Hello All - absolute beginner

Well, hello to everyone.

For some reason, completely unknown to myself, I suddenly want to write. I'm not really sure what yet either. I might start just writing articles/blog about a few things that interest me. Maybe move into some short stories. Ideally, I would like to write a novel.
I'm 30, and Ill be honest... I have never before considered or wanted to be a writer. I have no prior knowledge of the subject and haven't written anything since my school days.

I came across this site via boards.ie where I posted about my sudden urges in the creative writing section. This site is amazing; what a huge resource, and I'm delighted to have found it.
But, as it may be obvious from my grammar throughout this post, I really am starting at the beginning. I barely know a pronoun from a noun from an adjective (that's overstating a bit, but you'll get the picture). I need an absolute beginners guide to writing. Basic constructing of sentences, putting paragraphs/chapters together etc etc etc.....
I'm sure there's tons of resources around for this, but was hoping someone could point me in the direction of a good one.


Also, if anyone here has any experience with coming into the game late on, I'd be delighted to hear your views on why/how you did.

Other than that... well, I'm glad to be here. I hope that over the coming year I'll learn the basics and start writing to some degree.... and have all of ye rip shreds out of an incompetent fool like me
James

sheadakota said:

Hi James!

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Cheers Annie....

sheadakota said:

for advice on grammer and such I would suggest the grammer for grasshoppers thread

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Ya, I had a look through there all right. Not very much in there at present... looks like it's only just started. I know I can ask the questions, but I don't want to be overly bothersome. I am at such a beginner level that it would be better that I could just read/study a few "beginners" articles with all the basic info... before I start asking the stupid questions

sheadakota said:

in wrting novels I believe- also writing with Uncle Jim- very long thread but man, the gems you will find in there-

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Yes, I read a bit of that as well... great stuff. And once I get into actual writing I'll do my best to follow the basic guidelines there.

sheadakota said:

Welcome again and keep writing.

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Thanks..... but I haven't even started writing yet

ha, cheers... I thought it was a good one all right

Ya, I didn't really go searching yet.... I did kind of browse each section to get a feel for what type of questions were been asked there etc.
I'm an expert searcher though... I'm sure ill find what I need eventually
I'll also take a look at that book.
Thanks for the advice and welcome....
James

ElaraSophia said:

Welcome, James! I hope you'll find everything you need here. You might like to try using the Search facility to find any existing threads on the topics you're interested in -- you can use the Search box within the blue bar near the top of the page, or the Google search box at the bottom, selecting the option to search only within Absolute Write. The Basic Writing Questions board might be a good place to dive in.

For grammar, I like Write Right! by Jan Venolia and Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.

Your user name is superb.

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cheers for the welcomes.... seems like a very friendly forum, think I'll enjoy my time here... however short lived