Getting to Know You

[Wordkraft]

I just discovered this board and I suppose I should be polite and introduce myself.

I've been writing since I was just a kid. I'm 64 now and still a kid (according to my wife) and I need to get back to my writing. 

Over the years I've had number of things published - fiction, nonfiction,textbooks, website teaching materials, stage productions, material for performers, and anything else I could get paid for.  I have one novel finished (unsold) and another halfway done and sitting on the shelf mocking me every time I walk past.

I used to have the discipline of writing every day, but that has slipped away as life changes pushed their way to the front of the line.  Now I write when I need to escape the everyday.

My wife and I live in Indiana now after a long time in California.  This is what I need now - a slower pace, calmer people and better parking.

I would love to post some short pieces for critique.  Someone please tell me if that is allowed and how would I go about posting.

That's it...now I'm going out for coffee.

Wordkraft

[KathyS]

Good to have you aboard, Wordkraft!  Thanks for your info!   Do you have a name you would prefer to be called? 

Yes, you can post whatever your heart desires.  Just start a New Message, put a header in your subject line, and let us know if you want it critiqued, or discussed.....or give us any other information about it you would like.  The more we know, the more we can discuss.  That is, if you like to discuss!  Or, look over what others have posted, respond, or not, and see where that leads you.

I personally like to participate in Brandi's challenges,  lesson subjects/topics she posts about once a week.  I get motivated by them, and it stretches my imagination so it doesn't get stuck in a rut of writing, or not writing, the same things over and over.  It's an adventure, an escape, and an educational learning process;  it would be a great pleasure to hear your thoughts on these.  Read what she's floated to the top of the board, and see where you would like to jump in, if so desired.

Enjoy your coffee, we're open 24-7....

Kathy

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Wordkraft wrote:

I just discovered this board and I suppose I should be polite and introduce myself.

I've been writing since I was just a kid. I'm 64 now and still a kid (according to my wife) and I need to get back to my writing. 

Over the years I've had number of things published - fiction, nonfiction,textbooks, website teaching materials, stage productions, material for performers, and anything else I could get paid for.  I have one novel finished (unsold) and another halfway done and sitting on the shelf mocking me every time I walk past.

I used to have the discipline of writing every day, but that has slipped away as life changes pushed their way to the front of the line.  Now I write when I need to escape the everyday.

My wife and I live in Indiana now after a long time in California.  This is what I need now - a slower pace, calmer people and better parking.

I would love to post some short pieces for critique.  Someone please tell me if that is allowed and how would I go about posting.

That's it...now I'm going out for coffee.

Wordkraft

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[RaphyelMJordan]

Wow, well I feel fashionably late! LOL! Hello everyone! My name's Raphyel, and I'm from Franklin, TN. I'm 25 years old and I just finished getting my very first novel published. (Yayyyyy!)

I started writing my story when I was 19 just for the heck of it, but I figured it might actually have some sort of potential for "something" when I started incorporating a little more "refined" college education into it when I returned to school after an involuntary year-and-a-half long hiatus. Still, I had to set the book over to the side until I finished school. Let's seeeeee, what else? Oh! I went to school for a BFA in Visual Arts, so I love to draw! Actually, drawing has always been my life-long passion. . . but when I started writing, a completely different realm of creativity was opened up to me. So I really love doing illustrations of my characters from my novel along with the book itself, and I would really like to do some cover art for fellow authors out there in the near future.

I've learned a great deal about how fragile and vital one's first book publishing can be. It's VERY exciting, but all the more terrifying at the same time! I wish I had found a group like this months ago before my novel was launched because I probably would've had a slightly better knowledge about what all goes in to making one's novel stronger and successful as possible. Be that as it may, I'm here now, and I really look forward to hearing what fellow authors have to say in regards to their passion for writing and experiences. Thank you!

-Raphyel

  

[LilithLizvette]

maybe you should post some of your poetry in deviantart.com to make yourself   known. that's what i do. you maybe unpublished but that doesn't mean you can't win some fame.

[RaphyelMJordan]

Well, I don't write poetry, I'm afraid (even though I really like poetry ). I just finished writing a story about coming of age with a little sci-fi twist (hence the reason why there's a green alien girl on my book cover below ^_^).

And while I LOVE DA and think it's a great site, its seems that literature is very much in the minority there. That's why I use DA for my visual arts for now. However, I have a pretty healthy deal of work in my gallery to help bring awareness about my book.

You and anyone else is free to have a look at my gallery at http://rmj7.deviantart.com/ . I'd love to see some of your poetry too . Oh, and I AM published. ^_^ Self published as of now, but I'm still happy about it. So where can I find your poetry on deviant art???

Prossia

  

[Brandi_R]

Welcome to our new members! I'm so glad you found us here at the Writing Room. Everyone's voice is vital, so jump in and start participating. You can respond to other writers' work, post your own poetry, non fiction and fiction, start a discussion about writing, pose questions about publishing, and so on. I have another guest writer in the works and will be making an announcement soon.

[bookrooted]

Hey everyone! My name is Madison and i just turned 14 on the 1st

Lets see....

I enjoy long walks on the beach, green tea, sarcasm, 80's music (gotta love my parents for saving their CDs), pina coladas & getting caught in the rain, 80's movies (Ohhhh Anthony Michael Hall), YA ficiton, mythology, singing on the top of my lungs-some say horribly but that only makes me sing more for them- Ray Ban knock-offs, and writing.

My interest for writing began at the end of last year after I was toying around with an idea for a few months about a complex girl who had a life far different from mine. Finally after Christmas I had all these characters and ideas in my head and just opened up Word and began a very bad first chapter. Then i didn't have dreams of writing books while drinking tea in a dainty cafe in NYC or London, but only cared for finally getting that daydream out of my head and doing something with it.

Since then that story has gotten better to my eyes, now a very rough draft that i still butcher and edit and read for fun. I even finished a rough second draft for the series. (Of course, both are far from really-good-NY bestseller-good)

When my parents saw that i was sticking with this story even after a few days of sitting in front of the computer punching the keys and coming down a bit late for dinner, they began getting curious and i suspect nosy. I'm still not sure if they've read some of it yet, or how i feel about it. When I told my dad roughly what it was about, he veered off subject from the story to something else, so I'm thankful to have time to improve it before they get re-interested again.

During the summer i even emailed chapter by chapter to one of my best friends-he corrected some grammer mistakes and told me it was much better than he expected, yada yada yada. It was a good confidence booster, but i'm not sure it was the constructive criticism i needed.

Maybe soon people on this board will be more helpful with that?

[RaphyelMJordan]

It is MOST exciting to hear about young people being so committed in making a dream a reality...

Wait...I'm making myself sound old. Being 25 isn't old...Right???? Doh! Best of luck with your story. Just keep pushing on and you'll never know where the possibilities may take you. Who knows, maybe we'll see you at your first book signing some day ^_^.

Prossia

  

[1w2]

Well, introductions are always fun.

Oh wait, no they're not.

I'm a 19 year-old living in the US, and I'm just hoping to pick up some technique tips, maybe some ideas. I really love writing, but I have a long way to go. I've tried some short fiction just for personal satisfaction, but wasn't really happy with it. As my history professor likes to say, learning is communal, and so here I am. From what I've seen this looks like a pretty solid board, and I'm looking forward to learning what there is to learn and contributing where I can.

One question, though (and if I missed a "READ THIS FIRST" sticky I apologize) -  what're the rules regarding posting writing samples? I'm not sure if I'll be posting any (that just seems kind of presumptuous on my part), but can I post a full-length short story, or is it better to just post snippets for C&C?

...And Bob isn't my real name.

[KathyS]

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1w2 wrote:

Well, introductions are always fun.

Oh wait, no they're not.

I'm a 19 year-old living in the US, and I'm just hoping to pick up some technique tips, maybe some ideas. I really love writing, but I have a long way to go. I've tried some short fiction just for personal satisfaction, but wasn't really happy with it. As my history professor likes to say, learning is communal, and so here I am. From what I've seen this looks like a pretty solid board, and I'm looking forward to learning what there is to learn and contributing where I can.

One question, though (and if I missed a "READ THIS FIRST" sticky I apologize) -  what're the rules regarding posting writing samples? I'm not sure if I'll be posting any (that just seems kind of presumptuous on my part), but can I post a full-length short story, or is it better to just post snippets for C&C?

...And Bob isn't my real name.

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Well, what, if I may ask, is your real name?    I always like to know, also, if I'm talking to a male, or female, so I can put visions in my head!

I can't advise you on what to write, or post....Drop whatever you'd like on the board.  Although, for easier reading purposes, maybe a chapter at a time would give everyone a chance to know your writing, talk about it, and then see how the story may, or may not, progress.

Brandi (our moderator)  posts some wonderful challenges for us to take part in.  At least I've enjoyed them, and I hope you do too.  The more the merrier!  I think all newbies (and even us oldies) should partake of these assigned writing projects!  I find it only strengthens your writing skills.  Brandi can give you some great direction.  Don't be afraid to ask questions, discuss - participate!

Happy writing, and reading!

Kathy

[Brandi_R]

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1w2 wrote:

One question, though (and if I missed a "READ THIS FIRST" sticky I apologize) -  what're the rules regarding posting writing samples? I'm not sure if I'll be posting any (that just seems kind of presumptuous on my part), but can I post a full-length short story, or is it better to just post snippets for C&C?

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Welcome! You can post any creative writing that you'd like. A whole story would be fine as would excerpts. (KathyS has a great point about length. If it's really long, it may help to break it up so commenters don't feel too overwhelmed.) In general, make sure you're following the User Guidelines set up for the whole B&N Community. Also, I highly suggest commenting on other writers' work, too. Not only does it contribute to the community and help everyone get to know you, but it also helps sharpen your own editorial eye, which will improve your own work in the long run. Again, welcome. I'm glad you found us here at the Writing Room. I look forward to seeing your work.

[Squid22Syd23]

Hey,

My name is Sydney, I like to write realistic fictions stories. Usually, when I tell people that I like to write realistic fictions they don't know what realistic fictions is. So for those who don't know what realistic fiction is I will tell you. In my point of view. Realistic fiction is a type of writing that can seem real but it isn't real, it is made up. That was just a short little description of realistic fiction. I have been writing sense I was 10 and I enjoy writing very much! One thing that I do that I don't like that I do which I'm trying not to do is that when I start a book and then put it away I never go back and write some more of the book! Well I just wanted to introduce myself, I'm kind-of new! Thanks!

[Superbookreader]

Hi my name is Ryan. I really love to read and write! I'm am currently working on a story with my best friend and I hope to get along with everyone here. And if you ask, I may have some great book recomedations for whatever genre.

[_mOonSeeKer_]

Hello, new people! Nice to meet you here in BN. Hope you'll have fun. Wish to see some of your works soon!

[B_Ry]

I'm Bryan. I write because i sometimes am compelled to do so, but usually i cant think of anything to put down on paper. when i do though, it usually comes out pretty good and thought provoking. i like to hear what you think of my writing. i havent posted much but if you keep telling me what you think i will post more. tell me hi, and leave messages. i can use a writing buddy or if you want me to read what you have, just let me know.

[ShadowAngel]

My name is Ella Loveless. Most people just call me Enchanted. I am 20 years old and in the process of transferring colleges from the University of Central Arkansas to University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. I have been writing little bits since I was in fifth grade. I'm currently working on a fantasy piece and I hope to finish the first chapter soon. I will be posting that as soon as I finish it. I tend to be a perfectionist so ALL feedback will be taken with gratitude and grace. Besides writing, I also knit, crochet, sew, embroider, cross-stitch, draw, and paint. (Though I'm far from any good drawing or painting! ) I love to read and watch movies. I'm on my way to being a complete movie guru. I've seen over 1200 movies, most in the past 4 years, along with numerous tv series and animes. You can bet at any given moment I'm either reading or crochet/knitting, though as those are my favorite hobbies. Well, I'm not sure what else to write about, so if anyone has any questions just let me know! I'm hoping to get to know you all well!

[RaphyelMJordan]

I always love reading younger people's stuff. Lemme know when you'll have something posted up ^_^

[KathyS]

Wanted to share!

http://straitjacketsmagazine.com/

[Brandi_R]

A big welcome to our newest members. I look forward to learning more about you and reading your work.

[Brandi_R]

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KathyS wrote:

Wanted to share!

http://straitjacketsmagazine.com/

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Congratulations, Kathy! What a thrill. Great work.