Hi everyone,
my name is Alex. I'm new here, and just feeling my way a little. Up until now, I am a short story writer. I've had a few published, and have dipped my toe in the water of novel writing with the notorious 'first novel' which will be forever confined to a drawer because much as I love it, it just isn't good enough.
I had a baby a couple of years ago and haven't written a word of fiction since. I used to class myself as a horror writer, but since I became a mum I can't seem to bring myself to kill off characters, so that's become problematic.
I guess I'm here because I'm hoping that by surrounding myself with proper writer-type people, I might get the motivation I need to get going again.
A x

Hi Alex, and welcome to WriteWords - I'm sure you'll find a fair few writerly types here.

As a part member you can join one group and upload one piece of work.
If you're still into short stories there's a very active Flash Group, for shorter stories (usually less than 1000 words; a Short Story Group for longer short stories (roughly 1000-2500 words); plus a Commercial Short Story group for writers writing for womens magazines and similar.
Alternatively, there's the Intensive Critique Group for those writing novels, and the new Speculative fiction group for Fantasy, SF, etc.

You'll find the full list of Groups here:
http://www.writewords.org.uk/groups/


If you need any help just give us a shout.

- NaomiM

Thank Naomi,
that's really useful. Just weighing up whether joining fully would be more of a distraction than a help. I know myself well enough to know that there is every chance that any precious spare time I have may very well end up being frittered away chatting instead of writing!
A x

Hello Alex,

Can I please point out that Commercial Short Story - hopefully soon to be renamed General Short Story - isn't a womag group, that's a misconception some people seem to have

We write short stories for all and any publications - that does include womags - but also other mags and newspapers too such as The Weekly News, so feel free to join us if you'd like to be in a friendly group

Have fun on the site.

Kat x

Hi Littel Miss B, and welcome to WriteWords - hope you find it useful, or at least a very virtuous kind of distraction!

Emma

There really is no better way to learn the craft than to be in a group where you learn to critique work, and have your own work critiqued in return. And you'll learn so much about the inner workings of the publishing industry by dropping in on the threads posted in the Private Members forum. Maybe you'll get a bit distracted at times, but everyone's allowed a little downtime aren't they?


- NaomiM

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Kat, thanks for the info, that sounds like a good group for me. My stories have been mainly in genre and small press mags so far.
Emma, I hope so too
Naomi, yes, I was a member of a group like this a while back and for a while it was a wonderful resource and a great tool to develop my writing, until I became too heavily involved in the politics of the site and became completely distracted by internal squabbling among certain groups. Hmm, I've got a month to make up my mind, so hopefully I have a chance to get to know some people, join a group and get a feel for the site.
A x

Hi, Little Miss B,

the notorious 'first novel' which will be forever confined to a drawer because much as I love it, it just isn't good enough.

Are you sure? Who knows, perhaps the story you love simply needs a second chance. Does it need another opinion to either confirm, or better, banish your doubts? If you would like to upload a sample on Intensive Critique you would get at least 3 reviews on your work.

Sorry, I'll admit to being selfish here, I'm intrigued now and want to read some of this much loved story...

Regards, Andy



<Added>

Just realised you've uploaded something on CSS, I'm sure you'll get all you need there.

All the best, Andy

Hi Andy!
nice to meet you. If I do decide to become a full member, I will certanly head over there and upload a little sample. It has many flaws because it was written instinctively, without any idea of the rules of writing and there are major issues with it. I just don't think I can get enough distance to fix those problems if you see what I mean?
Alex x

And I should probably come clean. When I say I was a member of a group like this, I actually mean this site. I used to go by the name 'sazzyjack' for any of the real old timers (I left in 2007). I do believe my nickname in the Flash Fiction group was once 'Mistress of Darkness'

Sarah x

I remember you, sazzyjack! Nothing specific, just the username. Welcome back Fully understand the need not to get distracted...

I remember you too, Leila. How are you?
x

Hi, Sazzyjack, I remember the name too. Good to see you back!

Emma

Good thanks