seems to work, read Stephen King's "On Writing". It's straightforward, inspiring, useful, and funny.

My book Cat-House Sonnets, 100 poems celebrating cats, was published 2 years ago. It took quite a while to get it all together, both the work and my head. But the thrill of holding my own book in my hands was well worth the work. Good luck to you.

I wonder... Do you think you are trying to make this more complicated that it needs to be right now? Both of my books are written so that each segment stands on its own. Emails and comments have been favorable. My suggestion is to try to get in a regular routine every day where you write something toward your goal. If you have won contests you must have talent. With the length you are writing why not try short pieces of either life experiences or fiction? Don't expect pieces to be perfect at the first sitting. (Think rough draft.) Don't throw them away either. Let them grow. In time, you'll see where you need to go.

I wrote a poetry book in 5th grade, where I wrote a poem about each month of the year. I used to still have it. I wish I could find it again. It was really cool. :)