Hello fellow members I am new to all of this. Although I have written things they were never for public consumption. Possibly they still won't be but I would like to know how I might compare with others. I feel a bit of a fraud. I am an ordinary man. Pretty plain really. Well plain rather than pretty. I'm not really an artist. OK so that's not true either. I like to write. I like to read. But I guess like most people I am shy about what I write and nervous at what people might think. I am not sure I could withstand too much criticism. So I suppose I am here only for the affirmation of and encouragement from others. Which is fairly shallow. Do you think I will get away with it? Please let me know. Mart x
Well, you're already fishing for encouragement. I think just about any writer will go through that stage at one point but the truth is, you need to get over it. I'm sure you began writing because you enjoy it, down the road -after receiving feedback- you can shift your work so it can be consumed by a wide audience. Write and write and write until your facing your last rites. It's the only advice that anyone can give if you are feeling like you can't do it. And get used to criticism because it is a great tool to help you along. You sound like your lacking conviction, get over it and put your work out there for people to judge. If someone tells you its garbage, you're still ten steps ahead of the guy who scribbles in his notepad unwilling to share it with anyone. Good luck writing, -Van
^Agreed. If you post your work, not everyone is going to think it's good. But they will tell you how to improve it, and it's up to you to take it on board. If only receive praise on your work, I doubt you will improve. Btw, Welcome to the forums!
Welcome. I don't think you'll get away with it. It's constructive criticism so it'll only help you with your writing, remember that and accept any comments with a positive attitude.
Hi Mart, Welcome from a fellow newbie. Just seen we both joined today. We both seem a little nervous maybe just an idea we could support each other with our first teetering steps Summer
Well, today seems to be the day for new members, huh? I'm with you two, Summerbreeze and Mart. Mart, I have some advice for you, although I'm not sure if it'll help. It's a fact of life that with anything you do, you won't please everyone. In anything you do, you are going to get at least some criticism. That is a guarantee. You just have to trust yourself and hope that you can do a good job Another thing I wanted to mention; since you're a writer, I'm assuming you've heard of the poet Emily Dickinson. If you haven't she was a very shy, reclusive woman whose excellent work wasn't published, acknowledged, or even seen until after her death. Can you imagine what her life might have been like if she had shown her work to the world while she was still alive? That should be inspiration enough for you
Greetings Mart, Summerbreeze, Winston and others ad nauseum... Newbies UNITE! Just curious... what percentage of newbies actually stick around? Or are we dust in the wind? I imagine each of us is a little uncertain about how others will accept us and our writing. We must shed the 'egg shell' mentality to improve. Criticism I have read at this site is not filled with vitriol or anger. It's generally well thought out and honest.
I don't know about any of you, but I certainly intend on sticking around Constructive criticism is one of the best things that anyone of any profession can receive.
But also remember that if you produce something and you are happy with it, that's probably not the most important thing. A lot of the time it doesn't really matter how good it is, really. It's about creating something you can be proud of. If you can reach that, then your writing is a success.
Hello Mart I know just what you mean. I'm new too, and feel like a bit of a fraud. I think that's just normal. I have trouble even saying too family and friends that I write. So it's great to find like minded people. Send me a message if you get time and tell me what you are writting about. John
Welcome to the forum Honestly, there will almost always be something to change about one's writing. Always. Don't let it get you down if someone gives you harsh critiques -- see it as they care enough to show you things that you might consider changing. My two cents anyway. Hope you find this place enlightening!
Hello Mart, 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!
