Hello All

I've just joined the site for a month's trial. I've found it hard to find a website I feel comfortable with, and I think by that I mean a more serious website. This site had an immediate attraction. Mostly I would love to be able to discuss writing and all that goes with it, with other serious writers. It's so good to talk to like-minded people. We live in an isolated spot in France, in the Dordogne, and I only have my husband or the squirrels to chat to!

I have written my first book and am currently trying to get published. It's been a long and interesting journey from the birth of the book idea to now - the 'try and get an agent or publisher if you can' stage! I've given up on agents and am currently going for small independent publishers. Two weeks ago a publisher asked to see the full manuscript. Exciting news, but I'm not holding my breath, instead I'm on chapter 4 of the next book. Anyway, pleased to meet everyone here, and I look forward to sharing thoughts.

Hi Franci, and welcome! I've found this to be a great (and addictive!) site - certainly it's a great place to discuss the nuts and bolts of serious writing. I've gained a lot of information and a lot of 'reality checks' from being a member - in terms of the world of agents/publishers especially. Best thing is to join a group and post some work. I've found comments to be invaluable and supportive.
Living in the Dordogne sounds idyllic, but can see that it must feel rather isolating at times! Well done on the publisher reading your book - fingers crossed they love it!
Susiex

Welcome to WW, Franci! Well done on having a publisher request the 'full' of your book - great news! - and I'm sure you are very sensible to press on wiht the next project in the meantime - of on ly to take your mind off all the nail-biting waiting for news... Best of luck.

Personally, I'd say it's just as easy to feel isolated from other people who understand the delights and frustrations of writing in the middle of a city as it is in the French countryside - so I hope you find the support and exchange of ideas herer that you areb looking for.

Have you thought of joining a group, so as to exchange critiques with fellow writers? It is one of the key benefits of this site - you could post some chapters of your new book and get feedback on them, in return for reading and critiquing others' work. It's a brilliant way to learn and improve.

Rosy

Hi Franci and welcome to WriteWords. It must be lovely to live in France - I hope you've not had a washout summer like us in the UK.

Have a look around the site and see if any of the groups take your fancy (some are a bit quieter than others, so usually best to pick an active one). As a trial member you can join one and upload one piece of work. If you'd like to discuss the nuts and bolts of writing, there are the Topic Forums (eg, Technique, Inspiration & Ideas, Getting Published, etc.) where you can post as many questions as you like.
If you have any questions about navigating the site, just ask.


- NaomiM

Thank you all above - Susie, Rosy and Naomi,

I'm really looking forward to sharing views and experiences and learning more from seasoned writers. Maybe in a month's time I'll become a fully-fledged member.

Cheers

Jude
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Hi Franci! I also live abroad, in Belgium, and I really enjoy the site because there are less opportunities here to meet other writers in my field (children's books). I think it is a 'serious' site and as you say, they're hard to find. I hope you have a good time with us
leila x

Hi Franci, and welcome to WW. Lots of good advice above. I'd second (third? fifth?) the seriousness of the site, though it can also (thank goodness) be very, very silly at times...

I think writing is isolating wherever you are, almost by definition - I live in London and can still feel as if I can't lay my hand on a single soul to have a proper writing conversation with, except, of course, on WW, where there always seems to be someone up for it.

Emma

Welcome to WW Franci! Congrats on finishing the novel and good luck with finding a publisher. Keep the faith!

Hello Franci, and welcome to WW. It certainly is a great site to be with, and one in which I've already felt confident enough to upload some of my work - albeit poetry (which for me is fairly safe rather than the adventures of prose).

What I really like is that the experts on this site are real writers but are real people also. By this I mean that they have proved to be very approachable whilst clearly being published writers in their own right. Not every writer that I know has been quite so generous.

Good luck with your publisher - I look forward to reading your work.

James

Hello Franci,

I've been a member for just over a year now, and WW is very much part of my writing ritual each day - as Susie says, it's a bit addictive, but very supportive and sensible. Best is to find a group to post work in and get crits if you like, but you don't have to do that if you don't want to.

Sarah

Thank you James and Sarah for your kind comments. At the moment I don't have much to load up for critique. My book is finished and I have edited it to death and said that's it. I don't think I could cope with suggestions of changes at the moment! I hope all writers are not as sensitive as I am! I have started my next book and am already up to 9000 words. I may need some critique with this one in a while. In the meantime I'm just thoroughly enjoying the site and meeting like-minded people.
Thanks again
Franci
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