Charade: Well FS friends, I'm not leaving, but downgrading my membership, at least for now. I hope to continue journeying with you, but lately it's just last on my 'to do' list. Keep on writin'!


Charade: If you're suffering from writers block, check out this simple and helpful link!

http://youtu.be/rcKtcXbjwD4




Charade: How would stories be different if readers felt like they were eaves dropping on your characters?
An interesting perspective something I read on here gave me...it's a new approach I'm going to try out! Thoughts?
    nor84: Sounds like Deep Point of View. Check that out online for some hints on how to do it. -
    Charade: any sites you know of that are especially helpful? -
    nor84: No, but if you query 'deep point of view' I know you'll find one. The main thing is to get inside your character and don't say things like "he saw" or "heard" or thought. Just stay inside the character for most of the story. If you ever played 'Let's Pretend' as a kid, it will be easier for you. Pretend you're the character in your story. -
    nor84: Maybe I'll write an essay on the subject. Someone else asked me to do that a few weeks ago, but have been too busy. -
    Charade: I think that'd be a GREAT IDEA! Message me when you do. I thought I wrote like that, but after reviewing my work, I don't usually write in first person. I guess I thought that was a no no. I'm really bad at switching tenses and viewpoints...maybe somehow I could make that work for me. Thanks for the suggestions, looking forward to when I can spend some time writing! Have a great night :) -
    nor84: Deep Point of View doesn't mean first person, necessarily. I write in both first and third person. -


Charade: I would love to start a writers group...anyone out there interested and live in the Midwest?
    shelley kaye: are you interested in moving to california? lol
    -
    seren james: Or North wales UK even, I would love to join. -
    Joy Graham: can it be close to Calgary, Canada? -
    Taffspride: Seren I wish I was in North Wales. Then we could form writers group. And write poetry in Welsh? -
    Charade: Wow, ya'll I hate to admit it but I live in Indiana...and I hate it! Been here my whole life, but the hubby loves it, so I'm kinda stuck...
    Maybe we should just have an online group? -
    cturner1103: Hey found out looking for places to write an this one seemed like the idea one.. hope to hear more from u..thanks for replying..keep in touch -
    Charade: Sorry I'm just now seeing your comment cturner. I really like this site, wish I could be on here all day, but the hubby wouldn't be pleased. I enjoy being pushed to draw the best out of my writing, and while this site does that, I find it motivating to meet in groups in person and exchange work. It's a different type of tool. I stumbled onto this site by accident too and I'm so glad I did! -


Charade: How do you know when it's time to start looking for a lit agent or publisher? Or should we skip right to publishing on Amazon? The problem I have with that is knowing when something's ready to post. Thoughts????? Advice????
    nor84: No, definitely don't skip directly to publishing on Amazon without having your work professionally edited. First, the work has to be finished.None of us are capable of finding our own errors, so have someone qualified edit for you. Second, it should have been polished to the best of your ability. A first draft, as Hemmingway said, "Is always sh*t". Then, if you want to try traditional publishing, get a copy of Writers Market and follow suggestions for submitting a query letter. The book will show you who may be interested. Expect rejections. It's part of writing. -
    Charade: Yep, already recieved some rejections. That was just for finding a literary agent! I'm not stuck on traditional publishing, but I don't think I want to self publish. I guess I'm just getting ancy. Apprciate the feedback! -
    Sarkems: Do you have to pay literary agents up front, or is it like estate agents and you pay them when you sell your house/book? -
    Julia.: Emsey, no, you don't pay literary agents up front--if one asks for money, run away fast. Agents work off a commission on the money they make for you. They get paid when you get paid. -
    Sarkems: I'm glad you told me that, Julia. Not that I've ever approached a publisher, but it's good to know for the future. -
    Charade: Emsey: think of lit agents like lawyers -


Charade: SO, anyone know how to move up in the rankings? It all seems relative, which at times is hard for my concrete thinking brain to wrap itself around.
    nor84: The rankings have no benefit, except the top few get a statutette at the end of the year. You get there by posting a lot and getting great reviews.

    It's wiser to focus on why you joined the site, which was (hopefully) to both share and improve your talent. Outside Fanstory, the rankings have no value at all. -
    redrider6612: I got caught up in the rankings when I first joined, but soon realized it was a worthless effort to try to move up the ranks. As Norma said, you'll get more lasting satisfaction from focusing on improving your writing. Leave the star chasing to the short-sighted folk. -
    William Walz: You've got three veterans here telling you pretty much the same thing. We all get caught up in the glitz and the glamour of the ranking system when we first join. We all soon come to realize how very little the rankings mean in the real world. A lofty ranking is a function of quantity, not quality, as you will shortly discover. Focus your energy on being a good writer. The best writers on the site are not necessarily the highest ranked ones. There really is no correlation whatsoever. -
    Eliza M: Ditto! As a relative 'newbie', I can confirm that these wise members advise you well. Rankings and stars mean nothing! Focus on review that offer advice to improve your writing. Don't waste money promoting them too high or you will just get pages of emty reviews from people just grabbing points and cents! Sift carefully you will soon begin to recgnise members who represent quality not quality as William says.Enjoy, but learn! -
    Eliza M: OMG! Please excuse my spelling, WE SO NEED AN EDIT FUNCTION IN THE FORUMS!.....TOM! PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE!lol! -
    Sally Carter: "Relative newbie" Liz has got it completely, and in record time! And another ditto to what all the old-timers have said. Do good reviews of other people's work and they are likely to review you back, and you will soon find out who is worth cultivating for good advice. -
    --Turtle.: Wize words, wise words. I agree with these guys totally. I don't recommend chasing the ratings and rankings game. Let the ratings and rankings happen as a side effect to what you are doing naturally.

    Though if you are more interested in stars and points and really want to virtually advance up an imaginary ladder, then be prepared to do the following:

    Post frequently.

    Promote high. -
    Lady & Louis: Ditto to all of the above! I've been a member six years, got caught up in rankings when I started doing poetry and it was popular, and was silly enough to feel competitive about it. Total Waste Of Time, not to mention of mental energy. Use the site for yourself, for posting and learning your craft and enjoying helping others. The ranks aren't for our benefit at all. -
    Charade: I guess I figured that if I'm not a top ranking author my chances of getting published (other than self publishing) is non existant.
    Thanks for all your wise words. I do feel better knowing that I'm not in competition with everyone else. You all have really lifted my spirits (which were already high, so big kudos to you all!) Thanks a million! ;) -


Charade: I want to give a shout out to my Jesus! Thank you for getting me through this week. It seemed like it was 2 weeks long, with so many things going wrong. You are awesome!
    Charade: Not exactly the one getting the shout out, but funny. -


Charade: I love writing, and I'm trying out different types to see what fits me. Novels? short stories? prompts? songs? I don't know, I just love to write. I'm new and any thoughts are welcomed.