1. Ironwil

    Ironwil New Member

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    Ironwil arriving

    Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Ironwil, Feb 10, 2010.

    I'm 37 years old and develop software for a living. My best subject back in high school was always English, and I won a couple district awards for poetry. I have never written a novel, but that's on the plate now. I've had a story bouncing around in my mind for three years now, and I need to give it form and voice.

    Since I've never attempted anything like this before, I found that addressing simple issues like conversation flow and transfer of consciousness in 3rd person can be difficult. I've strongly considered writing my story in the 1st person, and I like the way it flows better that way, but there are times when the reader should be privy to details that the main character cannot be present for. I've seen a few books in which 1st and 3rd person were mixed, but I'm not sure how well that is accepted in general. I've come to this forum to learn some basics to help iron out the rough areas of my story.
     
  2. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
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    Hello Wil, Welcome to the Writing Forums.

    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!
     
  3. Forgetmenot77

    Forgetmenot77 Member

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    Location:
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    Hello welcome..
     
  4. Gigi_GNR

    Gigi_GNR Guys, come on. WAFFLE-O. Contributor

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Welcome! :)
     

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