We have moved to new forum software and posting here is closed!

PLEASE BOOKMARK THE NEW FORUMS

	Subtopic	Started By	Posts
	Archive through Jul 24, 2001 Last Post: Sep 04, 2001, 12:34 am		12

Posted By: fanuilh Jul 25, 2001 - 04:00 am

Master, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on the inner voice. If the inner voice discourages someone from writing, they should find out whose voice it is; it isn't necessarily yours. It may be somebody else's, someone who tried to discourage you. Maybe a teacher who was not helpful, even jealous or too demanding? A friend who ridiculed what you had written when you asked them to look at it? Your parents who were convinced that all writers are 1)crazy, 2) alcoholics, 3) drug addicts, 4) antisocial, and/or 5) unreliable?

Writers have to write. It's the only way to find your voice. Why a person writes is a very personal issue, and I'm not sure it matters why. If you want to write, write. If it ends up being something you can do for a living, great. If not, it can be something you can do to keep centered. We can't all be Stephen King, and that's just as well.

Posted By: The Master Jul 25, 2001 - 02:35 pm

Hey, as an unreliable, anti-social, drug addicted alcholic I resent any implication that I may be crazy!

Posted By: wafricansavage Jul 25, 2001 - 10:30 pm

hum... age and the inner voice that drives us all through the hours of editing and reediting. I aggree that at times our inner selves, poses hurdles in our way which we must conquer. whether we do it by completly disregarding it or finding a middle ground is up to each person. yet it would seem that at times it does well to listen to that voice and recheck what you have written to assure yourself that you have written the best of your ability. for me writting allows me to immerse myself into the universe i create. whether someone else finds it interesting or no is more a matter of chance than anything else.
As for us all being stephen king... well, not that that is the goal of my writting, one can't help but fantasize. yet by doing this u oftne find yourself writting more what you think the audience wants to hear instead of what you yourself want to write, so as the old saying goes just be yourself and do whatever feels right to you. but at the same time take criticism for what it is, a chance to better yourself.

Posted By: Aslan Jul 29, 2001 - 04:15 pm

Here's a thought from my own experience. I did a lot of writing when I was younger. When I read it now, I think most of it was ... rough. For many reasons that have already been mentioned, my writing is much better now that I'm older.

There are some major benefits to having written a lot when younger. First of all, it was fun. Secondly, it improved my skills. Perhaps most importantly, imagination really flies when a kid. No limits. So now I look back at what I wrote and steal ideas from my younger self. It's a wonderful source of characters and creative plots.

Write like the wind!

As far as getting published, that's pretty hard regardless of age. Good luck and keep trying! The earlier you start, the sooner it'll happen, right?

Posted By: Krastakin Sep 04, 2001 - 12:34 am

Ajelina, where are your things posted? I want to see!!! ;P

Posted By: Ajelina Sep 04, 2001 - 09:17 am

Under Jane Burnley, The Beginning of the Battle in the Showcase (whoa, lots of capitals!) Please try and find the rewrites, it'll be easier on you

Posted By: Krastakin Sep 05, 2001 - 02:52 am

Sorry to sound completely dumb...

But where? On the net? If so what webcite?

I feel like a real Newb (heck, I am aren't I?)

Posted By: Ajelina Sep 05, 2001 - 09:35 am

There's a decent lil' Writer's Showcase on this forum which is worth a try -- it's meant for short stories and poetry, but I wanna show off and I've only got me chapters on hand

Posted By: The Master Sep 05, 2001 - 04:04 pm

Hint: click the "search" icon in the poster's message header and you will see a list of posts made by that person. Look for Ajelina's posts in "Writer's Showcase".

Posted By: Krastakin Sep 06, 2001 - 04:15 am

Oh gosh, Master...I feel REALLY dumb now...

I really liked reading your story Ajelina! You have a real gift of making the audience feel who the characters are. I would like to post some of my story up...but I think the problems with it are some that I just have work out myself...things with the plotline...(it gets a bit iffy in that in-between part between the "past" and the "future" I talked about on the other forum).

I've found reading these forums are as helpful as anything I've read and seen before

Posted By: Diane Sep 06, 2001 - 09:25 am

Good thread. I've recommended it to the posters on my Young Writers: Speculative Fiction Forum (http://writers-bbs.com/inkspot/threads.cgi?forum=youngsf). It's especially topical because a major argument is now being held behind closed doors (in the SFWA lounge) about the !dangers! of encouraging young writers. You know which side I'm on!

I met Katherine McMullen this weekend. She's twelve and has sold six stories, many to pro SF markets. Whew!

Diane Turnshek
http://tou.knocean.com/members/diane/

Posted By: Queen Ehlana Mar 12, 2003 - 12:02 pm

Well, it is indeed good to write with the age you are at the time, but then again, you can't always do that. Who wants to read from the point-of-view of a 60-year-old for 5 books? No offense, but most heroes are younger. And referring to my favorite author again, David Eddings wrote The Belgariad in the view of a teenager. It was just a little annoying that the narrator kept saying how his decisions were childish when it was supposed to be in the boy's point of view. Although I am young, I found myself copying him on my first attempt at writing a long story... calling the teens adolescent. LOL, but I'm beyond that now!