So I haven't written creatively in many, many moons, but it's a calling I've felt ever since I could pick up a book. Trouble is, I've never acted on it except in the most tentative and half-hearted manner. Not so much fear of humiliation (ok, that factors in there... PS go easy on me guys!) but I think because if it doesn't work out then my whole back-up plan in life will be annihilated. Well, time to put it on the line and find out if I can write. I'm 24, and ready to discover and hone my potential as a writer from the ground up. Looking forward to getting started! oh, and how do I review stories anyway? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [EDIT] Posts merged. ~Raven. Senior Super Moderator.
Haha, welcome raveonette! Glad you decided to try your hand at writing after being called upon it for so many years! The forum will definitely help you out! Before you post any of your own work, you have to review two pieces of work first, and you can go to The Review Room, which is the third group down on the main page. Hope you enjoy it and can't wait to see your work!
Hello raveonette, Welcome to the Writing Forums. There is a forum on the site, Writing Issues -> Reviewing that discusses reviewing strategies. The main thing to remember to start off with is to be respectful, but be specific. Constructive criticism isn't geberal praise, like "Good writing! Post more." It is telling the writer what you liked, or couldn't stand, about the piece, with enough detail that the writer knows where to try to fix it, or what noyt to change. Posting your own work should not be the very first thing you do here. It is really worthwhile 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!
