Hello, I'm not a writer but realized I needed to improve my writing/grammar skills and at the same time learn more about this great world of writing. But first I'd like to start reading. Can someone suggest books not particularly about "how to write" but more or so to inspire me to start thinking like a writer/ poet. Something not too advanced preferably, thank you.
Hello Surfer, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Any good book can inspire the writer within. It really depends on your personal tastes. The more you read, and the more widely, the better. 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!
Welcome to the Writingforums! Hope you like it here! I'm Gigi--nice to meet you! I would definitely suggest Edgar Allan Poe.
Repossessed, by AM Jenkins. Hilarious and youthful, but with an undercurrent of philosophy that will get you thinking. If you want more introduction into literature itself, go for the classics, which I myself have just started reading, so you may want to ask a more competent member than myself. "Quoth" my friend Gigi, "I definitely suggest Edgar Allen Poe," as far as poetry's concerned.
Thank you all, I'm really excited to be part of this great forum. CHeers! -Edit- just reread my initial post and correct some grammar and spelling errors. I'm learning already!
