I chose my forum name to reflect my biggest problem...lol. The lack of discipline to stay on task and actually finish a story! I have always being an avid reader, still remember the book that got me hooked as well, a Hardy Boys story The Tower Treasure! It was from reading every one of those stories that sort of taught me the structure of writing, for I recall always struggling in Grammar class all the way through even into high school. The teachers could never understand how a student who struggled with the basic structures of the language could write short stories so well when it came time to do some creative writing assignments...lol My only answer for them used to be..."it just sounded right.." to which they would roll their eyes and groan. Throughout the years I have always drifted back into writing mode and would sit down and start this story or that one...when computers came around this got a lot easier (you should see all the partial stories and ideas I have in folders on one of my hard drives not to mention longhand in notebooks...lol) My biggest obstacle as I see it, has always been my lack of discipline to stay with it and actually finish some stories...I have finished several but nowhere near as many as I should have. I have even mentioned the basic outline of some of my ideas for stories to friends that are readers and they get all excited and bug me to make this story, so they can see how it will end...lol. Maybe by getting involved in the forum here, will be a catalyst to get me on task! Looking forward to browsing around!
Yup, we're here to crack the whip and make you write. Hope you can get a project finished in your time with us.
*raises hand wildly* Ooh, ooh, me as well! I procrastinate and put my writing off especially when I'm not in the mood. Joining this forum has definitely helped me. I think it will help you!
Hello Lazy Writer, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Please read How to Use the Review Room before you post there. 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 the RPG forum for improvisational fiction. Also try 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!
The one thing I don't think I can do is write poetry. It is one of those things that I have never really been able to do or understand really. I guess a lot of writers take stabs at it, but although I have a good imagination...I can't imagine myself doing it Thanks for the suggestions and I do intend to browse the forums...hopefully not as a means of skipping out on actual writing though...lol.
Hey, Lazy Writer! The biggest thing I've learned to help with the self discipline problem is just to write every day, even if you don't want to or don't feel motivated. Especially if you don't feel 'inspired'. A writer waiting for inspiration to strike to write is a writer that isn't going to get much done. That said, welcome to the forum! I hope to see you around =)
