Hello there. I'm hoping by using this forum I can tap and develop any latent ability to write that I may have, but have been unable to use thus far. I've always been exceedingly envious of people who have any kind of imagination, and who can write, from when I was a boy. I had friends who were able to come up with ideas and write them down, and I used to try and emulate that, with embarassing results. Well, the desire has not gone, and I feel, at age 47, it's about time I try to dig out the creativity that I think is there. I have wanted to get into writing kids' stories, along the lines of gently sci-fi, out-there kind of stuff, but poetry would be good, too. However, I am willing to start anywhere. Anyone got any advice on how to get the best out of this forum, please? Perhaps I should start with a short story? Any advice or tips would be most welcome. Thanks.
Welcome. I think I'd start with writing short stories so you can learn the basics, write a beginning, middle and end, and generally build up your skills.
Not funny. But hi there, I'm to be known as "the Benjamin". I think Eunoia meant that you should just outline some stuff that will happen in your plots, then fill it up with the necessary words that make the story come alive. In fact, I think that's good advice. Thanks Eunoia!
Who said I was trying to be funny? I was being entirely sincere! I am a complete numbskull when it comes to any kind of creative writing, so I was genuinely taking on board the advice Eunoia was offering. I'm definitely not the kind of person you took me to be!! I'll let you off the hook, though, as these forums can be very easy to misunderstand what is written as you can't see the face, the person, or hear the tone of voice. I'm glad you think it's good advice, 'cos I do too. Good to meet you.
Haha, I was going with making sure your stories have a structure but yeah, take my advice and you'll be writing bestsellers in no time!
Hello Dom, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Please read How to Use the Writing Workshop 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 Writing Workshop, 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 Writing Workshop, 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 Writing Workshop 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 Writing Workshop 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!
