The last few days have been taken up with constructing an introduction to A Write Carry On. No, the book’s not finished; half-written chapters lay forlorn waiting to be knitted together into something cohesive, entertaining and informative! So why concentrate on the introduction now?
The introduction is a good way for the author to get to know his/her book. You’ll find by stating in the introduction ‘this book is being written because ..’ that you will truly put your motives for writing the book to the test. Also, your knowledge of your subject may well come into question, especially if you read aloud your introduction and imagine that you, the reader, are hearing it for the first time.
'The problem is that writing a book takes a long time, and involves a lot of hard work. People often think that writing a book will be fun. They often sit down and enjoy zipping through the first chapter. They might even get into the third chapter before it starts to bog down, before they begin to think, “where was I going with this?' Michael J. Sullivan (Dealing With Failure) http://www.riyria.blogspot.com/
Before putting my finger anywhere near a keyboard, I read every other introduction on my chosen subject. I made a note of their differing angles, reasons and motivations. But I have one thing none of them could boast about; I grew up alongside my subject. From birth to marriage he was there and most of my childhood memories feature him prominently.
'It is difficult now to imagine how some of the great turning points in Western history could have been achieved without [the book]. The Renaissance, the Reformation, the Scientific Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment all relied on the printed word for their spread and permanent influence. For two and a half millennia, humanity used the book, in its manuscript or printed form, to record, to administer, to worship and to educate.” ~ Martyn Lyon (Books A Living History) http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/10/26/books-a-living-history/
As promised in my last blog, here’s some brief submission guidelines for The Brighton Magazine’s forthcoming ebook People, Places and Memories:
Short Stories or Poems
Please send no more than one short story or poem at a time to editor@brighton.co.uk. In the subject line of your email put ‘The Dream Catcher Project’. I will endeavour to reply within one working week
We have no word limit, but the story/poem topic should be either ‘people, places or memories’. If it is good, we will publish it!
Please send your work in the body of the e-mail. Attachments will not be opened.
Contact the Dream Catcher Project via: editor@brighton.co.uk - or check-us out at The Brighton Magazine.
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