I've written one fiction novel and I'm working on another one, and have ideas for the early stages of two others. While I would like to be published one day I don't think it would hurt me too badly if I wasn't. I love writing and the process of breathing life into a story and characters from nothing. I've got my manuscripts listed here in case anyone is interested https://writing.martin-brennan.com/works/#manuscripts
Another amateur Australian fiction writer here. I started last year around the time of the lockdowns.
I'm in the same boat as you just writing for fun and enjoying the process. I'll probably look at the self-publishing route once I've finished my current WIP. I've learned a huge amount about various topics, including empathy for the characters I write about, and it has given me more appreciation for the skill of the writers I love.
That typewriter is really cool! Any more details on the setup? Here is a photo of my typewriter https://imgur.com/a/5I7xNjI
> I've learned a huge amount about various topics, including empathy for the characters I write about, and it has given me more appreciation for the skill of the writers I love.
I've learned tons about this kind of thing over time, and as I've gotten more experience I've drawn on my interactions with others IRL and thinking more about human experiences, how characters would react realistically, and such. There is so much to learn. It really does make you appreciate the great fiction that you love, and it gives you something to work towards, a greatness to emulate.
LMK if you ever want to exchange writing with someone, it can be a lonely road sometimes.
I use Word. It's the easiest option and everything that you would want to submit to for short stories (and for novels I assume) expect a Word document. I've seen things like Scrivener but honestly I think that would over-complicate things for me. I can use Word anywhere, I pay for Office 365 so I can use the desktop application or edit in the cloud if I want to.
_Before_ I get into Word I process the words from my brain either by writing in longhand, or by using my typewriter. I use the step from these analogue methods to digital as an initial cleanup phase.
