My Writing Friend Forum
By Gene Alvin
This is the very best of the best when it comes to writers groups. I must admit that after having some bad results from a couple of writers forums I had joined I was a bit hesitant to join another one. Joining this one however, turned out to be one of the best career decisions I have ever made.
First let me say that this forum is not for those who wish to write but only want to give halfhearted attempts whenever they feel like it. Here is an idea of the rules:
·
The intrepid members must write one short story, word count maximum is 2000 words, and one poem each month.
·The Subjects for both items are issued to the members on the beginning of the month. A one-week deadline is then issued for the first rough draft.
·Once posted, the other members do a critique of your work as you must do of theirs.
·The next deadline is one week to do a rewrite.
·Finally, at the end of each month we do a final draft and see if it’s ready to be sent out to publishers.
This regimen creates a writing schedule that I guarantee will improve your writing skills and will lead to eventual publication for anyone who is serious about becoming a writer.
Concerns I had and you may also have were mainly due to time constraints and new writers syndrome, (read as Fear of Putting Butt in Chair and Fingers to Keyboard.) Remember that in the words of Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784, "What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure."
Do you really want to be a published author? To do so requires that you walk the walk and talk the talk. The best place I know to walk the walk (Read as do the work) is My Writing Friend Forum.
My suggestion, the one that will put you on the path to publication if you stick to it, is to join today.
"What results might I expect?" you say. Well, personally I've had two short stories published, won honorable mention in the Writers Digest Competition and had one poem published. That all in my first year as a member. What do you suppose this forum could do for you?
In summation this is the best path I've found to creating a work regimen that insures that I write daily. It has gotten me used to writing against deadlines. It has gotten me accustomed to creating stories from just a one or two word topic issued to me from the editor. It has opened up my mind to new and exciting ways to create. It has even forced me (Ha) to write poetry.
I truly can't say enough about this regimen. I joined this site as a newbie wannabe writer in January of 2006. It's just one month shy of being a year and I am now a professional writer. How's that for a career jump start?
Gene Alvin aka Aelf
Copyright © 12/04/06
