Any writers out there?

iradamrawr

I just recently started writing down some things out of my imagination and thought one of them might decent reading and i was wondering if anyone on here was a writer that i could bounce some ideas off of or get some advice from

the book or short story or 4 pages or what ever the hell it ends up being is going to be of the fantasy nature (D&D type fantasy not the other fantasy lol) throw me a message or reply on here i would really appreciate some help thanks

Cre8veLifeR

hey. Check out meetup.com for writers groups around you! I go to a few and they are really helpful!

iradamrawr

thanks ill check it out but im brand new at this stuff and i dont want to embarress myself lol

locaoca

thanks ill check it out but im brand new at this stuff and i dont want to embarress myself lol

I would look at it, I did some editing for Chicken Soup for the Soul. D&D stuff is selling good right now.
But, as a writer you need to be really need to work on not being embarrassed. Some of the things that have been said to me during writing workshops has not only been embarrassing but sometimes cruel.

Nessiechickie

I have a short story written and edited and also tried to publish it but didn't go through.
Also have a novel written but have never let anyone read it, gave a few pages to my grandma but that was about it.
and have a start of another novel written,
I love writing stories but just have sadly run out of the time to do it.

1ConcreteGirl

I've been a professional writer for over ten years. That's why I'd like to let you know that writers already get paid pretty little and don't like being asked to read or edit things for free, especially for strangers.

But maybe another writer will see this and edit it for you, just to prove something.

Let's hope. :flowerforyou:

DesignGuy

I'm a writer, although fiction is something I've done off and on over the years (mostly a nonfiction writer). Actually, I did far more fiction writing and reading when I was younger.

The meetup idea is a good one. Another would be to start surrounding yourself with other creators (writers, artists, etc) online or IRL.

You shouldn't worry about embarrassing yourself. It will hold you back. I've been in the creative field most of my life and you really need a thick skin. No matter what you create, you'll have people that like it and people that don't. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters.

At the heart of the matter is the story. Too many writers (new and old), IMHO, get all wrapped up in grammar and the act of writing first. This is wrong. The STORY is what matters most. If the story sucks, who gives a hobbit's *kitten* if the grammar is spot on and the language is fluid.

One of the keys to writing well that for some reason escapes a good many writers is ... wait for it ... reading. The second key is exploring. Get out there and soak up life.

Lastly, when you're creating a story, create first, edit last. Let the creativity flow out of you. Don't hamper it by trying to be logical.

Feel free to add me as a friend and shoot me whatever. You can never know too many creators.

whierd

If you start a group, I would be willing to contribute to your ideas. I have done amateur writing for awhile and am very familiar with fantasy fiction.

angelcurry130

i do creative writing when the mood strikes me, but i can never work a good narritive. i always get stuck in a Tolkienian style of back-history and lore.

iradamrawr

thanks guys i when i get home from work ill throw you guys a message and we can set up a group maybe

rachel4304

Technical writing pays the bills but my dream is to branch out into published fiction.

TMartinFranklin

I have a short story written and edited and also tried to publish it but didn't go through.
Also have a novel written but have never let anyone read it, gave a few pages to my grandma but that was about it.
and have a start of another novel written,
I love writing stories but just have sadly run out of the time to do it.

Ok, now I'm dying to read your short story. Do I dare ask to ready your novel??

CrazyTrackLady

I just recently started writing down some things out of my imagination and thought one of them might decent reading and i was wondering if anyone on here was a writer that i could bounce some ideas off of or get some advice from

the book or short story or 4 pages or what ever the hell it ends up being is going to be of the fantasy nature (D&D type fantasy not the other fantasy lol) throw me a message or reply on here i would really appreciate some help thanks

Hi there! Let me give you my credentials, in case you're wondering who I am:

Former editorial assistant
Former professional proofreader
Former writing tutor for college students
Creative writer of children's stories (not published, just have written several)
Writing Consultant for the National Writing Project
Language Arts teacher

I can assist with both the input and output methods. Just shoot me a PM and I will be more than happy to take a look. I can even send you my wordpress link so you can see the types of writing I do.

CrazyTrackLady

I'm a writer, although fiction is something I've done off and on over the years (mostly a nonfiction writer). Actually, I did far more fiction writing and reading when I was younger.

The meetup idea is a good one. Another would be to start surrounding yourself with other creators (writers, artists, etc) online or IRL.

You shouldn't worry about embarrassing yourself. It will hold you back. I've been in the creative field most of my life and you really need a thick skin. No matter what you create, you'll have people that like it and people that don't. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters.

At the heart of the matter is the story. Too many writers (new and old), IMHO, get all wrapped up in grammar and the act of writing first. This is wrong. The STORY is what matters most. If the story sucks, who gives a hobbit's *kitten* if the grammar is spot on and the language is fluid.

One of the keys to writing well that for some reason escapes a good many writers is ... wait for it ... reading. The second key is exploring. Get out there and soak up life.

Lastly, when you're creating a story, create first, edit last. Let the creativity flow out of you. Don't hamper it by trying to be logical.

Feel free to add me as a friend and shoot me whatever. You can never know too many creators.

I'd like to add that when I teach others to write, I tell them they do NOT have to start in any particular order -- just jot down what parts of the story they currently have floating in their heads. Stories don't have to be written in sequential order - work backwards, forwards or out from the middle if need be. What comes to you the best should be your starting point. From there, branch it out and fill in the missing parts.

dsjohndrow

Just write.

If you are new, write a blog. Sign up for grammar and writing emails, word of the day that sort of stuff.

You need to get past what you think of your writing, and think even less about what everyone else thinks. Not all writers get published, but the ones with passion find outlets for their works.

It is good to get ideas, and feedback, but in the end it's a reflection of your soul.

Good luck.

CrazyTrackLady

thanks ill check it out but im brand new at this stuff and i dont want to embarress myself lol

You need to write for YOURSELF, not for others' enjoyment.

johnp1732

I can understand. It's a little easier to ask questions on a board like this of others instead of standing/sitting in front of them as they tear through your story.

At least here you can ask questions of others and get a decent sampling of answers to figure out which one you want to use best. Because really, how do you approach or ask a question on twitter like "If my main female character wears a red dress, what color shoes go with it? Yes, it's for a story, and yes, I'm a guy that just doesn't know." without sounding a bit -- off?

There's also a group for writers on here that you may want to consider joining up. It doesn't have too much activity at the moment, that I can tell, but that may change.

I do have to agree with CrazyTrackLady though -- I have 3, no -- 4 different stories started. One of them has the beginning, half of chapter 1, part of a middle, another middle part, and the ending done. Just start writing and stay consistent.

TMartinFranklin

Great advice, thanks CTL

TMartinFranklin

If there is one, or someone starts, a writers group, please let me know. I want to join and be active in it.

CrazyTrackLady

Great advice, thanks CTL

Anytime!

alexisdc

Hey there - my husband writes fantasy too; the D&D type fantasy Let me ask him if he would be willing to exchange emails with you and you two could possibly read eachothers and provide some peer to peer critique. -Alexis

iradamrawr

i just joined http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/764-mfp-writers it doesnt look like it has much activity but we can change that



btw thank you all for the advice i appreciate it all.

dsjohn i know i shouldnt be embarressed and in the end if i enjoy writing and reading my own story thats what really matters but at the end of the day im a super shy self concise guy lol

johnp your excatly right about not wanting to ask things in person or of people that work for me and i see everyday before i have more of it done or feel like its a little bit more polished

CTL id love your input on it ill send you a message soon,

designguy i know i shouldnt worry too much about editing stuff right now but im weird like that i guess lol i have the story mapped out in my head have for years and when i finally decided to put it down i wanted to make sure it flowed right more than grammer editing and stuff

yeah alex i would love to talk to your hubby if hes intrested

thanks again to everyone hit up that group and maybe we can bring it back from the dead lol

CrazyTrackLady

hey all! I just posted a topic in that group that says "Birds Must Fly, Writers Must Write, so..."

I would love to see some responses!

(This is the teacher in me coming out, which btw, I am ALSO a judge at the middle school Power of the Pen writing competition in my area, and have seen 3 of my past students make it all the way to State competition)

I call it the "ten minute write". 10 minutes to respond to a prompt.

Are you up for the challenge?

wolfpack77

Im the son of a poet. Does that count? lol

bookworm_847

I'd like to add that when I teach others to write, I tell them they do NOT have to start in any particular order -- just jot down what parts of the story they currently have floating in their heads. Stories don't have to be written in sequential order - work backwards, forwards or out from the middle if need be. What comes to you the best should be your starting point. From there, branch it out and fill in the missing parts.

Thanks for the advice. I stopped writing for a long time for some reason but I'm trying to get started again.

kaylaandthestarcatcher

I write fanfiction, if that counts.

No?

Doesn't count?

Okay. I understand completely.

kowfred

Iradam, I write, pending publishing a YA novel, professional screenplay writer. I'll give you feedback. Email me.

Join writers' groups and read titles from the bookstore, know your genre.

Don't be embarassed or you'll never be read. Groups and peer critique help, but learn when it's constructive and when your vision is compromised. Learn the craft, grammar, plot structure, good natural dialogue!, (you can google a lot of it and get books but don't blow too much money) and your idea will thrive. Don't give up. I queried a lot before I got notice.

Good luck, and write. "writers write" heh

GregLeatherman

I am a professional writer and editor. It makes it challenging to lose weight when you sit at a desk all day, but at least I get to do what I love for money.

brower47

I write fanfiction, if that counts.

No?

Doesn't count?

Okay. I understand completely.

I think it counts as hobby writing... not that I'd know anything about that.

GregLeatherman

I just recently started writing down some things out of my imagination and thought one of them might decent reading and i was wondering if anyone on here was a writer that i could bounce some ideas off of or get some advice from

the book or short story or 4 pages or what ever the hell it ends up being is going to be of the fantasy nature (D&D type fantasy not the other fantasy lol) throw me a message or reply on here i would really appreciate some help thanks

I can give you some advice based on your post. Please don't take it the wrong way. Your post is poorly punctuated and missing some words. When sending anything to an editor, be sure and correct these errors. Typically, no editor will overlook such mistakes unless they want money from you. Paying publishers require that you learn basic grammar. Good luck!

GregLeatherman

I just recently started writing down some things out of my imagination and thought one of them might decent reading and i was wondering if anyone on here was a writer that i could bounce some ideas off of or get some advice from

the book or short story or 4 pages or what ever the hell it ends up being is going to be of the fantasy nature (D&D type fantasy not the other fantasy lol) throw me a message or reply on here i would really appreciate some help thanks

I can give you some advice based on your post. Please don't take it the wrong way. Your post is poorly punctuated and missing some words. When sending anything to an editor, be sure and correct these errors. Typically, no editor will overlook such mistakes unless they want money from you. Paying publishers require that you learn basic grammar. Good luck!

I don't mean to discourage you. Most writers draft their stories in a rough form first, including myself, but you do need to polish any story before submitting. A ready-to-submit manuscript should be as clean as you can get it. I probably came off a little harshly in criticizing the grammar of your query, but you will find many editors do the same (especially in publishing). In my own career, things did not take off for me until I learned how to self-edit. That said, a good idea is rare and you should not be discouraged by me or anyone. Good luck!