Hi. I like writing and wish to become better at it. The rule you have about reviewing before posting stories is a good idea even though I'm finding it difficult to get to a point where I can make a review. That's ok. I'm patient. I'll just hang around a bit. The short story contest looks interesting and I'd like to participate. I've read the most recent stories and already have a favorite although I would have called it "the clock tolls nine" without explicitly saying that at the very end but rather making some implicit reference to the occasion. Hey guys, can that count for one of my reviews?
Hello Shawsend, Welcome to the Writing Forums. There's no hurry. 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!
I once had a similar question about critiquing a winning poetry piece, so my guess that it doesn't count. Anything posted for a contest was posted for the sole purpose of joining the contest, and not to receive the critique which usually applies to individual threads that were posted by the authors. I reckon that you should read the guide that Cog made. Good day and I look forward to having potential future conversations with you.
Just kidding Palmer. I don't mind waiting to make bona fide reviews. Oh yeah, read that already. Thanks anyway.
