I've typed up many things in the past 24 hours getting acquainted to this site. My biography, my first blog post, my signature; everything that personifies 'me.' The truth is, I'm in a very strange place in my life right now. It's to the point that whatever I say about 'me' is probably wrong, or will soon become outdated if I change my mind. Don't feel bad for me though; this isn't a sob story. In fact, I think I'm starting to figure some things out. ... I know that I'm good at participating in these forum websites, so I'm going to do this one, hopefully for some time. I consider myself reasonably creative, imaginative, but also slightly realist-leaning. I'll give you the truth when I review your works, and I expect the same. But, if you want to know more about my writing/what influences it, check out my blog (I plan on posting some more soon.) I don't see why we can't be friends (I'm talking to everyone here) so if you want, add my AIM address if you have it, or friend me. I really don't mind.
Hello New Guy, Welcome to the Writing Forums. 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. 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). 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!
