My name is Daniel. I'm a 21 year-old aspiring writer/novelist/screenwriter/poet/filmmaker. I'm currently attending university in Ottawa for my English degree and hope to do something either very interesting (join an investigation service, volunteer for the U.N, etc) or something directly involved with writing (journalism, magazine writing etc) when I'm finished. I also hope, with time, to make inexpensive independent films. I'm not naive enough to think that, any time soon, they'll be anything in the directing department in Hollywood for me. I'm very realistic about the writing market but feel that, while I may struggle to make money with my writing for quite some time, I will eventually be able to make a marginal living off of it-- and that's all I need. I've been writing since I was young and feel that while I've grown much that there is always more to learn. I'm going on here hoping to receive some honest critiques of my work and allow me to grow. I'm also very interested in reading other people's creative endeavours. I feel that there is something about an ensemble of writers working on their creations in a similar venue that channels an unconscious flow of pure creativity that allows not only individual but collective growth towards whatever dreams the people may have. I have a wide range of authors and books that are my favourites and I'm interested in pretty much everything: History, philosophy, psychology, sociology, art-- you name it. I believe that through researching and studying beyond literature itself adds further depth and maturity not only to your writing but to your world view as well, which is extremely important in your personal development. Anyway, I'm always down for a chat or discussion and hope to have some fun here. Cheers!
Oh to be young and enthusiastic again! Hang on to your dreams and don't let anyone talk you out of one of them.
Welcome from one newbie to another -- as EV Powers says, it's nice to have youth and energy!!! Forward march!!! stay cool and keep it real ~Sassy
Hello Daniel, 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!
