Hey guys. I'm not really 'new' here, seeing as I've been a registered user since... -checks profile- ... May 2010. I totally forgot I had this account and haven't really been writing as much as I'd like, so I'm kinda a n00b here (lol). Looking to discuss writing techniques, plotting and in particular, if anyone here knows anything about use of symbolism in writing. I really want to finish a first draft of a novel this year, like badly want to. Anyway, cheers, latersss.
Hi there nice to meet you. I find symbolism creeps into my work naturally - simple things like skimming stones, dreaming about sea birds, handkerchief as a symbol of love etc Names have accidently taken on more symbolic meaning than I planned etc (Like having a trapped brother, servant named Uncle Tom, Alexander being a defender of faith, Socrates I named before I knew he was all powerful, wise and immortal lol). My advice is don't bother with it for the first draft chances are it will be there at the end of it.
Hello Laura Mae, Welcome to the Writing Forums. You didn't actually introduce yourself before, so you're essentially a new joiner Please read How to Use the Review Room before you post there. Posting your own writing for people to comment on should not be among the very first things you do here. It is worth taking the time 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. Also, be aware that posting a piece of writing on any public site, including this one, will greatly diminish your chances of selling it for publication. Removing the writing later does not alter that fact - once posted, it is irreversibly considered published. So do not post anything more than a small excerpt of any piece you are planning to submit for publication. 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 constructive critique as a vital 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). Also, please use the same thread for all revisions and additional excerpts from the same piece of writing. 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 the RPG forum for improvisational fiction. Also try 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!
