Once upon a time I was just terribly witty about introducing myself, but as I grew accustomed to the internet I discovered myself rather annoyed at peoples attempts to be random, funny, baiting... Or at least I decided it isn't who I really want to be. So; 'Just the facts, ma'am.' Hello! My name is L. Ai, and I will admit the main reason I chose this site is because I can access it from my cell phone. My laptop I used to write on has been kludged in a not un-borg like fashion into our... I hesitate to say 'entertainment center' (how posh that sounds!) but I suppose that's what it is. And my netbook I borrowed from my friend when she got her new computer doesn't do internet, so aside from stealing a moment here and there to plug in something to upload for review, this is the only internet access I have. Not that the site isn't absolutely beautiful, and I was comforted to see I couldn't access anyone's work as a guest. I'm not the best of writers, but I think I have some pretty good ideas and I am hoping to maybe get something published one day. I am all for mutual brainstorming and inspiration swapping but I've had my work stolen before so I'm a bit leery of posting any snippets where just anyone can see them. I like to experiment with different style of writing, I guess that means I'm still trying to find my own, but it's good fun. I do have a few fanfiction projects I fiddle with between fits of 'original' motivation, but they're so nerdy I'll probably never post them... I like to read; mostly fiction. Fantasy and science fiction and (I love love 'zura!') old fashioned detective novels, and some of the old classic authors; Dostoyevsky if I spelled that right and Checkov, Hugo, Lovecraft- I adore Lovecraft. But I can't read paperbacks, there's something special about the feel and smell of hardbound books. I'm synesthetic, I can't help it. Paperback, kimble or whatever it is, audiobooks, just don't do it for me. My current projects are a sort of young adult fantasy adventure (that just keeps getting more epic the more I try to hammer it out), a collection of horror shorts far too irreverent to see publication (but they amuse me), and the most boring vampire story ever; in which rational adults make logical, thought out decisions and no one falls in love with anyone (I call it BOB). Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you all, or it will be, I'm sure.
Hello L Ai, Welcome to the Writing Forums. 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!
Thank you Cogito! I've been through each of those links already but it's nice to have them collected, my retention is... well it's not that bad, but reminders never hurt. I'm pretty sure I'm years from actually posting anything in the review room. I'm stiill geeking out about finding a writing community online. I don't have anyone to really talk craft with.
Welcome L! I too am a newbie. And just have to say ... I am LOVING that you have a netbook that doesn't do internet. I just find that funnier than hell. XD Even though you don't want to share your work (me either, by the way) hope you share your writing elsewhere on this forum. =)
Oh GreenGirl I'm so sorry I missed your post up there! Uh, thank you? I do aim to please! Thank you Shinn! And Bad Valentine- I absolutely adore your name, by the way- it is! It's SO old! It doesn't even have a touch pad, it has one of those joysticky things in the middle of the keyboard. And it won't directly open a file or program or anything, you have to right click everything and select open/run/whatever. But my husband just reminded me tis not a net book, it's something called a think pad, which I suppose might ruin the joke...
Haha, I remember those, my dad used to have one. Whenever I borrowed it (rarely), it was a pain to use. Anyway, welcome.
