Greetings! I'm Ken, and I'm very new to the writing world. I started "writing" only a couple of years ago when I suddenly woke up from a dream in the middle of the night, prompting me to jot down random sentences for approximately ten minutes. I went back to bed, and then the following morning, I reviewed the sentences I had written and found myself adding bits and pieces over time. Two years and 75,000 words later, I still have no idea what "this" is that I am writing. Like others, I've been feeling lost, confused, overwhelmed, doubtful, etc., throughout this process, so I believe that the universe sent me to this site for some much-needed guidance and support. I am very much looking forward to learning from all of you on how to become a more effective writer, find appreciation in and have fun with writing, provide healthy support and input to the forum, and, in the end, better understand why I felt compelled to write "this" in the first place. Thank you for your time!
Hello and welcome, Ken. You've come to the right place for resources and support. Please make yourself at home. Post threads if you have questions. Looking forward to seeing you in the forums!
Hello, That's so neat that a dream pushed you into beginning your writing journey. I've had a few inspirational dreams myself, but none that I could get more than a short story out of. Very cool that you managed to take yours farther into the distance. Hope its end is everything you dreamed of. Welcome to the forums, see you around.
Hello and welcome! Don't worry, we've all been there. Ask for whatever help you want and ye shall receive! Don't be shy about it either - absolutely no one here will judge you.
Hello @KDG Great intro! I would like to extend the warm welcome from the guys and girls above. Your journey sounds very similar to my own. I started writing 5 years ago, a creative thing that I didn't take very seriously till things changed and writing has become part of me. It has been an educational journey to here and the 'process' ... there are many more to go! Are you on your first draft? Is your novel finished? What's your aims and ambitions? Welcome!
Thank you so much, Louanne! I look forward to getting to know you and the rest of the group better and diving into all of the resources available!
Thank you, Naja! I'm excited (and nervous/anxious) to see where this all leads. I'm sure I'll be reaching out to you and the rest of the forum on how to best navigate this process. Thanks, again!
So comforting and reassuring to read this - thanks Noamasa298! I'm a fish out of water...but I'm eager and willing to learn how to swim.
Thanks so much, Hideoshi - and how exciting to hear that you have experienced a journey similar to mine. I'm sure there is a lot that I will be able to learn from you, especially on that front. I'll definitely be reaching out to you to learn more about your transition from taking your writing lightly to taking it seriously and how that all manifested (if you are comfortable sharing, that is). In terms of my current project, (BTW, just for reference, it's a story about a boy who rediscovers what it means to love again after his mother's death, with the help of a group of healers...who are not what they seem) I don't really have a first draft, per se. I feel like I'm taking more of an "artist's approach" on my writing: a paragraph in this chapter, a paragraph in this chapter, an emotional sentence that just comes to me, but not sure where it will fit in the greater project, etc. That may be one of the challenges in my approach I must face/change...I'm sure I will learn more through this forum. In terms of aims and ambitions...honestly...I'm not sure. Currently, I feel like my primary aim is to find a way to complete "this", but, admittingly, I'm not feeling very ambitious (I think that's maybe where the doubt comes in). I have gone as far as drawing/sketching my characters, and I built a scale model of buildings/features of the "other world", but it's more because I work better from a visual perspective. Anyway, thank you again for the warm welcome (all of you!), and looking forward to getting a bit more serious about my writing.
I will message you! Your style of building your story is something I did when I did my first draft novel. There are many pros and cons to this method and I can speak very highly of the pluses. The minuses are processes that ... well ... I don't like to say 'learned' because I view it as an experience where there will be a lot failures and rewrites that will model your style and how you write to complete your story. Again, I will message you... but on the school run and need to pick up some things from the pharmacy and make dinner ... hopefully then I can get back to you! Welcome... Oh and BTW... Louanne is the most excellent of teachers, you will not go amiss if she points you in a direction (she is very kind and knowledgeable too.) Naja ... let me say this softly... but she is a superstar writer, she just doesn't know it... she is a wonderful supporter too! With Nao, I haven't been here long enough to know much about his good self, but have already targeted his 'Last 27 seconds' story to read and offer some views. It isn't a bad place to start! Read a story, see what you think, read others views. Great way to learn and interact!
Just about the very first thing I did when I joined the forum was get in trouble with the mods, so you can't do worse than me. Have a look around and join in some conversations!
Have you written the beginning? That is to say, the very first paragraph of the story? If not, can I suggest that as a challenge. It will teach you a lot of things, such as how to start a story, set the background and introduction, and give you a general feel of how you want to proceed with it.
This is all so wonderful! Thank you, Hideoshi! It's great to hear about the experience and talent I can already connect to through this forum - WOW! I plan on reaching out to all of you in particular - it sounds like it's a great place to start (as well as reading a story or two or three or...)!
Yes! I FINALLY did this just some weeks ago (after two years!). Your thoughtful suggestion prompted me to revisit this, though (I think I need a re-anchoring of sorts)! Thanks so much!
Once you have access to it, may I suggest you share it in the workshop and get feedback on it, and we can help you with anything you feel you need help with. Begin, as they say, at the beginning!
Excellent suggestion, Naomasa298 - thank you! Now I just need to muster enough courage to share it (for me, reaching and recognizing the light may take a bit of time, especially after being buried under years of doubt)!
Hey KDG and welcome to the forums, I understand having a dream that had influence. While my dream is after I began writing, I kept the idea around as it's a good one that will be useful in a future story that's in the boiling pot. I have yet to dream up an idea that went on to be 75k words however. I tip my hat to you for managing that while I haven't found a place for my dream in about 3-4 years now. There are many good people here who'll be more than willing to help out here, did learn that a bit myself when I asked about books for some research into myths.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and I wish you the very best as you continue to explore and discover more about your writing journey!
Hello, olivia321 - thank you for reaching out, and welcome to the forum, as well! I hope that you're having an excellent writing journey! I look forward to connecting with (and learning from) you! All the best, and "see" you in the forum.
Unfortunately Olivia was a spammer here to post dodgy links to translation sites hence why she has been cast into the digital abyss. however welcome Ken from myself and the staff team
Warm welcome @KDG Would you like to place a vote at our monthly poetry contest. Yet another way to engage with our lovely forum.
Thank you so much - so humbled to have discovered this treasure and grateful for the influx of welcomes from the members! I would love to participate in the voting - thanks for bringing it to my attention!
