NEW USERS! INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!

[kentagions]

Hi,
3 HM in 7 entries and V32, Q1 entry has made the first pass (whatever that means). I'm rediscovering my passion for writing after a couple of dozen years. The English degree I earned back in the day hasn't yet fed or clothed any portion of me, so I'm currently a masters student in Communication. Here's hoping that a post graduate degree and references and web presence will find me gainfully employed around a year from now. I'm up to three friends on FB and one even shared a chimp throwing poop that I posted.

Best of luck to everyone,
Kent

[preston]

Welcome Kent and Orbievillien,
It sounds like you'll both fit in here quite nicely.
Good luck!

[storysinger]

It's been a while since I've posted on this thread so, welcome to all the newbies.

[kentagions]

p.s. I don't throw poop anymore.
Kent

[Shean]

Well, here goes -
Hello All. I'm new to the boards, and really have no idea how to navigate at this stage. Just trying to figure out where the newest posts are, since I see a lot of things from previous years. I've never posted in a forum. Does it all really make sense to you? LOL

I'm a fantasy writer, with a novel coming out by the Fall, hopefully. I have a story I am working on for WOTF and am hoping to learn from the marvelous veteran writers that have come before me.

Shean

[Brydar]

Welcome Shean,
I am still a noob on here and learning much from those who have already entered the contest and some of the winners have remained on here to pass on their sage advice. Not to mention you may get a shock when a published and famous writer replies to one of your posts as I was. Good luck in the contest.

[Ishmael]

Hello and Welcome to Shean. I'm published but not famous, so Brydar obviously wasn't talking about me. Nevertheless, the point is that nobody understands everything, so if we need help or advice we just ask and the chances are someone on the Forum knows whatever it is.

Good luck with the novel too.

[storysinger]

Welcome to the forum Shean. The more you surf here the more you learn. Enjoy.

[geekyMary]

The title of this thread compels me to introduce myself. I obey.

Hi! I'm Mary. I write Science Fiction and Fantasy.

I'm working on my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University, which is a really great program and I recommend it highly.

Previously, I've gotten 2 HMs and a Semifinalist for WoTF. Waiting on bated breath for Q1 results.

I like pie.

[Martin L. Shoemaker]

The title of this thread compels me to introduce myself. I obey.

Hi! I'm Mary. I write Science Fiction and Fantasy.

I'm working on my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University, which is a really great program and I recommend it highly.

Previously, I've gotten 2 HMs and a Semifinalist for WoTF. Waiting on bated breath for Q1 results.

I like pie.

Welcome aboard, Mary! Yes, I've heard good things about Seton Hill's program. (I've also heard good things about pie...)

[J'nae Rae]

Welcome to the forum Mary.

A bunch of us are waiting with bated breath for Q1.

J'nae

[storysinger]

Welcome geekyMary to the forum.

Pie is good, mmm.

[orbivillein]

Hi, geekyMary,

What's Seton Hill's position toward science fiction and fantasy? Pie?

[geekyMary]

The Writing Popular Fiction program is specifically for genre fiction. We've got a lot of SF/F writers, plus horror, YA, romance, and mystery. Nicole Peeler is one of the co-directors. Jaye Wells is one of my classmates.

No snooty academics looking down on SF here. It's all nerds all the time.

[Martin L. Shoemaker]

The Writing Popular Fiction program is specifically for genre fiction. We've got a lot of SF/F writers, plus horror, YA, romance, and mystery. Nicole Peeler is one of the co-directors. Jaye Wells is one of my classmates.

No snooty academics looking down on SF here. It's all nerds all the time.

Exactly the reputation I've heard. Roughly paraphrased: "An MFA won't help you in this business if you're not aiming for literary -- except Seton Hill."

[orbivillein]

My BFA and MA schools were mixed -- some instructors celebrated science fiction and fantasy, some limited allowable types, some allowed none. Literature instructors were also mixed though lower proportions of celebrants and limited examples, except for Shelley, Wells, Verne, Orwell, Bradbury, and Vonnegut.

Thing is, science fiction and fantasy out literary literary in at least one way; that is, figurative representations are a degree more metaphoric than for "mainstream" fiction, a degree or more of separation than "My love is a red, red rose." My starship is a Connestoga or East Indiaman or balloon and my magic realm is as mystical as science and technology escape their notice.

The times they are a changing.

[tilting@windmills]

Hi all,

I'm Cindi. I write fantasy. Have one WOTF R under my belt, and an Unknown status for Q1.

Even though I have been using the teach yourself method of writing (akin to teaching yourself the bow and arrow where most words, paragraphs, characters and plot lines lay scattered all over the ground never quite hitting the target let alone the bulls eye) I have managed to write two and half novels and several short stories.

I'm finding that: I have much to learn, editing is my best friend, and that I love developing characters and placing them in unique situations.

I've been a bit fearful of joining the forum because everyone seems to know so much and I so little. But I have to start somewhere, right?

[s_c_baker]

Hi all,

I'm Cindi. I write fantasy. Have one WOTF R under my belt, and an Unknown status for Q1.

Even though I have been using the teach yourself method of writing (akin to teaching yourself the bow and arrow where most words, paragraphs, characters and plot lines lay scattered all over the ground never quite hitting the target let alone the bulls eye) I have managed to write two and half novels and several short stories.

I'm finding that: I have much to learn, editing is my best friend, and that I love developing characters and placing them in unique situations.

I've been a bit fearful of joining the forum because everyone seems to know so much and I so little. But I have to start somewhere, right?

Ha! Welcome Cindi. Your username suggests to me you will get along juuuust fine around here. :)

[Martin L. Shoemaker]

I've been a bit fearful of joining the forum because everyone seems to know so much and I so little. But I have to start somewhere, right?

Welcome aboard, Cindi! Much of what we know, we know because others here shared what they learned and pointed us toward other teachers. We all learn from each other, and we're happy to have you join in!

[storysinger]

We all learn from each other, and we're happy to have you join in!

True that. You've found a great place full of helpful people sharing knowledge and pulling for each other. Welcome Cindi.

[tilting@windmills]

Thanks all,

I have a lot of learning to do!

Cindi

[JLLaudick]

First post, Hello all!

I'm new to WotF, heard about it through NANO and GenCon Writer's Symposium. I wrote when I was younger, but gave it up to be a mom. Now that my child is out of the nest and encouraging mom to follow her passion of writing, I am back at it. I'm hoping to have my first sub ready for this quarter.

My biggest challenge is getting over fears of not really being able to write anymore or that I just plain suck at it. The last couple of years I have been breaking off the rust of my writing brain and hoping that we really don't lose it, that it just goes into hiding in the dark recesses until we need it again. Anyway hope to get to know you guys and glad to be among other writers.

Jo (JLLaudick)

[Dustin Adams]

Welcome Jo,

I bet most of us worry about the same thing.

WotF is for non-professionals. We're all still finding our way.

[Ishmael]

Hi Jo and Cindi.

In my case I don't know a lot, I just talk as though I do. I have yet to succeed with my project to bluff my way on to the WotF winner's podium though.

Welcome to the Forum

[J.W. Alden]

Hey, everyone! I'm James.

I made my first post in the Q1 thread, but figured I should introduce myself in the appropriate place, as well. I've been lurking without an account for quite some time, mainly for rejectomancy purposes. On Monday, I got the call. I'm a Q1 finalist. In my excitement, I figured it was time to register an account and say hello to the people I've been peering at from the shadows.

I'm from Florida. I write science fiction, fantasy, and the occasional horror. I also write a lot of humor. I'm a graduate of Odyssey Writing Workshop (any other Odfellows about?) and a Codexian (I've seen a few of you around, Codex peeps). My finalist entry is my second go-around in the contest. Got a rejection last time, then didn't enter for a while because I thought I was ineligible. Turns out I was mistaken, so I entered again for Q1 and here we are.

Anywho, lovely place you've got here. Mind if I make myself at home?

[Martin L. Shoemaker]

Welcome aboard, Jo and James! It's always great to have new people keeping the conversation fresh around here.

[storysinger]

Mind if I make myself at home?

Welcome James and Jo. Settle in, put your feet up with your keyboard in a comfortable position, and enjoy the forum. Glad to have you both here.

[Leon Maxis]

Hello everyone,

I've been meaning to enter this contest for a while now, so here I am.
I'm 18, from London, England, and I love creating stories that flow from just a simple concept into something special. I look forward to submitting my first entry.

LM

[Martin L. Shoemaker]

Hello everyone,

I've been meaning to enter this contest for a while now, so here I am.
I'm 18, from London, England, and I love creating stories that flow from just a simple concept into something special. I look forward to submitting my first entry.

LM

Welcome aboard, Leon! Good luck in the Contest.

[storysinger]

Welcome to the forum Leon.
Get that story done and send it in. Write on.