I like writing that begins with a distinctive point of view, or mood, or insight. I like a bit of fantasy, not in the sense of the genre, but more in the sense of realism extended just short of the breaking point. There's more to it than that, but that's kinda what I'm trying to accomplish overall, perhaps because my reality is like that, but darker. On the order of German Expressionism, where the horizon is compromised and nothing is plumb. I've taught writing to Freshman, and am currently working part time as what in the States is called a "test-prep tutor" preparing (wealthy) high schoolers for entry into status universities. My other part-time job is this--creative writing. Hello, everyone. Julia
Hello Julia, Welcome to the Writing Forums. By the way, Steibeck had it wrong. As written, the phrase means "To the stars through other pigs." It should be ad astra per alae porci, "To the stars through (on) the wings of a pig." 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 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!
