Hi there

I'm a new member from today, and am hoping that joining Write Words will give me some impetus and support as I get on with writing my first novel. It's scary getting started! I would like to join a group but am not sure which one. Any suggestions? My novel is I guess more likely to be chick lit, but might turn into something more literary... Is the best way to get started to post some of it up, and get some comments? Any feedback would be appreciated as I make the move from being a journalist (have been for 20 years) to fledging novelist!

Hi, Sophie, and welcome to WriteWords

As a full member you can join more than one group, or move around from group to group until you find one you're happy in. Some of the groups are a bit quiet, so it's best to join a more active one. Some of the most active groups fill up, so you might have to wait until there's space - in such cases contact the Group Host to say you're interested in joining, and they'll tell you if & when there's a space.
Chick-lit & Womans Fiction tend to be pretty active. Or you might prefer something a bit more 'general fiction' such as Novel Writers Group, or the spill-over group: Novel II....have a look around before making a decision.
In the meantime, you can always upload your work into the Archive.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.


- NaomiM

Thanks NaomiM - lovely to get a reply! I will try the chick lit group and see if they have room for me.

Hi Sophie - as Naomi says, Welcome to WriteWords, and best of luck with the novel.

Emma

Hi Sophie, and welcome to WW.

As Naomi said, you don’t have to join a group before uploading a piece of your work – it can go into the general archive. It helps if you post a message in the Introduce Your Work forum to draw people’s attention to it.

Keep it under 2000 words if you can – the shorter it is the more likely it is to attract feedback. And you'll gain a lot by reading and commenting on other members’ work, especially the ones that are in a similar vein to your own writing.

Good luck

Dee

Hi Naomi

I've been looking at Write Words quite a lot since joining, but I'm a bit confused about replying to a reply to my first post - do I just do so by hitting the Reply button, or should I put a new Subject each time I post a reply?

Since joining I have been so heartened that people have bothered to reply and say positive things! I have a query about the length of synopsis - but should I put this query in the Newcomer's Forum or in the Chick Lit Group area (which is the group I've joined)? I just don't want to confuse people by putting queries in the wrong place. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!!

Hi, sophie,

I'm a bit confused about replying to a reply to my first post - do I just do so by hitting the Reply button, or should I put a new Subject each time I post a reply?

Yes, just hit the reply button.

I have a query about the length of synopsis - but should I put this query in the Newcomer's Forum or in the Chick Lit Group area (which is the group I've joined)?

Best place is probably the Synopsis and Outline group - you don't have to be a member of any particular group to post a question in it.
As a general answer to your question, up to one side of A4 is normally recommended for a synopsis, but that largely depends on the type of novel you've written. Some chick-litters have found it sufficient to write just half a page, while some crime writers have needed a couple of pages to get everything in.


- NaomiM

Hello Sophie, getting started on any prospective story is daunting. We all willstare at a blank screen for ages then something will come to you. Been a journo for 20 years? Then use that to your advantage. You must have come across stories that would fit into your storyline, so why not fictionalise some events, and take it from thee. Your experience as a journalist, no doubt many of us would love to possess. Good luck!

Hi Sophie, and welcome! I see you've joined the Chick Lit group. I'm new here, too, and so far I'm impressed by the quality of everyone's work and the really useful feedback people give.

I look forward to seeing some of your work!

Regards,

Kisa