How d'you do, I'm Sarah, from Baltimore. I've only been writing since January, when an agent tapped me to write a comic memoir, (long story) and I feel that my writing experience so far has been an exercise in reinventing the wheel. I'd like to make a go of it, try to get freelance jobs and that kind of thing, but I'm a babe in the woods right now. Every day I astonish myself with how much I DON'T know about the writing world. I did manage to stumble into getting an article published in a trade magazine, but that was truly a fluke. I'm here to find brains to pick, to learn and to pick up tricks, and find people who understand how difficult it is to write well. But enough about me, how are all of you doing today? What are you working on? -Sarah
Hello Sarah, Welcome to the Writing Forums. I'm working on a couple science fiction novels, but recently realized I have been neglecting my short stories. 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!
Welcome to the boards, sarah, and congratulations on your publication! I'm sure it was more than a fluke! I agree, sometimes it hard as hell to write. Particularly articles. - Andy
Hello and welcome to WF Sarah I'm doing okay and I'm currently working on a TV spec script based on a soldier returned from Iraq who joins the FDNY and chronicles how he adjusts to life back home, in a new work place and trying to get help for his PTSD.
