Hey everyone, I recently started writing a novel (which may be first in a trilogy, but we'll see), and I'm at the point where I need interactions with other writers to further my skills (or to let me know I should stop trying, but I hope that's not the case). So, I found this site, and I'm hoping to hop in and get involved. I never did the new member things for other online communities, but I figured I would go for it because I have a few questions. First, a bit more about me: I said I'm new to the craft of writing, but I've been writing on and off for a while now, just not in any serious sort of way. It's always been enjoyable, but now I'm testing the waters to see where I actually stand as a writer and how much potential I have. Edit: Ok, never mind. I see now that the Novel/Short Story/etc forums are under the heading of "The Review Room." I'll ask any other questions if I have them. I'm welcome to help on how to get started, but never mind these questions. Questions: About the review/workshop stuff that goes on, does that happen in the specific forums (such as non-Fic, Novel, etc)? At a glance, I was confused by the Review forum itself. Is it correct that it is there to discuss the act of reviewing, but the actual reviewing happens elsewhere (the specific forums)? Thanks! Sorry if the questions seem obvious. I didn't spend a ton of time trying to figure it out because I want to get started on my own writing, but I knew if I didn't find a writing forum now, I would continue to neglect the search. I'll be back to do some reviews soon, and hopefully I'll have my answers (or at least be able to find them when I'm willing to spend more time on it). Bonus: I sometimes like to ask new people "what is your favorite weather/season/setting (one of the three), and why?" because I think it says a lot about who you are. So, you could optionally answer that question (pick one of the three or answer all). I'll answer for myself when I get back. Thanks again!
Welcome! My favourite is winter because of snow. I love watching it fall and also gives me a chance to practice photography (and it also closes school) xD The reviewing happens in the Review room, which is last section in the forum. In the Writing section of the forum (Second section) there a reviewing section, but that is discuss the art of reviewing... I don't know if that made sense xD
If you've only just started to take writing seriously, there's no reason you should stop writing now. Everyone had to start somewhere - some caught on more quickly than others, the rest took a few years longer to get the swing of it. If you are still writing steadily a few years from now, and you don't find you have the desire to improve anymore, then that's a question you'll have to ask yourself then, but certainly not now. So welcome, and enjoy the journey. Storytelling is a wonderful thing.
Hi Argle Definitely Spring or early Summer for me. I get such a lift from the increasingly long and warm days after enduring the cold darkness of Winter, and I love the knowledge that a long Summer is slowly unfolding before me.
Welcome. As for your questions, the actual reviewing happens in The Review Room in the genre/style sections. And my favourite season is Autumn because I like trees and leaves and the hot colours of it all.
I lied. I ended up lurking for the past however long (and getting distracted by a friend). I haven't been involved in a forum in a long time, and I missed it. For me, the weather is sunny with a breeze, the season is Spring, and the setting is deep within a forest by a waterfall (though depending on my mood, I could also go for climbing a tree on a mountainside and looking out at the landscape). The reason is because I simply love nature, and I enjoy the calming, relaxing aspects of nature the most. Thanks for all the replies and encouragement! I'm excited about getting involved.
Hello Argle, 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!
