Having a certain type of language and way of writing. (Self introduction too, sorry)

[Calfie]

I'm very new to writing communities. I used to write a lot when I was in early teen, like you normally do, nothing much big. When I was in 9th or 10th grade I decided to write a novel. I don't remember what came to my mind back then. I only worked on it in summer holidays over two years. Then I dropped it. My favorite English teacher also used to say I'm good. I had some confidence that I'm good. Returned so many assignments in school with great stories. My mother also believes that I can write good. But after that, I got into college at 18 and I explored new different things, and writing was never a part of me at that time. Now I'm 20 and I play games with full dedication and my dreams are sometimes amazing. I remember three of them which could turn out to be great fiction writing. As I play games, so those stories fit in my mind as game ideas or movies, but never thought about writing them. But I keep remembering those stories at times to stay in touch and not forget them. So today I went to my professor's cabin with few other students. He was motivating us for some ideas or concepts or innovation and telling about startups his old students did (we are engineering students), one of my friend told me about his idea to lower the cost of a machine for some agricultural purpose, to make it affordable for poor people. But all the time my teacher was explaining things, only thing that came to my mind were those stories and game ideas. After that I decided to write all those ideas down for good. So now I've decided to start writing again, and to get started I thought of exploring writing communities and get related help.

I've read some novels, and the most recent I read was about 2 months ago, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. You know all the writers have their own style of writing, they would write a certain sentence in some particular way other than the obvious language which would also make the same meaning. Like they could've written that thing in some other way too but no, they use those particular words and that way to say that thing. I want to develop that kind of thing for myself. Like, how could've any other guy written it and how would've I written it. I think that is what called as 'own writing style'. This was more of a self introduction and I explained my thing. Sorry if this doesn't fit under this thread. I'm new, I'm yet to know how stuff works. English is not my language. It's another language I know. I don't have much experience in writing but I want to show people what I think, how I think. And I'm thinking of writing the first story on my computer because over time I'm more familiar to devices than paper. It'll also improve my typing. So yes, what you've read above is, I think, my language/way of writing. And I'm mostly going to write in this way. So what do you think of it. And you know, these internet times, people can't differ where to write formal language and where to write informal. I could've also use words like gonna, wanna, imma, etc. I tried hard to not to. I even used the word 'stuff' only once when it seemed appropriate.

Thanks, please post your replies. I would love that, to be not writing all of this for no one, and It'll be great to hear what you think.

 

[The Judge]

Hello and Welcome to the Chrons, Calfie!

You've come to the right place if you want help and encouragement on your writing journey, and I hope you'll soon feel at home here.

What you refer to as your language/way of writing we often refer to as an author's "voice" -- a combination of style and word use and technique and such like -- but that voice might not emerge as soon as one begins writing, but rather it develops as one develops and learns. Even then the voice might not be consistent, and different types of novels might get written in different ways.

You're right that the distinction between formal and informal writing is breaking down, accelerated by the use of the internet and social media. However, while in some novels, particularly if written in first person, the use of words like "gonna" in the narrative might work (and of course they're always acceptable in dialogue to enhance characterisation), there is still a bias towards more formal word use in most novels. So it makes sense to try and avoid them in posts here, not least as it gets one into the habit of using the correct forms, saving on the time needed for editing one's drafts later on!

 

[Calfie]

Hello and Welcome to the Chrons, Calfie!

You've come to the right place if you want help and encouragement on your writing journey, and I hope you'll soon feel at home here.

What you refer to as your language/way of writing we often refer to as an author's "voice" -- a combination of style and word use and technique and such like -- but that voice might not emerge as soon as one begins writing, but rather it develops as one develops and learns. Even then the voice might not be consistent, and different types of novels might get written in different ways.

You're right that the distinction between formal and informal writing is breaking down, accelerated by the use of the internet and social media. However, while in some novels, particularly if written in first person, the use of words like "gonna" in the narrative might work (and of course they're always acceptable in dialogue to enhance characterisation), there is still a bias towards more formal word use in most novels. So it makes sense to try and avoid them in posts here, not least as it gets one into the habit of using the correct forms, saving on the time needed for editing one's drafts later on!

Thank you The Judge, your words make sense. I'll post here very soon. Do I post what I'm working on and related how I'm doing it, or what problem I'm facing OR I post what I've done

 

[The Judge]

The only place that non-Supporters can post work from their novels or stories, and then only short extracts and limited amounts, is in our Critiques section, but that isn't open to you as yet, as only members with at least 30 counted posts (the "Messages" number just above your Location) can start a thread there. That's because we know from experience that it's best if newcomers to the site settle in and get to know us a bit before being able to post examples of their work, since it can be rather demoralising, not to say depressing to get negative feedback -- so we encourage anyone new to see what kind of work is put up in Critiques and the kind of comments given before even thinking of posting there, so they can prepare themselves. And for total newcomers to writing I'd recommend not posting anything until the work is complete, to avoid any risk of the writer being so upset that he/she can't face finishing the story.

So, basically no, don't post what you're working or what you've done, not yet at least. What you can do is ask for help if you encounter problems in your writing, or you just have general queries about how to deal with certain aspects. If you have a look through other threads here in Writing Discussion, you'll see the kind of things members have asked recently.

In addition, we do run short story Writing Challenges and there are two open at the moment here OCTOBER 2021 75 Word Writing Challenge and here 300 Word Writing Challenge #43 -- READ FIRST POST! We also have a Workshop forum here Workshop where there are threads with writing exercises and, twice a quarter (but not at present) another type of short story challenge. All these threads are open to you to join in, and all will help you in developing your skills.

 

[Calfie]

The only place that non-Supporters can post work from their novels or stories, and then only short extracts and limited amounts, is in our Critiques section, but that isn't open to you as yet, as only members with at least 30 counted posts (the "Messages" number just above your Location) can start a thread there. That's because we know from experience that it's best if newcomers to the site settle in and get to know us a bit before being able to post examples of their work, since it can be rather demoralising, not to say depressing to get negative feedback -- so we encourage anyone new to see what kind of work is put up in Critiques and the kind of comments given before even thinking of posting there, so they can prepare themselves. And for total newcomers to writing I'd recommend not posting anything until the work is complete, to avoid any risk of the writer being so upset that he/she can't face finishing the story.

So, basically no, don't post what you're working or what you've done, not yet at least. What you can do is ask for help if you encounter problems in your writing, or you just have general queries about how to deal with certain aspects. If you have a look through other threads here in Writing Discussion, you'll see the kind of things members have asked recently.

In addition, we do run short story Writing Challenges and there are two open at the moment here OCTOBER 2021 75 Word Writing Challenge and here 300 Word Writing Challenge #43 -- READ FIRST POST! We also have a Workshop forum here Workshop where there are threads with writing exercises and, twice a quarter (but not at present) another type of short story challenge. All these threads are open to you to join in, and all will help you in developing your skills.

So how can I get started. I don't really understand what do as you said about 30 posts. I can't post where? And what do I do for reaching those 30 posts. So where do I post anything. In threads or on my profile. And where I should not post anything. And who are non-supporters. Is there any thread about getting started or rules or how to.

 

[The Judge]

Whoa! Slow down!!

First of all, if you're talking about getting started in writing, well, that's down to you. You just write. We really can't help with that bit.

If you mean how do you get started here in Chrons, well, the final paragraph of my post pointed you to some places where you could join in with short story contests and writing exercises. You can also just sit and read different threads here in Writing Discussion and get a general feel for the kinds of questions writers ask and the answers they are given. There is also a thread at the top of the Writing Discussion sub-forum called The Toolbox which gives details of certain writing "rules" which might be of interest. The Toolbox -- The Important Bits

As I tried to make clear, you can't post a thread in our Critiques section until you have the 30 counted posts I mentioned. At present you have 4, so you're a long way off, and as you're just starting in writing I frankly wouldn't recommend you to ask for feedback on your writing -- which is what Critiques is for -- as it may be too demoralising. You can post anywhere else you like in existing threads all over Chrons (though obviously only if you're posting on the thread topic) -- there are hundreds of current threads on different topics such as writing, reading, TV programmes, films, graphic novels, music. One good place to start is by using the "New posts" button at the top left which will throw up all the most recent posts on different threads which you can read through.

What you can't do anywhere as yet is to post examples of your work ie things that you have written for your own amusement/pleasure.

A Supporter of Chrons is someone who has paid a small subscription to get extra benefits such as access to some sub-forums not open to general members. If you wish to become a Supporter, details are here Become a Supporting Member

Does that help?

 

[Flaviosky]

Welcome!

I agree with The Judge. It's better to take it easy at first, but more impprtantly, have your work "finished" first to any feedback will end up on editing and never on dropping a project and leaving it unfinished.

I'm also a rookie here, and I must say that the community is very welcoming and experienced, so you can expect the critique to be well-intentioned but sharp, which is good because you want to be a better writer to hopefully have your work published one day.

Also, having english as a second language is another dimension that will play a role in your learning. I went through that as well and I must say that thanks to the feedback, I've found many ways to improve not only grammar but certain expressions of phrases that, despite not being gramatically wrong, were felt as awkward in the context of the text.

The Writing Discussion forum is full of threads of people that ask for advice for specific issues, and even there I've seen that you can post a short paragraph (50-70 words, maybe?) from your work to give an example of the problem you're facing.

I highly recomend to get by 17 Important Things I've Learned About Writing and Publishing, it was very clarifying, motivating and helped me to calibrate my expectations when I got here.

Good luck!

 

[CTRandall]

Welcome! For getting started, just look around at all the different topics and threads and take part in whichever discussions interest you.

For writing, try the 75 or 300 word challenges (The Judge posted links above). You just write a very short story on the theme and post it in the forum. Once you've had more than 30 posts (there is a 'message' counter under your icon on the left side of the page), you can put a small amount of your writing in the critique section.

As for developing your personal style or voice, the only way to do that is to start writing. Practice and trial-and-error are the best teachers for that.

Good luck!

 

[tinkerdan]

A lot depends on why you are taking up writing.

If it's to make money then you have a lot of work to do. I'd say double your reading in the genre of your choice and pinpoint what you like and don't like, which might help define how you will write; and influence your style.

If it's because you think you might enjoy writing then write for yourself and see how that works for ;you; who knows; maybe when you are polished other people will enjoy it.

Lastly--keep your day job--no reflection or comment about your writing, just fact, it can be a tough business to crack into and a person has to eat.

Mostly; and if you are serious one way or the other:

Keep writing.