Hm. I think I've been here before, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm Chek. My real name's Michael, but my nickname is Chek. So, I've been writing since about May of 2007 on another forum, and I like to think I've improved since I started out. After scanning the web, I found this place and hope that it will be a good area to test my writing in a new environment. A bit confused as to some procedures, but I'll work them out eventually. Mainly the reviewing stuff, but I really like that layout here. I've read up on a bunch of it and now just need to find my way around.
Hi and welcome Chek, You'll find your way around within no time at all. The Forum seems to be laid out well and there are a lot of helpful posts stickied that you might want to "check" out. <-Uh, no pun intended. Looking forward to seeing you around and reading some of your work.
Hello Michael, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Reading existing reviews will help you to know what's expected. Also, the Reviewing forum under Writing Issues conataons many threads on reviewing strategies. Posting your own work should not be the very first thing you do here. It is really worthwhile 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 thoroughly 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 reviewing as a critical 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). 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!
Thanks! I just read through the rules and such, and I think I've got them all down. As for the reviews, I'm still a bit cautious as to what I'm doing, but I gave one earlier today. One more and then I can post a piece of my own, correct? I think so. Anyway, as I said, I really like the critique to post system that's going on here. A bit worried about posting a story in the wrong genre when it comes time, though... Oh, and a question: do we have to post about our reviews/critiques at all? Or, after doing two, can we just go ahead and post some writing?
After you post two constructive reviews, you can post an excerpt of yoor own work, However there is a lot of benefit in interacting elsewhere on the site as well, There are many hreat discussions aboutwriting issues,to take part in, and the more you get to know other members, the more likely they are to invest time on helping you with your excerpt.
Ah. Alright. I'll try to stay active. School may get in the way, but I'll visit daily and stay interactive with everyone. Oh, and thanks for the help!
True. I just completed my second review and am now debating what to post. Heh. I like the stories that I've read so far, should be fun to visit here.
