Hello, the board!
After months of hearing my lovely spouse (lizmonster is her screen name) talk fondly of these forums -- and the help, support, and inspiration she garners from them -- I finally decided to come out of my shell and sign up.
Me: Extreme introvert. Not very shy, though; just like to retreat away from people on most days. Software geek by day (and more nights and weekends than I'd like). Grew up in various states (Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa), living in Massachusetts now and mostly liking it. (Most of the time, we don't bomb each other, thankfully.)
I've been writing stories in my head since childhood. I always enjoyed writing in school. I was actually on the verge of declaring a journalism major in college, but decided on software engineering instead. There are times when I'm not sure whether that was a good move. On the one hand, the pay is good. On the other hand, sometimes it is a bit soul-draining. It doesn't always feed me.
The path not taken and all, sure. But I recall feeling that software felt like a "safer" route in college. It was, for me.
I understand my adult self a bit better now, and I've long been aware how many in my profession are also introverts. So, I see now that deciding to write for a, you know, job, was raising my introvert's hackles. Putting myself out there every day, for people to read?? It was safer for me to just crouch behind a keyboard, chug caffeine, and grunt at the occasional non-geek who wandered into the cave.
But, it's been nagging at me for some time now: I really think I'd like to put some stories to paper. Or at least, electrons.
And, this thing called the Internet sprang into being, and I found that I enjoyed writing for other people in various forums. (So long as I didn't need to do the face-to-face thing...)
Lizmonster was a real inspiration to me too. She works her arse off; has finished one novel and a draft of another, and I'm confident will find an agent and publish. She's made it look... possible, if not easy.
Hence, I'm pecking away at a novel now. Science-fiction; my preferred genre since the first grade when I cut my literary teeth on "The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet" and "Strangers from the Depths".
20,000 words so far, roughly half of which I'd not be embarrassed to call "first draft" material. The road is longish, but I think I know where it's going. Not sure when it'll be done, or whether anyone will like it. But, so far, I do.
Using Scrivener on a Mac; love the program. Really makes writing a pleasure for once!
Anyways, hello everyone, and nice to be here. I'll probably be mostly lurking for awhile yet, scoping the lay of the land & such.
--Steve
After months of hearing my lovely spouse (lizmonster is her screen name) talk fondly of these forums -- and the help, support, and inspiration she garners from them -- I finally decided to come out of my shell and sign up.
Me: Extreme introvert. Not very shy, though; just like to retreat away from people on most days. Software geek by day (and more nights and weekends than I'd like). Grew up in various states (Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa), living in Massachusetts now and mostly liking it. (Most of the time, we don't bomb each other, thankfully.)
I've been writing stories in my head since childhood. I always enjoyed writing in school. I was actually on the verge of declaring a journalism major in college, but decided on software engineering instead. There are times when I'm not sure whether that was a good move. On the one hand, the pay is good. On the other hand, sometimes it is a bit soul-draining. It doesn't always feed me.
The path not taken and all, sure. But I recall feeling that software felt like a "safer" route in college. It was, for me.
I understand my adult self a bit better now, and I've long been aware how many in my profession are also introverts. So, I see now that deciding to write for a, you know, job, was raising my introvert's hackles. Putting myself out there every day, for people to read?? It was safer for me to just crouch behind a keyboard, chug caffeine, and grunt at the occasional non-geek who wandered into the cave.
But, it's been nagging at me for some time now: I really think I'd like to put some stories to paper. Or at least, electrons.
And, this thing called the Internet sprang into being, and I found that I enjoyed writing for other people in various forums. (So long as I didn't need to do the face-to-face thing...)
Lizmonster was a real inspiration to me too. She works her arse off; has finished one novel and a draft of another, and I'm confident will find an agent and publish. She's made it look... possible, if not easy.
Hence, I'm pecking away at a novel now. Science-fiction; my preferred genre since the first grade when I cut my literary teeth on "The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet" and "Strangers from the Depths".
20,000 words so far, roughly half of which I'd not be embarrassed to call "first draft" material. The road is longish, but I think I know where it's going. Not sure when it'll be done, or whether anyone will like it. But, so far, I do.
Using Scrivener on a Mac; love the program. Really makes writing a pleasure for once!
Anyways, hello everyone, and nice to be here. I'll probably be mostly lurking for awhile yet, scoping the lay of the land & such.
--Steve
to the forum!! 
Thanks. Liz has mentioned you by name many times. It's nice to "meet" some of her friends here.
