My name it Ron Matt..I'm a retired Graphic Designer and Illustrator..fortunately, one who did well. Although I've written my share of 'ad copy' over these many years, I've never done any serious creative writing. I have, of course, unfinished, about 435 novels, 2,497 short stories, and an untold number of outlines. ( if this gets boring, just click off, I won't mind ) Most of what I write is from experience. I got married and settled down late in life, but up to that point, I was 'hell on wheels'. My life's experiences include growing up in the 50's, a product of a broken home, fractured actually, belonging to a street gang that ran errands for the mob. Being in the Marines, in a recon unit. Getting out a lost soul, to wander the world ala Kerouac. Being a dreadful painter, but successful wine drinker in North Beach in the early 60's. I've mined gold in Northern California and Alaska, I've been a Blackjack dealer in Vegas. I've done so much so much in my life that I wish now I'd kept a journal. But didn't. , My son and daughter want me to get serious and write my memoirs. I've kept them entertained for 30 odd years with my stories. So I've decided to join a forum, mostly to experiment and learn before I tackle the 'big commitment,\', I will be writing those memoirs. I'm 70 now. Time to get started doing something new in life...before I get old. That's why I'm here. Thanks for reading this, if you did.
Hello Ron, Welcome to the Writing Forums. It does sound like you've had plenty of interesting experiences, whether you decide to stick with the memoirs or dive into fiction. Great graphics on your site, by the way. Posting your own writing for people to comment on should not be among the very first things you do here. It is worth taking the time 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. Also, be aware that posting a piece of writing on any public site, including this one, will greatly diminish your chances of selling it for publication. Removing the writing later does not alter that fact - once posted, it is irreversibly considered published. So do not post anything more than a small excerpt of any piece you are planning to submit for publication. 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 constructive critique as a vital 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). Also, please use the same thread for all revisions and additional excerpts from the same piece of writing. See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information. And while you're looking around, don't forget to check out our Weekly Short Story Contest and Weekly Poetry Contest. They actually run more than one week apiece, but any member may enter, and all members are urged to vote for their favorites. Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
Thanks Cogito. I really don't plan on posting much at first. Maybe just some 'toes in the water 'style experiments'. How did you find my 'graphics'? I didn't post a link. Glad you like them.
Well if he did what I did he just googled Ron Matt Graphics and clicked on a link that came up. I also have to agree that they're pretty good.
Thanks. Why can't I do that. When I try, I get a bunch of old stuff. But not the newer stuff on my resume page. I can only think that you're getting the same 'old stuff'.
It was from your My Website link on another forum you are part of, and yes, it was your resume page on blogspot. I like to get to know the new members if I can. I don't only post a prefabricated introduction, even if it looks that way.
it's easier than that, ron, since you added your website link to your profile here, which is how i got to it... and yes, the graphics are spectacular!... so's the quality of your site in general... it's all your own doing, right?... if you can turn out wordwork half as good as your artwork, i doubt you'll have any trouble getting it published... anyway, welcome to the site, old guy, from an ex-ad-copywriting old gal who's got one year on ya! love and hugs, maia
I'm so excited for you. To think that you have the time, the real-life experience, and the inclination to pursue something as interesting as creative writing makes me envious, given the best I can manage on a good day is usually two out of three. Like some of the rest of us of your vintage, we try to learn as fast as we can and still make the most of it--as you say, "before we get old." Just know there's more possibilities and ways to write creatively than most of us are ever likely to master. So, the trick is to balance the actual writing with the pleasure of discussing it here in this forum. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
