Hello, I've recently come across this forum for writers and decided I liked the look and feel of the community here. Everyone seems to genuinely be friendly and helpful unlike some sites I've looked at in the past. It's a relief to find a popular and well-tended community where writers can come to get/give advice/information. Now, for a little about me I guess... I am a published author (although my first forray into publishing was a dismal failure through a POD vanity press; the only saving grace was that I didn't have to pay to publish). The novel that is still currently under contract is called Sister Light; Book One: Of Shadows. It is a dark fantasy for adults. As far as the genres I enjoy, I tend to dabble in anything that pops into my head. I hold a preference for science fiction and fantasy but have delved into the realms of romance, erotica, and even children's lit from time to time to name a few. The only genre I've really steered away from is horror. Despite my intense love of the genre (as far as reading), I've never been particularly gifted at scaring the living daylights out of people on the page; and I can recognize my weakness as a writer. I have a background in writing and editing. I even offer proofreading and (some) copyediting services to writers for very reasonable prices (or so I've been told ). I work a full time job ontop of my writing regime (which is two hours a day, five days a week), volunteer for local literacy programs, and act in the local area plays and musicals. What else? Hum? I'm an old-school geek. I enjoy playing D&D, flipping CC game cards, and singing karaoke (badly but entertainingly). I'm an extrovert; I'll talk your ear off, if given a chance; and I enjoy people. That's pretty much me in a nutshell. Like I said, anything else you want to know...just ask. Thanks, BB I'm a very open person. Anything you want to know, just ask. I've yet to be offended by anyone, so don't worry about that.
Hello BB, 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!
Thank you, Cognito! I've done a lot of browsing of the site prior to signing up. Reviewing/critiquing is first on my list. Learning is why I'm here, as well as connecting with other writers. Thanks again! BB
