Life...With No Breaks

My dear Nick - I cannot but empathise with your embarrasing poo episode at uni: I had one myself. Don't you worry - I'll bet everyone's had one. I had mine as a bout of gin-induced diarrohea. I blocked the lavatory with paper and poo and it filled up to the rim with brown, papery slop. With my trousers still down and, unaware that my arse was covered in loose stool, I attempted to clean up and unblock the loo. All that happened was that I stumbled around the bathroom with my arse imprinting poo-prints on the wall, on the bath, on the sink and, ultimately on the floor. I had to shout for assistance. Several drunken medical students attempted to help me but one of them was violently sick due to the appalling smell. But there was a silver lining; it now a fine and long-winded after dinner tale.

But enough of the poo...

Your book is really, really funny; and has a terrific premise - novel in 24hrs. I found it totally engaging and enjoyed it immensely; even the specification of your pc. I think this book is quite, quite super and am so pleased to have found it . I am putting it up on my bookshelf right now and will give it a well deserved mention in the Recommended Manuscripts. All the best from Irene

This is a well-excecuted, captivating necklace of gems, some more precious than others, but all gems. Vividly detailed descriptions. Straight-forward narrative. Snappy pace. Clever wit. Masterful storytelling. A superb read. Backed.

Dear Nick Spalding,

Life...With No Breaks, hmmm, and sometimes it seems like life with no brakes, and you Nick Spalding, are on a roll, and that means a roll of a Jack Kerouac scroll, baby, scroll. 24 hours? Who's counting when you're non-stop writing and make that non-stop reading on Authonomy the writing place to be, baby, be, or not to be, to back or not to back, BACKED, Jumping Jack Flash.

GK Stritch
CBGB Was My High School

I am near tears laughing....I will never be able to say PARTY POO-PER again with a straight face!
I've skipped over some of your 'choicest' words, but overall, you had me laughing, smiling and nodding my head...what's more, a total stranger took me along for a mad literary ride. Thanks for the memories!

Cheryl A Thompson
'Whispers From My Heart'

A new fear of sponges has entered my life. I must plan to attend music concerts. Great work. The market needs this book. Backed. Chuck (Literary Agent Blues) (Uboat Officer)

Hi Nick
Some interesting anecdotes and a few funny oneliners. An interesting idea. Great stuff.
DP Walker
Five Dares

excellent! a very enjoyable rant! -Backed. For more honesty and laughs, please read 'the compulsive adventurer' Thanks Mike

awesome idea, execution and fun to read. makes me want to try it. thanks for this and good luck. Steven Rineer

I genuinly enjoyed this work. I shall be reading more and more.
BACKED INDEED

Hope you get the chance to peek inside The Russian Hat. I could do with a lift.

warm wishes

Brendan

Fun bit of brainstorming run amuck. The next go around maybe you'll consider actually going the route of fiction. Just a thought, not a criticism.

Hahahahaha! My head is still spinning and I'm still giggling.

You are a TERRIFIC WRITER!

Fantastic idea - and a beautiful mind behind it.

Love it! And I'm backing it with a huge smile.

Johanna Kern
Master and the Green-Eyed Hope

LIFE.....WITH NO BREAKS by Nick Spalding.

Nick - It's easier than you thought to write a book: it's not so easy to attract a readership. You need have no worries on that score. Everyone loves a laugh: you provide them by the score. Write a book? It's like whistling - you just put your lips together and you blow! Thanks Humprey Bogarde and Lauren Bacall. Thank you too - Nick. Backed.

Tony Brady - SCENES FROM AN EXAMINED LIFE - Books 1,2 & 3.

I read all that you posted. I was reminded of a few awkward situations that I would share with you were we sitting together drinking coffee and eating pringles. It reads nicely and of course there were a few instances I couldn't see the screen for the tears of laughter. I think the gifts given at the holidays was the funniest part for me. I may have bought that pen with the radio in it for someone. Poor guy!
All the best,
Christine Elaine Black
MAXIMUS

This is a most hilarious story. I've laughed more than ever. Liked the "Public Service" typos story. It might easily become an urban myth. Liked Christmas Shopping and getting a new car stories.

Anyone who read this piece of writing would be striving to read more.

Thanks for making it available for all of us to enjoy.

Backed

and good luck!

Peter G

Jeez, this is the second hugely original book I have read in the last thirty minutes. What a fantastic idea. I struggle to write a page in 24 hours nevermind a book. Clearly, this cannot be reviewed as other books - the short, punchy sentences and lack of formal narrative and characters - but I admire your thinking, sir. I can certainly see this published and not just the smashwords/amazon route.
Backed with pleasure.
Carl
The Time Hunters

I love this book - perfect for a trip! Backed with pleasure.

Liz
The Cheech Room

This is great! Bloody brilliant!
Caught my eye as I wrote my book in 32 days. I only intended to take a peek, but finished it still grinning.

Thank you for sharing the story.

Eley

Thanks Eley!

You can pick up the whole book for free until Saturday on Smashwords with voucher code VX29W if you like :)

copy and paste this or look in my profile:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/13551

This is great! Bloody brilliant!
Caught my eye as I wrote my book in 32 days. I only intended to take a peek, but finished it still grinning.

Thank you for sharing the story.

Eley

What an original idea - I liked your pitch so I backed the book - perhaps you could have a look at my books - thank you and good luck !

Hi Nick, I enjoyed this. The direction is there and what’s interesting is how you’ve established a relationship with the reader. All those little details somehow are secret to readers and they matter – the kind of laptop and the attitude about marriage. I didn’t feel any flag in interest. Somehow it works as a book and economically timewise. Shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Entertaining and a bit rambling...to be expected when you appraoch the task of writing in a kind of ad hoc way. At times it's abit like listening to stand-up comedy aka Billy Connolly without the expletives...not a bad thing but perhaps rather forgettable in the longer term...the best advice I can give you is to quit smoking!
Good luck
Stewart

Offbeat, unexpected, witty, quirky. Overall, a fun and original read. Shelved!

Amy
Love Match

You are definitely unique to the authonomy site but that being said your work is quite refreshing. You are whitty, many of us have had similar thoughts and feelings and I do find your work appealing. Do you always have sex on your mind or is it only when you write? My cigarette consumption goes up twofold when I write and my keyboard is always littered with ashes. Backed for your originality and easy-to-read writing style.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

Ambitious, bold, thought provoking and -- at all the right times -- hilarious. And I'm only about a quarter of the way through.

Enough to be backed -- and I'll be back for more.

Best of luck,

G
Notes on an Orange Burial (a tragicomedy)

If this is the result of writing at one sitting then I'm going to try it and would advise others to do so.
It's one of the most readable things on this site and that it's already published is no surprise. You make yourself sound fascinating. Of course, you're a professional. Backed with best wishes. Lynn

Thanks Lynn :) Not published through a publishing house at the moment unfortunately, but if anyone's listening... (I'm looking at you HarperCollins :)

If this is the result of writing at one sitting then I'm going to try it and would advise others to do so.
It's one of the most readable things on this site and that it's already published is no surprise. You make yourself sound fascinating. Of course, you're a professional. Backed with best wishes. Lynn

Hi Nick

Excellent job; an interesting personal challenge carried out very well indeed. As you know from my own efforts I enjoy first-person writing. Your style is engaging (I'm not a great fan of that word but I've not slept and can't think of any other) and it kept me reading the whole piece which, is no mean feat. All the best with it and future projects - I think you should resurrect the psycho hedgehog...
BACKED (of course).
Dan
No stranger to the P45

It's my standard practice to BACK a book that is already published.

Though I have been a very active member for over a year and have the most commented book on the website, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Nick,

Interesting pitch. The one bit that doesn't quite work for me is the 'riotuous anecdotes, comedy asides and humorous stories' those are the sort of judgements I think should be left to readers (on the other hand, given the rest of your pitch and your profile, I'm pretty sure you're going to deliver on the promise).

Oh, and genre, I normally recommend less rather than more, but in your case you might like to tick 'Harper True', where there's said to be a much greater chance of a review.

Anyway, into the work proper. Chapter one is great, establishing a voice that is going to be easy to stick with and eliciting more than the occasional smile. My only observation is that some of the punctuation is not quite as I would expect--commas mainly--but then that may just be my shit punctuation . . .

Three chapters in and you continue to amuse. This may be the literary equivalent of Seinfeld: the book about nothing that's kinda funny (except I was never a big Seinfeld fan, but that's not the point).

Backed with pleasure.

Hi Nick: *Life With No Breaks* is the best reading fun I've had this year. And, of course, I had to read it ... with no breaks. One heck of a challenge to write this way, chum -- you're a braver author than most I know -- and you pulled it off beautifully. I was rooting for you all the way. Good luck. Neil

Hello Nick, I thought I would do a review in 24 seconds turns out it took 30....sorry just had to do that. For real now. The book cover is the first thing I look at. In a book shop, lets face it, that is where we start. Pick it up or not. I DID . the pitch then was what got me yes it did. So funny this book and of course non-fiction, a work of genius. L O V E D IT. so you are NOT putting the whole book up? why not? oh yes you are! good!. BACKED FOR SURE.......If you would review 'The Letter' and give your 'comments' and 'backing', I would appreciate it. and BEST of luck.

Denise
The Letter

I'm enjoying this and could go on reading it all night. Backed.

I'm glad it's grown on you :)

...which makes the book sound like a wart I suppose, but it's late at night and my usually unspeakable powers of witty literary communication have deserted me.

I'm enjoying this and could go on reading it all night. Backed.

That one beats them all.

Getting better-ever read Diary of a Nobody?

The introduction is too long. You spend the whole chapter discussing what you're doing. I hope for a more interesting second chapter.

LIFE WITH NO BREAKS
This is an interesting idea for a book. I think the best way to read it is to clear an afternoon of distractions because it has no plot to follow – just observations on what life is about. I doubt it will be nominated for a Pulitzer – but I have to admit I enjoyed reading it. The idea may have been crazy but the book is fun to read. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

In a market riddled with the same old stuff, this is a great premise. It's personable, human and engaging. A few people have found it tiresome, but like any good conversation, I feel that this is a book that you dip in and out of. You know, the kind where you part for a couple of weeks, come back, and you're such good friends you pick up where you left off.

This is a great endeavour, and something that stands out from the crowd. I enjoyed myself immensely, and backed it without hesitation.
Abi xxx

Hi Nick, well this is a great concept and the start was a good draw. I read through to Chapter 5 by which time the lack of any sense of direction to the monologue was starting to get to me. I kind of faded out at that point although I see you have written the whole book from other comments. I should start by saying that I am not a published writer and have no craft to pass on, but as a reader I think you ought to go back and get some longer and more coherent stories going from about chapter 3. The waiting to get started feeling fades by that point.

I know this defeats the whole 'I did in in 36 hours' thing but why not settle for 'I drafted it in 36 hours' and get some meatier anecdotes in to spruce up the readers interest and need to latch onto a narrative

The reason I say this is that your writing style is really impressive and you carry the reader quite forcibly along. So with a little plot crafting I think your book might have a decent chance of take-off. I liked the whole idea and you came over really well with your wry self analysis too. I'll watchlist this to see if you take it to another level and possibly back it later if you do.

If you want payback take a look at:
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=19549

Good luck with the writing and give up the fags or I'm not going to sit in your spare chair any longer... cushions or not... Oh yes, I'm your nightmare roomie...!

Hi Dave,

Yep, fair enough mate. Pacing with a book like this can be a subjective thing. Funnily enough, I've had other saying they thought some of the stories were too long! I'm glad you liked the concept and my writing style though. Thanks for your comments, I'll take a look at your book when I get the chance :)

All the best,

Nick

Hi Nick, well this is a great concept and the start was a good draw. I read through to Chapter 5 by which time the lack of any sense of direction to the monologue was starting to get to me. I kind of faded out at that point although I see you have written the whole book from other comments. I should start by saying that I am not a published writer and have no craft to pass on, but as a reader I think you ought to go back and get some longer and more coherent stories going from about chapter 3. The waiting to get started feeling fades by that point.

I know this defeats the whole 'I did in in 36 hours' thing but why not settle for 'I drafted it in 36 hours' and get some meatier anecdotes in to spruce up the readers interest and need to latch onto a narrative

The reason I say this is that your writing style is really impressive and you carry the reader quite forcibly along. So with a little plot crafting I think your book might have a decent chance of take-off. I liked the whole idea and you came over really well with your wry self analysis too. I'll watchlist this to see if you take it to another level and possibly back it later if you do.

If you want payback take a look at:
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=19549

Good luck with the writing and give up the fags or I'm not going to sit in your spare chair any longer... cushions or not... Oh yes, I'm your nightmare roomie...!

Hi Dave,

Yep, fair enough mate. Pacing with a book like this can be a subjective thing. Funnily enough, I've had other saying they thought some of the stories were too long! I'm glad you liked the concept and my writing style though. Thanks for your comments, I'll take a look at your book when I get the chance :)

All the best,

Nick

Dear Nick, I love your rambling on - wish I could have been there, so it would be response, too - that would have been fun. Your pitch was very well done, setting the hook for me to read your book. :) You created interest by having short paragraphs & titles, which made me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book. :) "When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"...authonomy quote. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
additional authonomy quote: "Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs." :)
backed :)
Love, Susie :)

Hi Nick, well this is a great concept and the start was a good draw. I read through to Chapter 5 by which time the lack of any sense of direction to the monologue was starting to get to me. I kind of faded out at that point although I see you have written the whole book from other comments. I should start by saying that I am not a published writer and have no craft to pass on, but as a reader I think you ought to go back and get some longer and more coherent stories going from about chapter 3. The waiting to get started feeling fades by that point.

I know this defeats the whole 'I did in in 36 hours' thing but why not settle for 'I drafted it in 36 hours' and get some meatier anecdotes in to spruce up the readers interest and need to latch onto a narrative

The reason I say this is that your writing style is really impressive and you carry the reader quite forcibly along. So with a little plot crafting I think your book might have a decent chance of take-off. I liked the whole idea and you came over really well with your wry self analysis too. I'll watchlist this to see if you take it to another level and possibly back it later if you do.

If you want payback take a look at:
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=19549

Good luck with the writing and give up the fags or I'm not going to sit in your spare chair any longer... cushions or not... Oh yes, I'm your nightmare roomie...!

Funny, funny stuff. Six chapters in 30 hours is a record in my minimalist writing world.

Natalie

Hi Natalie...I actually wrote the whole book in 30 hours! 56000 words. I needed a lie down and several weeks of therapy afterwards...

Funny, good luck with it. E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one

Funny, funny stuff. Six chapters in 30 hours is a record in my minimalist writing world.

Natalie

This is entertaining, even if it IS just rambling on ... a few minor typos but I'm not going to nitpick on them.