Hello Ian

I've just had a look at your blog and I'm very impressed so I've subscribed to receive updates on your postings. I'm also working on a novel so I'm interested in the musings of someone else engaged on such a task. My problem is finding the time though, as I seem to have so many committments, it's very frustrating having all these creative ideas floating about and no time to get them down on paper. Keep up the good work.

Lady A:thumbsup:

Hello Lady Agatha,

Thank you for saying nice things about my blog, 'Beyond 1984'. It's good to get feedback, particularly positive feedback.

I know how you must feel, having commitments that keep you from writing. I used to be the same, and found it quite dispiriting. However, I was 'helped' by getting the 'sack' from my job. The quotes are because I am pursuing an unfair dismissal claim, but that is another story.

The fact is though, I'm writing now on a full time basis, and what a new lease of life that gives you! Apart from having no money, I'm enjoying life tremendously. I've changed my whole outlook, too. I've adopted my new model from my literary hero, George Orwell, who, despite coming from a privileged background, literally starved as a young writer (and some of that starvation actually happened in Sheffield! No better place to starve, really). So what was good for George, is good enough for me!

I hope you can ultimately find more time to write. In the meantime, just keep on writing whenever you can, and keep a notebook with you to record all those creative ideas.

In closing, for the benefit of others, I believe I'm now able to include the URL for Beyond 1984 - here goes:
http://www.rivedon.co.uk

IR

Good luck Ian with your submission as described in yesterday's blog entry. I'm a fan of Orwell too, so don't hesitate to write more about him in future entries - writing for us all to aspire to!

Lady A

Thanks for wishing me good luck. I'm not holding my breath, and maintain a very positive view of potentially receiving my first rejection slip!

I'm so glad that you are also an Orwell fan. I'm just reading Coming Up For Air again, prior to reviewing it in Beyond 1984. What an utterly atmospheric novel it is. Much better at the second reading. The power of Orwell's prose just makes one gasp sometimes. I cannot imagine what he would have gone on to create, had he not died so relatively young. Just his use of the term 'bombing planes' instead of bombers, introduces such sinister and profound undertones.

A master indeed!

IR

Evening all.

I'm an amateur writer, attempting to elevate my work above the amateurish. I'm not a committed, all-or-nothing 'I must get my novel published' sort, but I would welcome some feedback on the stuff I'm working on at the moment. I'll put it up for consideration at some point and would like to get into offering a reader's perspective on other people's work.

Anyway, just thought I'd say hello. Will be back on soon, hopefully having read some of your work!

Andy

Hello, my name is Pip Morgan, I am a published writer and poet. That sounds fantastic doesn't it! just before you go getting too excited though, I have only had two pieces of work published. One of which was for a competition that I won on the internet with a website called wordsundone.com. The other was another competition win and this time it was a poetry competition called poppy fields. I have been accepted to have my work published in an anthology of poetry and the proceeds of the book go to the British Legion for all the hard work that they do. Anyway, that is enough about me, I hope to speak to you all again soon.

Pip Morgan

Mistakes are correctable errors.

Hi.

I know I've already done an intro on this thread but that was at least 2 years ago (it was 2 years last Wednesday since I was originally exiled), my stories are a mix of sci-fi and made up wrestling commentaries, you might remember my version of War of the Worlds set in Sheffield, I remember putting a lot of effort into that one.

Hi.

I know I've already done an intro on this thread but that was at least 2 years ago (it was 2 years last Wednesday since I was originally exiled), my stories are a mix of sci-fi and made up wrestling commentaries, you might remember my version of War of the Worlds set in Sheffield, I remember putting a lot of effort into that one.

War of the Worlds set in Sheffield (would it be called War of Da Worlds?) sounds awesome, is it posted?

War of the Worlds set in Sheffield (would it be called War of Da Worlds?) sounds awesome, is it posted?

Yeah it's posted, search the archives on here for it.

War of the Worlds set in Sheffield (would it be called War of Da Worlds?) sounds awesome, is it posted?

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=370544

Hello all,
Well I'm here because I love to write, I've written quite a bit of fiction, both fantasy, Science fiction, Dark Fiction and even (yes I admit it openly) Fan Fiction. I'm a current member of the Sheffield Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers group (we are only a small band as yet) and as much as love them all I'd like to give other groups and minds a look at what I do.
My husband always says to me, your brother's got the money, your sisters gift is the artistic eye she's got and you've got the words to wrap the world up in for those of us who can't see it. I'd like to have a go at the challenges on here and have a go at short fic writing as I tend to have trouble stopping a flow when it gets going.

Well thanks for having me so far and I hope to be a contributing member very soon.

Hello Hare,

It sounds like your husband has a way with words too. Get him on here. :D

Welcome to the group. :)

I'd definitely recommend having a go at the word-limited challenges. There's something tricky about writing down to a word limit, especially if, like me, you suffer from prolixity.

I set myself the challenge in writing a novel - [shameless plug alert] the first chapter of which is a few notches down the board from this thread - of writing in strict-ish 3000 word chapters, and I've not done too badly with the sixteen so far. Having said that, there are occasions when two events mix in a chapter and they're not strictly single pieces, and I don't know if an editor might split them up.

I also set myself the challenge of writing in the opposite way to the short fictions I have written, where the details are all carried by structured sentences and the ideas cover a paragraph. I wanted to do something where each sentence counted somehow. I find that in doing so I encounter the problem that I have a limited vocabulary of sufficiently strong verbs to write without peppering the piece with adverbs, all of which leads to a more careful consideration of the sentences. I don't want to rely on description to carry the plot, and as such I have tried to put the emotional resonances in the visual images, rather than by accessing the characters' inner states. As with the Aleph short, I'm not sure I'm good enough to get it working.

I have found that my writing has improved immeasurably since I started writing with not only a plan for the story but a plan for the writing: a strategic goal of telling such-and-such tale, but a tactical goal of doing it by the route I have mentioned. Again, I don't know if it works, but it's worth a try for anyone trying to establish a rhythm. I would change that style - substantially - if I started writing another novel, but I've planned a hundred or so chapters of this one!

All of which makes me sound like I know what I'm doing, which I don't. It's just a set of suggestions, which may or may not be useful to you.

Andy

Hi, there! I'm new to the SF Writers Group, although not to the Forum as a whole. I'm currently writing a gay comedy thriller, which is a mixture of detective story, ancient mystery quest, alternate history, spy thriller, Sci-Fi, urban drama, love story, trashy celebrity romp, but above all, a rip-roaring Comedy. I will soon have more details up on one of my websites about the work, which is taking shape nicely, and something like one-fifth of the way through.
More will be revealed in good time, but for now, I'd welcome suggestions as to the best publishers/agents to approach. Among the famous authors which my work may be catgegorised with, are the likes of Terry Pratchet, Ben Elton, Stephen Fry, the Irish author Ross O'Carroll-Kelly, and many more, although all these will be only approximate comparisons to my style.

Wow! There's like a whole writing group thing on the Sheffield Forum and I never knew?! Doh! Oh well I'm here now! Hello everyone! My name is Spin and I am 23. I did a Journalism BA at Sheffield Hallam and have now totally lost all sense of being able to write, ironic isn't it! I have been battered into word limits and structures and all that creative juice sucking ********! I am DESPERATE to try and get back into writing again and looked to join the Sheffield 19-25 writers group but they haven't got enough interest so it's not running! BOOOO! Soooo if anyone would like to help me with confidence, ideas, generally someone I can use as a sounding board for one on one (I HATE people reading my writing and want to get over this soooo much) I would be amazingly grateful. Just so your get a gist about me I have dreadlocks, love music and am inspired by writers such as Hunter S Thompson (I have a Gonzo tattoo and wrote my dissertation on him), Tom Wolfe, Lester Bangs and generally any other quirky counter culture text. I am totally open to trying my hand at other genres, maybe being set a title with a word limit to get feedback, who knows just if anyone can help I'd be over the moon!
Aww so happy to have found a forum of writers! How amazing :)
Much love to you all,
Spin

Hi just thought I'd introduce myself as only just joined the Forum to be a part of this group. I love writing, mainly factual pieces, but thought I'd try my hand at fiction. The same goes for my reading interests which range from factual sports and history books, to horror and supernatural fiction.

Hi. I am also new to this part of the forum but have been writing since 97. Firstly poetry but have dabbled into short stories songs and plays. I have lots on my computer and would like to share them with some new readers. I have been a member of Glass Mountain writers, based at Crystal Peaks library since its conception 10 years ago and we are a mixed bunch. Everyone welcome there on Thursday afternoons 2-00 - 3-30 ish.

Spinelly: if you feel that a public posting of your writing is too much pressure, PM me something and I'll read it (eventually). I try to offer thoughts on the writing and the ideas, rather than the mechanics of typing and grammar (that is, I'm not going to say where you should have, but didn't, put an apostrophe).

Dr Ibbotson (strong Sheffield name, btw), I noticed that you've posted on the August competition. Tomorrow or Friday, and you'll get some feedback. Welcome!

And Carose: get sharing.

Andy

Hi. I'm Shaun, and I'm a writer. For years I've written short stories, articles and one non-fiction book. Now I find that I have the chance to write full time so I'm taking it. There are too many words yearning to get out for me not to.
Once I work out how to post stories on here I shall, and hopefully I'll be able to help others as they help me too. Cheers

Hello. I'm Paul, and for the past few months I've been busy trying to learn the ins and outs of screenplay writing.

Keen to link up with filmmakers in the region and try out some short film ideas. Currently (trying to) write material with a black humour slant but I also have a penchant for injecting a bit of lo-fi sci-fi into mundane/everyday situations.

Hello writers group!

My name is Annie. I used to love writing stories at school (many years ago now...) and always assumed that i'd carry on once i left. Never quite managed it though as i couldn't get started.

I had a look at your group and the monthly short story thread and today sat mulling ideas and decided to put pen to paper and have written my first story in years. I mis-remembered the theme though, and wrote a story for 'Halloween' instead of 'Horror!' I know there is a certain cross-over, but as I was over the word limit and finding it difficult to cull I decided to put back in what i'd culled/left out and will post it just as a story, not in the monthly thread.

Anyway, even if it's not very good i have thoroughly enjoyed myself writing it, so thank you for inspiring me to give it a go! :)

Happy writing everyone
Annie

Hello everyone. My name is Pete, which I'm afraid is blindingly obvious by my 'handle' in the forum. I kind of stumbled across this section this morning, not because I'm an avid reader or anything remotely like that. In fact I don't read at all (well not books anyway), which I know sounds a little odd.

I've never really been interested in reading books. Of course in my youth I read the obligatory Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe series, and stuff for my 'O' levels in English Lit. But never really became inspired.

So why am I here?

Well, a couple of years ago, I started writing a short story about something I was interested in at the time. (Ghosthunting). I ended up with, not so much a short story, but actually a quite long story. I'd never attempted anything like it previously (apart from school essays), and indeed nothing since. Yes I know it's not perfect, and I expect it (when I hopefully upload it) to be quite seriously 'panned'. But I'm hoping someone will see a glimmer of hope in it, and of course now being into October, it's actually quite topical (Halloween).

Regards
Pete

Fraggledance, PeteMorris, get your stuff up on here! I'll find time to read it, and whilst I'm no professional critic, at least it gives you the experience of sharing your work.

Looking forward to it.

Andy

Now there's a thing. You've both beaten me to it. Watch your threads.

Hahahaha...De batz (Andy)! Thank you for your words of encouragement anyway. Happy Ghosthunting!

Pete

Hello! I've been a writer since I was old enough to put together words. I write mystery/suspense short stories and Young Adult novels. My fiction hasn't yet been published in print, although I've had a short suspense story published online and won an honorable mention in a national contest. I also spent several years writing a column on animal rescue for a local monthly magazine. I've also dabbled in fan fiction, which is a lot of fun. I'm also a huge fan of rock music, especially 1980s and classic rock. The evidence of that passion often shows up in my writing.

I look forward to getting to know everyone and their work!

Hi there

I've been visiting the Sheffield forum on and off for many years and didn't realise until today that there was a section dedicated to writers.

I've always had a fondness for science fiction and written the odd short story. I'm currently in the process of planning my first book. I'm not aiming for anything grandiose as i dont wish to overwhelm myself.

Now that I have found this section for the forum, I think I shall be visiting more often
James

Well it looks like I'm the first newcomer to post here in 2012 so first off Happy New Year to everyone and lets all hope for some joy.

I've been writing stories for years but always called them letters to family and friends. Now I'd like to try writing to strangers for a change. Hope you don't mind.

m

Hello! Like others who have posted in this introduction thread, I didn't know that Sheffield Forum had its own writers' group. I've been lurking around for ages on Sheffield Forum whenever I needed useful information or gossip on something Sheffield related but this is the first time I've signed up.

I'm a novelist and I'm currently writing my second novel. I've recently published my first novel Outside Inside on the Amazon Kindle and I'm aiming to start a new independent publishing company based in Sheffield: Ramraid Press. The name sums up me and my writing: Derbyshire bred, lots of attitude and excitement and with a vegetarian/vegan angle.

I'm planning to produce a paperback version of Outside Inside by late Spring / early summer. I'll keep you posted. I decided to self-publish in the spirit of punk rock. I've put a lot of work into my novel and I want it to be out there for people to read.

I'm a graduate of the Writing MA at Sheffield Hallam University and first came to Sheffield in 1995 to study English Literature at the University of Sheffield.

I also run the Sheffield Novel Group: a writing group for novelists, as I found that writing groups tend to be focussed on shorter fiction and novelists needed a "support group" to motivate each other through the long-haul of the writing process. PM me if you're interested in joining. It's totally free!

My novel is available on the Kindle store on Amzon.co.uk. The title is Outside Inside by Anne Grange. It's set in Derby and Somerset but it was written in Sheffield. There's a great Sheffield novel in me somewhere though! You can download the first two chapters for free.

Hi all! I'm new to the Sheffield Forum and Writers Group but not to Sheffield.

Looking to kick-start my fledgling writing career through a 5 year (stalinist-style) plan designed to end in offline publication of a full-blown book.

Phase One started yesterday when I started a blog (writingwithwater(dot)com) and joining this group is Phase 1.1.

Thus far there have been no purges or deaths :)

Hi. I joined the forum specifically for the writers' group. And now I can't think of what to write in my first post.

I'm in my thirties, live in Sheffield and have an interest in writing. I've done some creative writing classes, but although I enjoy the 'arty' stuff (poetry and short stories mostly) what I'm interested in is scripts and screenplays for film or (preferably) television. Crime drama especially, although not exclusively.

My current writing heros are Bruno Heller and Donald P. Bellisario, creators of The Mentalist and NCIS respectively. They're series aimed squarely at the popular market, so not too demanding, but witty and smart enough to keep me entertained (ignoring NCIS after it jumped the shark in series 5 - funnily enough about when Bellisario left).

Don't get me wrong, I love deeply things like The Wire and Wallander (Danish version only tho) but:
1) I could never write stuff as good as this, seriously never.
2) Ok, they got on TV - but check out how many countries NCIS is syndicated to.

I'd rather work out something that could sell and try and do it as well as possible, than write something great then have to work out how to sell it.

I joined the forum hoping someone with a similar point of view might be interested in helping develop some pilot scripts to submit to production companies. I have a few ideas and one or two mostly done treatments (is that the correct term? I mean like extended outlines), but I'm not sure if they're the sort of stuff that would work.

If there's anyone out there who recognises the dream and thinks they could help, please PM.

Anyhoo, thanks for reading. :)

Hello, I joined the forum so I could have a go at writing. I have just submitted my first short story, go easy on me aye. I know I have some learning to do Jk

Welcome Sci Fi and Marriot, I hope you both find what you're looking for in the group. Sci Fi, thank you for jumping straight in with a story in the monthly competition. Marriot, I well understand you wanting to write for a market, and I wish you the best of luck, but markets are such capricious things, it seems to me. TV producers would ideally like something exactly like the last thing that sold, but different. Yet, would you have predicted success for Dowton Abbey? Shameless? It's a tough one!

Hello.

Welcome to the Sheffield Forum Writers' Group.

Use this thread to introduce yourself to the other members and tell everyone a little bit about yourself.
My name is Eric I am 67 year old retired and bored , I had a job witch I loved and stretched my brain sorting out and solving problems (Job Estate Manager)
I am Married , we have a motor home and like travelling about.
I have had stories going around in my head for years and I would like to try and write a book to keep my brain simulated.
eric

Hello All
I write and draw Sheffield horror/humour based Graphic Novels under the company name CDComics. I self publish on CDrom for four local shops. The three Sheffield Surreal Murder Mysteries are also on download sites, they are sort of Twilight Zone style pieces and my influences are Nigel Kneale(Quatermass), Hammer House of Horror TV Show and authors like Edgar Allan Poe.
So far I've produced Football Crazy, that's available in blue or red and white, Meadowhell: The True Horror of Shopping and Spring Heeled Jack: The Attercliffe Prowler, who has his face carved on the timber frame of the Old Queen's Head.
I have a blog at www.cdgraphicnovels.blogspot that has lots of images of local locations, Old Queen's Head, Arts Tower, Peace Gardens, but don't give away the macabre twist endings of the stories.
I'd really like some feedback about the art, the dialogue, writing style, but also just generally what you think of the concept? I'm slightly stuck on my next comic, so any old legends or ghost stories linked with Sheffield would be great. I'm contemplating a Stocksbridge Bypass story and I have a Butcher of Banner Cross narrative I'm messing around with... Basically, any feedback would be great.
Also could I use the upload your stories here, even though mine are comics they can be put on word or pdf documents?

cheers
Craig