I posted in this forum, so obviously I'm new. Cog, I've read your little blurb that you post on every intro thread and I do have to say I am disappointed on how bad an idea it might be to post my work here, but at least I can post excerpts and brainstorm. I don't know if this will be a forum I'll really commit to. I've done some browsing and I feel like this place will be useful for me, so we'll find out. I'm working on a novel right now. It's a challenging thing to do, but I'm confident that I have a terrific plot and am just in need of the motivation and a ton of editing and re-editing of my work. I think I'd have a lot more confidence if this wasn't my first shot and getting something published and if it wasn't such an undertaking. But since you guys seem positive and willing to give constructive criticism as well as a little encouragement, I think I'll definitely try to contribute to this site as well.
it's not just a bad idea to post the whole thing here, but anywhere on the web... for the same reasons... if you want feedback on a complete piece of work, it's best to find someone knowledgeable who's willing to help you and have it done it privately, so it won't have any negative impact on getting the ms published... welcome to the forums! love and hugs, maia
Hello Mo, Welcome to the Writing Forums. As Maia already pointed out, that warning is not specific to posting on this site. It is a fact of life that most other forums never seem to get around to mentioning. I don't think it's malicious on their part. It is either something they aren't really aware of, or else they assume writers will already know it if they are writing to publish. But anyway, here's the standard intro, just to be sure you have the latest version. 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. 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!
