Oh, the woes of being new. I’m utterly confused, scared to wits end, and so excited that I’m talking to myself. After eagerly signing up for the website I had to suddenly exit the packed room of books and my ever faithful computer, therefore missing the new comers insightful introduction and now I am squandering around this new world, which every website is, trying and failing to find my way around. If anyone could be so bold as to come forward and explain anything really about this site, I will be eternally grateful. Speak now or forever hold your peace. Besides these few complications I am usually a pretty optimistic girl. I dance, read, write, and dance some more. I am the worst at grammar (the irony being a writer) and so there is most likely quite a few, if not many, flaws in my work. I came here to see my spot on the totem pole of the writing world and hopefully start to move in an upward fashion. I wish to expand my abilities and make new intellectual friends. Again, if kindness art within thy soul, dearest person of whom I know naught, please bestow upon me thy powers of navigating oh wonderful website of writing. Merci.
Hello Bananas, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Wish granted. 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 reviewing as a critical 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!
Hey groovybananas! Welcome to the WF! Well... there is a link to the rules, which is located at the bottom right of the screen. I suggest you check that out, if you are unclear of anything. Nice to meet you - Jack
Thanks! You all give a nice and spirit raising welcome. Hopefully after following some of the advice that Cogito and Jack have so chivalrously given, I hope to have a story posted. And don't worry, I shall be giving and reading many reviews to people's creations in desperate hopes to improve my own writing skills.
