Hi everyone! I'm new here as the thread title states. I've recently got into writing a story, if you can call it writing yet... It's been so long since I have written that I feel like I've forgotten a lot of essential literary skills. I guess thats what happens when all you've been writing for two years are lab assignments... I want to regain my confidence when it comes to skills in writing, from basics such as grammar to use of specific writing skills for fiction, I'm hoping this forum will help me do that. It's nice to meet you all! Sky,
Hello Sky, Welcome to the Writing Forums. 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 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!
Hi Cogito, Thanks for the welcome and advice! I don't intend to post anything of my work just yet, I want to focus on picking up skills here - it's clear the forum has a lot to offer. I will be sure to check out as many places on here as I can.
Hi Coldwriter, Thanks! I used to enjoy writing poetry. Recently I've been trying to write a fantasy story, I'm struggling to get the plot and the characters just right, though I have written around twenty pages - this is a great start for me.
That's great! I write fantasy, too, and most of the books on my shelf reflect that Anytime you write and need a review, you can let me know and I will gladly read it. Enjoy the forums and see you around!
Lol, I can tell from your signature. Thanks for the offer, I'll remember to take you up on that if needed.
