1. Comrade69

    Comrade69 New Member

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    Hello!

    Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Comrade69, Nov 3, 2008.

    I stumbled on this site while looking for writing exercises and decided to join. So. Any suggestions? Body builders workout and artists are constantly drawing. Is there anything I can do to improve my prose and fiction/non-fiction writing skills? My English teacher is always so vague when I ask her AND ITS FRUSTRATING *Ms. Dickens: "Just write"*

    Oh, and here's a little haiku just for fun:

    BUT WHY!? (A haiku by Reese)

    Hot Asian women
    Flash me contemptuous looks
    At Barnes and Noble
     
  2. Cheeno

    Cheeno Member

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    Welcome to the Forums, Comrade69. You'll find plenty of advice as you journey through these sites, but I'll say you should start by reading the best there is. Can't go wrong there. Enjoy your creative journey.:)
     
  3. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Hello Comrade, Welcome to the Writing Forums.

    Along with your English teacher's suggestion to just write, I would add, "Read. And re-read. Then read even more." When you re-read the same story, you already know where the story and the characters are going, so try to see how the writer carries the story. Notice what parts stand out for you, and what parts seem a bit murky. The more you do this, the easier it becomes to discover what does and does not work. These are the nuggets that will shape your own style.

    Incidentally, that qualifies as critiquing, which is strongly emphasized on this site. In my opinion, there is no more productive learning exercise than critiquing, then applying what you learn to your own qriting.

    Posting your own work should not be the very first thing you do here. It is really worthwhile to see what other people have done to improve their writing, and see if some of it applies to your writing as well. That is part of why we require members to review other members' work before posting their own for review. On the other hand, there are no restrictions, other than content and copyright rules, on showcasing your work in your member blog.

    If you haven't explored the site yet, you should probably do so soon. Newcomers often gravitate to the Lounge, the Word Games, or the Review Room, but there is much more to be discovered if you poke in the corners. Remember to check out our FAQ as well, and be sure to read through the forum rules, too, to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Respect for one another is our principal mandate.

    As for the Review Room, new joiners often wonder why we do things a bit differently on this site than on other writing sites. We emphasize reviewing as a critical writing skill. Training your eye by reviewing other people's work helps you improve your own writing even before you present it for others to see. Therefore, we ask members to review other people's writing before posting work of their own. The Review Room forums on this site, therefore, are true workshops, not just a bulletin board for displaying your work (and on that note, please only post each item for review in one Review Room forum). See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information.

    And while you're looking around, don't forget to check out our Weekly Short Story Contest and Weekly Poetry Contest. They actually run more than one week apiece, but any member may enter, and all members are urged to vote for their favorites.

    Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
     

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