New Writer - going for it

[cmhine]

Well here I am. So I’m introducing myself.

I’m enjoying reading the various works and blots on this site, all v interesting stuff, V useful too.

I’m 40 – degree educated – albeit in I.T.

I have to say, writing was never my forte. However, I’m a little older, wiser with many books read etc… and I thought I’d turn my hand at writing.

I started with a story idea back in June 2009 and essentially crashed on with it. Haven’t written anything other than a UNI dissertation with any real anger and, to be honest the prospect scared me AND excited me all at the same time.

Could I actually do it?
Would I have the patience and commitment?
Would I get so many thousand words into it all and bin it out as meaning less rubbish?

I’ve had a ‘good butchers’ around this site and its full of insecurities as woeful as my own. And that fine, that what it’s all about – tips, advice, something to keep you going when either your idea runs flat or you look back (should I say read back) and decide that what you have write n is a steaming pile of camel dung.

So here I am (or have I said that?) I’ve already got around 120,000 words of guff together and I’m fairly pleased with my plot. Initially, and this is the amusing bit; I’d sort of thought – Hmm, I’m a software developer, I see the big picture all the time, how hard can it be, moulding your story into fruition, adding the meat to the otherwise sterile Skelton?

I can tell you now, it’s been hard – damned hard – and it still is.

I’m aware it has to be re-drafted many times, edited etc. As it is there are too many holes in it, character strengths and dissimilarities need to be tightened, but the basic structure is – I think – more or less there.

I suppose I’d like in many ways to dump a small excerpt onto this site for a critique. I’m mindful that I’ll have the proverbial book thrown at me but will to give it a go nonetheless. I’ve read the rules, no more than 3000 words etc… So will keep my piece brief.

Additionally, I’m bothered that my work will be seen as so dire that I’ll give the whole lot up and not go back to it, but then I’ve written so much already and I am enjoying it. For that reason, a critique at thios stage is probns OK.

Oh – please don’t critique my intro – I;m writing it way to fast.

Please be nice.

[Gaines]

Welcome to our little corner of the universe. You've read the FAQ page, know the rules, have a book in the works, are scared shitless, and here we sit waiting for you, like wolves skulking the treeline searching for the unsuspecting hare. Well jump out there bunny, and see if you can outmanuver us. We might not maul you. We might tease, and torment you for fun and pleasure.

Get your thoughtful posts done, and maybe a critique or two, and let us see your excerpt. In the meantime we will be sharpening our pencils and our incisors.

Let's begin.

[Q Wands]

Welcome to WB, cmhine. So I've read your little intro and all I can say is: you can spell so that's a start.

Seriously, everyone here is on a learning curve (except Gaines because he's just useless, aren't you, buddy? We only keep him around because he makes us laugh) so don't be nervous about posting. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

See you around the forums.

[Gaines]

I'm the Rodney Dangerfield of the literary world. "I get no respect, I tell ya." Someday though when my name is mentioned in the same breath as the greats that have gone before, Brown, Meyer, any Harlequin writer, they will rue the day they scoffed at me! Ha.

[Q Wands]

Think you'd have to take a few steps down to reach their level. At least you write stuff I'm willing to read.

See how much fun we have, cmhine? Bet you're glad you signed up.

[cmhine]

Indeed. What are you guys like?

Think I'll polish my piece (no pun intended) before I let the lamb amongst the wolves.

Well it's Friday night, 20:13. Just popped my little un to bed and am writing this on my iPhone. How sad is that?

In all seriousness I reckon I need a break (small of course). All work and no play... It's a strange thing. I'm working full time, then again when I get home; demanding wife n kids. I'm constantly on the srounge for time to crack on, push my thoughts, my ideas into my PC. I have a thought, a snippet, how will it effect my story, what about this, what about that? It's the maddest single thing I've ever attempted.

Thanks for the welcome guys.

[Q Wands]

Haha. You sound like me trying to find time for my writing. Good to have you here and I think you'll settle in just fine.

[Natasha]

Originally Posted by Gaines

Welcome to our little corner of the universe. You've read the FAQ page, know the rules, have a book in the works, are scared shitless, and here we sit waiting for you, like wolves skulking the treeline searching for the unsuspecting hare. Well jump out there bunny, and see if you can outmanuver us. We might not maul you. We might tease, and torment you for fun and pleasure.

Get your thoughtful posts done, and maybe a critique or two, and let us see your excerpt. In the meantime we will be sharpening our pencils and our incisors.

Let's begin.

Yikes! Well, cmhine, maybe we'd better stick together; two bunnies is better than one. Remember: When the wolves give chase, zig and zag! We'll outsmart 'em. (For more on how to be a rabbit, read Seventeen Rabbits and Watership Down.)

Newbies rule!
~Natasha