Just remember to take what you find at any of these sites with a grain of salt until you figure out who really knows what they're talking about. And as is the case in any gathering of people, be it cyber or brick-and-mortar, remember that there are nice folks and there are jerks. Embrace the former. Ignore the latter.
The social interaction with other writers is indeed important. It really does help to know that you're not alone in the various difficulties and triumphs you'll encounter as a writer. Candid feedback is also an absolute must, and surprisingly hard to come by. There's NOTHING more harmful to a writer than everyone trying to "be nice" when what you really need is brutal honesty. You cannot fix what you don't know to be broken.
What kind of stuff do you like to write?
MM
Yet again I find myself expressing sincere thanks. You have given me quite a bit to explore.
Would you suggest getting any and all work copyrighted before showing it to anyone? I don't necessarily mean posting something on the web I mean even before I let anyone read a hard copy.
To answer your inquiry of what my work is like; so far my writing consists of short stories. They vary in exact topic and setting but the unifying theme is to illustrate mans' continuous struggle against nature, his own that is and Murphy's Law. The tales may be somewhat cynical, jaundiced even yet they are not without redeeming value or comic elements. In fact some have quite a bit of humor. Currently I am working on a detective story that is a morph between W.C. Fields and Film Noir. It also has a twisted ending that is unique as far as I know to mystery writing.
The shorts are an extension of something that has been on ice for 20 years. In my teens I wanted to get into film making. Later on in art school I started painting which I took to like a duck to water (as they say). By mid sophomore year I switched majors. Over the years I still had the interest in film though and made notes of offbeat characters and odd circumstances I encountered. Didn't know towards what end but I made notes just the same. Last winter I got the idea to start writing. The creative process is something I like very much and it just doesn't matter if I get published or not though I sure wouldn't mind if I did.
On another note I am currently working on a slightly different approach to a diet and exercise book which stems from pure commercial motives.
What kind of thrillers did you say you wrote? Crime, man against nature, supernatural, etc? Just curious.
best reagrds,
u89