Hi For me fiction is escapism, an alternative to reading technical manuals, of which I’ve done quite a bit. I’m still developing my own style. I’ve written short stories, and several novels in all about half a million words to date. I like to set myself a challenge, so I haven’t ruled out any particular genre, apart from comedy or romance maybe! In between writing my novels I dabble at poetry. It might be old fashioned nowadays but I like rhyming verse, usually in quatrains, of which their may be just one or several depending on the subject matter. I also make use of the limerick. I call my style of verse Functional Poetry, it’s a great diversion, doesn’t take long to get a result and can be fun. Here’s just a taste Skin Cosmetics So everyone’s gone nuts and ideological, Over skin products, called derma-logical, If you want to be young and looking good, Exercise and eating well is what you should, But if that scene is really hard to contemplate, The cosmetic industry assures it’s not too late, For if you desire to keep skin looking shinier, Then exfoliate and hydrate with a moisturiser. Wild Oats You should have kept better notes, On the conquests you so often quotes, For at the end of the day, Is the price that you pay, For Wildly sowing your Oats. I’m married with three children all grown up, well near enough. Now in my mature years I like to think I’m reasonably fit. I live in Mid Wales a hilly area, not far from the sea and I tend to do a lot walking. In no way would I call myself academic (not in the way of study) but dare I say it, I like the solitude, the somewhat unsociable act of locking yourself away to investigate the realms of the imagination. That’s the introvert in me. The extrovert in me likes to communicate and discuss the technique, the editing, proofreading, or any other angle to the construction of a creative piece of work. Attaching myself to this forum, I hope will put me in touch with scribblers of diverse backgrounds. I look forward to reading and participating with them in the noble art of discourse. Oh! Pennib is a nickname from my school days. Pined on me as at the time when I had no ambitions to write, maybe it will turn out to be a fortuitous classroom witticism after all.
Hello Pennib, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Please read How to Use the Review Room before you post there. 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 the RPG forum for improvisational fiction. Also try 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!
