Hey all. I just wanted to make a simple introduction before diving into the forum. Writing's been more than just a hobby for me. It started as a way to improve my English ( I'm not a native speaker.) and in time it turned into a real hobby, and sort of an obsession. Last year, I decided to take the next step and started sending some of my short stories out there into the world. Since then, I've received plenty of rejection letters and surprisingly two acceptance letters. I'm still somewhat shocked that I went from "The pen is on the table." to maybe, just maybe being a writer. I'm quite aware of my drawbacks, and believe me, there are lots of them. And I think being more active in a writing community where I can terrorize people with my questions ( ) will be a good step in correcting my mistakes. Also, perhaps what little I know could be helpful to someone else. Hmm, that didn't turn out to be the simple introduction I thought it would be. Anyway, nice meeting you all. And sorry for the long-winded introduction.
Welcome to the forum, Jimmy. Just curious; what's your native language, then? And why continue in English? Though your English is better than quite a lot I've seen (except on this forum, of course).
Welcome to the forum, Triple J. It can be a daunting experience to submit your work for critique. They can be a tough audience around here, but it's all done in a friendly manner. I hope you enjoy your time here, and continued good luck with your writing!
Thanks Sparrow and Halcyon. My native language is Turkish. Why continue in English? I'm not really sure to be honest. I think it's mostly because, the amateur writing scene is sort of small in Turkey, especially in the speculative fiction department. And I found that I really like the English language and literature; not to the point of sleeping with Hamlet under my pillow, but you know what I mean.
Hello Jimmy, 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 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!
Turkey? Yes, I suppose the spec fic scene might be somewhat limited... Maybe you can be one of the people who eventually changes that. Anyway, congrats on your successes, the first of many.
