Writing Forums http://www.writingforums.org/ A writing forum, dedicated to creative writing, where writers can post short stories and poetry, enter writing contests, read author interviews, and discuss writing. en Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:31:25 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.writingforums.org/images/wf/misc/rss.jpg Writing Forums http://www.writingforums.org/ Favorite games http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34011&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:20:17 GMT What are your favorite games, video games, board, card, anything, i would love to know What are your favorite games, video games, board, card, anything, i would love to know ]]> The Lounge Squidget http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34011 Delivered or Mailed by... http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34008&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:06:14 GMT Hey guys! I've got a question. I'm thinking about submitting one of my one-acts to a play festival in Toronto. Now on the website it says the deadline is September 10th. Verbatim it says: "Deliver or mail 4 copies of your script or proposal to Alumnae Theatre by September 10, 2010 at 5 pm." Now does this mean it should be postmarked by September 10 or does it mean they want it in their hands by September 10th? Thanks guys! :) ]]> General Writing fighter25 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34008 Writing what you know: What is your comfort zone? http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34006&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:33:13 GMT There was a recent discussion about writing about romance/love that inspired this thread. Many people felt that a writer could write a better story... There was a recent discussion about writing about romance/love that inspired this thread. Many people felt that a writer could write a better story if they had actually experience the kind of relationship/romance they were writing about.

While I'd agree that it is easier to write about "what you know", than having to spend time doing research to learn something new, I also feel that there is nothing wrong with taking the time to learn something new.

So, the question I'm posing for the readers of this forum is:

What is your comfort zone?

What topics and subjects are you familiar and comfortable with? What writing projects do you feel up to the task to tackle WITHOUT doing any research on?

What writing projects would you accept if it meant having to do some research in order to complete it?

What writing projects would you NOT ACCEPT and why?


EDIT: ---> Just realized that I had forgotten to answer my own questions. I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached. :)

Having grown up and lived most of my adult life reading fantasy, science fiction and horror stories, I feel confident enough to write these without having to do any research on them. In the case of science fiction, I may need to spend some time googling specific bits of science and/or technology, in order to make some parts of the plot make sense, but that's all.

Having served in law enforcement, the military and private security, I feel confident to write stories about these using my real life experiences as my research.

Having worked in executive positions in corporate America, I also feel confident writing stories in that setting.

I have no problem writing stories that incorporate elements of the hobbies I've had during my life (Coin collecting, skiing, rock climbing, scuba diving, interior design, art collecting, etc.).


Topics I'd accept a writing assignment for that required research on my part:

Historic non-fiction and fiction. I've been a life long history buff and between the internet and the History Channel, I feel I've probably got it covered.

Medical/Hospital based stories. The only medical training I've had is an EMT certification course required by my Security job, some twenty years ago. I'd have to do some major research to know what I was talking about if I were to write about this, but I like to think I'm up the task.



Subjects I'd reject and why:

Child exploitation/pornography pieces. Not even in fiction, because I view such subjects as beneath me.

Political propaganda. Not for any side, because I'd rather watch sausage being made than get involved with actual politics. ]]> General Writing Lothgar http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34006 Hey ! http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34003&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:08:41 GMT Hey everyone Joined from Ireland. Trying to write a book but struggling so taught it may help by joining and reading others posts and stories. Not... Hey everyone

Joined from Ireland. Trying to write a book but struggling so taught it may help by joining and reading others posts and stories. Not too sure how to work this so I could be writing this to no one.

Anyway hello to you all. ]]> New Member Introductions L4- http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34003 Bird suggestions http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34002&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:30:23 GMT over the course of four stories I have given many of my humans a bird form, and I have run out of ideas lol My character 6ft6+ long dark curly... over the course of four stories I have given many of my humans a bird form, and I have run out of ideas lol

My character 6ft6+ long dark curly hair, and beard. He has fostered many children and has an expansive personality. Bird needs to be fairly fast.

Only forms definitely out are White Falcon, Sea Eagle, and Swan. Probably out are Sparrow, Phoenix, Puffin, and Raven. Oh and Bat has been taken (I know it isn't a bird lol)

I am considering Albatross but not sure it is what I want either. ]]> Character Development Elgaisma http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34002 Freelance writing http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34001&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:23:31 GMT In my continued efforts to get back into work I have been trying everything to look for and apply for jobs. On one of my searches I came across a... In my continued efforts to get back into work I have been trying everything to look for and apply for jobs. On one of my searches I came across a freelancer site. They had several postings where people were looking for writers to write reviews, blogs and stuff like that.

After having a little look at a few of these sites I signed up for free, but in order to apply for the jobs I would have to pay a monthly fee and even then there is no guarantee that I would get the job or produce material to the customers standard.

Monthly membership costs about $25 so before I shell out that much money I thought I'd come here and ask if any one has any experience of using a site like this or has heard anything about them. ]]> The Lounge Northern Phil http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=34001 Wild ramblings about a plot http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33999&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:20:47 GMT Ok, the plot is "man fights the fabric of reality, the way things happen".

So I suppose it's an "ascension" kind of plot.

Does it mean the man's victory is to finally reach enough understanding to see the futility of his actions and leave reality alone? That's not the story I want to tell.

Hmm, let's reimagine that as "man vs god". So... Should I personify Reality? Could I antagonize the man with a non-responsive foe. It seems ok, there has to be thousands of stories about man versus an unresponsive god.

But, I think it's pretty much required to then not overcome the god.

So it's "man vs unresponsive god that eventually loses, but doesn't care becaues it's not actually sentient."


Hmmm, does it mean Reality doesn't really lose, as it doesn't really care? What is what remains constant when reality is changed under it? Facts? History?

If ∫all is reality, what's ∫reality?


Well, at least I've got a nice title out of all this crap. ]]> Plot Creation Thanshin http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33999 Howdy http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33996&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:22:41 GMT Hi! ^^ Hi! ^^ ]]> New Member Introductions Elliot http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33996 Two Suggestions http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33995&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:31:29 GMT Hello WF community. I donīt know if this has been suggested before... I was thinking that a chat box could be really good for this site. Iīve seen... Hello WF community.

I donīt know if this has been suggested before... I was thinking that a chat box could be really good for this site. Iīve seen it in a japanese forum and itīs really helpful and a good way for members to interact with each other.


And I donīt mean place the chatbox there on the site overview, that would just spoil the page, in my opinion. Perhaps if the idea is appreciated, it could be a sticky thread in the lounge forum. Whoever would like to go to the chat, opened the thread and there was the link like for example: WF chat popup, the user clicked on there and there it was Wf chatroom.

What do you think about it?


For the secound suggestion- I think in the blog, instead of having all of the posts just leaning there, the user could choose to add an archive. For example if the user wanted to post poems on the blog he/she could post it in the blog archive: poems. Or pieces of opinion, short stories, moments that happened, anything. Being able to create Archives according to the content, to keep it all organized.


Thatīs all. ]]> Suggestions and Feedback Zane http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33995 Coffeehouses http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33993&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:00:22 GMT I need help on a few things regarding coffeehouses: First, I realize I could Google this, and I will, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me... I need help on a few things regarding coffeehouses:

First, I realize I could Google this, and I will, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me some of the names of some of your favorite spots, in case some of the ones you give me don't already show up on Google.

Second, what can I find inside a coffeehouse, in terms of what material is used, i.e. are there certain ethic standards that most coffeehouses champion in terms of design or any other things of that nature?

Third, what kinds of spaces in terms of real estate are optimal or common for where coffeehouses might be situated? The downtown area of a city? What goes into determining where to sit a newly constructed coffeehouse, so that it will stick around for possibly ages?

I don't know if I'm asking the right questions, so if there's anything else I should be thinking about, please feel free to say so here.

Thanks in advance! ]]> Research BillyxRansom http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33993 Cutting myself slowly with a plastic knife... http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33992&goto=newpost Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:00:44 GMT Uck...

I'm in my photo editing class and the kid sitting behind me won't shut up. We've spent nearly 20 minutes on the same question because he keeps going on and on and on and on..... I just want to smack him.

Or scream at him to shut up. :rolleyes:

When is ok to tell someone to lock their gob? ]]> The Lounge k.little90 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33992 conversations inside the head http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33989&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:35:05 GMT ? - this is the situation...]]> Two of my characters have a special connection and can communicate together when apart. Do I treat it as normal dialogue>? - this is the situation please forgive it is first draft. Nate is inside Soc's head, so is someone else but they are not speaking.

Quote:
Something is crawling in my head, I can't fight it, panic is setting in. Someone is in my head, get out, get, get out. I try to push them out but the mugginess of the alcohol is still there I can't fight it. Whoever you are get out of my head, I can't do this. I can feel them pulling things in my brain, the pain is excruciating, someone is messing with me, all my senses are not intact. It feels like forever I am starting to gain some control back, but my level of panic isn't helping, there is no Yang-qi helping me now. 'I'm here Soc,' I hear Nate whisper, 'I can only manage a short time let me in please.' I use everything I have got to locate and open the part of the brain responsible for our link. An excruciating large ball of fire sweeps through my brain clearing everything out. The stranger has gone, I search so has Nate, I am alone again and all the alcohol has been burned off.
]]> Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar Elgaisma http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33989 Greetings from Here. http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33987&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:41:05 GMT Hello all, I have never written before, and it has hardly come naturally. It has become acutely aware that I need to be within a community in... Hello all,

I have never written before, and it has hardly come naturally. It has become acutely aware that I need to be within a community in order to progress further, self criticism can only take me so far.

I'm a linguist and language teacher with a particular interest in that Celtic language spoken before and during the Anglian incursions in the South West. Probably a little obscure for most of you, and boring.

I look forward to getting know you all, and reading your work.

Astin ]]> New Member Introductions Astin Foyle http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33987 I need a word http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33986&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:12:51 GMT what words would any of you use to describe the sound of a high powered rifle being fired. The animal gets away but my subject is standing... what words would any of you use to describe the sound of a high powered rifle being fired. The animal gets away but my subject is standing about 100 feet from the shooter.

Bang bang just doesn't cut it and Ka voom seems dumb. Please don't laugh too hard!::confused: ]]> General Writing cologirl42 http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33986 Quotidian as a noun http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33985&goto=newpost Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:11:27 GMT "People turn to literature to escape the quotidian, not to relive it."

Is the word used correctly here (something recurring daily)? I've been trying to rephrase this sentence for days. ]]> Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar Fedora http://www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=33985