Hello WW!
Just trying out the site for the month to see how I fare. I've used various other writers' sites but have mostly been amongst the American market and it has taken me a while to find a decent UK based one.

A few years ago I rekindled my desire to write after 14 years having not done so. As I was skint and couldn't afford a course, I gleaned all I could from the internet and could see a marked improvement in my writing. Then I fell pregnant and all of a sudden my beloved hobby paled into insignificance while I ran around in a panic about how our renovation project was no decent place to bring a baby.

FFwd 1 yr 10 months, I've just about stopped panicking and the shock is wearing off too. I, once again, have control over my brain and can focus on something for more than a few seconds. I am now making space in my life to start up again with my hobby, though I do find it difficult to switch from Mummy to imprisoned drug-dealer (the theme for my next project). I no longer have the luxury of indulging myself for days at a time in an alternative reality.

I Live in rural France so we don't really have access to a lot of things which I find very frustrating. In order to motivate myself I have started a writers' group in my area (not in French) which has had a surprisingly good response, considering we live in the least populated area of France.

I haven't yet found my genre, but most of my stories have a dark edge to them, and I've not been published but I would like to dip a toe in the water there soon, once I figure out how to go about it.

Well, I look forward to getting to know you all in the forums.

Ciao for now.

DQ

Hi, Demonqueen, and welcome to WriteWords


As a Part Member you can join one writing group and upload one piece of work. Some of the groups are pretty quiet because of the summer holidays, but the Beginners Group is pretty active right now (members there have a good range of writing experience). Anyway, look around and see if anything takes your fancy.

If you need any help navigating the site feel free to ask.


- NaomiM

Thanks. I think it will take me a couple of days to get my head around what's what, then I'll see about testing out a group.

Hi Demonqueen, and welcome to WriteWords. It is a big site, but I'm sure you'll soon find yourself swimming happily. I think that a lot of members have experience of trying to find headspace to write in and around matters domestic - plenty of fellow-feeling around!

Emma

Thanks for the welcomes.

However, I am already a little confused! I took a squizz at the beginners forum, to see what kinds of stuff is posted but was told I could only look as a full or community member. Doesn't that rather hinder my chances of joining it?![]

DQ

You're right. You have to join the Group before members' work is visible, because most members upload work set to 'visible by Group Members only'.
Um, I guess it's a leap of faith.
One mont's trial period is just a taster. If you decide to become a full member (on either subscription rate) then you will be able to join more groups and move around the groups until you find one you're comfortable in.


- NaomiM

<Added>

The Beginners group was initially set up for those with limited writing experience, but now seems to be one of the first ports of call for new members, and so has a good range of writing experience.

Okay, thanks. Guess I'll just have to dive in then!

Hi there!

I just spotted your name on our beginners group and thought I would welcome you on behalf of all of us.
We are pretty much all unpublished (as in no novel's published although some have published short stories. I may be wrong so don't quote me!) in the group but alot of us (excluding myself) have been writing for years and finally took the leap of faith to join a group and let others see our work.
Personally, I have found it has opened up a whole new world and the knowledge I have gained as a complete beginner, from critiquing others work and have the same done for mine, as well as taking part in the weekly challenges, has been just fantastic.
You will indeed find us all friendly and supportive group and we do try and help with any questions were we can.
Each one of us has certain qualities we bring so if you would like to upload a piece of your work (you are allowed one upload whilst a trial member), we will be more than happy to have a look and offer critiquing/advice where you want it. Likewise, the group works on you looking at other's work and critiquing on theres. Doesn't have to be on grammar though - can be on the feel of the piece or whatever you like!

Also, we are running weekly challenges that you join in whenever you want. They range in style and length and genre, so please come along and have a go!

Look forward to reading some of your work,

Tani

Hi Demonqueen

Welcombe to the site. I too live in rural France and have experienced the isolation it causes for a "non-native speaking writer". It was a great idea to start your own group - one that I hadn't considered, so I'd be interested in finding out how you went about starting the group and how it progresses.

Although I haven't had a chance recently to participate (or even look at writewords recently) I was made to feel very welcome and was given lots of friendly and well thought out feedback when I posted some work. This had an amazing effect on my confidence levels and changed my attitude about being isolated. Its now not a problem its a blessing as I get less interruptions - its all about perspective.

I hope that you find the best group to join for your trial month, and that the whole experience is beneficial.

Good luck, and please feel free to contact me via the email facility if you want to "talk" to someone experiencing some of the same challenges that you face.

Best of luck

Nicci