Hello, I am an aspiring writer, struggling to write my first novel. I am a fan of the fantasy and science fiction genre. My novel itself is a fantasy novel, which I hope to make into a series. I often think my story is clichéd, but I hope it works out, although it will most likely never get published. I will probably just lurk around this forum, taking note of how other people write. It will be a pleasure to meet all of you.
Hello Reflections, Welcome to the Writing Forums. A series sounds pretty ambitious, but more power to you if you can manage it. A first novel is a pretty big challenge on its own. 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!
Welcome Reflections! Being a newbie myself I can tell you that you've found a good place to learn about the craft of writing. Most of us are stumbling in the dark with a flashlight that grows brighter the more you put into the forum. That means you have to be prepared to give as much as you take. Don't be afraid to comment on other peoples work, after all, that's what were here for. Enjoy your time spent here.
