Hello. I'm terribly glad I found this site, let me tell you! After banging my head against the proverbial wall for so long whilst trying to work out the problems I was having on my own it's such a relief to find some nice inteligent people on the internet and lurking about the forum I can see you are all a smart and friendly bunch. My name is Eli, 21 and a 'writer' from wee old London. When I'm not 'writing' (crappy fiction for womens magazines, or boring articles on student politics) I manage a pub, an incrediably stressful job but one which enables me to people-watch to my hearts content. You are all probably going to be seeing alot of me around here as I bumble through yet another draft of my novella. I look forward very much to getting to know you all.
Hey Eli! Welcome to the WF! Ouch… I suggest you don't bang your head on the wall -It hurts- . Anyway, I am glad that you've found us. There are plenty of stuff to do here... don't feel as if you are sitting by yourself in the corner, because we are a strong loving community that likes everyone else. Contribute your thoughts and ideas… members of this forum will happily review your work. (Before post, you must review/critique two other stories before you can post your own) Besides that… Nice to meet you! - Jack
Hello Eli, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Also, beating your head against the wall can require expensive repairs, especially with modern construction materials. Posting your own work 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. 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!
Eli, Welcome. There are a number of Brits on this site it seems - and you will be in good company. I have never been to the U.K. - and my closest link is that I faithfully listen to the podcast of a movie critic who on your "5 alive" radio station with someone named Simon. It's a great podcast. And your managing a pub will not doubt be a fertile ground for story ideas. I look forward to your writings and reviews. Welcome.
