*giggles* Sorry, writers can be trolls too? I've not looked through the intro threads to see what level of blah-ing about self is acceptable, but this place feels scary formal, so first of all I'll say: I'm Melly and I hiss and cower away from formality 'cause I'm silly and even though I'm 20 I'm sitting here with a large stuffed toy aardvark on my lap. (He's orange, called Cuthbert Snowball, and loves you very much though he hasn't met you yet.) I've also had a couple of short stories published, and I'm working up to sending off a novel, since I sit on a large pile of them that make up my dread throne from which I oversee all, and rule it with fear and occasional cookie-giving-away bouts of benevolence. I'm also the editor of my university's student union magazine, though as it's still the summer holidays and I only signed up for it recently, I've yet to actually produce a magazine so that's probably unfounded gloating. (The ruler of the universe stuff is totally true though.) I hope there's room for me, my aardvark, and my fantastically awesome ego here. Nice to pre-emptively meet you?
Hello Mellie, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Of course there's room. Writing carries many rewards, but vee all know it is also 'ard vark. 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!
... I shouldn't have mentioned Bertie. Everyone has a new aardvark joke. I'm probably not going to post much since you don't want full novels, and my short stories are all pretty much how other people seem to see their poems - not really in need of much poking and editing. I'll probably end up posting a few weaker scenes from my novels for critique at some point though. Assuming it's fine to post stuff from the middle/end as well as openings? I'm really just here to troll the forum because I like talking about writing and I'm bored and freakishly cold. Where did summer go?! But I do like pulling apart other people's stories.
I would highly recommend taking advantage of the Review Room. Its always good to have unbiased and fresh eyes look at your writing. Just make sure you follow the rules of the section. I know from experience how people are able to show your work in a new light and the suggestions given here almost always seem to be worth putting consideration in. But welcome! Heres hoping your stay here is both fun and rewarding.
I want to know too! It's still summer technically so no more rain please. Say hi to Cuthbert Snowball for me. Also, welcome.
Bertie says hi! *Aardvark wave* I think I'm mostly hugging him because he keeps me warm. Ah, good old rainy England. I guess we can't complain because the beginning of summer shaped up so nicely. August is always a bit of a let down. The real summer happens in May and October. We need to introduce a whole new season in between them.
Haha, I have a big elephant that I hug to keep me warm. True, it was a good summer to start with. Oh we totally do. The new season could be called Sumumn? Auter? Autsum? Ausum? I'm combining August and Summer if you hadn't guessed.
What beginning of the summer lol? I'm in North of Scotland its rained every single day since May. How are you? And hello to Bertie sounds fun, I usually have a child on my knee they are not so conducive to typing Hai is the name of one of my more interesting characters lol
Hmm. We should call it "Go Move To Spain" month. The government should build conveyer belts to get us there faster. On vast bridges over the top of France, of course. Can't imagine the French going for it any other way. Sumtumn might be good? Edit: Hi Elgaisma! *tickles hypothetical knee child* They can hug Bertie if they promise not to dribble on him - he's still new and surprisingly undamaged.
We get to go sightseeing in France whilst travelling to Spain on conveyer belts and then enjoy the sunny weather in Spain. Brilliant. Now we just need to convince the government to implement it.. Sumtumn it is!
