First Time Writer

[sex writer]

Hi, I'm a first time writer and would like any advice anyone can give me. I have read the Writers Resources pages and the volunteer editor sttuff. If there any other first timers out there who can share their experiences with me, or any volunteer editors who would give their opinion on my story, please let me know.

Thanks

 

[silversword]

I am a fairly new writer, my first story was posted a few months ago.

My advice would be not to rush to get your first story posted. Finish writing in then leave it a week or two and then re-read it and edit.

I would be more than happy to take a look before you submit it. It's always good to have someone who hasn't read the story before look it over.


silver

 

[Chicklet]

what kind of advice can I give you? what kind of things are you looking for?

I would advise you not to freak out about ratings, scores, views, votes, or whatnot. Pay attention to your feedback, however much you get of it, and don't let anything else bother you. If your 1st story isn't *hot*, who cares? Just keep writing = )

If you're interested in being given good constructive feedback, I would advise you to head over to "Story Feedback" and get a thread going. There you can be critiqued by your peers (us) and the information some of us can give you will be priceless.

I would also advise the use of spell-check. It may seem silly, but some of the stories on this site REALLY need it.

Oh, oh, oh, and also, just have fun with what you're doing, because if you're having fun, that just blows all the other points out of the water.

-Chicklet

 

[gauchecritic]

Listen to Chicklet (sp)

Gauche

 

[Chicklet]

Listen to Chicklet (sp)

Gauche

grin

good advice

 

[jon.hayworth]

I would agree with Gauche - "listen to Chicklet" and add my own pearl of wisdom.

Do not become over reliant on the Spell Checker - remember it is a dumb program and does not know what word you meant to write. eg You meant to write "his" but in the midst of a burst of creativity did not tap the "h" key hard enough, result "is" the Spell Check will not pick up on this. or you wrote "her waste", when what you meant to write was "her waist", the Spell Check will OK this error.

My point is remember in the end the only way to check is the Mark 1 Eyeball linked to a Human Brain.

I think it was Wierd Harold who said a good way to edit your own work is to change the size of the font to a larger one.

Finally use short paragraphs - take a look at the paragraph and layout thread and look at the voting statistics.

Now enjoy yourself, that is the best and only reason for writing.

jon

 

[MathGirl]

My point is remember in the end the only way to check is the Mark 1 Eyeball linked to a Human Brain.

Yes, the difference between "human waist" and "human waste" is ... well .... a lot.
MG

 

[Count_Jolie]

Ladies and gents, I have just submitted my first story ('Sheena'), and am waiting for it to be checked and hopefully posted.

Can anyone tell this desperate newbie how long, roughly, this process takes? A few days? Longer?

BTW, if anyone would care to have a read of it, then I can send it via mail. It's 3000 words, I'm quite happy with it. It turns me on, at least.

 

[destinie21]

Use spell check and if it is available to you grammer check. Also after you write the story leave it awhile and then go back. It will be easier to spot your mistakes. Please if you have any sense of decency note the difference between the following words

You're/Your Use "you're," a contraction, when you mean "you are." Use "your" when you are indicating possession, as in "your
gardenrobe."

Who's/Whose Use "who's," a contraction, when you mean "who is." Use "whose," a pronoun, to indicate possession — for example, "Whose books are these?"

Tide/Tied Use "tide," a noun, when you are referring to the rise and fall of the ocean. Use "tied," a verb, when you mean "bound" or "connected."

Their/There/They're Use "their," an adjective, when you are indicating possession, as in "their house."Use "there," an adverb, when you are referring to a particular location, time, or action — for example, "Sit over there."Use "they're," a contraction, when you mean "they are" — for example, "They're coming home
tomorrow."

(Their's/Theirs Use "theirs," a pronoun, when you are indicating possession. "Their's" is always incorrect.)


Navel/Naval Use "navel," a noun, when you mean a type of orange or the depression in the middle of the abdomen. Use "naval," an adjective, when you are referring to the navy.


New/Knew Generally, use "new," an adjective, when you mean "fresh" or "additional." Use "knew," a verb, when you mean "recognized," "understood," or "experienced."

No/Know Use "no," an adjective or adverb, when you mean a denial or "not any." Use "know," a verb, when you mean "to recognize," "to understand," or "to experience."


Its/It's Use "its," a pronoun, when you are indicating possession, as in "its branches." Use "it's," a contraction, when you mean "it is" — for example, "It's a long way to the station."

U-is a letter not a word



even though u no spell check is grate it cant correct every miss take and it really greats on my nerves to sea what sum can miss. Pleas don’t let this b you’re story.

 

[oggbashan]

We had this discussion recently on another thread.

A story can take 3 to 5 days to appear or:

"Twice as long as you think is reasonable."

"Far longer than your worst case scenario."

Time is relative. Compared to the longest orgasm you have ever had the time between submission and posting seems short. Compared with a dentist's drill a lifetime is short. It will take longer than you want it to.

Every time you look nervously at your submissions page that clocks up another "view".

Og

 

[MathGirl]

[/SIZE]even though u no spell check is grate it cant correct every miss take and it really greats on my nerves to sea what sum can miss. Pleas don’t let this b you’re story.

Dear D,
I agree, especially the part about the garderobe. Don't forget the ubiquitous ballistic apostrophe. E.g. a sign I drive past almost every day: "Used Car's" Arrrggghhhhhhhhh
MG

 

[KillerMuffin]

Don't write in second person. That is, don't address the story to 'you'.

Don't use the characters' names interchangeably with pronouns to mix it up. If you have too many pronouns, re-arrange your sentences to you have less. Use names sparingly.

Adjectives and adverbs are not description. Don't take a word and just whack ly on it. "Hello," she said whisperingly. Don't rely on adjectives and adverbs to describe things for you. That's really boring.

You don't need to use attributives (said words) every time someone says something. Use these when you need to make it clear who is speaking. There is an excellent discussion on dialogue in the Story Discussion Circle.

Don't use ......... extensively in your text. It just looks stupid because it's not punctuation. You should understand what the ellipses are and use them accordingly. They don't lend a breathy tone to your script, they make it annoying for most people.

Do use both the spell checker and the grammar checker in your word processor to check your spelling. Do use proper punctuation and paragraph formatting. Do have fun with it, because it shows.

 

[wildsweetone]

wow

This little lot should be placed in a "How to..." *wink*

Hi there Sex Writer, welcome to Litland, I hope you enjoy your stay.

My advice? Simple really.





Keep writing.

 

[TheEarl]

Eye have a grate spell chequer
It's clearly plane to sea
It show mea all my miss steaks
To correct ease ill lee.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

Eye have a grate spell chequer. . .l

Cute. I don't like you as cute.

Pare (if you care)

 

[sex writer]

Thanks to everyone who took time to comment. Your wisdom and advice is much appreciated. My first story is coming along nicely if I say so myself but if anyone would like to vonunteer to read some of it and comment then please let me know.

Thanks again