Need your Opinions

[Nigel H-J]

From Alex's post 'What's not happening folks' I submitted my thoughts as well as a brief account of my days of truck driving.

Having had to cease driving HGV's due to serious leg injuries sustained when a dog ran in front of my motor-bike (fortunately only travelling at 50mph at point of impact) I undertook a complete career change anyway, about six years ago I started to write about a fictitious haulage company based in Lincoln and of some of the drivers employed there.

I have watched in the past a series on TV about a haulage company and it really bore no resemblance at all to what life is like on the road, what I have written so far is not based on those that I worked with nor did events I have written about actually happen but more than likely have!! (and by that I don't mean me)!!and any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental.

Anyway, getting to the point, for many years the work I had done has laid on DVD dormant, unwanted and unread but just recently when going through old files I cannot decide whether to delete the story written so far or try to find some enthusiasm to start writing again.

One reason I stopped was that it would all come to nothing, I started writing for my own pleasure, it is very very difficult to get a publisher to take on work especially if not known so doubt very much if there would be any point in carrying on with it.

This is where you all come in if you are brave enough. I don't do chapters in this story as it all relates to days and will, if enough volunteers come forward and with permission of the moderators start with day one and do it in 2 parts so you don't all lose the will to live!

Will be back Monday as have other committments tomorrow but would really like to have an Honest Opinion from you and not just polite feedback.

Regards
Nigel.

[blanston12]

Start a Blog!

I for one would be happy to read it. I have heard of many writers who have a seriously hard time getting published, but with the interweb anybody can get their content out into the public view. There are lots of blogging platforms where you can post your stories, maybe nobody will see it but most likely someone will and when word gets out,,, You could even put some google ads into it and make a bit of change.

[cstorey]

Have a go. You have nothing to lose, possibly something to gain, and we can dip into it ( and comment or not ) as the mood takes us

[Tomliner]

Nigel, as the saying goes,nothing ventured nothing gained. Well you've started the venture, now perhaps is the time to take it to the next stage.I wish you the very best in your endeavours. EricT

[Kevin Farnell]

Nigel

I don't think you should hide you literary talents. As Joe' Cstorey and Eric say, get them out there. You will always retain copyright.

I have watched in the past a series on TV about a haulage company and it really bore no resemblance at all to what life is like on the road
Nigel.

Would that be the famous green lorries?
My girlfriend has the same view of 'Casualty'. She's a Nurse and says it's so unrealistic that it's unbelievable. She won't have it on the TV (much like me with soap operas, Arrgghh - I abhor them ), however my Mother (not a nurse) loved it.
I'd be more than happy to read your work and will happily give my thoughts.
One thing to be wary of, is alienating readers by becoming too inward looking and producing work that only those who have worked in the industry can appreciate.
For many years, I have thought of a series, 'James Herriot' style about life in the Chemistry Lab. But unfortunately what would be hilarious to fellow Chemists would require the explaining of so much science to the general public, that it would be dead in the water.

Just some of my thoughts.

Wishing you success.

Kevin

[airboatr]

. But unfortunately what would be hilarious to fellow Chemists would require the explaining of so much science to the general public, that it would be dead in the water.

Just some of my thoughts.

Wishing you success.

Kevin

Call it a documentary and it becomes plausible?

[airboatr]

Go for Nigel, a few others here should give it a go as well.

I won't mention any names, just look in their general direction and point with my cigar.

[dodger]

Hello Nigel,

Well unless you have been a Trucker people have no idea what the job is like so it will be an interesting read i should think, so go for it Nigel.

I must say i have not watched the programs about Trucking on the TV so i can't comment but clips i have seen!!

Cheers,

Roger.

[paulsl]

Hello Nigel,

you must write and you must publish or "put it out there". The life and times that you talk about have all but disappeared along with a set of skills that will never be called upon again. Sleeping in an unheated cab in a layby in the middle of nowhere might have been less than thrilling at the time but it was a skill in itself and it was what you did "in those days". That's a phrase that pops into my head a lot when writing/planning my own book. If for no other reason than a record of history I say it's very important that you write. How about the Navy that Dave B served in? That's a very different one to todays. Dave should write too; in fact we all should (cigar pointing or not ). Truly interesting history is made by 'ordinary' people. The generals may get the glory, but it's the soldiers who win the war.

As for writing style, don't worry about it. If you do, there's plenty on the interweb about writing style and so on. I managed to get my (IT) employer to send me on a technical writing course. It was terrific and really helped my own writing (which was the con! ). Of course, if you follow Joe's excellent advice and do an interweb blog, more than enough numpties will come along to tell you where you're going wrong.

Sorry if I got a bit impassioned there, but I feel strongly that as the pace of the World gets ever faster, it's important to remember and record how we got here. Of course, it could be just an age thing!

Paul

[Airspeed]

Hi Nigel,
Add my name to the list of willing readers & commentors.
I do have a tendency to pick up speeeeling mixtarks, but I will focus on the story.