Lurker coming out of the shadows

Hello, welcome. If the characters are speaking to you, then get in there and edit that First Draft! Go! Go! Go!

Welcome.

Those pesky characters can become quite vocal when they want.

Isn't it amazing how when you first write something it seems like the most brilliant thing ever, but when you set it down and walk away it seems to deteriorate into garbage. Then you come back and read it, it's like, "Wow, somebody shoot me. This is the worst thing ever written."

Oh, wait. Is that just me?



I've had the same characters in my head for two years now, but every time that I start writing the story, I hate what comes out.

Here's to hoping that we can both bring our characters to life!

MaggieTCat said:

Hello all!
I'm the world's biggest procrastinator,

Click to expand...

Hmmm I think I could give you a run for the money.

Welcome!

Hi Maggie!

Welcome to AW!

Don't forget to read about AW basics in the Newbie Guide!

Questions about the forum software can be found in the
FAQ's menu in the handy blue bar at the 'top' of this page.

This common acronym list helps identify our mystifying abbreviations.

Here's a complete(?) list of writing genres & categories!

Before you ask that Newbie question!!

See if Katiemac has the answer here.
and check out: Sara's 10 Basic Writing Tips!

If you're looking for critiques please read the 50 Post rule.

Posting your writing to the Share Your Work (SYW) area is explained here. This link covers the most common problems posts. found in SYW *Worth reading no matter how long you have been here!*

AW is a community built on the foundations of respecting your fellow writer and helping each other, it's the basic building blocks of how and why AW works.

Welcome to our community! =)


-kelly-

Fun AW social links:
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MaggieTCat said:

Hello all!

I've been lurking on here for a few years now. I posted from time to time under another account that I can't remember the login info for. Oops... Oh well, I never posted that much with it anyway.

I always seem to have a story playing out in my head. A few years ago I finally took the time to write one of them. Of course, at the time I thought it was a masterpiece. Now I can't believe I wrote such mundane crap.

The stories and characters won't leave me alone, so it's time to get serious about bringing them to life (again). I'm the world's biggest procrastinator, so I'm hoping that contact with other writers will keep me on the right track.

I'm seriously considering the ebook, self-pub route this time. I'm not looking to be the next John Grisham, but maybe the next J.A. Konrath.

So, yeah, that's my story and sticking to it!

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Hi Maggie,

I know what you mean about characters talking to you. Sometimes I think all writers have to be a little bit schitzophrenic.

Don't give up on that first manuscript though. My first (and second) books sat on a shelf for almost 2 decades because I thought I wasn't good enough and for all that time I barely wrote another word. I only rescued it when I discovered ABNA and I pulled it out for another look. Quite frankly I was surprised at what I found. It was actually quite good and the reviewers agreed. With what I learned, I edited and rewrote and discovered two diamonds in that rough manuscript.

I went the self-pub route and I have to say one thing - it's great for the ego but you won't get rich. Well maybe you will, but there are so many people doing it the chances of being discovered are rapidly disintegrating. My books are loved by those who find them, but the sales are less than a dribble. The most important thing is to keep writing and maybe one day you will have a breakout book. I'm still hoping for mine...

Hope you have a good time!

Welcome to AW!

Welcome

Welcome back to the Water Cooler!



AW is a huge place, and there's a lot of information to be found here. Take your time and browse around to get a feel of the various forums.

And don't forget to check out the Newbie Guide. Enjoy your stay.

Welcome to AW, MaggieTCat! Good luck with your writing and see you in the forums...

Welcome. Glad you stopped lurking.

Welcome and congrats on delurking!

Welcome!

Greetings and welcome to the watercooler


Take a wander around the various forums, there's lots to see and lots to learn, and even some fun threads too. Come along and pop on over to the Newbie Pub (at the top of the Newbie forum) and say hi, there's plenty of friendly faces that you can chat with and lots of banter. There's also the Question of the Week thread at the top of the Newbie forum where you can answer random questions.

Don't forget to read the newbie guide, and if you want to know what all the buttons mean check out this thread.

MadelineButterfly said:

Hmmm I think I could give you a run for the money.

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Me too, but, meh, I'll prove it some other time...

--Steve

hi and welcome to the cooler