Writers' Row

mtatum4496

Lately, I've been thinking about drawing on my years working in the textile industry by writing a book. It would focus on the declining years of textiles in my home state during the late Seventies and Eighties, when I was in my twenties and early thirties. My general approach would be short chapters on some of the more memorable characters (and boy are there plenty to choose from!) that I worked with for most of that twelve year period, along with material that would show the interdependent support network that exisited between everyone, in spite of job, shift, or position with the management team.

I can see this being a little sentimental, but also there are some pretty wacky stories to tell as well. Do you guys think this is an idea worth pursuing?
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Mike Tatum
Montgomery, Alabama

LucyL · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure what the market is for books on the textile industry. Sounds like you have some good character studies. In pitching the book, I'd emphasize the humor and the people, with the textile industry (and the changes in that industry in the USA) as a background for the personalities.
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Lucy L
My blog: http://marshianthoughts.blogspot.com/

Anya · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 613 Location: So. California

I think the industry would be a unique setting, but should be less the focus/selling point than the stories that emerged from the people/situations.
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mtatum4496 · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:27 pm Post subject:

Yes, you are both right. The background of working in a textile plant, and how the changing industry was impacting the lives and relationships of the people is there for a setting and adding some color. The real focus is the personalities, character traits, foibles, postive attritbutes and relationships between the folks that worked there. A lot of the events I want to include make more of an impact if you understand the setting, so I don't want to downplay it too much, but my intent is to not make the environment center stage.
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Mike Tatum
Montgomery, Alabama