Hi everybody! I write for fun, for balance and expression. Unfortunately, the point of a story is for it to be read, but I'm much to shy about it to show it to my friends. Besides, it's always better to get critiqued by someone who isn't biased towards you (or against you, I guess). I want to help and be helped, and that's why I'm here. (Please be gentle.) :]
Hey Three! I'm Nate, welcome to Writingforums! I have the same sort of problem... I only let my brother and friends read what I write, not the rest of my family. I also enjoy the anonymity of the internet. You can help and be helped at the same time by critiquing others. It improves their writing with your helpful feedback, and you can improve yourself because you're reading what you may (or may not) want to do in your own writing. You're been more analytical, which can be a very good thing. And don't forget to always have fun! After all, that's what writing is for. Well... depending on who you ask lol. Good luck! Nate
Hello Three, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Before you can get critique, you must first give critique. This is not just a quid pro quo, it is because improving your critiquing skills is the primary focus of the Review Room workshop. 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!
Welcome Three. I know exactly how it is to be shy showing your friends your writing. Have no fear, the people here are nice.
