How to write this book about growing up in Minneapolis? (St. Paul: house, neighborhood)

[LittleMathYou]

Hello all. This summer I want to do something constructive, so I decided that I want to write a book. A book about what you ask? I was thinking about writing a book about my experiences of living in Minneapolis as a teenager. Does this sound plausible to you? Would it be possible to make it interesting to others than just me? Your input would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[uptown_urbanist]

Are you writing for your own pleasure, or are you hoping to get it published?

I believe from other threads that you're still a teenager, right? If you're thinking of doing it for your own purposes (reflection, experience, etc.) then go for it, but if you're thinking it will be published then prepare for a long and difficult road.

Something you may want to consider - not sure which neighborhood in Minneapolis you live in, but Minneapolis is filled with community newspapers. Many of them welcome columnists. If you want to see your writing in print, and want to build the kind of clips that down the road will help you to build a writing career (if that's what you want) then this is a good way to start. When I was a teen in Minneapolis I wrote a couple of opinion pieces on topics like school, etc, for the Southwest Journal, and got to see my name in print plus even got paid around $50 a pop.

So... although a full book for publication sounds like a stretch (although I think it's great to dream big!) I think there may be a market, especially in Minneapolis (and especially in those local papers), for those who want to hear a local teen's take on things. Pick up a stack of papers at the local library, contact the editors, and see if they're willing to give you a shot.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by LittleMathYou

Hello all. This summer I want to do something constructive, so I decided that I want to write a book. A book about what you ask? I was thinking about writing a book about my experiences of living in Minneapolis as a teenager. Does this sound plausible to you? Would it be possible to make it interesting to others than just me? Your input would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Read Catcher on the Rye, then decide.

[knke0204]

One Day it snowed. The next day it rained. The next day a brige fell over. The next day was a gay parade. The next day residents come to the realization that there is an oversaturation of somali residents that refuse to integrate into society-much less a tightknit, passive aggresive midwest society. The next day Hennepin County residents complained about a tiny tax that is for "building a stadium"... The next day it was humid. The next day was a Saturday night and you could actually hear crickets downtown. The next day the U of M...Wait, there's a Big 10, major University in the city?


Could one of the most boring books around.

[Explorer John]

Originally Posted by knke0204

One Day it snowed. The next day it rained. The next day a brige fell over. The next day was a gay parade. The next day residents come to the realization that there is an oversaturation of somali residents that refuse to integrate into society-much less a tightknit, passive aggresive midwest society. The next day Hennepin County residents complained about a tiny tax that is for "building a stadium"... The next day it was humid. The next day was a Saturday night and you could actually hear crickets downtown. The next day the U of M...Wait, there's a Big 10, major University in the city?


Could one of the most boring books around.

Wow Well on a more positive note, I've read some cool stuff about people into various music scenes and community stuff from the metro. What kind of things are you in to? Obviously a lot depends on your ability to engage readers as well as your subject area.

[Kebinminn]

A lot of people love non fiction about just every day people, it's all in how it's written. Go for it.

[knke0204]

Oh yeah, I was just totally kidding on my previous post. Sorry, no offense, I just thought I would be sarcastic and outline all the stereotypical jargon. Minneapolis is very unique and interesting, as well as St. Paul. There are many books about the Twin Cities. To get the actual feel would be great. I kind of got that vibe from a band called Atmosphere, from Minneapolis. They always paint such a great picture of MPLS while showing that Midwest/mN/Mpls sound.

It's kind of interesting how even though they are referred to as 'Twins', the cities couldn't be any different.

St. Paul
-Working Class
-Neighborhood feel, grandmas house ex.
-Capital
-2nd largest city in state
-East of Mississippi, (mostly)
-geographically, more hills
-large immigrant population-hmong

MPLS
-More white collar
-More modern
-Commerce and industry center of Midwest
-1st largest in state
-West of Mississippi (mostly, ne srry_
-geographically flat
-large immigrant population-somali

it's a very intersting area in a small space, it would be great to hear inside stories

[Minnehahapolitan]

Originally Posted by knke0204

Oh yeah, I was just totally kidding on my previous post. Sorry, no offense, I just thought I would be sarcastic and outline all the stereotypical jargon. Minneapolis is very unique and interesting, as well as St. Paul. There are many books about the Twin Cities. To get the actual feel would be great. I kind of got that vibe from a band called Atmosphere, from Minneapolis. They always paint such a great picture of MPLS while showing that Midwest/mN/Mpls sound.

It's kind of interesting how even though they are referred to as 'Twins', the cities couldn't be any different.

St. Paul
-Working Class
-Neighborhood feel, grandmas house ex.
-Capital
-2nd largest city in state
-East of Mississippi, (mostly)
-geographically, more hills
-large immigrant population-hmong

MPLS
-More white collar
-More modern
-Commerce and industry center of Midwest
-1st largest in state
-West of Mississippi (mostly, ne srry_
-geographically flat
-large immigrant population-somali

it's a very intersting area in a small space, it would be great to hear inside stories

People make cities, cities don't make people. If the kid has an interesting background and can make a good narrative, it doesn't matter if Minneapolis is white collar and modern. If he is blue-collar, lived on top of Prospect Hill and his father lost a job or if he spent half his teen-years out on the streets and taking survey of a culture then you could have to Mpls. what Joyce is to Dublin. If he went to Armatage and grew up with two parents, a dog named Spot and spent summer as a long backyard BBQ but can make that story applicable and worth while he could have a good book. Whatever his experience in Mpls. was is what Mpls. is to him -- generalizations are not applicable.

[Explorer John]

Originally Posted by knke0204

I kind of got that vibe from a band called Atmosphere, from Minneapolis. They always paint such a great picture of MPLS while showing that Midwest/mN/Mpls sound.

Definitely agree. Slug is an awesome lyricist. The Hold Steady (although not all members lived in MN) also give off that feeling. The way they incorporate references to the Twin Cities makes you feel good about living here.

[knke0204]

Originally Posted by Minnehahapolitan

People make cities, cities don't make people. If the kid has an interesting background and can make a good narrative, it doesn't matter if Minneapolis is white collar and modern. If he is blue-collar, lived on top of Prospect Hill and his father lost a job or if he spent half his teen-years out on the streets and taking survey of a culture then you could have to Mpls. what Joyce is to Dublin. If he went to Armatage and grew up with two parents, a dog named Spot and spent summer as a long backyard BBQ but can make that story applicable and worth while he could have a good book. Whatever his experience in Mpls. was is what Mpls. is to him -- generalizations are not applicable.

I was merely stating that just growing up in the Twin Cities, you are definitely exposed to a vast differance of to large cities, not two cities that are exactly alike.

Cities may not make people, but they can for sure influence who you are.