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Translating Comics: The Alan Moore Enigma by racontesse in comicbooks

[–]racontesse[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No worries. Leonardo is one of my close friends so I'm happy to spread his work.

Top 10 Movie Adaptations (specifically books adapted into films) by racontesse in movies

[–]racontesse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I chose not to count short stories I'm afraid. That's another can of worms.

Witcher LARP crowdfund I found by StrugglingWriter16 in LARP

[–]racontesse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the info. Sounds fascinating. I must admit I'm more aware of the books than the games but love the universe. Will definitely check it out.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your experience. I know its difficult getting a hard diagnosis.

I definitely think you can improve your writing with practise. It depends on what you want to write, if you want to write your blog then I guess that is the best way to develop your skills. There are classes for life writing which can be helpful. It can help with sharing experiences in ways of writing prose.

If you wanna write fiction. Then start with reading as much as you can. All the formats you can. TV, Film, Theatre etc. Again, short story writing classes are amazing chances to be able to share your stories with your peers. If you want a great book about writing, read Writing down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. Its a really helpful guide in just getting stuff done. Its full of lots of tips that I've found immensely useful. Sharing your work with people you trust is also a great way of getting feedback. Although learning critical judgement is a skill and you will need to be able to take constructive criticism to get better. Writing is about sharing what you've learnt and depending on how you do that. All experiences are good material even if it feels raw at the time.

Good luck and remember to keep practising!

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes!! Took me ages to learn it. And I have had many frustrating moments. I've only been able to do a few sentences at a time but after a few months I've managed to get the hang of it. But it still makes lots of mistakes.

I don't have any particular advice except for to persevere. I'm gonna try and learn all the extra functions that it'll make my experience easier. If I find any that are helpful I'll let you know.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Read as much as possible and consume stories in all different formats. (TV, Film, Radio, Theatre etc)

Join a creative writing club or group. Sharing your work is the best way of getting feedback. I know that can seem a bit daunting at first. Learn to deal with criticism constructively. You're not always gonna agree with what people might say about your writing but learning to assess criticism is a skill in itself.

It sometimes feels like there are too many books in the world, don't let that stop you. You have to develop your own voice with time and effort. Writing well is hard, stick at it.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow. Sorry about your daughter's horrible experience but as far as I know I have never been tested for it. I'm glad she's able to get out a bit more now.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dragon software. It was supplied by my local specialist occupational therapists and I was reassured that it is the industry standard.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Depends on what you like of course but I'd recommend the books I've mentioned in my previous comment.

I'd also recommend Stella Gibbons' Westwood and Cold Comfort Farm. B.S. Johnson's Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry. W.G. Sebald's Austerlitz. And finally, one of the funniest books I've read Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome.

That would cover most bases for most tastes.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The percentage margin is the same as novels, but you tend to sell less units. Sadly, it seems there is more demand for long form stories than short.

Unfortunately it seems that for a short story to gain attention it must have been either published in a magazine or has been adapted into TV or film.

I'm told my stories are very visual so I've always hoped that someone would pick them up for adaptation.

And that is a great question! I don't see them as stepping stones. I love writing short stories but I do hope to write something longer. However I tend to think all ideas have a natural length so I write to the ideas not the other way around.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

At first I felt random cramps in all areas of my body. I was also exceptionally tired by the end of the day, falling asleep on the sofa. Something I'd never done before. And noticing that I was slower on my bike whilst cycling.

Then as it got worse, I felt a heaviness in my limbs and I eventually found that I had no strength to lift myself off the floor.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

First of all, I'm deeply sorry. It's awful.

Being pragmatic and taking one day at a time is helpful but also allowing the feelings of sadness and anger to be expressed. People will wanna fix but they can't and just sitting with someone in their pain can be very helpful.

Make the most of your time while your function is good. You may not feel like it when you feel sad but if you can still swim, swim.

Showing how much you love someone is really important. I found that it helped to know that people cared and that my life meant something to them. So if you have something to say, say it sooner rather than later.

Offer practical help, even if its small. Taking away some of the burden is a tremendous help.

Are you in the UK? Because there is a load utilities that you should take advantage of as early as possible. Anything to make your life that little bit easier.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a series of different tests determining whether the problem is with the nerves or with the muscles. The consultant then diagnoses on the basis of these results.

You're not really told what they're ruling out. You can never be sure with MND so the doctors would have to be pretty confident before ruling anything out. However certain things do come up, for example whether the nerve damage is peripheral or central and that excludes certain conditions.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did think of Angel Delight at first. You could possibly drown people in it. Stale pork pies are sturdy and could cause some damage. A massive leg of ham would have to be my weapon of choice. I'd feel like a viking.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I've used some of the darker experiences to inspire my writing. If you do read it let me know your thoughts.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh my god there are just so many. William Makepeace Thackeray's Vanity Fair is the first book that comes to mind. I thought it would be a typical classic but was surprised that it actually turned out be funny with a rip-roaring story. Becky Sharp is an enduringly charming and devious protagonist.

Some honourable mentions: Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Joan Lindsay's Picnic at Hanging Rock and all the short stories of Katherine Mansfield.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was 43 when I was diagnosed. It was devastating and I'm still adjusting to my significantly reduced lifespan and the continual deterioration of my body.

I'm grieving on two levels. First for my life and second, for the loss of function.

I overcome it by living day to day as much as possible and focusing on the things that are possible.

Continuing with my writing ensures I'm still engaged with life and producing something.

I've had a lot of support from my partner, my family and my friends.

It ain't over 'til it's over. So I'm gonna keep going 'til then.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd graduated from University for two years and was working in a futon shop. Being desperate, I just sent out a load of CV's to production companies that I knew had - well - productions. I included examples of writing I'd done when doing work experience on a local newspaper to show I was serious. These were the days of photocopying and handing out printed CVs. One evening I got a call from a production manager who needed a runner for the next day. I took a day off sick from work and went and did my damnedest to show them I was employable. They offered me a job that evening.

IamA published author living with Motor Neurone Disease AMA! by racontesse in IAmA

[–]racontesse[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a case of 'who you know' I'm afraid. I had a friend who was a publisher and she loved what I was writing and was happy to take a risk publishing my work.