I didn't know exactly where to put this so forgive me if this is in the wrong spot but I didn't know where to put it. I'm posting this thread so anybody on this forum who has an interest in writing whether it be as a career or as a hobby can discuss it with their fellow forumers. I do it a lot in my spare time and most of my works center around organized crime although my two current mafia works are fanfics of popular videogame franchises I'd say they are quite original. Anything that can be considered related to writing can be posted here. I hope I'm not alone in enjoying this hobby and hope this thread lasts a while.

Welcome to the boards, JerseyGuy. Actually, there are a lot of writers and or artists on this board whose work reflects their interest in organized crime. I am a cartoonist/graphic artist and write a lot of mob stuff in my spare time...nothing to brag about but I do enjoy the creative process. "Welcome to da Family!"

Great thread. I think I'm an author. However, my story rejection letters keep piling up. I'll take all the advice I can get.

I write primarily short stories, but I am about 80% finished with a novel. I write a variety of stuff including vampires, Jesus, coup d'etat in America.

I like the subject of what-if scenarios as far as your coup in America idea. Right now I have two mob centered stories, being 13 both are based on games. one is a saga surrounded the Gambetti family from GTA 4 and the other is about Mafia but from morello's point of view.

I do have an idea that is very early in development, the pen hasn't been put to paper yet. Basically its about a mobster who takes over a family and strives to run it by the guidelines once followed in the old days such as banning drugs and actually following the Mafia 10 commandments. He brutally kills anyone in the fmaily with a history in drugs and other activities he views unsavory and begins the new era of the family but soon finds that the mob has changed and that today's mafioso aren't very willing to accept the guidelines of the older mafia traditions and are more bound by greed than the honor that was once part of Cosa Nostra life.

I love the beauty of words, the ability to convey emotion, to touch someone's heart, to make someone laugh out loud or shudder in fear, all via a previously blank piece of paper. I do enjoy writing, but I think I'm more of a reader. My friend Paul was a wonderful writer, though, and you can read The Godfater sequel he had started before his death.

http://www.gangsterbb.net/threads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=30246&page=1

That is great...I have a feeling this will be a very popular thread!

I'm glad to see that this thread is getting such good reception here. It looks like it'll be around for a while.

Also, does anyone else think this board could use a creative corner or writier's discussion subforum so people could post their creative works whether it be graphics like drawings or sigs or writing projects?

I a currently working on a story that I hope will become a novel, it is about World War II

Quite a few people here have posted ideas and drafts of novels or screenplays on organized crime themes, asking for reaction and advice.

I made my living as a writer, first in journalism, later in a corporate career. Now I write and lecture on themes in American history. One of my most popular talks is on organized crime.

I believe that John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale" is the greatest piece of prose or poetry that I've ever read.

I am also a big fan of Wordsworth, Tennyson and Yeats, who are undisputed masters of the craft, but Keats' ode becomes more powerful, beautiful and meaningful each time I read it.

Is that the one about Nantucket, Klyd?

Cast a cold eye, on life, on death--
Horsemen, pass by!

I give that honor to Robert Frost's, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening".

You would get along well with my father; he has identical views about these poets. 10 years ago when I was a believer, I used to like these lines from Tennyson:

More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?

I love all of those mentioned, as well as the poems of Dylan Thomas, especially "Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night" and "Fern Hill", and then there's always Frost's "The Road Not Taken".

I like Thornton Melon's version in "Back To School."

I didn't know you were a poetry buff, Babe. Maybe you can help me straighten out my Longfellow .

Wow! What woman would be able to resist THAT offer??

I am a writer and a Editor in Chief for www.whenmagazine.com. I'd be PERSONALLY interested in hearing your stories. PM me if ur interested in sending them to me. (I primarly write song lyrics, rock/country/pop), but i like all and I make money off of my articles at www.assoiatedcontent.com/curtbizelli.

I'm starting to get more into the niche of (devotional), motivatioal, inspirational, marketing, sales, psychology, etc.

I've been into writing for 17 years.
View my website at: www.Bizelli.ws

Blessings,
Tru C Biz

Outstanding. Another writer on the board - Welcome!

For those of you who have been published, a question: I assume persistence is a necessary element. One should blanket publishers with a manuscript, right? Or should one be more selective?

The conventional wisdom is for a novel, submit one chapter(?)...for movies/screenplays/television proposals submit a treatment no more than 5 pages which includes character descriptions as well. I am interested to hear from others who have the 3 inch file of rejection letters too...BTW - I was told by many to STOP trying to create the next Sopranos...It will be at least 3-6 years before the market will be starving for another series like The Sopranos and it MUST be different & unique or fuhgettaboutit. Every outlet has been FLOODED with Soprano wannabes and the industry is way turned off. My info is not "bible", I'm just passing on info I have personally experienced. NEVER let ANYONE talk you out of creating - ever. That would be your biggest mistake. What you create today may be wanted 5-10 years from now. Just save all your stuff for a "rainy day".

That's a Rodney line from "Back To School," Babe. Don't you remember?

Never been much of a Rodney film fan. Loved his stand-up, but the films not so much.

Back to School is hilarious! Thanks, PB - now I have to watch it again...

You two have so much in common at times!! Are you sure that you're not Siamese twins separated at birth???

If you're really serious about getting a novel published, you'll need an agent. Publishers won't give you the right time of day as a new writer, unless you have an agent known to them who'll front you.

If your work is nonfiction, and you have bona fides in your field, you might be able to deal with a publisher directly, especially if the publisher specializes in your field.

Yeah, but knowing us, we were probably joined at the ass .

Let's just hope that nobody posts a birth picture...that may be a bit embarrassing!

That's it!

Is the writer's thread dead already? Everybody have writer's block?!?