Hello Writing Forums! I usually go by Jake on writing forums. It just somehow became a pen name of sorts, but it is my middle name. I've been writing for a little less than a year, actually. I started out with prose and later moved on to poetry. So, yes, I'm an aspiring writer and a young one at that. This is where you guys come in. I've been looking into other writer's forums and what-have-you, but I need a place where I can develop writing skills and critiquing skills. Other than my little writing hobby, I'm an avid music fan, but what normal teenager isn't? I don't really like angsty musicians, though. I guess it's just a musical preference. I'll leave it at this, so I don't start ranting. I hope I can manage to stay for a while, and more than likely, I will.
Hiieee Jake, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Posting your own work should not be the very first thing you do here. It is really worthwhile to see what other people have done to improve their writing, and see if some of it applies to your writing as well. That is part of why we require members to review other members' work before posting their own for review. On the other hand, there are no restrictions, other than content and copyright rules, on showcasing your work in your member blog. If you haven't explored the site yet, you should probably do so soon. Newcomers often gravitate to the Lounge, the Word Games, or the Review Room, but there is much more to be discovered if you poke in the corners. Remember to check out our FAQ as well, and be sure to read through the forum rules, too, to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Respect for one another is our principal mandate. As for the Review Room, new joiners often wonder why we do things a bit differently on this site than on other writing sites. We emphasize reviewing as a critical writing skill. Training your eye by reviewing other people's work helps you improve your own writing even before you present it for others to see. Therefore, we ask members to review other people's writing before posting work of their own. The Review Room forums on this site, therefore, are true workshops, not just a bulletin board for displaying your work (and on that note, please only post each item for review in one Review Room forum). See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information. Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
Thanks for the welcome, guys. No need to worry about me, I've already taken a peek at the FAQ and rules.