If You Were Allowed To Write And Publish Just One Book What Would The Subject Be?

I was thinking a lot about the swift flying undesribable thing that our few mortal years are and I thought I would put the question above to anyone interested.
Only one book allowed to even be written in your life, whether long or short.
Only one theme, one thing to put forth to an unsuspecting reading public that you hope will stand the test of time .That you dream will be lauded as a great classic, no matter the genre. Something to leave your mark with.

For me the theme is a toughie. There are so many things to share. But if it could only be one it would be probably a mythological genre book that explores the ability or not to be really faithful in all areas of one's existance. Faithful to a mate, faithful to a dream, faithful to one's own self. Faithful to the last breath.
Anyone else have a thought on this topic?

"If You Were Allowed To Write And Publish Just One Book What Would The Subject Be?"

Very easy for me to answer, no fantasy or flowery poetry from me :D it will be a biography of my mother, her life and works :)

Man,
coming from a person I so esteem and admire Logos, just reading what you wrote about your mother gave me tears. I will be lined up to buy that book and no mistake.

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Originally Posted by rachel

For me the theme is a toughie. There are so many things to share. But if it could only be one it would be probably a mythological genre book that explores the ability or not to be really faithful in all areas of one's existance. Faithful to a mate, faithful to a dream, faithful to one's own self. Faithful to the last breath.
Anyone else have a thought on this topic?

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My theme would be similar to yours, except it would not be in a mythological genre. It would be a novel of realism, and while faithful to one's self would be a key element, I would describe it as finding one's true self. It would ultimately be a novel of a quest and overcoming challenges.

Great idea for a thread, Rachel.

I think it would be a biography of Elizabeth Sewall Alcott, for she is the person I have mostly admired all through my life. I think she is worthy of being removed from shadows. As Louisa May Alcott wrote after her sister's death:

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There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.

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Rachel would deserve a book as well! :nod:

I would create a pop-up book that attempts to 'shows' the reader, in the simplest terms, how everything in this world is connected. This might be a lifetime commitment, but hey, only one book, right?

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Originally Posted by ktd222

I would create a pop-up book that attempts to 'shows' the reader, in the simplest terms, how everything in this world is connected.

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Sounds like you see the world as one complicated poem to analyze! :D

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Originally Posted by Virgil

Sounds like you see the world as one complicated poem to analyze! :D

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:lol: Maybe college will staighten me out.

oh ktd222, if you ever do make such a glorious creation I will buy one for me and one for baby Hasia. I actually collect unusual ones, they are magical to me. And it would be thrilling to see how you see the world in one pop up book.

And Elizabeth your choice moves me to tears, I so agree with what her sister said of her.

Oh, I can't decide between two.

One will be biography of my Nana Aba (mother's father)

The other will be a novel against "Mughal Dynasty in Subcontinent" I have even written a short story about it but it does not cover all the stuff. It can only be covered in a novel.

wow, everybody's ideas sound really interesting
do write your Mughal Empire novel, Pensy, I'd be the first to buy it :)
what did your Nana Aba do? mine was a violent drunkard, so there's not gonna be a biography of him...

I'd either publish the novel I've been working on ("Making Sense"), or a saga of my family... there's enough weird stuff there to make it interesting, even though it wouldn't be fictional

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Originally Posted by SleepyWitch

wow, everybody's ideas sound really interesting
do write your Mughal Empire novel, Pensy, I'd be the first to buy it :)
what did your Nana Aba do? mine was a violent drunkard, so there's not gonna be a biography of him...

I'd either publish the novel I've been working on ("Making Sense"), or a saga of my family... there's enough weird stuff there to make it interesting, even though it wouldn't be fictional

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My Nana Aba is a retired Urdu Professor. He has written some published books, Ghazals, articles and essays. His life is full of adventures. He has met many famous Urdu writers. He is really an idealist. He sacrificed a lot for the sake of Urdu Literature and expects to be acknowledged for that. He is the person who calls himself one of the "revolutionary" minds starting from 1950's when Pakistan was struggling through things. I also agree that he did a lot for Urdu Literature but there are people who did more than him. I will call him really simple because of his idealistic approach. Throughout his life, when people were collecting money from corruption, he stayed against corruption. He is the founder chairman of our local university. For all these things, he is really proud. (that's what angers me)

When he was three or four years old, a doctor told him that his eyes had a defect. He would not be able to see very clearly. His mother, father and siblings thought that he would become a farmer in his local village but he was the first one from his siblings who went to the city, got education and became a Professor and his older brother spoilt his parents money by amusing himself and in the company of flattering friends. My Nana Aba went to the city and educated himself and all of his younger brothers. The person whom people used to call "Bahra" (a person who can't see) although he could see a little fullfilled the wishes of his parents, the wishes his parents had from his eldest brother.

Although with his eyes little defect, he read many books. Along with Urdu literature, he had interest in other English Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, Politics, Sports as well as in Sciences. He has recently told me that he has read HG Wells, TS Eliot...etc..

With all his good aspects, I believe that he has his character's flaws. One of them in my opinion is his believe in social system of classes and the other is his very idealistic approach. He want to see a world full of truthful and honest people. The other thing is that he can't stand without talking. (which is also my flaw which my brother say that I have inherited from him) He has so many friends, lots of friends. He know lots of people which astonishes me a lot.

So that's my Nana Aba. I love him but sometimes I gets very angry at him specially because he is really cares about "social classes" (castes) a lot. He has told me lots of stories about his childhood. I will like to collect them and write a novel but I think that I am not so good at languages yet so I will not be able to describe each and everything.

SleepyWitch, Thanks though I dare say that my novel about Mughal Empire will ever be published but it might....after all it is not impossible. :D

sounds really interesting, Pensy. well, you can collect material for the biography now and write it when you feel your language skills are up to it :)

oh both of your proposed work sounds enchanting. It is very hard to sit down and think of just one thing alone that would represent a life's work. That is how I approach all my writing for children. Because none of us know what tomorrow brings I think like that, what if this is my last day, what will I say to others, do for others, for myself, write? It gives quite a different color to the canvass then thinking"oh well, tomorrow is another day." It is how I like to live my life.
Your contributions to this thread are much appreciated and I hope, it is my prayer that all will really and truly start with that special one and actually do it, writing each day, a few minutes here or there, a stolen hour once in a while-actually get that special one accomplished. Then there is the leisure of tackling the next one and living like it for sure is the last thing you will give the world.
I am excited for all of you.

Thanks man, I really want to complete it before my Nana Aba's next visit!

Nice ideas everyone and a nice thread!

A history of the international family of man, showing the way all are related as one race, and looking at the common traditions that can be traced back to a common tradition when we were but few.

That sounds awesome.Everyone I think longs to know their roots, their ancestral ties andn connections. It is magical somehow. I hope you really get it completed and out there for all of us. thankyou.

Being obsessed with historical fiction, I would publish the novel I am currently working on - a mute boy being tossed around in early 20th century Russian/English/American society, trying to survive in a world constatnly abusing/using him for their own greedy profits.

ah, it is a world I understand. My heart is beating hard just thinking about it. How are you, haven't seen you for a long while? thankyou for your contribution.

Not sure about a topic, but here's my twofold theme:

1. Life is completely without a purpose higher than pleasure.
2. Who cares?

I actually wrote the first chapter for a novel on this theme, a parody of the Left Behind books. It takes place in an extremely conservative christian town in the midwest. The rapture occurs and all the religious people get sucked up into heaven, and the atheists get control of the continent. Party.

Oh write, Joe write. You seem to have a fine very creative mind. Never sit about, just do it. People that shake up others' complacency in a fair way contribute to the bettering of this world. I really believe that. thank you.

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Originally Posted by cuppajoe_9

I actually wrote the first chapter for a novel on this theme, a parody of the Left Behind books. It takes place in an extremely conservative christian town in the midwest. The rapture occurs and all the religious people get sucked up into heaven, and the atheists get control of the continent. Party.

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Who's up for a wanton orgy???

er M'Lord,,,,,,,,,,,,,,is that you talking?(I miss you)

I have only one picture of you and your autograph. How I wish I had twenty.

Aww, I miss you, too, rachel!!

It's only a joke, milady--worry not, the orgy was Stan's idea.

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Originally Posted by RobinHood3000

Who's up for a wanton orgy???

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Also much throwing of garbage cans through plate glass windows.

Thanks Rachael. I will be writing more of that book once I secure a typewriter (computers hurt my eyes).

yyyaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy Joe. I DESPISE COMPUTERS AND LOVE TYPEWRITERS MORE THAN ANYTHING. When I was women's editor I would only use a typewriter....until my very firm boss said "ehem Rachel dear go over there to that new computer and..................get proficient." (swine computers.........alas, there is no other instant doesn't hurt your eyes way of corresponding. you know something Joe, I think you must secretly be an underground hero of some sort.

M'LORD, EVEN IF YOU WERE NOT KIDDING, I SHOULD LOVE YOU NO LESS.FOR I KNOW THE HEART OF YOU AND IT IS TRULY GOOD.

I am attempting to write a book about college - one chapter finished

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Originally Posted by rachel

Joe, I think you must secretly be an underground hero of some sort.

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Not that I know of, but thank you very much.

Cormeister,
that sounds intriguing, could you elaborate on what aspect of college?

Joe, see that is EXACTLY what a hero gone underground would say to keep you off his trail.hmmmmmmmm.

On modesty, for girls.

Still, I've always thought it would be fun to write on entitled "The Insanity of the Life of a Teenage Traveling Piper Lass." My friends all agree ;)

That would be an embarrassing and purely entertaining book...all true...

I would write a book that somehow showed the reader what's really important in life.

As soon as I figure it out for sure, I'll start writing it. Look for it on the shelves of your local bookstore. It will be released on the fifth of octember.

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Originally Posted by Pensive

My Nana Aba is a retired Urdu Professor. He has written some published books, Ghazals, articles and essays. His life is full of adventures. He has met many famous Urdu writers. He is really an idealist. He sacrificed a lot for the sake of Urdu Literature and expects to be acknowledged for that. He is the person who calls himself one of the "revolutionary" minds starting from 1950's when Pakistan was struggling through things. I also agree that he did a lot for Urdu Literature but there are people who did more than him. I will call him really simple because of his idealistic approach. Throughout his life, when people were collecting money from corruption, he stayed against corruption. He is the founder chairman of our local university. For all these things, he is really proud. (that's what angers me)

When he was three or four years old, a doctor told him that his eyes had a defect. He would not be able to see very clearly. His mother, father and siblings thought that he would become a farmer in his local village but he was the first one from his siblings who went to the city, got education and became a Professor and his older brother spoilt his parents money by amusing himself and in the company of flattering friends. My Nana Aba went to the city and educated himself and all of his younger brothers. The person whom people used to call "Bahra" (a person who can't see) although he could see a little fullfilled the wishes of his parents, the wishes his parents had from his eldest brother.

Although with his eyes little defect, he read many books. Along with Urdu literature, he had interest in other English Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, Politics, Sports as well as in Sciences. He has recently told me that he has read HG Wells, TS Eliot...etc..

With all his good aspects, I believe that he has his character's flaws. One of them in my opinion is his believe in social system of classes and the other is his very idealistic approach. He want to see a world full of truthful and honest people. The other thing is that he can't stand without talking. (which is also my flaw which my brother say that I have inherited from him) He has so many friends, lots of friends. He know lots of people which astonishes me a lot.

So that's my Nana Aba. I love him but sometimes I gets very angry at him specially because he is really cares about "social classes" (castes) a lot. He has told me lots of stories about his childhood. I will like to collect them and write a novel but I think that I am not so good at languages yet so I will not be able to describe each and everything.

SleepyWitch, Thanks though I dare say that my novel about Mughal Empire will ever be published but it might....after all it is not impossible. :D

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Hey Pensive, I dont think you should be angry with your Nana. By your narration it appears that he has had a tough life. He appears to be a man of integrity. Do write his biography, I would like reading it.

And about Mughal Dynasty too....

my love-hate equation with life, I think that would be my theme if I have to write only one book.

Only one topic? One book on that topic? I don't know, that's pretty deep. It is the only thing I can leave to future generations and I would want it to be something meaningful to them no matter how many generations there are or how far into the future they exist. It would have to be something so basic that it could not be refuted or broken down into smaller parts or misinterpreted.

Therefore, I would need to be Carl Sagan and Steven Hawking and Albert Einstein all rolled into one and I would write about the one unifying force that explains the other four forces and matter and energy and light and speed and time.

But of course, I'd want to write it in an entertaining way that all people could understand and yet not be able to lay down!

"how The Technology Ruins The Mind?"

I would write about culture, by applying Carl Jung's theory of the collective unconcious. It would be as great as: The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion; which is 15,143 pages long. I would play with the idea of the originality of an echo.

I would quote authors, religious leaders, polititians, philosophers, and fill hundreds of pages with certified wisdom. Then I would say, 'Pfff. Forget about these guys. What would you say if the spotlight was on you?' Then a blank page. I would obligingly ask, in the page after the blank one (the very last page), the readers to send their written response to my address. I would select the very best ones and then publish a second book of quotes, this time with the responses from the anonymous people. Because no genius or actual hard work would be put into either of the books, profiting from them would be quite unfair, so all profits would be donated to an association.

If I could ever get around to consummating my first book which has been in the process of nearing completion for the last 5 months :p... that would be one onerous aspect of my tedious life, lifted. (I haven't been on the forums lately... I was sick for a short period of time)

My book would be the culmination of the many scrapettes called short stories I have in my possession. Then the world could read 2001 Short Stories by A Lass Named Kiz.... ermmmm well, something like that. And my ever faithful, ever supportive best friend has promised to do any/all drawings/water colors to dress up said dream book. What more can life provide! **sigh** :)

I think my book would be a novel:D