Please feel free to look around - you'll find information about the group's work, our group diary as well as the writing diaries of individual members.
About a year ago, a guy who was a member of a famous 70s Glam Rock group expressed an interest in having me write his biography. Unfortunately, a string of events led to us losing contact and it didn't happen. Shame because I think it would have sold reasonably well as he definitely had a story or ten to tell.
For the past few days I've been wondering whether to contact him again to ask whether he's still interested. My only problem is: where is the time going to come from? I'll still need to write the short, quick stuff in order to keep regular money coming in and what with the time I spend on the romance stories—and I'd hate to give up writing them now that I've finally got serious about them—how do I find the time to write the biography?
I'd really like to do it. In fact, I'm happy to do it for a percentage of the royalties rather than a fixed fee plus percentage because he doesn't have a lot to throw about (that's part of the story) and I really believe his story should be told.
Dilemmas. If only I didn't have to do the articles, life would be so very different. But hark at me! Who am I to complain? I get to do what I love doing and that sure as hell beats stacking shelves in Sainsburys!
TODAY'S LINK Did you know that The Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book most often stolen from public libraries?
If only it were that easy, Cherry. I know I'll always be wondering but how am I going to make a living in the meantime? Give up writing the romances? Oh dear... just the thought of it makes me want to cry (seems there's a lot of that going on at the moment).
On Monday I'm starting a full-time four-month contract with an exciting, up-and-coming IT company, plus I've just been approached to update Flash portfolios in my free time.
The writing is obviously going to have to take third place.
Is it possible to do it here and there when the spirit moves? I'm hoping to take that approach but wonder if it will work. You can always approach the guy and see what he says.
Jeanne. I've been wondering about the possibility of doing it 'here and there', too. As far as I know, it's not being written at all at the moment so it's got to be better to have it written slowly than not at all, don't you think?
I'm going to a music festival 'down south' in August and as he's playing there with his present band, I thought I'd take the opportuntity to have a quiet word. Assuming I can catch him, that is.
It's almost 1am. Half an hour on the novel now and then off to bed.
Wow. Writing a biography like that sounds very cool. At least see if they're still interested... that's a unique opportunity that could open the door to many more!
Julie. My other half is the biographer in the house so I'd really be encroaching on his territory so to speak, and to be honest, this isn't really something I want to do in the long-term. I'm only interested in this one because I happened to be a huge fan of the band he played in when I was a teenager and am interested in what was actually going on behind the scenes (evidently a whole lot more than I imagined back then!).
I'll give it until my daughter leaves (she arrives today) and then see how I feel. If I believe I can fit it into my schedule, I'll approach him about it again. I just don't want to rush into something I'll regret and end up churning out a second rate product because of lack of time. But with enough time, it ought to be an interesting project.
To be honest, Debi, I'm not sure what he wants until I speak to him again (assuming I choose to do so). It's a while since this was originally mentioned (at least a year, if not more) and it was never discussed in detail.
You don't have to give *anything* up. If you schedule it in at say 1000 words a week (which'd be what, half an evening a week?) you'll have the best part of it written in a year. And because it'd be special to you - a one-off project - I'm sure your other half would realise you're not poaching on his territory.
Sometimes you need to go with your heart. (Like my local history stuff - I've just realised how much it pays per 1000 words and it's definitely a 'for love' job!)
If only it were that easy, Cherry. I know I'll always be wondering but how am I going to make a living in the meantime? Give up writing the romances? Oh dear... just the thought of it makes me want to cry (seems there's a lot of that going on at the moment).
8:09 PM
I know what you mean, Sharon.
On Monday I'm starting a full-time four-month contract with an exciting, up-and-coming IT company, plus I've just been approached to update Flash portfolios in my free time.
The writing is obviously going to have to take third place.
Is it possible to do it here and there when the spirit moves? I'm hoping to take that approach but wonder if it will work. You can always approach the guy and see what he says.
9:26 PM
Jeanne. I've been wondering about the possibility of doing it 'here and there', too. As far as I know, it's not being written at all at the moment so it's got to be better to have it written slowly than not at all, don't you think?
I'm going to a music festival 'down south' in August and as he's playing there with his present band, I thought I'd take the opportuntity to have a quiet word. Assuming I can catch him, that is.
It's almost 1am. Half an hour on the novel now and then off to bed.
1:01 AM
Wow. Writing a biography like that sounds very cool. At least see if they're still interested... that's a unique opportunity that could open the door to many more!
1:24 AM
Julie. My other half is the biographer in the house so I'd really be encroaching on his territory so to speak, and to be honest, this isn't really something I want to do in the long-term. I'm only interested in this one because I happened to be a huge fan of the band he played in when I was a teenager and am interested in what was actually going on behind the scenes (evidently a whole lot more than I imagined back then!).
I'll give it until my daughter leaves (she arrives today) and then see how I feel. If I believe I can fit it into my schedule, I'll approach him about it again. I just don't want to rush into something I'll regret and end up churning out a second rate product because of lack of time. But with enough time, it ought to be an interesting project.
10:01 AM
From your last comment it's clear that you know what you're doing - in every sense - and will make the right decision.
There was an interesting article in Mslexia re ghostwriting - but you're talking biog, not auto-biog, yeah?
11:44 AM
To be honest, Debi, I'm not sure what he wants until I speak to him again (assuming I choose to do so). It's a while since this was originally mentioned (at least a year, if not more) and it was never discussed in detail.
12:00 PM
Let me know if it's ghosting/autobiog and I'll send you a copy of the article which I'd imagine would be v useful.
11:30 AM
You don't have to give *anything* up. If you schedule it in at say 1000 words a week (which'd be what, half an evening a week?) you'll have the best part of it written in a year. And because it'd be special to you - a one-off project - I'm sure your other half would realise you're not poaching on his territory.
Sometimes you need to go with your heart. (Like my local history stuff - I've just realised how much it pays per 1000 words and it's definitely a 'for love' job!)
5:16 PM
Debi. Will do, as soon as I know anything.
Kate. That's true. I could speak to him and suggest taking it as a long term project. I'm getting closer to a decision :)
4:07 PM
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