Hi. My name is Ken, I live in Miami, Florida, USA, and I have been a Floridian my whole life, as was my father, and his father before him. I'm 46 years old, and I've been writing off and on since college (I left in '82). Lately, I haven't even been reading, but I was recently re-reading Asimov, whom I like, and I decided to look around for somewhere I could get input on my writing. When I saw this forum, and the writing contest, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I suffer with a dreadful insecurity and need for assurance. My very loving wife is so kind, and tells me I'm good, but it is not untrue that we met because I was having a crisis of belief in my work and needed someone to read it all, and she was the smartest person I knew. Still is. That was years ago, and I struggle just the same now, but not alone. I have entered the writing contest, which I think now was a weird way to plunge into this forum, but there I am. I wrote the story specifically for the contest. It is the first thing I ever finished, certainly the un-darkest thing I've ever written, and you know, I liked that about it. I'm trying to write a love story now. False humility has caused me to lose opportunities in the past. I had a writing teacher in college and I thought I had a great piece, and he said "Ken, do you have anything to read?" and I said "Well, I'm not sure how good it is..." and he said "Okay. Would anyone else like to read something?" I wanted to holler NO!!! I REALLY WANT TO READ THIS OUT LOUD! but the opportunity was gone. And things like that have happened more than once. So I commit: I will be public. I will fail publicly; I will succeed publicly. I will be mediocre publicly. I am too old for games, and I'm sick of not knowing if I can write. Please, feedback, Feedback, FEEDBACK! I need it. Thanks for letting me rant. Ken
Hello Ken, Welcome to the Writing Forums. I like your attitude. The only way to get better is to rip out the rot and install sound lumber in its place. Still, that doesn't mean it cannot be fun! 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. 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 on this site, therefore, is a true workshop, not just a bulletin board for displaying your work. See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information. Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
Hi Ken, welcome to the forums. I'm glad you decided to join and that you're plucking up the courage to share your work with us all. I hope you settle in soon and make lots of friends
Hey there, welcome to the site. I am Heather and can always been found around here somewhere. If you ever need anything reviewing, need a little help or just want a chat then send a PM my way and I’ll be more then happy to help. Heather
Welcome...well I'm not sure what to say but the usual welcome style...enjoy yourself, ask for help if needed and don't worry, you'll get your 'feedback'.
I've been neglecting my welcoming duties - apolgies and belated welcomes to you. Hope to see you around the site soon. Great to have you here. Be sure to check out and enter out writing contests - the more the merrier, follow the link below for more info: Weekly Writing Group - Writing Forums
Hello and welcome to the forum. I hope that your time here with all of us is enjoyable and that you find the information around the place to be most helpful with your writing endeavors. I hope that you take the time to take a look and join in on the weekly poetry and/or short story contests. They can be quite enjoyable. Well if you would ever like a review simply send me a PM and I will try and give a helpful review of your work. WF has become home to many wonderful writers and their amazing work and has now become a very close community and I do hope that you decide to stick around and be a part of our growing community for years to come. See you around the boards. Torana
