Hi -- I'm approaching tall of you because I wanted your take on something.

As you may or may or may not know, my dad, who taught me to love books, and got me into fantasy and sci-fi, has either Alzheimer's or dementia.

I know you all have super-insane schedules and projects of your own, but -- like Sunil's birthday resolution, I want to write and publish a story or a novel before my dad is gone, either mentally or physically. I know that time might make this an impossibility, But I have to try.

I know the basics of writing; ass in chair, fingers on keyboard, but I was also looking for support. I can't afford a workshop, but I thought maybe between all of you, you would have some good tips and tricks from same.

I have this idea for either a short that would be the precursor for a novel, or a novel itself in my head. It's been roaming through my head in pre-dreaming and sleepless nights and brainstorming sections in my journal for a while now.

I think trying to publish a short story would be faster, but...this is why I'm asking all of you for advice. And maybe, if/when you have the time, for mentoring or beta'ing.

I know it's a big request, but my dad -- he's always thought I would write a book someday, and I want to put something in my hands and say "I wrote this, and people are reading it."

And also because there are all these stories in my head, and I want to finally let them out.

Any and all suggestions welcome -- I'm just here looking at my brainstorming journal and thinking, "I wish I had someone to talk with about this -- OH."

And all you can do is ask.

Thoughts?

I'd be happy to back-and-forth in email (or even on the phone, if you want) about ways to get started, basic outlining that's helped me, etc.

If it would help, we could do daily check-ins here, too -- I need some accountability, and I've been trying to kickstart myself on a proposal, so we could check in with word totals for the day, or just post word goals.

Or we could even meet here to do word wars -- where you start at a given time, write for an allotted period, and see who writes the most words. (Although it's really meant to push yourself to write as much as possible, and the "winner" just gets, like, to pat themselves on the back.)

I think a story would probably have the best chances, time wise. Much less material to have to process writing and editing wise, and there are probably better market chances for a story. Do you have any preferences for ePub versus paper?

Since it is for your Dad, would you consider self-publishing? Or is real publication important for either you or your Dad in this case? Normally I do NOT recommend self-publishing, since you don't get professional editing or any of the other stuff real publishers do. You don't reach as many people and the final quality of what you produce is not as high (unless you have the money to pay for professional editing, and then it is a very expensive hobby.) But you could write a short story, and produce a mini book from it on Createspace and end up with a really professional looking book to give your Dad. And for a short story, rather than a novel you might even get Buffista volunteers to do editing and layout, which would give you as a high a quality result as publication by a real publisher would give you, even though it would never reach as large an audience.

Again, self-publication IMO is only for special cases. But something aimed at an audience of one might well be one of those special cases.

I think it's best to focus on what you're writing first -- the other stuff can come later. But without a solid grip on your story and at least a loose plan for writing it, none of the rest of it will matter, you know? i.e. Putting the cart before the horse ...

Strix - First, I completely agree with Amy.

without a solid grip on your story and at least a loose plan for writing it, none of the rest of it will matter

Yup.

One thing to consider is flash - under 1,000 words, with all the toppings - beginning, middle, end, character, voice, plot. They're good practice, set a frame within which you can work, and can sometimes turn into bigger stories.

And when you write one you love, there are a bunch of good sf/f flash markets - Daily Science Fiction, Abyss & Apex, Drabblecast, Flash Fiction Online among them.

A pity you're done with literature, that's the end of a promising career.

I have a crazy cold, so just some short comments from my stupid med-addled head:

Amy, I like the idea of checking it; motivation is important for me in anything I do.

I've never formally outlined a story, so that could be useful. I've outlined a zillion research papers, but there's bound to be something different with outlining fiction, so that would be cool to look at.

Sox, flash as an exercise is a good idea. I'll incorporate that into my repertoire as well.

Typo, I don't have a preference as to eformat or print, but I don't want to self-pub, really. I know it works as a format for a lot of people, and I'm not going to diss it at all, but it doesn't feel right for me at this time. It's not really aimed at an audience of one; I could just write a story on Word, print it out, and give it to my dad, but that's not the point. It's more of a he always said I would write a book one day and to him, a book or a story is something that OTHER people saw the worthy in also, and chose to publish.

Plus, you know, it's for me. I've always thought I should be writing, but I'm deeply lazy and have been dealing with emo problems for a long time. I'm 42 and it's kind of time to shit or get off the pot, yanno?

Connie, I don't understand what you mean about a career in lit? You mean teaching? Or writing "literary fiction?" I'm definitely a genre writer; I'd be horrid at "literary fiction."

(I hope what I wrote made sense, because I think my head is about to explode or fall off and roll across the floor, or both. Jesus, this COLD.)

Sorry, Polter was bemoaning that he was done with literature in another thread. I mis-posted.

Ah, I thought the NyQuil had completely taken away my ability to read the words.