Shut Up & Read discussion

Hi everyone, I thought I’d introduce myself. I’m Devlin and I have a blog dedicated to ‘thinking outside the box’. I promote literacy and common sense but the reason I’m here is because I want to be a writer and I want to learn…how. The only way to learn is of course, to read (which I do voraciously) and write. In April of this year I decided (after having read James Lipton’s Inside, Inside) that the time to dedicate myself to this path was now. My biggest problem is my impatience and after reading the aforementioned book I discovered that there is no better way to overcome this self-deficiency than to use it in my craft. Turn my handicap into my greatest tool.

Below I’ve added links to two mini-stories I’ve written and rewritten recently. These are experiments to help me learn so any and all feedback (no matter how truthful or severe) is welcome. I’m very serious about this and I want to learn to create and give back good stories like the ones that have helped me throughout my life.

Thank you for your patience and assistance,

Devlin
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2...
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2...

Devlin,
Best of luck with your new endeavor. Writing is the best way to learn, and being a voraous reader is, I believe, the way to feed our brains to continually come up with those Ah Ha moments of brilliance which make for great writing.
I spend a lot of time on my blog discussing writing, things I learn about writing as I progress down the same path you have chosen. I also do quite a bit about thinking outside the box and new ideas, and reading.
If you haven't been by my blog, please check it out.
It is a high and mighty path you have chosen, but if you love reading you're going to really love writing!
It's addictive, but slow. I know about the impatience, and so does does my editor! I still battle with it.
Thomas

I love to write novels I have written about 3 novels so far but have not gotten them published yet, I hope to soon.

Well if any of you guys need a reviewer I would love to lol!

I want to become a writer too but I keep telling myself that I'm not a good enough writer. So I'm still deciding if I want to work on this story I thought of ...... Yeah I don't know

Thanks for the input Thomas. So far I've managed to learn and attempt to put into practice, POV and weed out most of the 'he saids' and 'she saids' that seem to plague new writers. What other demons should I look out for. lol

I'd love to read your work, Robin. Is it available?

I could use reviewing, Tt. lol My practice works are very short and I'm sure you'll find some errors available. ;) Their links are in my first post.

I am going through the same dilemma. I just decided it was my impatience talking and that it was time to do or die. If my heroes can do it why not me. ;)

I'll be sure to check it out! :)

I created a new story: http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2859...

It has a POV issue but I want to know if I can leave it. I like the effect it gives to the story but I don't want it to be confusing to the reader.

What do you think?

You are incredible Devlin. Stunning! I liked them both (the first two you posted) and they're brilliant. Very good descriptions and ideas. Very very good. :D

You're making me blush. lol

Thank you Destiny. I'm glad you liked them. :D

No problem! How old are you??

Tt wrote: "I want to become a writer too but I keep telling myself that I'm not a good enough writer. So I'm still deciding if I want to work on this story I thought of ...... Yeah I don't know"

No matter what you shouldn't let that seed of doubt stop you from writing, stop telling yourself you're not good enough. Work on your story I am a strong believer that if you got a good story to tell and truly love it then hey its good enough for me. No matter what there are always going to be critics that's just the sad reality of it but don't let that fear inhibit you from doing what you have a passion for. Sorry I wrote a whole book but it always pains me when aspiring writers just doubt themselves because I did that for so long and wasted time. My story, Always Midnight may not be the best story and I would love more feedback on it but I am so grateful for the people on this site that have read it and man there's no better feeling in the world knowing a few people read my story and got lost in it for a couple of minutes. I would love to read whatever you have and give you some feedback and Devlin I'm on my mobile phone now but when I get on my laptop I will love to read what you have written. Keep up the good work and keep on writing I look forward to reading your stories and congrats on following your dreams this is only the beginning!

Thank you Tiffany. :) Very good advice!