Hi there everyone, new member here!

I'm an aspiring writer. I've always written poetry, and have lots of ideas for stories, books and non-fiction work. I copywrite in my job - mostly pr and brochures - with some success. I love to write, but am afraid to do more because I don't know if I'm any good! Where do you begin? How do I know if I have any talent? Do I need a course?

Any opinions, comments or ideas are really welcome! I hoep to hear from some of you, this seems like a lovely, welcoming forum!

All the best,

Helen

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Hello again everyone,

I just wanted to say a big thank you to all the people who have replied to my post. It's been a lovely way to start on WW, and your encouragement is wonderful; I feel supported already! Any more comments and suggestions are warmly welcomed.

Thank you!

Helen

Welcome Helen! You certainly seem to be well set up for writing with your copywriting background
and interests.
I'd advise that the best thing is to post something on here and go for it! If you put one of your poems up I'll certainly have a look at it. When you post, highlight it in the 'Introduce your work' Forum so more poeple are attracted to it.
Then try and join one of the WW Groups where you get the support of a bunch of members and perhaps a Site Expert. I can heartily recommend Poetry I, though I don't know if its got any vacancies right now. There's also a Beginner's Writer's Group which has fab support and help from Anna, the WW founder, so have a look at that one too.
Good luck and welcome again!
x
tc

Helen, welcome to WW. One of the site's strengths is that the members have a huge range of experience, styles and aspirations, from beginners to published novelists. The only thing we all have in common is that we take it seriously, and know that others do too. TC's advice is excellent: have a nose round the site, dip into the archive, join into the forums. Everybody's welcome.

It is worth joining a group once you feel at home (or even before you do, though that shouldn't take long), as you will get rather more reliable feedback on your work, and commenting on others' work in your form is the best possible way to learn; uploading work into the archive is a bit more hit-and-miss, though it helps if you flag it on the 'Introduce your work' forum. The beginner's group is particularly kind and nurturing, but everyone knows that we're all nervous when posting anything as personal as creative writing work, and if you ask for the degree and kind of feedback you want, you'll get it.

Emma

Helen,

Welcome aboard!

I echo the above comments, just have fun.

Grinder

Helen, you'll soon get a feel for your own particular talents and for where it's most fruitful to explore. Enjoy your writing.

Sheila

Helen
Only one way to find out is to have a go, take a deep breath and put your work on show and see what happens. It gets a little easier each time and you keep on learning.
Good luck
Kat

Breathe in. Breathe out. Let your soul flow onto the page.

Welcome to WW.

JB

Hi Helen,

This is the best place to learn, in my opinion. I joined mid last year and dipped my toe in with a couple of light poems, and before I knew it I'd written a children's novel - I have no idea how it happened, only that the encouragement and constructive feedback I got on here was absolutely essential to the process.

Enjoy, and good luck,

Myrtle

Hey Helen,

Everyone has to start somewhere. Not all the people on here are long term writers, I'm relatively new at it, well I'm born-again I suppose. I started writing childrens stories about 20 years ago, then stopped writing, and started again with women's fiction about 8 months ago.

If you have some ideas for stories, get them down on paper, have a play around until you're reasonably happy with it, then upload it here. We'll all have a look at it and give you some constructive advice. I don't like the word critisicm - it always sounds negative.

Go on, give it a go.

Kat

PS Welcome!

Helen,
I joined up about a week or so ago, and I can honestly say it's done more for my writing than I can say. Join poetry writing II, as there are some excellent people on there, and Paul, the host, is very accomplished. I'll do my best to give you a hand if I can, as I have received nothing but help and support since I joined.
You've come to the right place!

The more you write, the more confidence you will have in your writing, then there'll be no stopping you. Write, write, write...

Ste