The land that is, not the person. I'm a software developer who wants to do something else. Something different. I have a few ideas, one of which is a simple movie. From that movie premise a trilogy of novels came into being, and that's where my complete inexperience with writing novels finds me now. Lots of research is going on - I am very appreciative of the Internet and the breadth and if I want it - depth of material available. I have written poems in the past but never a novel. Would like to get an idea of how to do it properly before I start, as I like a plan and prefer sticking to it. Looking to participate, perhaps connect with a few other writers and learn as much as I can. If there are some smaller competitions where I can stretch my writing skills or improve my vocabulary, I think that would be awesome. I look forward to making your virtual acquaintance.
Hi Aaron and welcome. Sounds like you are in the right place! Indeed, we have writing contests and writing prompts for practicing your skills. There are also plenty of threads about different aspects of writing. If you can't find a topic you'd like to learn more about, feel free to start a thread and we'll be happy to help you out any way we can. Also, here's our New Member Guide, there's a bit more information about the basic ins and outs of the forum. Have fun! -Kat
I did a search for "competition" in the newbie guide - nothing. Do I have to prove my worth in battle before posting an entry?
Oh and how awesome is the anonymiser zomg. I wish they had that for the photography forum I infrequent.
Is there somewhere I can post random thoughts n stuff? Kinda like an in-built thread that is mine to spew forth the volumous drivel that is generated in the maelstrom of my mind? Kinda like that sentence? One forum had a blog kind of section where you could create a thread and just update it as you saw fit?
You should have the "My Blog" option in your Profile. We also have the so called Wayfarer's Tavern thread of the random in the Lounge where people talk about all kinds of stuff.
Oh you mean like a link to our blog external to the site? I was thinking more a thread that I "owned" to post stuff into. I don't have a writing website and when I do it will be for my novels *eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee* not for me as a writer. I am going to do the nom de plume thing too, I think.... so ..
No, she meant an internal WritingForums-based blog. You should be able to find yours here, I think. We also have a "Progress Journals" section you might want to check out, if the "drivel that is generated in the maelstrom" is related to your writing. Welcome, and have fun!
Huh. I went to "my profile" and searched for "blog" but there was nothing on the page and only a home page link text box thingy. Thanks!
It's so interesting how ideas evolve, isn't it? A movie idea turned into three books? That's incredible. I hope you find all you are looking for here and to hear a bit more about your idea.
Sheadra I came here to learn, and to be stretched. Being stretched should be a no brainer, as I have written 2 poems in my life and neither of them were serious And today I am very excited to have learnt about character motivation and how it is predominantly flaw-driven. And that readers can and will identify with flaws and the motivations that spring forth like spring rolls on a spring day from those flaws. The poems I wrote were quite silly. Nice to meet you
Nice to meet you too! I'm trying to hook myself into a community. One of the things I know about myself is that I learn best with people to have discussions with. The only problem I'm running into is how much of my writing time has gone to reading threads! But I think it's a good investment.
Interesting. I think knowing one's learning modalities is very handy indeed. My best process is to read the last chapter of a book - the high level summary, and then the second processor in my brain works on it. Then I go back to the start and learn the basics, the first principles things. As that knowledge slowly grows, the second processor is digesting and ruminating and getting to grips with its own learning. Eventually the two meet in the middle. I have not started writing anything as yet, but have an email thread of 69 emails to myself containing links to info, material, ideas, web pages, concepts, etc. All research to read up on in due course. I am an advocate of "slow and steady" - slow food, slow tech - and now slow novel writing research and construction. What is your book idea?