The Writers' Group introduction thread.

[shoeshine]

From the age of about eight I fell in love with reading books, and the pleasure has stayed with me for many years.

 

Christmas used to be a time in my childhood when the present of a new book was as important to me as a toy. I loved the feel of a brand new book, the excitement of opening the pristine pages and the anticipation of enjoying the story within it.

 

I recall reading Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Tom Sawyer", Baroness Orczy's "The Scarlet Pimpernel", Robert Louis Stevenson's " Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped", Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" and lots of others as I progressed into my teenage years.

 

During my adult years I have always been a member of a Public Library. I visit my local library every month or so. To me they really are "treasure houses". I have never read much of Dicken's work.......even now they seem too "hard going". Fortunately some of the Classic Fiction has been transformed into TV series, so someone else has waded through them and done the really hard work

 

Of late I have read most if not all of the Tom Sharpe novels, and the entire output of Terry Pratchett "Disc World" Series........brilliantly funny authors.

 

My favourite genres? I particularly like Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror and Non-Fiction books on virtually any subject.

 

Finally, a few weeks ago I revisited my childhood by re-reading "Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The novels stand alone as general stories for children's reading, but I realise now, at my age, there is an underlying depiction of the hardship and bondage to slavery that was the norm throughout the southern States contained within the boyish adventure stories written by Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clements). Whilst I loved the books as a child, I saw them in a new light as an adult.

[JoeP]

The first 'grown up' book I read was 'The War of the Worlds' and I think that that started colouring my reading from there on in. I was (and still am) a great lover of Ray Bradbury and Arthur C Clarke, and quite a few of my short stories are influenced by both those people.

 

I've written short stories, scripts, the odd comedy sketch and sooner or later will start on a novel.

 

The main problem nowadays is finding time to fit it all in.

 

Just been reading Stephen King's 'On Writing' (again!!) - well worth it to start inspiring the urge to write!

[rad]

I love writing - fiction (although I keep STARTING novels etc and never getting firther than that) and non-fiction - more academic/theological type stuff.

 

I also love reading a wide range of things - magazines, websites, books, leaflets, cereal packets, wine bottles etc.

 

I refuse to read the Da Vinci Code as some sort of personal protest.

[nez75]

Hi. I used to love writing fiction, recently though I have been a student so finding the time has been difficult. I graduated last week so this forum will be of great interest to me. I hope to start writing again.

 

I mainly read thrillers, crime, horror and classical books.

[caz_ol]

I too have always had a love of books and like the best of us, the books I am drawn to often reflect some aspect of my own personality or experiences, which probably explains why my choices are so varied! I'm no Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde but I do have a wee bit of a split personality when it comes to my favourite reads.

 

I love anything quirky with humour and an underlying more serious tone, fantasy has often been a key theme throughout my reading years, from multiple choice adventure books in my days at primary school right through to the likes of (dare I mention) Lord of the Rings which I discovered only some years ago.

 

I'm not ashamed to admit which classics I have not read, or what genres I still remain ignorant of. To me reading books is not a competition to see who is the most well read or who swallowed the biggest dictionary that morning, it is about enjoying both the book and the moment in which it was read.

 

Although spilling mistakes may happen and my grammar that is wrote may not be the most fluid, I do find my stories often have a humorous tone and sometimes if I'm lucky I'm not the only one who thinks it. Though as a final plea....do be gentle on me!

 

Thanks for the interest!

 

Caz.

[oldtimer]

Hello, my name is Brian Brady, I am 67 years old, and am not ready to roll over and die! I have written my own (boring) life story, but I have volunteered to produce a book for the writing group, any stories submitted to the Writers Group. I have produced 5 books so far, in eight and a half by eleven inch size, with a leather binding. Dave Milner, the 'City Snapper' has graciously agreed to the use of his wonderful photographs of Sheffield in the book, at the rate of one full colour pic per page.

I don't know yet what the procedure will be, but for what it's worth, might I suggest that any stories submitted be critiqued by the appropriate member, and then, if the writer agrees, the story sent to me for inclusion in the book.I have no plans to commercially publish the book, but it will be sent to one of the moderators, so that anyone can see it. Just a few ideas to get the ball rolling. Brian Brady, a.k.a. oldtimer

[buck]

I was very fortunate in having a mother who taught me to read by the time I was four years old. She would get into trouble with tram conductors because I wouild read the no smoking signs and other things, making them think I was of school age and should have paid the halfpenny fare.

I have always loved books. For a long time my favourites were adventures by Alistair Maclean, Hammond Innes, Ian Fleming, Neville Shute and others. Later I gravitated toward the classics. Having lived in Winchester for a time, and having visited Jane Austen's grave I became devoted to her work, and still am. Ihave read everything she wrote many times as well as works by Dickens, Hardy, The Brontes, and Fielding. I could not live within a few miles of Mark Twain's last home without enjoying his unique stories of American 19th century life and manners.

[Annoni_mouse]

Ive been reading forever, I cant imagine my life without books!I love reading, and have just finished Sophia Mcdougal's Romanitas, which I guess gives a good indication of the kind of books I like to read.Basically I'm drawn to horror/supernatural/sci-fi, though I believe its the quality of the writing that matters much more so than the genre.

As far as writing goes, Ive always enjoyed writing fiction, though college essays aside, I don't think Ive ever completed a story.I'm hoping the group will provide the necessary foot/backside interaction to inspire me to finish something!

Just a warning, most of the stuff I write is overblown, pretentious twaddle - you have been warned!!!

[hazel]

My Sister , 13 mths older and much brighter than me, could read at the age of 3 and used to read to me when she was about 5. We woud go down to the library at the corner of Arbouthorne Rd and chose books for my Mom and Dad. She used to set me looking for authers name on the lower shelves while she chose from the higher shelves. Thus was started my love of books.

We travelled a long way to school past the central library and would call after spitting on our hands to ensure we would pass the hand inspection by the dragon lady in charge. The library was a treasure trove of delight.

Anne of Green Gables, the Chalet school girls, Biggles, Worral, we used to read all the way home bumping in to lamp posts on the way.

So as I am now 69 I have held a library ticket for 61 yrs.

I read the Bond books as they came out and the Darling Buds of May by H E Bates, and could probably still quote the write up on the sauce bottle on the table, I read avidly soaking up everything in my path. Still do

hazel

[spyro2000]

There isnt much that I can say about myself.

 

I havent read a book for many a year now. I used to read lots when I was a kid, but computer games soon changed all that. I would like to get back in to the habit of reading and to feed my mind with a bit of writing. Should be all good fun and interesting. We shall see