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.

I have always loved reading, and writing to an extent though its started with basic things in English class at school!

I can get totally lost in almost any well-written book. I particularly like John Grisham, have read almost all of his, and a lot of other crime-type novels. More recently I have been reading Cecelia Aherne... pretty much 'chick-lit' but nicely done :) I am a complete Lord of the Rings addict, could read it forever, and am working my way through Harry Potter for the 10th time.

I also read a lot of 'fan-fic' on the net, from all sorts of fandoms like LOTR, to Buffy (I am a sci-fi nerd I think!), and have had the odd go at writing fan-fic before but never put it anywhere for public reading.

I am definately more of a fiction than a non-fiction fan, though I love good biographies, particularly funny ones, like Billy Connelly's and Graham Norton's!

I remember the first time my mum took me to the library when I was 3/4 ish and the first book I read - about dolls trapped in the attic or something.

By age 6 I could read encyclopaedias and was well ahead of everyone else in my class.

Since then I have avidly read and collected. Read a lot of politics books at Uni but I prefer fiction.

Have the entire Disc World series and the complete works of Iain / M / Banks.

Also enjoy detective novels, classic ones such as Ngaio Marsh.

Just finished My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk and before that Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

I regularly take 5-6 books with me on holiday and leave them in hostels, hotels etc when finished.

I used to write really good stories at school but I suspect any of my offerings on here will be in the form of travelogs

Almost a complete novice at writing, I have always been a bit anxious about showing other people what I've done. I have almost forced myself to join this group so that I can hopefully get over this fear with help of supportive criticism.

I enjoy most styles of novels..

Ian McEwan
Haruki Murashami (almost certainly spelled wrongly)
Philip Pullman
Bram Stoker
Barbara Kingsolver
Anne Tyler

etc.

Have done a couple of poems but nothing more than that.

Cheers

I've always loved reading, the first book I must have read was Bears In The Night by Stan and Jan Berstein, which I still have a copy of.

I enjoyed writing stories at school

My favourite books are horror and murder mystery

I have written several fan fiction stories which do tend to be rather long but I am quite sure I can get into the habit of writing shorter tales

I am currently reading Entombed by Linda Farnstein which is a murder mystery story encompassing Edgar Allen Poe

I was the only 5 year old to be allowed to use the adult section of The Library, I wasnt allowed to read smutty stuff, but by the age of 6 I was reading Edgar Allen Poe and H.G. Wells.
I then progressed to Asimov, Clarke and by the age of 8 I had lost the ability to discriminate. Basically I read whatever I could get my hands on.
At the moment I`m Re-reading The Diskworld sieries, but slowly, very slowly because basically I`m losing my sight and expect to be blind sometime in the next decade or so.
The stuff I write, are basically memories of things that I did in the past, I have several already written and saved to the computer, which is lucky because I`m not really allowed to spend too much time using my eyes.
All I have to do is edit a lot of swearing out of my stuff, and once I do that, I`m ready to go.

I'm Rich aged 30 from Stannington, I enjoy reading sci-fi books although I don't read these days as much as i used to.

My contributions to this group will be mainly in the sci-fi genre of writing probably, as I used to regularly write my own Star Trek themed stories in Word with me as a Starship Captain and crew based on friends I know and stuff.

I like reading biographies and some fiction stories. Most of the time i'm not reading a book i'm reading a magazine or the newspaper. I have written a few short stories which have been ok

Hi im not gonna bore you with an essay i love going out with friends quiz night uv got 2 live for quiz nite im gonna win lottery 1 day unless its a fix then maybe not does anyone actually come on this site in the day cuz nooones in the live chat room i dont get it ????? help me out im new 2 this x

I'm Joey, I'm 27 and I'm an RE Teacher (and not an alcoholic!)...I don't read as much as I used to but I was a proper bookworm in my younger days. I like reading books that my friends recommend to me (usually about lurve and romance and that have pink covers) but I also enjoy the more intelligent works recommended by Richard and Judy (recent favourites have been The Time Travellers Wife and The Lovely Bones).

I'm a sucker for anything with a vaguely religious theme (but reject anything by Dan Brown) and adored the Philip Pullman Dark Materials trilogy - also enjoy the odd Harry Potter. As a teenager and an adult I guess I really enjoy/ed books by Christopher Pike - my favourite book "Sati" is written by him.

I wrote my first novel when I was 19 and am still re-writing it now - am determined to at least try and get it published. Think I've got a couple more in me but will post some of my short stories to hopefully get some help from new found "critical friends".

Shoeshine: Can we make a little rule about stories being written in proper english please? I can't bring myself to read anything in text speak and I might miss something good...:)

From the age of about eight I fell in love with reading books, and the pleasure has stayed with me for many years.

Christmas used to be a time in my childhood when the present of a new book was as important to me as a toy. I loved the feel of a brand new book, the excitement of opening the pristine pages and the anticipation of enjoying the story within it.

I recall reading Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Tom Sawyer", Baroness Orczy's "The Scarlet Pimpernel", Robert Louis Stevenson's " Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped", Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" and lots of others as I progressed into my teenage years.

During my adult years I have always been a member of a Public Library. I visit my local library every month or so. To me they really are "treasure houses". I have never read much of Dicken's work.......even now they seem too "hard going". Fortunately some of the Classic Fiction has been transformed into TV series, so someone else has waded through them and done the really hard work

Of late I have read most if not all of the Tom Sharpe novels, and the entire output of Terry Pratchett "Disc World" Series........brilliantly funny authors.

My favourite genres? I particularly like Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror and Non-Fiction books on virtually any subject.

Finally, a few weeks ago I revisited my childhood by re-reading "Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The novels stand alone as general stories for children's reading, but I realise now, at my age, there is an underlying depiction of the hardship and bondage to slavery that was the norm throughout the southern States contained within the boyish adventure stories written by Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clements). Whilst I loved the books as a child, I saw them in a new light as an adult.

The first 'grown up' book I read was 'The War of the Worlds' and I think that that started colouring my reading from there on in. I was (and still am) a great lover of Ray Bradbury and Arthur C Clarke, and quite a few of my short stories are influenced by both those people.

I've written short stories, scripts, the odd comedy sketch and sooner or later will start on a novel. :)

The main problem nowadays is finding time to fit it all in.

Just been reading Stephen King's 'On Writing' (again!!) - well worth it to start inspiring the urge to write!

I love writing - fiction (although I keep STARTING novels etc and never getting firther than that) and non-fiction - more academic/theological type stuff.

I also love reading a wide range of things - magazines, websites, books, leaflets, cereal packets, wine bottles etc.

I refuse to read the Da Vinci Code as some sort of personal protest.

Hi. I used to love writing fiction, recently though I have been a student so finding the time has been difficult. I graduated last week so this forum will be of great interest to me. I hope to start writing again.

I mainly read thrillers, crime, horror and classical books.

I too have always had a love of books and like the best of us, the books I am drawn to often reflect some aspect of my own personality or experiences, which probably explains why my choices are so varied! I'm no Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde but I do have a wee bit of a split personality when it comes to my favourite reads.

I love anything quirky with humour and an underlying more serious tone, fantasy has often been a key theme throughout my reading years, from multiple choice adventure books in my days at primary school right through to the likes of (dare I mention) Lord of the Rings which I discovered only some years ago.

I'm not ashamed to admit which classics I have not read, or what genres I still remain ignorant of. To me reading books is not a competition to see who is the most well read or who swallowed the biggest dictionary that morning, it is about enjoying both the book and the moment in which it was read.

Although spilling mistakes may happen and my grammar that is wrote may not be the most fluid, I do find my stories often have a humorous tone and sometimes if I'm lucky I'm not the only one who thinks it. Though as a final plea....do be gentle on me!

Thanks for the interest!

Caz.

Hello, my name is Brian Brady, I am 67 years old, and am not ready to roll over and die! I have written my own (boring) life story, but I have volunteered to produce a book for the writing group, any stories submitted to the Writers Group. I have produced 5 books so far, in eight and a half by eleven inch size, with a leather binding. Dave Milner, the 'City Snapper' has graciously agreed to the use of his wonderful photographs of Sheffield in the book, at the rate of one full colour pic per page.
I don't know yet what the procedure will be, but for what it's worth, might I suggest that any stories submitted be critiqued by the appropriate member, and then, if the writer agrees, the story sent to me for inclusion in the book.I have no plans to commercially publish the book, but it will be sent to one of the moderators, so that anyone can see it. Just a few ideas to get the ball rolling. Brian Brady, a.k.a. oldtimer

I was very fortunate in having a mother who taught me to read by the time I was four years old. She would get into trouble with tram conductors because I wouild read the no smoking signs and other things, making them think I was of school age and should have paid the halfpenny fare.
I have always loved books. For a long time my favourites were adventures by Alistair Maclean, Hammond Innes, Ian Fleming, Neville Shute and others. Later I gravitated toward the classics. Having lived in Winchester for a time, and having visited Jane Austen's grave I became devoted to her work, and still am. Ihave read everything she wrote many times as well as works by Dickens, Hardy, The Brontes, and Fielding. I could not live within a few miles of Mark Twain's last home without enjoying his unique stories of American 19th century life and manners.

Ive been reading forever, I cant imagine my life without books!I love reading, and have just finished Sophia Mcdougal's Romanitas, which I guess gives a good indication of the kind of books I like to read.Basically I'm drawn to horror/supernatural/sci-fi, though I believe its the quality of the writing that matters much more so than the genre.
As far as writing goes, Ive always enjoyed writing fiction, though college essays aside, I don't think Ive ever completed a story.I'm hoping the group will provide the necessary foot/backside interaction to inspire me to finish something!
Just a warning, most of the stuff I write is overblown, pretentious twaddle - you have been warned!!!

My Sister , 13 mths older and much brighter than me, could read at the age of 3 and used to read to me when she was about 5. We woud go down to the library at the corner of Arbouthorne Rd and chose books for my Mom and Dad. She used to set me looking for authers name on the lower shelves while she chose from the higher shelves. Thus was started my love of books.
We travelled a long way to school past the central library and would call after spitting on our hands to ensure we would pass the hand inspection by the dragon lady in charge. The library was a treasure trove of delight.
Anne of Green Gables, the Chalet school girls, Biggles, Worral, we used to read all the way home bumping in to lamp posts on the way.
So as I am now 69 I have held a library ticket for 61 yrs.
I read the Bond books as they came out and the Darling Buds of May by H E Bates, and could probably still quote the write up on the sauce bottle on the table, I read avidly soaking up everything in my path. Still do
hazel

There isnt much that I can say about myself.

I havent read a book for many a year now. I used to read lots when I was a kid, but computer games soon changed all that. I would like to get back in to the habit of reading and to feed my mind with a bit of writing. Should be all good fun and interesting. We shall see

Hello everyone.

I was a very late starter to reading books ,i never had the time or patience to read one and it was only due to illness and my wife getting fed up with me
moaning about being bored that she went out and bought me the Kray Twins biography and i was hooked.Writing was something totally different i used to write short stories for /with my young sons and then let them fill missing bits ,alas computers came along .

I write about anything that comes to mind and at the moment i am having a go at writing a sitcom which is along the lines of Last of the summer wine ,why mainly because of the shows innocence and is probably one of TVs sitcom classics's.I look forward to the grand opening i am sure it will be fun .

Hi, I can't remember a time when I didn't have a book to read. The first ones I recall were the famous five and secret seven books, I could lose myself in the pages and I was there, a part of the adventure. Later I moved on to comedy, Peter Tinniswood, Spike Milligan etc. Now almost all of the fiction I read are horror, my favorites being James Herbert and Laurell K Hamilton.
I have never had any interest in the "classics", I find them written in a language that isn't relevant to the age in which we live, the storys are good as I enjoy the tv adaptations of Dickens, I just cannot read the book. As for writing, the only thing I have written is a shopping list but I liked making up silly stories for my daughter at bedtime and so yes I want to give it a go and with everybodys advice and critisism maybe I could produce something worth reading.
Dave..

It's long overdue - and to be honest, there's very little time left now following the recent announcement that Sue Lawley is leaving the programme! Although I am still debating what my 8 records will be, when she does eventually find the time to ring me, I do know what book I want to read on my desert island!

Back in 1963, it was a difficult book to read, especially for a lad of 14. I'd had a rudimentary secondary school education, and was about to leave school with no academic qualifications. I wasn't a member of the village library - that building was not somewhere my parents ever thought to encourage me to visit or join. No, it was a book I found in the school library. It wasn't even fiction. Maybe that's why I found it hard to read. But I persevered. I finished reading the book, and just after my 15th. birthday, I also finished my schooling, and started work in a dead end job.

When the first general election of 1964 was declared, my old Sunday school teacher encouraged me to go to the old school hall and listen to the hustings, where I heard this man speak. His name was Trevor Park. He was the Labour candidate for South-East Derbyshire, my home area. He talked about his vision of a society where we continued learning long after our formal schooling. He spoke of a society which cherished reading and the acquisition of knowledge. He talked of a generation of post-war children who were being consigned to marginal employment due to a lack of educational qualifications. Trevor, I realised, was speaking about me.

I was both enthused and confused. I was one of the village thickies. I'd failed my 11+. I hadn't gone to grammar school. My Dad had told me he wasn't letting me go down the pit as he'd done when he'd left school, and so I'd got a clerical job, and my parents were proud of me. But, there was this nagging doubt. After all, I'd read this book. I'd read this book and I'd understood it. It was all about pollution, and how small particles of poison get washed into the sea, and how fish eat these minute particles, and store them in their bodies. Then how men catch the fish, eat them, and become ill. It had big words in it, but I had understood it. Was I that thick after all? There was only one way to find out. I enrolled for night school GCEs.

I cycled the 7 miles straight from work to college a couple of nights a week, where I was introduced to a world of Dickens, Bronte, Shakespeare and even poetry for a year. I started visiting theatres in Nottingham and Derby and saw plays. I even joined the village library. I got my first GCE after a year of studying, and at 16, I joined the Labour Party.

Five years later, I'd accumulated enough 'O' & 'A' levels from night school classes to go to college full time. Later still I undertook a mature training course and qualified as a social worker.

Trevor died a few years ago. I came across his obituary in The Guardian. He was my inspiration. He had galvanised me to achieve better things for myself. But a book had first helped me to understand the world a little better, and to help me realise that I was capable of learning and advancing myself. So when Ms Lawley finally makes that telephone call, I'm going to be ship-wrecked with "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson.

I eventually became a social work manager, though no longer working due to ill health problems. I'm now 58, and in the last 3 years I've twice been elected to the city council. No guesses for which political party, but I like to think that Trevor would have been proud of redrobbo.

Got to go now folks as the phone is ringing. You never know......it could be Sue!

I've always loved books and libraries. Some of my very earliest memories involve my mum taking me to the children's section, upstairs at Park library. I think I still have the little cardboard tickets somewhere back at home.

I'm a compulsive book hoarder, reader and occasional writer. The subject matter is varied, though I do freely admit to hoovering up the low-brow stuff such as Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs et al. I adore crime fiction; my book shelves are heaving with Agatha Christie's works, along with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Colin Dexter, Ian Rankin and Reginald Hill.

At the moment, I'm re-reading 'Wuthering Heights' and (yet again) 'Greenwitch' by Susan Cooper. Next on the list will be 'The Smile of a Ghost' by Phil Rickman, which I've been intending to read for ages.

As for the writing... it goes in fits and starts. Lately, I've been reading more about how to write, rather than getting down to the writing itself. I tend to write for children, though I have been known to dabble in other genres. Not many folk have seen what I write. I'm not too sure how I'll take to the prospect of fellow forumers scrutinizing it either. Maybe I'll be an interested observer for a while...

Hi, my name is Nekro138. After leaving uni, me and some mates were going to start a film production company, not for a job, just for fun. After getting a decent job, I couldn't find the time to shoot stuff anymore, so I had some weird scripts that never got used. I am going to make some of these into short stories for this group. My stuff is mostly comedy horror. Or just comedy. Or just horror! I love reading short stories. Stephen King's are very good. I like the Graveyard Shift and Skeleton Crew books.

So how does this work then? Do we just start a new thread with each piece? Will there be a categories for different genres? Do people want constructive feedback? Can we post stuff now?

So how does this work then? Do we just start a new thread with each piece? Will there be a categories for different genres? Do people want constructive feedback? Can we post stuff now?

At this moment Wheezy, the exact format has not been ascertained. I am not too familiar with the software used on this Forum, but I know someone who is and I will seek clarification regarding use of Threads etc.

Some may wish to have constructive feedback, others may not.

Please do not upload work to the site at the moment. All will become clear within the next few days, after the main parameters have been determined and the final software has been put in place here...then it's "off we go".

I intend to start a new Thread on here later today asking Group Members to assist peterw and myself by inputting their ideas/preferences on various matters.

Meanwhile, since you are new to Sheffield Forum, would you like to tell us all a bit about yourself (excluding personal information of course) on this thread and your own interests/preferences in literature?

My turn!:D

Reading: I could say so much, it would bore you to death. Suffice it to say my house is made of books, I read them by the armful, and if nothing else is available I will read the back of the toothpaste/shampoo packaging (for the millionth time - or failing that, my husband's FHM, dear lord...).

Writing: Ummm...I bought a laptop 2 years ago, scrimped and saved and didn't eat, lol. To this day I think my husband wonders if it comes before him in the family heirarchy (I refuse to say, on the grounds I'm currently happily married and would like to stay that way :P ). I got it to replace the four hundred and fifty million notebooks full of writing I was running out of space for/losing/misplacing/having trouble editing. I started aged....no idea, and have never stopped since, lol.
My head is constantly full of stories and characters, they plague and harass me, keep me awake, jump out and insist on being dealt with when there are far more important things to do. On the plus side, I'm rarely bored;).

However: I have always been intensely private about my writing, keep the stories for myself, don't bother trying to please anyone else...it's my own personal library inside my head, after all. So I reckon I'll start with some stuff I did as an English degree student one hundred thousand years ago, and see where we go from there.
I'm really, really looking forward to reading other people's work, I'm sure it'll be a great atmosphere here, supportive and bursting with creativity.

Computers seem to have a mind of their own, and only get worse the more you update them. I was well into a discourse on myself when this one decided I'd said enough. It's bad enough when the microwave beeps at you because you didnt remove the melted ham and cheese sandwich on time, but this is beyond civility.
Anyway to finish what I was saying, I, like some of you, was born in Sheffield which had and I hope still has one of the best public library systems in the country. Nearly as good as it's wealth of indoor swimming pools, but that's another story. I joined the navy at 17, and served for 18 years. After I left the service in 1968, I lived back in Sheffield for a couple of years until itchy feet on both my wife and I put us aboard a BA Boeing 707 bound for Montreal. To cut a long story short I have been "over here" ever since.
My travels have taken me to a very big chunk of the earth, most of it at other people's expense. I've experienced hurricanes, two earthquakes, blizzards, a tornado, and combat in Korea and Egypt, as well as a fire that destroyed my apartment. So the biggest problem for me is what to write about. It may be fiction or reality but it is likely to be somewhat autobiograaphical, cos thats what I know best

My favourite author is Allan Bennett.(Have I spelt that right?) Thats the only trouble with joining a writing group , I think we will have to watch our spelling more.! Ive always read,as a child I read "under the covers" of my bed,as we couldnt afford to have the light on too long.Cant ever remember being bought books, only "The Dandy" and "The Beano" which we absolutely loved.I dont read much these days(as I havent got the patience)but I read a lot of neswpapers, and Sunday supplements,which give you an overall look at the world.I love writing letters,and used to go to a writing group at Stannington College.I think this is ideal,the way,Joep, and Shoe have set this all up, and its right that we should all post about each other like this while we "feel the ground" :thumbsup:

pattricia, I recall reading that Geoffrey Archer was hopeless at writing his works, to some degree. He apparently, and I may be wrong, needed some heavy input from others in order to shape up his novels to the point of being ready for his Publisher.

Of couse proof readers are employed by the major publishing houses to check typographical errors too.

Because this Group comprises really pleasant people, I expect the pedantically critically elements one finds on the General Forum will be less represented on here. Just do your best, and we will all appreciate that is all that any one of us can do.

Please just relax, and above all enjoy.......:)

pattricia, I recall reading that Geoffrey Archer was hopeless at writing his works, to some degree. He apparently, and I may be wrong, needed some heavy input from others in order to shape up his novels to the point of being ready for his Publisher.

Of couse proof readers are employed by the major publishing houses to check typographical errors too.

Because this Group comprises really pleasant people, I expect the pedantically critically elements one finds on the General Forum will be less represented on here. Just do your best, and we will all appreciate that is all that any one of us can do.

Please just relax, and above all enjoy.......:)Yes, I will relax,(Ill have a beer) Also Barbara Cartland never actually wrote a word,but dictated her stories to her secretary.She sold an enormous amount of novels(all trash) Its the imagination you have to have,not the literary skills.

From the age of about eight I fell in love with reading books, and the pleasure has stayed with me for many years.

Christmas used to be a time in my childhood when the present of a new book was as important to me as a toy. I loved the feel of a brand new book, the excitement of opening the pristine pages and the anticipation of enjoying the story within it.

I recall reading Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Tom Sawyer", Baroness Orczy's "The Scarlet Pimpernel", Robert Louis Stevenson's " Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped", Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" and lots of others as I progressed into my teenage years.

During my adult years I have always been a member of a Public Library. I visit my local library every month or so. To me they really are "treasure houses". I have never read much of Dicken's work.......even now they seem too "hard going". Fortunately some of the Classic Fiction has been transformed into TV series, so someone else has waded through them and done the really hard work

Of late I have read most if not all of the Tom Sharpe novels, and the entire output of Terry Pratchett "Disc World" Series........brilliantly funny authors.

My favourite genres? I particularly like Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror and Non-Fiction books on virtually any subject.

Finally, a few weeks ago I revisited my childhood by re-reading "Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The novels stand alone as general stories for children's reading, but I realise now, at my age, there is an underlying depiction of the hardship and bondage to slavery that was the norm throughout the southern States contained within the boyish adventure stories written by Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clements). Whilst I loved the books as a child, I saw them in a new light as an adult.

Shoeshine read the right books! I think she’ll agree, though, that Treasure Island (RLS’s title doesn’t have quotes Shoeshine) is probably the best book a writer can read. The first few paragraphs really set the scene. The old pub, Admiral Benbow, Blind Pew, the treasure chest — everything. I’d recommend all novelists to read it.

JoelP —I currently have a one-hour play with BBC Radio. It’s a ‘bit different’ and I don’t expect they’ll touch it but I’m waiting! Disabled old man, former Intelligence Officer second world war, murderers the local yob aged 14. Police know who did it. Old man knows police know, but they can’t prove it. Mystery lies in how he disposed of body. Police eventually get a good lead but man dies naturally hours before they call to arrest him.

To all — if you’ve got an idea don’t play around with it, get it written. But remember, first check you’ve got a prospective market for it! All it’s going to cost you is the postage, and a few purches of the magazines, or whatever your aim is, to get a feel of the style it should be written in.

Apart from designing newspaper pages and CD labels I do nothing else but write, and it gives me a good living. If you need advice, I’m always willing to give it.

From the age of about eight I fell in love with reading books, and the pleasure has stayed with me for many years.

Christmas used to be a time in my childhood when the present of a new book was as important to me as a toy. I loved the feel of a brand new book, the excitement of opening the pristine pages and the anticipation of enjoying the story within it.

I recall reading Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Tom Sawyer", Baroness Orczy's "The Scarlet Pimpernel", Robert Louis Stevenson's " Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped", Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty" and lots of others as I progressed into my teenage years.

During my adult years I have always been a member of a Public Library. I visit my local library every month or so. To me they really are "treasure houses". I have never read much of Dicken's work.......even now they seem too "hard going". Fortunately some of the Classic Fiction has been transformed into TV series, so someone else has waded through them and done the really hard work

Of late I have read most if not all of the Tom Sharpe novels, and the entire output of Terry Pratchett "Disc World" Series........brilliantly funny authors.

My favourite genres? I particularly like Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror and Non-Fiction books on virtually any subject.

Finally, a few weeks ago I revisited my childhood by re-reading "Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The novels stand alone as general stories for children's reading, but I realise now, at my age, there is an underlying depiction of the hardship and bondage to slavery that was the norm throughout the southern States contained within the boyish adventure stories written by Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clements). Whilst I loved the books as a child, I saw them in a new light as an adult.

Shoeshine read the right books! I think she’ll agree, though, that Treasure Island (RLS’s title doesn’t have quotes Shoeshine, and neither do any of your other favourites [just constructive criticism]) is probably the best book a writer can read. The first few paragraphs really set the scene. The old pub, Admiral Benbow, Blind Pew, the treasure chest — everything. I’d recommend all novelists to read it.

JoelP —I currently have a one-hour play with BBC Radio. It’s a ‘bit different’ and I don’t expect they’ll touch it but I’m waiting! Disabled old man, former Intelligence Officer second world war, murderers the local yob aged 14. Police know who did it. Old man knows police know, but they can’t prove it. Mystery lies in how he disposed of body. Police eventually get a good lead but man dies naturally hours before they call to arrest him.

To all — if you’ve got an idea don’t play around with it, get it written. But remember, first check you’ve got a prospective market for it! All it’s going to cost you is the postage, and a few purches of the magazines, or whatever your aim is, to get a feel of the style it should be written in.

Apart from designing newspaper pages and CD labels I do nothing else but write, and it gives me a good living. If you need advice, I’m always willing to give it.

peterw, you have just, publically, advertised my fetish..:o

I love commas, inverted ones, misplaced ones, "orphaned" ones

Yes, I am well known for it, round here, they say, I can't get enough, of commas,

Full stops are anathema to me, simply can't help it, I think I may need treatment for this "commaritis" :hihi:

Yes, I will relax,(Ill have a beer) Also Barbara Cartland never actually wrote a word,but dictated her stories to her secretary.She sold an enormous amount of novels(all trash) Its the imagination you have to have,not the literary skills.

I always find that my best ideas come to me when im as far as humanly possible from either a pen or paper:(

For this reason,ive often toyed with the idea of buying a dictaphone, so I can record the idea as soon as it pops into my head(which may or may not be a good thing:hihi: )

I woke up at about 3.00am after having a strange dream with the thought that it could be shaped into a good fantasy story for the Writing Group.

As usual I went back to sleep and can't remember it this morning. Doesn't it always happen to everyone? :hihi:

If I get any deeper into this Group it seemsI have three choices. Buy a Dictaphone for the bedside, have a notebook and pen handy or the worst scenario of all......giving up a sniff of the wine cork before Morpheus turn up.

Comet here I come! :)

I woke up at about 3.00am after having a strange dream with the thought that it could be shaped into a good fantasy story for the Writing Group.

As usual I went back to sleep and can't remember it this morning. Doesn't it always happen to everyone? :hihi:

If I get any deeper into this Group it seemsI have three choices. Buy a Dictaphone for the bedside, have a notebook and pen handy or the worst scenario of all......giving up a sniff of the wine cork before Morpheus turn up.

Comet here I come! :)
I had a dream last night that I was Homer Simpson and... his daughter, I forget her name was lopping my arm off with a saw. I woke in a cold sweat and thought about trying to add it to a story.
I wish it had forgotten it now.

I woke up at about 3.00am after having a strange dream with the thought that it could be shaped into a good fantasy story for the Writing Group.

As usual I went back to sleep and can't remember it this morning. Doesn't it always happen to everyone? :hihi:

If I get any deeper into this Group it seemsI have three choices. Buy a Dictaphone for the bedside, have a notebook and pen handy or the worst scenario of all......giving up a sniff of the wine cork before Morpheus turn up.

Comet here I come! :)

Aye, the essay I entered for my GCSE open writing coursework was inspired by an alcohol induced dream I had in Zakynthos....

That metaxa is a cruel mistress......

Hi all

Okay, so what can I say about me? Well, been writing for as long as I can remember and always received support and encouragement from friends, family and teachers alike. I mainly do sci-fi and fantasy, and self-published my first short cyberpunk novel earlier this year entitled Fallen Skies: A Pocketful Of Secrets. So far it's been well-received with the second one due out very soon (this month). I'm also working on a dark fantasy epic which I'm hoping to have ready for release next year.

Influences include William Gibson, Robert Heinlein, Philip K Dick, M John Harrison, Iain M Banks, Arthur Conan Doyle, Chuck Palahniuk and Terry Pratchett (asmongst others).

Favourite all-time book: The Princess Bride

Hope the group goes well, and hope to be seeing some good writing from you guys.

Have fun for now.

MJE

Hi, I'm Jo.
I live and now, for the first time in years, work in Sheffield. I have always been known as the family bookworm - can't even remember learning to read! I think my mum may have taught me when I was still in the womb!!! I read anything, from leaflets through the door to shampoo bottles when in the loo. I especially read a lot when on holiday - I've been known to read 5 books in the first 5 days and then be forced to read them again when I have nothing left! I get totally lost in a good book, but very frustrated in a bad book.

I recently read The Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, which was a very strange book that I simply couldn't put down. I loved the Lord of the Rings books and was extremely disappointed when I could see the end of the last book approaching, but still couldn't stop reading as fast as possible.

I used to write essays, or as my teacher put it, epics, when at school. Once I left school I wrote poems about anything and everything. I haven't written a story for years though and am not sure whether I will be able to, but I'm really excited at the thought of trying.:clap:

I am an avid reader, for as long as I can remember I've had a book stashed somewhere. Glancing over my shoulder at a bookcase I see the Brontes, C. Cookson, Margaret Mitchell, Jean M Auel poets heaps of biographies and autobios., Neville Shute & James Patterson etc etc. Whether I will be counted as a writer is another thing I have written a novel, shoved in a cupboard somewhere, poetry mostly comical and a few short stories. A few years ago I joined a writers group and after that I dried as it were- so this is going to be a challenge- great, I love a challenge. Good writing everyone - Mary.

It's interesting to note that many of you, like me, were taught to read by a parent, usually Mom, before going into school. It makes you wonder about the future, where TV is an enormous influence on youngsters, and carrying out the services of a babysitter for moms who are either out working or don't have the time or skillls to teach their kids to read. This is in no way a condemnation of them but it is a shame to deprive children of one of the joys of life, the ability to read and write.

It's interesting to note that many of you, like me, were taught to read by a parent, usually Mom, before going into school. It makes you wonder about the future, where TV is an enormous influence on youngsters, and carrying out the services of a babysitter for moms who are either out working or don't have the time or skillls to teach their kids to read. This is in no way a condemnation of them but it is a shame to deprive children of one of the joys of life, the ability to read and write.

I totally agree - it seems that many parents feel it is school's job to teach their children to read. My niece is 5, can read quite fluently and has a room stuffed full of books. I love the fact that she has the same addiction that I always had, and I can see that it will probably be an addiction that will last throughout her life. I almost envy her in that she will be reading all those great books for the very first time!

I am currently reading a real page turner called "To the Ends of the Earth: The Hunt For The Jackal" by David Yallop about Carlos the Jackal. Too much info to go into but fascinating and very topical.

Hi

I'm Sam 37 year old mum of 2 from Hillsborough. I used to write all the time : poems and short stories but due to extreme stress in my family life, this has sadly not been the case of late. I need something to stimulate my brain that will also give me something to do for myself.

My only 'claim to writing fame' was being one of the infamous Kelvin Poets. Myself, petefcs and the much discussed Mozaz cobbled together a short collection of poems we'd all written about Kelvin Flats. It was self published and we sold every copy. We were minor celebs for a few weeks and you can still get hold of a copy in the library's local history section.

I love books and my house is like a library although it does seem that most if the books I read these days are kids ones with my son. We are currently on the second of the Molly Moon books and would reccommend them to anyone with young kids!

Well, that's me!

Hi all,

I love horror and thriller books. Have had a few poems published in the past but haven't written anything recently.

B

Well im not gonna write anything as long as some and id like to leave some mystery but i love reading and writing. At infant school id read every book there and started on the junior books (was proud of this hehe). Secondry school i read all the boks in that library and im almost half way through the library books at college (mostly read educational about art and stuff). I spend ALL free time (lots of it :D) reading stories on the net, nothign else to do really though. oh and uhm...name = suzanne :)

I'm Hacker, as you may have discerned already.
I've been in Sheffield 14 years, it's been even longer than that since I last did any creative writing of any length, apart from a couple of children's stories.
Treasure Island appears to be an early candidate for the group's favourite book. I love it too, having last reread it only about four years ago. However my own personal favourite is Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabakov - a beautiful chess puzzle of a book.

Grew up in a little village in the middle of nowhere in the Midlands, learnt to read before I went to school, and by the age of about 9 I'd read all the books in the village primary school, including Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth which probably helped to start me off on a life of crime. Well, crime, science fiction and fantasy largely to be more exact. By the time I was 9 or 10 I was taking about 20 SF/fantasy books out of the travelling library (which came round once a month); I'd always finished all of them by the time it came again. That's when I got into people like J.G. Ballard, Philip K. Dick and so on. Basically exhausted their supply too, then started buying books as well as reading them...

As for writing, I used to write things for the science fiction society at university, and I did once go to a creative writing class, but the only things I write now are scientific papers and reports. Hopefully I'll find time to get out of the past tense and passive voice for once.

I'm Kiddick - don't need much of an intro really.
I read a book once - I think it was green.

I can do that - I thought. So watch this space :mrgreen:

Hi y'all.
I'm the worn-out stressed-out forty-something mother of a pair of smart, funny, bleedin'-annoying teenagers.

I used to think I could write but years of working in the scientific world have stifled the creative juices a little, if it doesn't have an introduction, a method, results and conclusion, then it don't get writ!

So forgive me if it takes some time to actually submit anything.
I'll welcome constructive criticism but be gentle with me..... I don't want to be the writing groups' first hari kiri! :shakes:

:)

Alreeet peeps.
I'm DaBouncer.... yes that's right THE DaBouncer.
I'm 20 (something :suspect: ) and I'm an alcoholic... no wait... wrong group.

*cough*


Erm (chest puffed out - deep voice) Hello Everyone, I am DaBouncer.
Well... erm... I like books... they make good door stops.
I have lots of books which I haven't read, they make me look intelligent on my bookshelf. Spot the Dog... a classic and very high level reading :D

Seriously I am interested in writing scripts. I'm an avid movie fan (buff some may say) and I would love to write a horror movie which actually promotes some level of terror in today's population rather than the usual hollywood big brown pants that's released today.

That's it really. :bigsmile:

Introductions eh?...never really good at them, I'd rather just hide in the kitchen and nibble on the cheese and pineapple pieces on cocktail sticks (skewered into a cabbage wrapped in tinfoil, what ever happend to that?).

I mainly read genre fiction (Sci Fi, Horror and some fantasy), the bleaker the better in my book. I find it strange that I've read more children's fiction in my 30's than I ever did as a child (JKR & PP) but then again I was a freakish thing that just listened to Radio 4 all the time and grew up to be an older version of the the freakish thing. The first book I 'loved' was Lord of the Rings based in no small part on the Radio Four drams series.

I've often thought of developing my writing, as I've been told that I should write some of the rubbish that comes out of my mouth down (probably on the basis that I won't say it) and have had some entertaining writing sessions with friends, although these often descend into bouts of heavy red wine consumption and as a 'release' from the rather hum drum writing I tend to do as part of my job.

Don't know what to say really as no doubt you will have seen my posts on other areas of the forum

I enjoy writing short stories, nothing fancy, mainly aimed at kids, I'm doing a series about lorries that can talk and their adventures at the moment!

My nom-de-plume refers to the greatest,most prolific and underrated painter this country has ever produced - John Bratby - check him out please.
Consequently, you may gather that I'm interested in painting and the other Fine Arts, which is true.
I was trained as a multi-disciplinary artist and attended Psalter Lane and Bradford School of Art for my BA.
However, I have always had a penchant for film and theatre production ( I wanted to be a film director from a very early age and still do - sadly this will never happen, but I get vicarious pleasure when I see films made by my favourite directors:
Welles, Huston,Wilder, Mackendrick,Kurosawa,Jancso,Eisenstein to name a few.
Also, I was fortunate enough to be taken regularly to the theatre by my parents from a very early age,which again,imprinted itself and formed very favourable impressions on my putative imagination.
So I was ready: when the opportunity arose to obtain a scholarship to join the MA ‘Theatre and Film’ course at Sheffield University.
I gained so much from that course : practically and theoretically: that I became a peripatetic Scenic Artist, travelling the country from theatre to theatre. I don’t do that now because I have a family to worry about – but I still make a living painting the odd picture when I have time and helping the local ‘am dram’ people.
I’ve always written – keeping a notebook about me at all times. This helps my (very poor) short term memory to function and also helps me visualise the abstract into two dimensional images. Sometimes incorporating them into my pictures.

I’m not a bad writer for a visual artist. I hate all the jargon and gobbledegook one reads in art magazines and, unfortunately by artists themselves. Sometimes their prose is so high falutin’ and hyperbolic that it’s embarrassing – they try to justify the mediocre by using an overblown and incomprehensible style to raise it from the mundane. I’m well versed in artspeak but find it boring to write ( thesaurus in hand looking for big words to describe little things) and tedious to read.

I think I’ve outgrown all that pretentious cack and now attempt to simplify and focus the literate to the visual (oops, I’ve unwittingly sidestepped into artspeak ).

Thing of comic book prose – that’s what I want or Hemingway’s dialogue style or Pinter’s pauses.
Nice.

I’ve said enough – so unlike Vladimir and Estragon – I wont be waiting too long I hope

We're on page 4 of this Thread already, and I have read every introduction posted on it.

I am fascinated by your depth of interest in writing and also your enthusiasm for works published by various authors which are already in the public domain.

It makes it so pleasing to be involved in this Group. Thank you to all of you. :)

I always loved reading as a child and making up my own stories that my Mum would write for me. English was always my favourite lesson at School and I enjoyed all the novels we would study, I particularly fell in love with Wuthering Heights so I read Jane Eyre ( :love: ) and absolutely adored it.

A regular at Greenhill Library, I found I had read all the teenage books and was becoming quite bored with the predictable storylines and characters. My Mum owns a frankly weird amount of books so I picked up one of hers - Puffball by Fay Weldon. I was about 14 and it's still a favourite book of mine. I admire her work, mostly due to the extremely dark humour.

I started writing stories myself, though have never managed to complete a "big novel" which annoys me immensely - no self-discipline! I am, therefore, hoping that I may actually complete a *short* story. :rolleyes:

I tend to write more poetry these days and have had a fair degree of success with this, though mostly in magazines and competitions and Bereavement Newsletters etc.

I know I have at least 2 "big novels" in me, I just find it hard to be disciplined and not give up because I think my writing is, essentially, bloody terrible! :blush:

Another difficult factor is the fact that I am no longer "the writer" of the house as my (errrrm ... what shall we call him ...... ) other half? :huh: is a published writer with many articles and 3 biographies to his name. Rather than inspiring me, I think I just felt overwhelmed by his talent and gave it up.

I have also written a story for young children, though this has been turned down 3 times to date. :|

But here I am, daring to give this a go! :thumbsup:

Don't know what to say really as no doubt you will have seen my posts on other areas of the forum

I enjoy writing short stories, nothing fancy, mainly aimed at kids, I'm doing a series about lorries that can talk and their adventures at the moment!

Just to add some more, both my parents are librarians and I have been brought up with books since I was knee high to the preverbial grasshopper. I've always enjoyed reading and writing dispite getting an awful GSCE english grade :(

I prefer factual book and autoboographys to fiction but I'm just starting to get into Harry Potter.

My most embarrarsing moment book related was when my dog, not our current one, chewed her way through 3 library books and I had to explain that to my mum :o

Looking forward to being an active member of this group, thanks again to shoeshine and JoeP for setting it up

I've got writer's block already and I only wanted to post to say hi. It doesn't bode well! ...Deep breath, close eyes to that horridly blank little box in the middle of the screen and here goes.

It's been interesting to see from these intros that quite a few others have got into writing by way of lots of reading! My big brother and sister used to play schools with me when I was little so I could read by the time I was 3 and I haven't stopped since. The headmaster of my junior school asked me to dedicate my first book to him and I intend to - if ever I write it - though sadly he died a couple of years ago.

I don't seem to find time for writing any more but in the past I've written sketches, poems, children's short stories, and a layman's guide to conveyancing! Only this last was ever "published" and that was just internally to the law firm I worked for and its clients.

I'm still hunting for my "genre" and hope to get some tips from this forum. Looking forward to working with you!!

When first at school I was a little behind ( unfortunately my rear end grew in time) in my reading and found it highly embarrassing having to read in front of the whole class. Eventually I did improve and what was once a nightmare I slowly began to enjoy turning the pages and remember the first book I actually got excited about reading which was Peter Pan. Reading in the bath was a new thing and trying to read, turn the pages, not get them wet and having a wash was exhausting in itself but hey ho that was the turning point.I mean enjoying a book not the bathtime!

Now at the age of 35( by the way my name is Amanda)I enjoy books that make me laugh, cry, giggle,scare me and intrigue me to keep turning those pages, sometimes all in the same read and it's a joy.

I first started trying to put pen to paper ooooo well as a little girl I would always keep a diary but then when I went travelling around Australia for 6 months with my partner I decided to keep a journal of our adventures as felt that if I didn't write as the moment took me then I would never re-capture that feeling that we experienced.

I now look back at those memories wrote on the worn pages and giggle at the lines I wrote ( and the spelling mistakes) and glad I did. It was well worth it. At the time my partner would say what on earth are you writing, I think he was amused at such drival I would churn out and the amount of pens that I run the ink dry.

Holiday journals have now turned into various paths that my life has taken and I still enjoy adding to these. Whether I would share these with anyone is another story as currently they are for my eyes only ( mainly due to the fact I tend to talk alot too so people that know me know doubt don't want to read about it too!) on thoughts, feelings etc etc but all enjoyable to write.I think I am too shy to share and get others thoughts but feedback I am sure is helpful. I just have to take the plunge.

I look forward to being a member of the writers forum and being entertained and coming out of my shell.
Thanks for reading,
Amanda :0)

Hi there. Just thought I'd pop in to say "hi"! As a teenager (many years ago now) I always wanted to be an angry poet or writer a la Jack Kerouac. Indeed I was an angry young writer a la jack Kerouac, I just wasn't very good.

Since then I have constantly wrote, but have never had more than polite reject notes from publishers and agents. Ah well...

Anyway, now I'm married with two young kids I don't seem to be able to find the time to write like I used to. I'm hopng that by joining this group it will spur me on to produce some more work.

And in case anyone is worried, I no longer attempt to write in the style of a beat poet. :cool: Bim-badda-bim baby!

Hi, can't wait to start reading all your stories (haven't recieved my password yet :( ) i don't think i'll be submitting anything for awhile but will try to eventually!!

I've always been a big reader, i love reading. Always have done since i was little. I like crime types like Martina Cole, Harry Potter, some chick lit ('Can you keep a secret? by Sophie Kinsella brought me round to 'chick lit'), autobiogs although this is more recent so haven't read many. I like Dan Brown books (don't shoot me :P ) and then the types that you cant just put in a genre if you know what i mean. Only thing is i haven't read a book in ages :o :( been too busy and if i have free time i tend to spend it knitting now instead of reading, must address the balance abit soon i've got a few books on the bookcase that haven't been read yet...

Hi all,

Like almost everyone else on here, I was taught to read by my mother before I went to school. I got a library ticket before I was 5, this was unheard of at the time and the childrens librarian insisted I read aloud before allowing me the privilege.
I would read anything I could lay my hands on, cereal packets, the lot. If it had the printed word, then I read it. Got me into trouble at home when mum wanted an errand running. Now I work in a library and only read on holiday, but I can look at maps forever, wondering at strange placenames.
My bookshelves are groaning with recipe books, plus a few gardening, photography, wildlife and travel books.
Well, that's me.

So, can I introduce myself here if I'm not yet eligible for the "exclusive" writers membership? This is my very first post on the forum. Hopefully, I'll be on the list soon.

Anyway, hi all.

I stumbled across a mention of this writers group somewhere, and I thought I'd give it a try. I used to attend a face-to-face group in Sheffield, but it got to the stage where only a couple of people were turning up, and they weren't writing much...

I enjoy giving and receiving feedback with other writers, so I'm looking forward to getting to know you guys.

I'm currently working on my second novel - which is pretty optimistic seeing as every agent and publisher in the country seems to want to turn down my first one...

Welcome to the forum darren_sco, and welcome also to the Writer's Group. :thumbsup:

Hello darren_sco, thank you for your post here. Welcome to the Writing Group, and indeed Sheffield Forum too. :)

When your post count reaches 15 please contact either myself or Mantaspook and we will arrange for you you to receive your unique password for access to see the iyems uploaded onto the WG Special Server.

In the meanwhile you may find some threads on the general section of this Group which may be of interest to you.

ma-ka-di-ni?(that's shona-a language spoken in zimbabwe-for 'how are you?') just turned twenty eight by the way. was my birthday on the 24th. unlike most people-the ones i know-i began writing before i got into reading. my mom would read me all kinds of books-frankenstein as a bedtime story when i was six- but for some reason i would remember atotally different story and would always write it down to show her. for years she belived i was cheating on her with another mum who read me all these wierd stories. but anyway you grow up and the world moves into your head. places where people who can fly, cars that go at the speed of light, forests with trees that talk and dance suddenly become inhabited by abstact theories, equations, lies herd and promises broken and before you know it you're this kid working on having 'a real career' and 'with a good head on their shoulder'. stopped writing and started reading someone else's work. stopped dreaming. but-.****, sorry, i really am pretty cheerful if you see me. anyway, that's it. i'm Ras Kaimani Kalonji.

Thanks for the welcome folks. I'm going to have a good browse around the threads, and hopefully contribute something that won't bore you all senseless...

As seems with most people my love of reading started from an early age and has not abated since.
What do I like to read?
At the moment I have several books on the go, ( I always have)

A year with Thomas Merton ( Thomas Merton )
Seven Story Mountain ( Thomas Merton)
Status Anxiety ( Alain De Botton )
Sins of the fathers ( Lawrence Block )

I like crime, particularly Lawrence Block, whom I found purely by chance in a mobile library. Conan Doyle and all the Holmes stories. Biography, have just finished slogging my way through the biography of Winston Churchill the war years. Comedy, Garrison Keillor and Lake Wobegon is a favourite, Around Ireland with Fridge by Tony Hawks has been the most recent. Travel, The First 50 by Muriel Grey, a book about climbing the first 50 Monroes by a women you wouldn't expect to be doing it. I have climbed 1/2 a Monroe to present. My company installs expensive bathrooms so it gives me pleny of time to let my mind wander. In the comapny we have a plasterer who is a 26 year old single mum, who has cage boxing as a past time, shes also the best plasterer in sheffield. An electrician who is an ex priest. A recovering alcoholic who hasn't touched a drop for 19 years. a Lesbian Plumber who is a great singer and a rabid anti gay, anti anything other than white 60 year old joiner who will do anything for anybody. If there isn't a story in there I'm dead from the neck up.

So thats me, oh Im a plumber also and Im married to one of the worlds top metalsmiths, who has also just done the new York marathon.

Paul

Paul,
If you write a story with that bunch of characters in it... I want to read it!

To be part of this Group really is a pure pleasure. The Members, both old and new really are making it worthwhile.:)

Thank you to all of you. :thumbsup: :)

To be part of this Group really is a pure pleasure. The Members, both old and new really are making it worthwhile.:)

Thank you to all of you. :thumbsup: :)

Hey! less of the old:rant:

Hey! less of the old:rant:

I was referring to those who joined originally, coyleys, not the age of people of your advanced age. Congrats on reaching 85, by the way! :hihi:

Just thought I'd say hi to the Sheffield forum. I had no idea there would be so many writers in Sheffield; it really is a great place to be to get positive encouragement from others.

Favourite Books: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Bridget Jones's Diary, The Undomestic Goddess (bit of a mix there). Also like stylish horror and lots of kids' books.

Anyway, Hi. I look forward to getting involved in your discussions.

Regards

Stuart Renton

Hello,

I’m a 70 year old retiree who has run out of things to do around the house so I thought that I would join the group. That is, if you will have me.

I grew up in the Wicker area of Sheffield, was badly schooled locally and left at 15 to become an office boy in a local engineering company. After a decade of studies, writing numerous engineering examinations and a lot of hard work, I became a Charted Engineer. I worked 20 plus years in England, mostly in the Sheffield area.

We moved to Canada in 1974 and I joined a consulting engineering company. I was with them until retirement at the end of 2003. Although nominally based in Niagara Falls, the job took me to client’s offices and work sites all over Canada and some interesting parts of the US. In later years, I spent a lot of time in Asia

The job did involve a lot of technical reading and writing - mostly specifications and reports - so I didn’t have lot of time for distraction reading.

I have always been interested in history and geography so my reading tends towards these topics. I also read biographies. My latest read in these categories was the history of the Medici family of Florence. When the hubbub had died down, I recently read the Da Vinci Code but failed to see why so many people got their knickers in a twist over it. After all, it plainly states in the front that it is a work of fiction.

People tell me that I have a strong sense of humour (absolutely essential on a job site in the developing world), and tend to observe things in situations that other people don’t see. Therefore, I enjoy well written humour – if I can find it. I have just finished reading three books by Jeremy Clarkson.

With travelling so much and being exposed to a multitude of different situations, I think I have a treasure trove of stories that I hope to mine in the future. Failing that, I can always fall back on tales of my relations – long since deceased (only joking).

Regards

Here’s an old curriculum vitæ I dug out.

My life on the Wybourn began; well I suppose you could say it all started when I was an egg, then going though the usual evolutionary stages of embryonic development into fetus and finally baby boy, my first vague memories of this ordeal were screaming my bloody head off, and can one blame me, after all I had just spent the first nine months of my so called life in a prefect environment, the constant warm temperature, peace and quiet, food and drink on tap, what more can one ask for, then to have someone forcefully evict you into an unknown world of total chaos, also having some madman hang you upside down and slapping you on the backside.

Then to be subjected to Cold, Noise, Hunger, Ricketts, inflation and the low income and high taxation of a post war socialist government, now was not a good time to be born, a fine mess you’ve got yourself into, these thought’s I pondered as I lay in my mothers arms screaming for my first feed.

Born of Vincent and Kathleen in the year of our lord 1953. Blond hair, blue eyes and of a cantankerous dispossession,
Oh yes; I was definitely a Coyle.
My formative years were to be the responsibility of Wybourn School, I use the word “formative” very flippantly as the exchange of knowledge was very sparse to say the least. Then after numerous attempts at various apprenticeships and two or three night school courses it would seem my forte in life was to rest in the hands of St Crispin.
I am now at the age of 53 and suffering in the advanced stages of old age and poverty, with emphasis on the latter, but I keep smiling, it must be the wind.:loopy:

Here’s an old curriculum vitæ I dug out.

My life on the Wybourn began; well I suppose you could say it all started when I was an egg, then going though the usual evolutionary stages of embryonic development into fetus and finally baby boy, my first vague memories of this ordeal were screaming my bloody head off, and can one blame me, after all I had just spent the first nine months of my so called life in a prefect environment, the constant warm temperature, peace and quiet, food and drink on tap, what more can one ask for, then to have someone forcefully evict you into an unknown world of total chaos, also having some madman hang you upside down and slapping you on the backside.

Then to be subjected to Cold, Noise, Hunger, Ricketts, inflation and the low income and high taxation of a post war socialist government, now was not a good time to be born, a fine mess you’ve got yourself into, these thought’s I pondered as I lay in my mothers arms screaming for my first feed.

Born of Vincent and Kathleen in the year of our lord 1953. Blond hair, blue eyes and of a cantankerous dispossession,
Oh yes; I was definitely a Coyle.
My formative years were to be the responsibility of Wybourn School, I use the word “formative” very flippantly as the exchange of knowledge was very sparse to say the least. Then after numerous attempts at various apprenticeships and two or three night school courses it would seem my forte in life was to rest in the hands of St Crispin.
I am now at the age of 53 and suffering in the advanced stages of old age and poverty, with emphasis on the latter, but I keep smiling, it must be the wind.:loopy:

So all in all, contrary to the rest of the human race, you are happy? :hihi:

Here’s an old curriculum vitæ I dug out.

My life on the Wybourn began; well I suppose you could say it all started when I was an egg, then going though the usual evolutionary stages of embryonic development into fetus and finally baby boy, my first vague memories of this ordeal were screaming my bloody head off, and can one blame me, after all I had just spent the first nine months of my so called life in a prefect environment, the constant warm temperature, peace and quiet, food and drink on tap, what more can one ask for, then to have someone forcefully evict you into an unknown world of total chaos, also having some madman hang you upside down and slapping you on the backside.

Then to be subjected to Cold, Noise, Hunger, Ricketts, inflation and the low income and high taxation of a post war socialist government, now was not a good time to be born, a fine mess you’ve got yourself into, these thought’s I pondered as I lay in my mothers arms screaming for my first feed.

Born of Vincent and Kathleen in the year of our lord 1953. Blond hair, blue eyes and of a cantankerous dispossession,
Oh yes; I was definitely a Coyle.
My formative years were to be the responsibility of Wybourn School, I use the word “formative” very flippantly as the exchange of knowledge was very sparse to say the least. Then after numerous attempts at various apprenticeships and two or three night school courses it would seem my forte in life was to rest in the hands of St Crispin.
I am now at the age of 53 and suffering in the advanced stages of old age and poverty, with emphasis on the latter, but I keep smiling, it must be the wind.:loopy:My Auntie was called Kathleen Coyle,she wasnt your mom though.Shes dead now. Theres a lot of us Coyles about. ;)

So all in all, contrary to the rest of the human race, you are happy? :hihi:

Eeee! am r'eight chuffed lad, that I am.

Eeee! am r'eight chuffed lad, that I am.

So...the pills the doctor gave you are working at last? :hihi:

You just have to get the last word in, Shoeshine.:hihi:

So...the pills the doctor gave you are working at last? :hihi:

Pills! I rattle like a bag a mabbs.
The ointments he gave me seems to have cured my trench foot, but I’m still having trouble with my in growing cloisters.

You're all mad as sticks!!

Introducing me...
I was rubbish at english at school - I was the 'scientific type', I didn't read books. I wrote song lyrics and poetry like most teenagers though!
Then at uni I found out I had an astygmatism and that's why the words didn't stay still.
Got bitten by the reading bug when I was backpacking round Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island. We stopped at a campsite with a laundry and I picked up a book called 'Welcome to the Monkey House' by Kurt Vonnegut. Brilliant. Then I read all the classic sci-fi I could find. This is an area or great interest to me as my degree was physics and astronomy.
I then worked in France doing a snowboarding season and my resort manager had loads of books crammed into wine boxes in her tiny attic apartment. SHe gave me books like 'perfume' and 'miss smilla's feeling for snow' which I really enjoyed. Then I realised I liked reading, full stop - not just the sciency stuff.
I then made a huge mistake and trained to be a maths teacher. I had no time for books. I left teaching and now I've started to write a bit. Hey - what greater work of fiction is there than a naughty kid's report card!!!
So here I am, I have lots of ideas, but little experience. This seems like a really supportive group and I hope we will enjoy each other's work in the future.

And I'm really sorry- due to a wine spillage a year or so ago, my K key doesn't work unless I bash it, so forgive me when there is a K missing.

hello fellow creatives. im intersted in screenwiting. no oscars as yet but ive had some success in the critical reviews of my work. i write comedy. never had anything made but ive hit the post a couple of times! if anyone is interested in te same i'd be interested in speaking to them. if anyone would be interested in seeing a finished screenplay id be happy to send them a copy, dont worry you get thick skinned in this game so critisism will be taken in good heart. i wrote a book about ten years ago 350 pages took me years.i got a bit disolutioned and threw it away along with all the copies on disk when i was a bit drunk. oops i regret tat now!!

You're all mad as sticks!!


And I'm really sorry- due to a wine spillage a year or so ago, my K key doesn't work unless I bash it, so forgive me when there is a K missing.

Whatever you do......don't post a contribution regarding the *u *lux *lan and then you'll be OK. :)

Go on then, give me a good *ic*ing for posting that corny jest, I dare you! :o

'Lo all. I'm Seamus, 20.
I've not posted anything up here yet but I will do shortly. I don't tend to write fiction although I love reading it - Donald Barthelme is God.
I'm more of a poetry man, and I've had a bit of this and experimental writing published in journals and such, but I've not made much effort with submissions since to be honest. I've also read at events organized by Word Life and Creatovate in the city.
Anyway, working on a couple of things at the minute so I'll post them soon, look forward to seeing all of your work!

Evening all! I'm Kel, 23, residing in Norfolk Park. Been an avid reader my whole life (including while my mum was doing the hoovering around me when I was 2) and have been writing things ever since I can remember. My first story is possibly the one about "Slowy the Snail", also illustrated, written for my Bampy when I was barely attending Primary School. Unfortunately for Slowy the Snail, he met an untimely end and unfortunately for all my other wonderful stories, they never got all the way out of my head and usually ended up flailing around about the beginning of the middle.

Hopefully all that is going to change now! I'm enrolled in an OU course about "Writing Fiction" and I hope to get some complete stuff out of my head in the very near future.

I'm currently in the middle of Stephen King's Cell (taking a short break as I've been reading it since 3pm), my first SK book and hopefully not my last. Other favourite authors include Kathy Reichs, Dean Koontz, Christopher Pike and LJ Smith.

I hope to get chatting to some of you soon!

Whatever you do......don't post a contribution regarding the *u *lux *lan and then you'll be OK. :)

Go on then, give me a good *ic*ing for posting that corny jest, I dare you! :o

You're lucy I don't now arate, or I'd ic your bacside! :hihi:

I am considered to be a reasonable competent writer having had several articles published over the years.
It is, however, difficult to write 'cold' before ascertaining the most accepted subject matter that would appeal.
Possibly someone would care to voice that which is the more popular of topics.

I am considered to be a reasonable competent writer having had several articles published over the years.
It is, however, difficult to write 'cold' before ascertaining the most accepted subject matter that would appeal.
Possibly someone would care to voice that which is the more popular of topics.

On the SFWC you can write about any topic that takes your fancy, you write it, we’ll read it and hopefully you’ll get load of comments.
Welcome on board Heeley tyke.

On the SFWC you can write about any topic that takes your fancy, you write it, we’ll read it and hopefully you’ll get load of comments.
Welcome on board Heeley tyke.

Thanks for that but for some reason I am being told I cannot access the forum without stating name and password. This happens all too often!

Once I can access that which I want to, I shall endeavour to produce some interesting articles.

Introducing myself...
...as a reader - never without a book. As a boy I went through phases of CS Lewis, Arthur Ransome, SciFi - Heinlein and Clarke etc. Biggles. Tolkein. As an adult - Dickens, Austen, crime mysteries (Dorothy L Sayers, Michael Innes, Cadfael etc) non-fiction: history, archaeology, popular science. Contemporary children's fiction (see below). All sorts of poetry.

...as a writer - I have been involved with groups and workshops in Sheffield since the 80's, more often as a poet but I have lots of unfinished stories in drawers. Recently I have been part of a 'writing for children' group. I am also occasionally a storyteller (which for me is a different discipline from writing) and tell my versions of traditional tales, to children or adults.

In the distant past I was an archaeologist and am apt to gaze into builders' excavations (plenty of those in Sheffield) and think how I miss scraping away at the bottom of holes and finding things.

Hugh

Introducing myself...
...as a reader - never without a book. As a boy I went through phases of CS Lewis, Arthur Ransome, SciFi - Heinlein and Clarke etc. Biggles. Tolkein. As an adult - Dickens, Austen, crime mysteries (Dorothy L Sayers, Michael Innes, Cadfael etc) non-fiction: history, archaeology, popular science. Contemporary children's fiction (see below). All sorts of poetry.

...as a writer - I have been involved with groups and workshops in Sheffield since the 80's, more often as a poet but I have lots of unfinished stories in drawers. Recently I have been part of a 'writing for children' group. I am also occasionally a storyteller (which for me is a different discipline from writing) and tell my versions of traditional tales, to children or adults.

In the distant past I was an archaeologist and am apt to gaze into builders' excavations (plenty of those in Sheffield) and think how I miss scraping away at the bottom of holes and finding things.

HughWelcome to The Writers Group. Archaeologist came top of the list of jobs that people would like to do. Myself I like looking at old buildings in towns like Newark. Just admire the doors & windows, but dont suppose thats old to an archaeologist. :)

Reading is a most pleasurable pastime: writing is an art!

Reading is a most pleasurable pastime: writing is an art!

Well said Heeley tyke. !!:)

Hugh said...
In the distant past I was an archaeologist and am apt to gaze into builders' excavations (plenty of those in Sheffield) and think how I miss scraping away at the bottom of holes and finding things.


Possibly Hugh may be able to dig up something for us?

Though it may broken, with missing pieces and no obvious function.

Hugh

Hey up, one and all!

Well, I'm twenty-three years young, a Media Writing graduate that has succeeded in doing exactly nothing with his degree, and, whilst I've been writing for as long as I can remember, I've yet to see my name in print.

Like most on here, I'm obviously quite a big fan of reading fiction. I'm really into early 20th century authors at the moment, including the honest and humbling George Orwell, science genius Aldous Huxley and the masterful Graham Greene.

I'm not aversed to bestsellers - 'The Life of Pi' blew me away, and 'The Time Traveller's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger was so good it angers me a little, simply because it's the novel I wish I'd written. Having steered cleared of the mammoths of sci-fi and horror (respectively) for many years, I found I really enjoyed Michael Crichton's 'State of Fear', and 'Misery' made me realise how fine a writer Stephen King really is.

As a teenager I was most inspired by Sue Townsend and Douglas Adams. The Adrian Mole books shaped my sense of character (at times, I felt like I was actually in those stories!), and the Hitchikers and Dirk Gently series' both taught me a thing or two about humour, sci-fi and surreality.

I quite like Margret Attwood; my favourite book of hers is 'Oryx and Crake', though, on the whole, she does tend to be a little depressing for my liking. John Berger's 'Here Is Where We Meet' I found to be excellent, and Mark Gatiss is a legend in our lifetime.

As I'm currently travelling around Australia, I've had oodles of spare time to devote to reading. I've recently discovered the wonderous Bill Bryson - intelligent, self-deprecating humour at it's finest. All being said and done, however, the works of Stephen Fry always find themselves floating to the top of my favourites.

Pilon remarked...
Well, I'm twenty-three years young, a Media Writing graduate that has succeded in doing exactly nothing with his degree, and, whilst I've been writing for as long as I can remember, I've yet to see my name in print.


Many years ago, I felt the same way and I sometimes wondered if I would ever get anything published.
I know when, after submitting a novel or an article, to get nothing more than a rejection slip is frustrating to the 'n'th degree but if you keep at it, you will surely get there eventually.

I was enrolled at Park Library at a very early age and at 73 I still cannot resist the thrill of buying books. I write a little but would like to venture into other genres.

I was enrolled at Park Library at a very early age and at 73 I still cannot resist the thrill of buying books. I write a little but would like to venture into other genres.

Reading can enrich your life; writing can enrich many other lives.
Your writing doesn't have to be deathless prose, merely an interpretation of your own expressions.

Reading can enrich your life; writing can enrich many other lives.
Your writing doesn't have to be deathless prose, merely an interpretation of your own expressions.

I am planning signing on for a Creative Writing course at the O.U. next year. I feel that by joining this class I will pick up,a lot of helpful tips. I live in the chalet flats on Derby Terrace and as I am disabled I do not get out much. I am looking forward to some literary conversation. I was pointed in this direction by John Robson, super poet and all round gentleman. :help:

I am planning signing on for a Creative Writing course at the O.U. next year. I feel that by joining this class I will pick up,a lot of helpful tips. I live in the chalet flats on Derby Terrace and as I am disabled I do not get out much. I am looking forward to some literary conversation. I was pointed in this direction by John Robson, super poet and all round gentleman. :help:

I wish you every success with this course.
Developing a writing skill will ensure a great deal of pleasure and should engender some very absorbing interest.

Hi from a pre-war baby (not Gulf - WW2). Done most jobs that require a strong back and a weak mind, and one or two that required a strong mind. Tried a few short stories and a 'childhood memories' work, but felt prompted to join the group as I'd like to feature a bit about the fast approaching July 1st.
Good Luck to all!

July 1st 2007
Ode to a passing cloud

This is a very special day
And clean air really is a must
So will we all be healthier
As liberty now bites the dust?

"Do as you're told" - not as you please
Is the age old cry
Although you cannot smoke the things
There's plenty you can buy

The pubs are fresh and clean now
And sell food like a feast
But hospitals may soon be full
Of the morbidly obese

Will they recoup the revenue
Of tax on every puff
Or will the crafty devils just
Increase the tax on snuff?

Old men will miss their dominoes,
A beer, a chat, a smoke
And die of fresh air and loneliness
That surely is no joke

Where will it end, this nanny state,
What will the fools do next -
Impose a tax on breathing air
And a supertax on sex?


Observations of a non-smoker.

A very cleverly composed poem, pensionipper....

And how true the sentiments. :)

I have posted but not introduced myself properly. I am 73, live alone but with limited mobility. I have read anything, any where and at any time. At meal times I would read labels on jam jars, rent books and instructions for using tools. At the age of 57 I started an intense education programme, learning any thing that came my way. Writing is a different story, the ambition is here but the capabilities need attention. At school my efforts always trailed away at the end, I digressed and lost the plot. I have a B.A. in Eng. Lit. which helps me a little. My greatest love is poetry and Shakespeare is the love of my life. (What did I say about ambitions?)

July 1st 2007
Ode to a passing cloud

This is a very special day
And clean air really is a must
So will we all be healthier
As liberty now bites the dust?

"Do as you're told" - not as you please
Is the age old cry
Although you cannot smoke the things
There's plenty you can buy

The pubs are fresh and clean now
And sell food like a feast
But hospitals may soon be full
Of the morbidly obese

Will they recoup the revenue
Of tax on every puff
Or will the crafty devils just
Increase the tax on snuff?

Old men will miss their dominoes,
A beer, a chat, a smoke
And die of fresh air and loneliness
That surely is no joke

Where will it end, this nanny state,
What will the fools do next -
Impose a tax on breathing air
And a supertax on sex?


Observations of a non-smoker.

This is a very good satire on the July 1st restrictions on smoking.
I stopped smoking 20 years ago but I still don't object to those who wish to enjoy a cig in a pub or club.
I remember when the majority of people smoked. It was not considered immoral or annoying. Times change, however and we must now await a new ban on a different pastime.
How about banning drinking in public and only allowing consumption of alcohol in one's own home?
Sex can cause heart attacks. How about putting a restraint on the number of times one may indulge in sex on the grounds of 'Health and Safety'?
Overeating can be fatal. What about issuing ration cards that will only allow people to buy as much as they can exist on?

This, I know, is written with tongue in cheek... For God's sake, don't let any budding politician decide it's a good idea!

I've only just found this forum, so hello!

I write constantly, mostly the tales of a fictional town called Laverstone near London. Many of these are posted publicly on Blogspot as a marketing measure for the books. I also write non fiction, poetry and short fiction.

I hope to join in sometime soon.

Rachel

I remember when the majority of people smoked. It was not considered immoral or annoying. Times change, however and we must now await a new ban on a different pastime....


I concur. I was saying only the other day that as cars cause more fatalities than cigarettes, we should ban those from public places too.

Hi I'm Sarah. I live in Hackenthorpe. I'm on a WEA writers course at the moment and eager to do more! (Anyone know of anything on over the Summer?) My favourite books / authors are:

Ray Bradbury
Joolz Denby
Iain Banks
Martin Millar
Jeff Noon
Robert Holdstock
and lots of others besides!

I like the urband fantasy genre - takes reality and stretches it a little..

I'm writing a novel - kind of supernatural thriller meets road protesters..

I really enjoy writing!!!!!

Hi I'm Sarah. I live in Hackenthorpe. I'm on a WEA writers course at the moment and eager to do more! (Anyone know of anything on over the Summer?) My favourite books / authors are:

Ray Bradbury
Joolz Denby
Iain Banks
Martin Millar
Jeff Noon
Robert Holdstock
and lots of others besides!

I like the urband fantasy genre - takes reality and stretches it a little..

I'm writing a novel - kind of supernatural thriller meets road protesters..

I really enjoy writing!!!!! Ray Bradbury is also one of my favourite authors sarah. Good luck with the novel.

Hello, I'm Stuart, a poet, and I moved to Sheffield at the end of March.

Have only written one thing since then - I'm still in a settling-in period here so not got much on the writing brain. A couple of neat ideas in the pipeline though, I hope!

See y'all round

Stu

I like the urban fantasy genre - takes reality and stretches it a little..



I write urban fantasy; the supernatural rubbing shoulders with the mundane.

Hello there. Been in Sheffield a while, but am a recent SF visitor. Work from home editing and proof-reading (very hit and miss job, you get nothing for weeks and then 3 rush jobs at once) and also transcribe medical notes and produce PowerPoint documents for a surgeon friend of mine (which is fine but he is a colorectal surgeon, no more need be said). Still looking for a more steady workflow, but in the meantime am toying with retraining or selling out to the ratrace, as I have a large mortgage to pay on my own now.

Hello there. Been in Sheffield a while, but am a recent SF visitor. Work from home editing and proof-reading (very hit and miss job, you get nothing for weeks and then 3 rush jobs at once) and also transcribe medical notes and produce PowerPoint documents for a surgeon friend of mine (which is fine but he is a colorectal surgeon, no more need be said). Still looking for a more steady workflow, but in the meantime am toying with retraining or selling out to the ratrace, as I have a large mortgage to pay on my own now.

Welcome maramcp I am a new member myself, doing my third degree but love anything to do with reading and writing. I have read some brilliant stories on the Forum and it makes me a little unsure of my meagre writings. Here's to when we see our name in print.

Hi there maramcp

Sounds interesting, Leatherdykeuk. I am summoning up the courage to do some more writing, but today an trying to find my desk under mountains of paperwork. Back later.

Hello. I'm new here, although I have posted in a couple of other threads. I've written a bit, worked as an editor, and now am a full-time mother who still does not have enough time for writing!

Hi Peacock!
There's never enough time for writing!

Hello, I'm Georgia - I've just moved to Sheffield from Brighton and took leave of a very lovely writer's group in so doing. I'd like to go to a real life group as a way of getting to meet people and was wondering if there were any around... Also, I'm dead keen to start doing a bit of proofing/editing/copy-writing but am a bit stuck as to how to go about it. Any ideas anybody? Suggestions much appreciated...

Let me know if you find one please, Georgia; I'd be interested in joining one too.

Leatherdykeuk, I think I've seen you somewhere else: do you ever comment on Susan Hill's blog?

Hello Blusky here.

First post on writer's forum. Have had articles published many years ago in afew newspapers but working 9-5 now (kids mortgage etc). I'm a bit rusty but I am hoping to post a short story on th August theme next week.

Does anyone know if you can use light swear words within a story?
Nothing offensive as such but just part of the story.

Leatherdykeuk, I think I've seen you somewhere else: do you ever comment on Susan Hill's blog?

Indeed I do :)

Have you signed up for her writing course?

Yes, although I've seen so much crossness over there lately I'm not sure if I'll stick it out!

Crossness?
Oh dear. I shall have to take a look shortly.

Hello Blusky here.

First post on writer's forum. Have had articles published many years ago in afew newspapers but working 9-5 now (kids mortgage etc). I'm a bit rusty but I am hoping to post a short story on th August theme next week.

Does anyone know if you can use light swear words within a story?
Nothing offensive as such but just part of the story.

I use censored bad words in my wrestling stories and I haven't been pulled up for it yet.

*Touches wood*

Hi Guys the names Deadstar and I've just posted my first story called Jass. It took me about 4 hours to do the first chapter. The spelling is probably terrible but have a read and see what you think.

Sorry Deadstar. I'm not a member yet so I can't read it. I do like your Dore icon, though.

Hello everyone! I've just joined the group and thought I'd give y'all little introduction.

I've new to all this, I think I can become a keen amateur and I'm looking forward to getting something posted and having a few people look at it - hopefully there's some sympathetic eyes who can give me some constructive pointers to help me along. I'm going to cobble together for the October theme. A bit nervous, but hey....

Taking a quick look at my bookshelf my favorite authors are Hanif Hureshi, Martin Amis, Julian Barnes and Roddy Doyle - I like writers who give a little of themselves in their work, or put a little fascination into the more ordinary or mundane aspects of lives, and aren't afraid to be unconventional.

So! There we are then - looking forward to getting started!

Nice to meet you jgsafc :)

Nice to have you on board, jgsafc.:thumbsup:

Welcome jgsafc, I'm a new girl myself so you are in good company. All the best Mave

Thanks people!

Thanks people!

Welcome to the Sheffield Writers Group. :)

My wife dragged me off last night with our 6 year old granddaughter Megan to an audtion put on by the Women's club. The purpose was to raise funds for an alcohol free party for next years high sdhool graduation. Theyve been doing it for years. Anyway Megan caught sight of an antique baby doll in a wicker work carriage that she " simply had to have " and demanded a dollar from me to buy it. I tried to explain that the dollar was for the paddle you held up for a bid. The item was number 48 on the list. As the list was worked through with excruciating slowness, Megan became more and more anxious.
Finally the magic moment came. Megan, sat beside me, was trembling with fear that it may not be hers. I made an opening bid of 5 dollars, dead silence. Could it be mine for that money? Then an old lady at six dollars, instant counter by me at seven. So it went slowly by her, instantaneously by me until at 17 she capitulated. The auctioneer slowly intoned " going, going " Megan not breathing at all. Then "sold!!!" .
Yells of delight and high fives from Poppa and Meg, oohs and aahs from ladies at this moment of family, and glares at the old dear that had made us bid high. While charitable ,the word that almost came to me was one I'd remembered from England, something to do with a bovine.

...the old dear that had made us bid high. While charitable ,the word that almost came to me was one I'd remembered from England, something to do with a bovine.

Lowing perhaps???

Hiya, to introduce myself: I've long been an avid reader, starting off on Sci-Fi like Asimov and Clarke - actually it really started off with Rupert the Bear and TinTin but my serious reading began with all things spacey. Nowadays I read from a much wider list although I do still like Sci-Fi, my favourite author is Chuck Palahuik - I've never read a book of his I didn't really like, mostly for his laconic/anything goes tone. I do really like reading different writing styles, I recently finished "The Horse Whisper", which was well written if well melodramatic! Ian Rankin and Le Carre are another couple of authors who have recently got my eyeballs glued as it were.

I've been writing short stories and songs for years, though lately mainly songs and an embryonic book. I don't have time for much writing (I write the book longhand because it means I can do it anywhere, rather than sitting in front of the computer, which I do enough of as it is) but would like to practise some writing outside of the novel!

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP LIST Last updated 11/11/2007

New for 2007, we’ve introduced a traffic light system to highlight the writer’s story contributions to the forum.

Black = no stories uploaded
Red = 1 to 5 stories uploaded
Amber = 6 to 15 stories uploaded
Green = 16 to 30 stories uploaded

redrobbo



Please note that on my last count I have had at least 16 short stories published. Because of technical difficulties (i.e., I haven't a clue how to upload my stories!) I rely upon Mantaspook to get them published. I think you may have overlooked my contributions therefore?
Can I move up from red to green please?

Due to health problems, I have been away from SF for several months, and currently must restrict my time in front of the computer screen. I am now on the mend and hope to be restored to better health by the New Year - when I anticipate returning to SF for longer periods, hopefully, with a new short story.

redrobbo

Please note that on my last count I have had at least 16 short stories published. Because of technical difficulties (i.e., I haven't a clue how to upload my stories!) I rely upon Mantaspook to get them published. I think you may have overlooked my contributions therefore?
Can I move up from red to green please?

Due to health problems, I have been away from SF for several months, and currently must restrict my time in front of the computer screen. I am now on the mend and hope to be restored to better health by the New Year - when I anticipate returning to SF for longer periods, hopefully, with a new short story.

redrobboGood to have you back, you have been missed. I'm so pleased you are on the mend I have been worried about you.
My thoughts are with you Love Tatty Dumps X

It's good to hear you're on the mend, redrobbo.

We've all been wondering where you disappeared to.... I thought you maybe had taken to living in a cave in Snowdonia. ;)

You may not be aware, but I am no longer a Co-Leader on this Group, although my username remains on the banner shown on the opening page of the Group. I expect it will be removed at some stage soon. In the meantime I'm sharpening my quill and intend to make future contributions to this Group. :)

I'm sure your personal "Traffic Light" will be changed from STOP to GO in due course. :hihi:

Best wishes for a very speedy recovery and we all look forward to your return.

I suspect that several members of the writing group are showing the wrong colours in the "traffic lights".
Probably more worrying is that several are showing the correct ones and haven't posted any writing yet.

Good to have you back, redrobbo. I've missed your stories! :)

Oh, and welcome, Malanimal. Look forward to reading some of your writings soon! :)

Hello,

My Nom D'Internet comes from a name I spotted on a menu in Lanzarote. Apparently it means "white rum" but I only discovered this when I introduced myself to a local lady in a bar as Ron Blanco and she returned with a Bacardi!

I've joined a book club to encourage me to read more.

I've joined this section to encourage me to write.

I have this (probably stupid) idea to write a book of amusing letters aimed at highlighting the ludicrous nature of some situations we encounter in everyday life. I am quite a long way along the line already as I have quite a detailed plan of attack: (1) I need to develop a sense of humour and (2) I need to think of some ludicrous situations.

I'm also looking forward to reading other people's work,

cheerio

welcome to the Writing Group. I'll look forward to seeing your writing on here.

Hello everyone. I have been many things in my life so far. A factory worker, a courier, an electrician, a computer programmer, bouncy castle operator, sales man, special constable. But one thing and one thing alone has not changed trough out my life. An interest and a passion to write. I have written many things, I have never had anything published. I am, at best, an enthusiatic amateur. But still I write. I hope to share some of my little short stories with you to see what you think. I hope you enjoy them, but even if you don't, I will enjoy and appreciate your words.

Welcome aboard Ron Blanco and MWhately, I will look forward to reading some of your work, I think you will enjoy the group. :thumbsup:

Welcome aboard Ron Blanco and MWhately, I will look forward to reading some of your work, I think you will enjoy the group. :thumbsup:

MWhateley has now taken the plunge with a first story on the Writer's Group. I hope everyone will have a read and comment - as requested.

Hello everyone,

I haven't done any creative writing for a long time but I've been lurking round the Writers' Group for a while - I thought it was time to take the plunge!

I'm an English Lit student, about to embark on a PhD, which means that most of the writing I do is analytical rather than creative - hopefully that'll help when commenting on other people's work...!

I've been published twice (;)) - one letter in the Guardian that I was ridiculously proud of, and a poem in the Roald Dahl Foundation-backed 'Wondercrump Poetry', (http://www.booksforkeeps.co.uk/issues/89/7098) written when I was 11 and submitted by a cheeky English teacher without my knowledge.

I'm really looking forward to getting involved with the group!

*goes off to think about subplots*

Jess

Welcome to the group. I cant wait to read some of your work. I too have been thinking about subplots. I ,hopefully, should have my new offering, A spark of Genius, up on the forum in the next week. This time I will really try to stop the typos.

Hello, I'm 43 and from a typical Sheffield council housing estate background, (tempted to say working class but I feel that would be a very old fashioned excuse for being poor) I started writing when I discovered the power of the word processer about five years ago. I'm poorly educated but I have always known I had to create and always have. Art and music were always my outlets in the past, serves me right for believing my teachers when I was told I was thick I suppose. I like to think I can write a few poems from time to time but I am too self critical I think, and this often means I dont finish things. I'm also half way though an attempt at a novel and sadly have been for a long time. I am hoping that my involvment in this group will give me a little encouragement to continue and develop. I will try to get involved to feedback to others in the group but will only be able to say how I feel about peoples work without getting technical as I am after all a bit thick.

Welcome, scotty 225. Good to have you on board. And by the way, don't put yourself down! A poor education is more a reflection on the teachers than the pupil and you don't sound at all thick to me :)

Nice to have you onboard Scotty, I think you will like the group, some of us are a bit crazy but the rest are ok.
When joining the group, I was, like yourself very indecisive.....

I will try to get involved to feedback to others in the group but will only be able to say how I feel about peoples work without getting technical as I am after all a bit thick.

But after a couple of years with the group, I now think more positive (I am thick) :hihi: so leave the self denigration to me and let’s get creative. Have Fun. :thumbsup:

Hi everyone, I'm Tallyman, a youthful-looking 49 with chiseled features, swept back hair and a determined jawline; firm and resolute, yet impish and endearing to the ladies...

Or perhaps not. But I am 49.

Although I joined the writers' group a while ago, I've not contributed anything yet. Hopefully, I'll get my act together shortly!

I started writing when I was 7, clumping out short stories on an old Olympia typewriter, battering away onto small sheets of lined paper torn from a reporter's ringbound notebook. They were short stories, and all lost now.

Since then, I've improved my style to the point that I can write a very interesting first chapter. In fact, I've got a lot of very interesting first chapters; it's the subsequent chapters I have problems with!

I've written a couple of TV scripts, both of which were rejected (of course), but not without supportive comments, usually from someone in the 'let them down gently' department...

I'm going to try and upload something in the next day or two. It's not related to the current topic, I'm afraid, but I would appreciate comments and feedback if you'd care to leave any.

Welcome, Tallyman. Already read your first contribution and very impressed :)

Hello again, just to say welcome and really looking forward to reading more af your work.

Hello. Just like to introduce myself to the Writers Group ( I went back to put the w and g in capitals. It seemed appropriate!)
I'm very new to writing. Apart from a few very short personal stories/poems, my writing has been restricted to stuff I have to do for work.
Work. Hmm.
Think the less said the better. Almost 30 years teaching in F.E. in the performing arts department. And now, complete meltdown. But, I'm really not here for therapy.
As a visual artist/designer, I feel that my creativity has been sadly neglected over the years due to the constraints of having to pay the bills. However, I never contemplated writing as a creative outlet. My story came looking for me. In the form of a screenplay. I suppose with my many years of script-reading and play and (preferably) film-watching, it was a natural development.But I still have the feeling of having been left to look after someone else's baby and slowly realising that the mother isn't coming back!
I have been working on my story now for over a year. I'm not pushing it and sometimes write nothing for many weeks. But, its always there and I'm constantly thinking about my characters and their relationships and the journeys they are going on. The structure is complete-and with various alternative endings. What I am struggling with is the dialogue and it comes in fits and starts. Its something I hope to get feedback on from the group although, out of context, it might not work? Have to write in pencil and paper and word-pro it later-it feels more organic like that, but also very labourious.
So, I'm looking forward to being a member here and ( when I get a password ) reading everyone's work.

Hi, I have been a lurker on the group for a while, as long as I have been on the forum. Sadly I haven’t written any fiction for a long time, - due to life, and being immersed in academia. However life has changed direction recently and so have I and am now picking things up that I have left for far too long. I enjoy somewhat ‘dark’ stories, and many of mine seem to go that way, as well as religious twists. I have a few semi autobiographical things bursting to get out and so hope to share those with you... and if anyone knows a good writers group in the Heeley area that is open to new members I would love to meet up with people face to face as well as chatting over this cyber garden wall.

Hi, I have been a lurker on the group for a while, as long as I have been on the forum. Sadly I haven’t written any fiction for a long time, - due to life, and being immersed in academia. However life has changed direction recently and so have I and am now picking things up that I have left for far too long. I enjoy somewhat ‘dark’ stories, and many of mine seem to go that way, as well as religious twists. I have a few semi autobiographical things bursting to get out and so hope to share those with you... and if anyone knows a good writers group in the Heeley area that is open to new members I would love to meet up with people face to face as well as chatting over this cyber garden wall.
Hello - I too live in the Heeley area and as yet have not heard of any writing groups. Sadly if there were I would not be able to attend as I am disabled and don't get out much. At the moment I am just finishing a Humanities course through Open Uni and have registered for Creative Writing towards my third degree. This way I am hoping to write constructively and talk 'over the cyber garden wall' with like-minded folk. If I hear of anything I will let you know. Tatty Dumps.

Hello - I too live in the Heeley area and as yet have not heard of any writing groups. Sadly if there were I would not be able to attend as I am disabled and don't get out much. At the moment I am just finishing a Humanities course through Open Uni and have registered for Creative Writing towards my third degree. This way I am hoping to write constructively and talk 'over the cyber garden wall' with like-minded folk. If I hear of anything I will let you know. Tatty Dumps.

Thanks Tatty, I have not been getting out much either as I hae been ill for a while ( heart probs), thankfully my meds have helped and I am getting out more and more. The creative writing course sounds interetsing. Is that with the OU too???

Hello there. I used to go to Heeley Writers years ago but since I moved away I'm not sure if they are still running. They met on Sunday evenings at about 7.30 in the community Hall.

Thanks Tatty, I have not been getting out much either as I hae been ill for a while ( heart probs), thankfully my meds have helped and I am getting out more and more. The creative writing course sounds interetsing. Is that with the OU too???

Hi Shullie - you're welcome. Yes the Creative Writing is with the OU as well. I'm lucky in that I have a lot of credits which I have been able to transfer from Sheffield Uni and I have only another course to do at level 3 and I've done my degree. They have introduced an advanced Creative Writing course at level 3 so naturally I will be registering for that one next year. The OU are very supportive with disabled people - for instance I can't write because of arthritus so I am allowed to do all my work on computer even exams. It is expensive, £610 per 60 credits but at 74 what else have I to spend my money on. Good luck with your writing (I haven't submitted anything yet) I have a 3 month break during the summer so I may get my head down.

Hi all... er... well, I'm doing a creative writing course at a local adult learning centre and I'm enjoying it thoroughly. I figure that if there's an opportunity to have your work looked at and critiqued by a wider range of people then that's all good. Plus, I also really enjoy reading other people's work. One of the best things about the course I'm doing is that even the least confident of my class mates have brought work in that has made me go 'Yeah, that's cool'.

I have done a couple of stories but I prefer poetry. I am not prolific at all so I don't have much work to show people, but there's plenty of time eh?

Thanks a lot...

Hi Shullie, Tatty Dumps & Fivetide - welcome to the group. I've only been an active writing member for a couple of months, but I'm finding it really interesting - putting your own work up for scrutiny and criticism can be daunting, but I've found everyone to be very supportive and constructively critical. It's also been a real treat to read other people's work - there are some fine writers here! I look forward to reading anything you'd care to submit when you're ready :)

Hi all... er... well, I'm doing a creative writing course at a local adult learning centre and I'm enjoying it thoroughly. I figure that if there's an opportunity to have your work looked at and critiqued by a wider range of people then that's all good. Plus, I also really enjoy reading other people's work. One of the best things about the course I'm doing is that even the least confident of my class mates have brought work in that has made me go 'Yeah, that's cool'.

I have done a couple of stories but I prefer poetry. I am not prolific at all so I don't have much work to show people, but there's plenty of time eh?

Thanks a lot...

OOOoo which local adult learning centre...?? I do go to one many many years ago @ Mytrle Springs as it was then...

Hi Shullie - you're welcome. Yes the Creative Writing is with the OU as well. I'm lucky in that I have a lot of credits which I have been able to transfer from Sheffield Uni and I have only another course to do at level 3 and I've done my degree. They have introduced an advanced Creative Writing course at level 3 so naturally I will be registering for that one next year. The OU are very supportive with disabled people - for instance I can't write because of arthritus so I am allowed to do all my work on computer even exams. It is expensive, £610 per 60 credits but at 74 what else have I to spend my money on. Good luck with your writing (I haven't submitted anything yet) I have a 3 month break during the summer so I may get my head down.

may have a look @ the OU one.... I know about the creative writeing MA @ SHU as I use to work there and it was adminstrated on the desk across from me. :)

But I want one where I meet people and get to bounce ideas around.. I feel that I have been in the house for far to long... so I want to get out and meet like minded people!

OOOoo which local adult learning centre...?? I do go to one many many years ago @ Mytrle Springs as it was then...

Hi Shullie
I also went to Myrtle Springs Creative Writing classes - teacher Sue Gladstone. Does Meadowhall ring any bells? Tatty Dumps.

I've been at The Institute for Lifelong Learning, West Street. It's got some very supportive staff, luckily for me.

;)

Hi Shullie
I also went to Myrtle Springs Creative Writing classes - teacher Sue Gladstone. Does Meadowhall ring any bells? Tatty Dumps.

fraid not... where you there when the tail of the lettuce with added protien was told! ;)

I've been at The Institute for Lifelong Learning, West Street. It's got some very supportive staff, luckily for me.

;)

I did my access course there many years ago.. and know a few of the lecturers... I hadn't thought about going back... hmmm will have to have a look :)

Hi there.Awaiting paasword to enable me to get some work on the Forum
Writing is my passion.
Having Aspergers syndrome, things are easier to explain when it is down on paper and it then becomes clearer in my head.I then have the benefit of being able to backspace and delete what my brain thought of too quickly, whereas with the spoken word, I cannot do that, only apologise if I said something without thinking.
Well.
I am 47 years old. Had lived for 20 years in Meersbrook/Norton lees area and 3 years ago moved to the windy district or student land..Crookes of course.have 2 offspring and 1 husband
I son aged 18 on the autistic spectrum,one daughter aged 12 who is doing really well at school
Things are difficult at the moment as I am trying to start up my own home based business as a training Company called The Aspergers Training Company and Consultancy
There are issues around where the money will come for it, but it is early days yet so trying not to get too despondant.
I enjoy raising awareness about subjects that no one wants to tackle, some are a bit controversial so my writing is usually informative pieces around political issues such as Disability awareness, working and regeneration of Sheffield as a city

Nice to have you onboard Shullie, Tatty Dumps, Fivetide and Espadrille.
Look forward to reading some of your writing.

Nice to have you onboard Shullie, Tatty Dumps, Fivetide and Espadrille.
Look forward to reading some of your writing.

Thank you so much Coyley. I have read much of the work and there is a lot of talent out there. I have a few thoughts running round my "brain" but I'm not sure how to upload them . Perhaps someone may be able to guide me on this. Best wishes to all. Tatty Dumps.

Thank you so much Coyley. I have read much of the work and there is a lot of talent out there. I have a few thoughts running round my "brain" but I'm not sure how to upload them . Perhaps someone may be able to guide me on this. Best wishes to all. Tatty Dumps.

Tatty Dumps - Have you been to the 'Uploading and Downloading your work' topic at the top of the Writers' Group page?
There is a link in there which takes you here (http://www.communitynet.org.uk/SFWriters/instructions.php).

You could save a small test in Word or something and experiment with uploading. It took me a few goes :)

Yep. Welcome all. The more the.... well and all that, The less said about getting merry the better. I'm looking forward to reading your work and you telling me I can't smell.

Yep. Welcome all. The more the.... well and all that, The less said about getting merry the better. I'm looking forward to reading your work and you telling me I can't smell.

Did you mean spell??

see!! you've started already

Boom! Boom!

nice to start the day with a chuckle

Hi everybody,
How are you all doing?

My name is Paul Arnold. I am a writer from Sheffield and am extremely excited because I have just had my first novel released.

'SpaceCoyotes and the Secret of the Blue Planet' was written together with my writing partner Fredric Alcock and is aimed at 8+ children or in fact anyone who has a even a tiny spark of a child left within them.

After being a musician and songwriter for many years (but always dreaming of writing a novel) this was my first attempt at constructing anything longer than two verses, a chorus and a bridge. Having received such wonderful support from everyone I meet, I thought I would join up and offer my own support to all the other writers out there.

Keep putting pen to paper. Hope to be talk to you all through the forum soon.
Paul.

Congratulations Spacecoyote, and welcome to the group! Good to have you on board :)

Congratulations Spacecoyote, and welcome to the group! Good to have you on board :)

Great Avatar!

Congratulations Spacetcoyote. It must have felt like delivering a baby - at least that's the feeling I got, as a female, when I completed my first essay at University. Well done Tatty Dumps

Great Avatar!

Thank you - it's a reflection of what I do best...!

Hello Sheffield Writers!

I am a veteran of random internet writers groups, but decided to seek out a Sheffield Writers group (as Sheffield people are the best). Found this group and signed up to the forum, (probably too hastily, hence the missing 'k' in my name...) Just goes to show my excitement. (If anyone know's how to change that, let me know!)

I live in Hillsborough and have been writing for quite a while. Did an OU course in writing a few years ago, read the all the Swain's and Maass's on writing technique, and recently pulled out that dusty manuscript (The Pader Cloak) for a thorough overhaul.

Not long finished a 82000 word thesis at Sheffield Uni, not fiction, but a good practice at stamina :)

I try to read as widely as I can, but tend towards world fiction, fantasy and literary works.

Currently Reading Desai's Inheritance of Loss and Soseki's I am a Cat.
Currently writing a semi-fantasy (slipstream/cross-over/borderline) novel.

Looking forward to sharing the writing experience with you all!

Pader Cloak
xx

Hey Writers, I'm a bit arty crafty and dabble in poems occasionally. I usually read Sci-Fi and a little Fantasy, but my poetry is a very mixed bag with little Sci-Fi in (go figure). I usually squeeze it in between work, WoW and family (5 siblings :help:)

You may see me pop up from time to time when the urge takes me and I have to create (and I am very good at creating.....:hihi:) so be gentle with me.

Squeejie

Hi there,

I am a Journalism Student at Uni of Shef and have done quite a bit of online writing and blogging over the last couple of years. I have always loved writing fantasy and, every now and again, poetry. So I thought I would try and distance myself a bit from the newsy stuff I have been doing on my course and try and get back in touch with my more creative side.

redpixierose

I suppose I'd better say hello as I've been here a while and not done so.

Greetings people!

I'm a resident author on the Words & Things website. It's mainly poetry, but we have a few new interesting things coming soon to do with the written and spoken word!

I'm also one of the organisers for a poetry evening held at the Roebuck Tavern on a regular basis.

I mainly write poetry and lyrics, although I have been known to just write my thoughts and publish those as well. It'd also be good to meet like minded people off here to chat over a pint or two of the good stuff so if anybody fancies it sometime, give us a shout.

If you want to know what I'm about, I've just put some of my work up on here, but also checkout the website on my signature. We're always looking for new people to submit work too so feel free.

Nice to meet you all!

L.S. III

Hi,

I've spent years thinking about writing a fictional book. I spend so much time programming and writing technical documentation, that when I relax I just enjoy reading rather than more writing.

However I feel I will be back here and make a start on one of my many planned novels.

When it comes to literature I am a complete novice, so i'll be very open to some constructive criticism and expecting a lot.

R

Pader Cloak, Squeeji, Leviathan13, Redpixierose & Thecrookes - welcome to the group and apologies if in some cases it's a bit belated!

To Thecrookes especially, if it's any help, I've found it good practice to start by writing short, manageable pieces, just two or three pages if that, but based around Mantaspook's monthly theme - that way, you can try out just one aspect of your writing without having to think of the whole complicated picture of a full novel.

You'll get good, constructive, positive criticism here, in a friendly environment :)

Hi All,

Here's me, then, as best as I can tell it. I've been a bookworm all my life - all fantasy and quests when I was little, discovered Stephen King when I was 12 and read only gory books for a couple of years plus anything else fun in the local library. What stories I wrote were usually to show off to other kids about the gory scenes I could come up with from reading lots of books I shouldn't :rolleyes:

At about 15 the biggest artistic influences on me started to hit - I got sent Poor Things by Alasdair Gray as book-of-the-month in a book club and was entranced, read Lanark and I was hooked; I also created problem 1 with any writing ambition I've had since, as I keep dreaming of wierd and wonderful typographical tricks I could use rather than getting on with the substance. (I do love Mark Danielewski's stuff, although Only Revolutions tries for an epic quality that the writing isn't quite deep enough to deliver - the book itself is beautiful however). I got into David Lynch, via Twin Peaks of course, and then Nic Roeg. Then I read Ulysses - or rather got a third of the way through, gave up perplexed, started again, finished it, was gobsmacked, started yet again, finished it again and have been obsessed since. Problem 2 - geting hooked on writers as clever as Joyce (or Pynchon for that matter) had the effect that I kept hoping to emulate that genius straight away, which I've come to accept is a bit of a steep aspiration even for a full and productive writing career - especially whilst my own written work is still mainly in daydreams and not on paper. Ulysses and Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy are the two novels which feel to me like absolute perfection - not just great but melt-in-the-mouth perfect. I'd like to add Finnegans Wake to that list as I love it to bits, but I honestly have not the foggiest idea what most of it's about.

Writing-wise I wrote for a music/theatre review site for a couple of years before my son was born, and co-edited my student paper. However, after various bits of dabbling, I finally want to actually learn to write fiction, starting with the short bits, the basics, actual stories which might someday be part of the grand conceptual ideas I keep having which need a better writer than me to deliver (but still one I could become?). I've failed at the first hurdle so far, because I've been what my father-in-law calls an artillery-man: a 'gunner' or 'gonna' as in 'oh yeah, I'm going to write this great epic translating the Divine Comedy onto a road trip hitching down the M1' whilst actually producing, er, nothing. Rubbish innit? So, with a good chunk of humility on board, joining the writers group here is my starting point. I'm going to try and do something for each monthly topic and to use what skills I have as a reader/editor to provide useful feedback to others in return. It may be rubbish to start with but I'm on a mission!!! :thumbsup:

Here's to new beginnings...now to start working on getting my name in colour on Mantaspooks list :)

Welcome to the Writers' Group, ingold :)

I hope you find this a good place to try out your writing, and I look forward to reading your work!

Hi all!!!
It has been too long since i've been on. I got excited when i saw this thread - i love writing but lack confidence and yet always wondered if my writing was any good. Should be good to get feedback and read other people's work.

I read anything and everything, always ask people to recemmend books!

Hope to chat to you all soon.

Hello y'all. Currently trying to climb the horrible mountain called "Getting published", with my third novel. Nothing published as yet, except for a few articles and reviews in magazines.

I love reading. I read all the time. Like loads of stuff from Murakami to Dostoyevsky (sp?!), Ian Banks to Bukowski, JG Ballard to Oscar Wilde, Philip K Dick to Kafka. I alos love reading sicentific, political and economical books. For example, Noam Chomsky's systematic deconstruction of the American dream through his many novels and essays is fantastic.

My ideal life would be to spend each day writing, reading and surfing. Any why not!

Looking forward to getting started!

See you in the forum,

Waxen_Pith

Welcome to the group, Clueless and Waxen Pith :)

Please can I refer you to the 'Getting Started' threads at the top of the forum - looking forward to reading your contributions!

Hi everyone, I'm the newbie. I've been writing on and off since I was about twelve. I'd always loved English at school and went on to study it at university but became disgruntled with the course so I dropped it and instead became and archaeologist. Crazy some might say. I started writing properly, I suppose, about ten years ago but felt I needed to ease myself into it, so I wrote fan fiction for <gasp> Xena and scarily ended up at a 'bard's brunch' in LA with people running at me screaming in horrid American accents "Archaeobard, Archaeobard, sign my t-shirt!! Here, across the breasts!!" It was an eye opening experience to say the least! I look back on some what I wrote then and shudder somewhat, but it was fun. I hope I have improved! I'm not an archaeologist any more :( , arthritis got me in my mid 20's so I now have a boring desk job.

About two years ago I did a short writing course at Sheffield Uni to get myself back into the swing of things and to stimulate my brain because the desk job was killing brain cells faster than beer. I'm currently working on something new based on the 'deception' theme, but I thought I would upload something I wrote for the course I did just do you get an idea of my writing style. Please pick it to pieces, I always appreciate constructive crticism.

Well, that's me apart from saying that I like the gothic genre and action adventure based on WWII amongst a host of other things. Hope I have a lot of fun here.

AB

Hi archaeobard

Welcome to the group - I hope you find plenty here to keep you interested :)

With your background, I wonder why you haven't become Dr Watson to Indiana Jones...

I'm going to read your first submission before I get booed offstage!

Hello Everyone i am The_Shark...intro about me...i am Archaeobard's OH, who lead me to this group, i have been interested in reading since i was very young and interested in writing since i was a young depressed teen, who spent her time writing terrible stories and many, many poems.

my intro isn't as flash as Archaeobard's, however i can say i work for Freemans Customer Services and i am a qualified counsellor waiting for the opportunity to volunteer and then go into the job full-time.

i will add a story i am working on at work fairly soon and hopefully make a short story on this months theme too.

you had better Sharkie, I will chain you to the computer to make you do it.

you had better Sharkie, I will chain you to the computer to make you do it.

I hope you are referring to the short story?:suspect:

Hi, I'm not really a writer. However, I do like writing poems and short stories. Was hoping this could be a good place to post a few of them. I just write them, then leave them, hoping some people may like them. It's good for me. Hope I don't annoy anyone too much if I post some of my stuff. Always up for some criticism.

Hi ya hearlon, nice to have you onboard.
Don’t worry about annoying anyone, there’s no one more annoying than me, and they seem to put up with me “only just :suspect:”.
I’ll look forward to having a read.

Hey Hearlon, I'm new pretty new here too. Looking forward to reading your stuff. I love poetry, so I am pleased you will be posting some. Don't think you will annoy anyone, not me at least. Welcome.

I hope you are referring to the short story?:suspect:

What if I wasn't? I could sit and play with the Shift and Enter keys all day! oooo errrr, naughty!! :D

Hello,

Am new to the Writers Group (and Sheffield too, in fact). Like reading all sorts. Hard to box what I like but seem to enjoy books with an autobiographical feel, or writing that brings every day life to life and wakes you up again for a bit! Very much like Katherine Mansfield's stories and Margret Atwood's novel Cat's Eye.

Haven't written much. Would value your feedback.

Looking forward to being part of the group :-)

Hi, everyone. I'm new to "writing," as practiced by this group. I spent my entire career as a scientist and am accustomed to scientific writing. Recently retired, I've decided that now is the time to explore new endeavors.

I immigrated to Canada in '69 and have memories of growing up in Sheffield that I would like to write about. For what purpose, remains to be seen.

I've just completed a course in creative writing and came out of it in reasonable shape.

What books do I like to read? As a child, I read the usual R.L. Stevenson, Dickens, H.G. Wells, and George Orwell classics. Among contemporary "best seller" writers, Ruth Rendell and Ken Follett are to me in a class by themselves. My favorite Canadian writers are Wayne Johnston, Anne-Marie MacDonald and Donna Morrissey. I enjoy reading well-written memoirs. Frank McCourt, Jeannette Walls, and Susanna Sontag top my list in this category.

Look forward to participating in the group.

Nice to have you on board snowapple and rogG.
I too like biographies, although they don’t give me the same buzz as a good novel.
RogG it seems our likes are akin; Ken Follett is certainly in my top 10, not done any of Ruth Rendell’s yet, so I have just ordered the first Wexford Omnibus, just cost me £4.40, (no chicken this Sunday dinner :sad:) It had better be worth it.

Thanks, coyleys. Ruth Rendell writes two types of crime novel. There's the Inspector Wexford series, which is of the "whodunit" crime solving genre. Then, there are stand alone novels, in which she gets inside the minds of the criminally and psychologically disturbed elements of society. Both types of novels are excellent. While I prefer the latter, a friend of mine who is also a Ruth Rendell fan prefers the detective series ones. Enjoy.

...My favorite Canadian writers are Wayne Johnston, Anne-Marie MacDonald and Donna Morrissey. ...

rogG, I'm really glad to hear you quote Anne-Marie MacDonald as a favourite Canadian writer. Many years ago, I read 'Fall On Your Knees' and was bowled over. It is a stunning book, multi-faceted and with a narrative that sweeps from the insular community of Cape Breton to the exciting experience of New Orleans, and it remains one of my top books of all time, often picked up and re-read. I urge everyone to read it!

Hello everyone,

My name is Victoria Howard and I am the author of two books, Three Weeks Last Spring, due to be re-printed in May or June of next year, and The House on the Shore, due to be released in February 2009.

I write romantic suspense and am a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America.

Ok Tally, I’ll take your recommendation on that, just ordered “Fall On Your Knees” cost me £2.75. That’s Monday’s dinner gone for a burton and I was so looking forward to those dripping sarnies, if I don’t wither away I promise to read some of Victoria’s books.

Ok Tally, I’ll take your recommendation on that, just ordered “Fall On Your Knees” cost me £2.75. That’s Monday’s dinner gone for a burton and I was so looking forward to those dripping sarnies, if I don’t wither away I promise to read some of Victoria’s books.

Gosh, that's a huge burden of responsibility! I hope you enjoy it now, or I owe you dinner :D

Hi folks, I have just joined the group, I am hoping it will give me some much needed feedback, encouragement and the occasional kick up the ****
I have always loved books, stories, reading and writing. I was reading by the age of 3, by 7 I had read all the kids and teenage books in the local library. As a child any pocket money/birthday money was spent on books.
Nowadays I tend to read a book every day or two, I practically live in the library, I am a total book-a-holic. I tried to work out how many books I have read in my life, I reckon at over a couple of thousand already and I am only in my 20's!
The most recent book I read was "the aquariums of pyongyang"; a biography.
I read any genres, I will read virtually anything. My current favourite authors are Haruki Murakami, Chris Cleave, George Orwell, Claire Morrall, Douglas Coupland...actually, there are too many.
I have always enjoyed writing, I have wrotten poem which I am generally too embarrassed to show anyone and last year I started my first full length novel. The first draft is virtually finished, but I keep putting off finishing because I am scared it will be rubbish. I have also written a couple of short stories and I am working on more. I also blog regularly on my website (see signature)
I look forward to some much needed feedback/input/criticism. please be brutally honest, i want to improve

I've been a voracious reader all my life, in the past concentrating on Aviation History and the novels of Dudley Pope. I've read many of the classics, although not recently, and have been concentrating much more on writing. I am incapable of writing anything serious, so all my stuff is between light-hearted and (I hope) funny. I've produced three books of photographs taking a quirky look at verious things, and a comedy novel called The De Gotnote Letters. There's another book of pickies due out any day now, exclusively on Sheffield, and I have completed two books of about 50000 words taking a sideways look at 21st century life. All things considered, i should probably get out more often!!!!!

Hello all - My name is Martin and I'm pleased to announce that I have just received my password to the writers group. Although I am not the kind of person who reads all the time I do try and finish every book I start. My favourites (by a mile) are Orwell and Wilde though not neccessarily in that order. I have also enjoyed a few good stories by W Somerset Maugham and am currently struggling to get to grips with my first Thomas Hardy. As far as contempary writers go, I have recently read books by Tony Parsons and David Baddiel and found them quite enjoyable.
I hope to use the group to post my own stories etc and welcome all constructive critisism.
Also hope to find some ideas for the next book to read as I tend to stick with authors I already know rather than wasting my time on something which may disappoint (so all recommendations are welcome).
Thanks again to Mantaspook for adding me and hope I can post something soon for you all to look at.

Hi all, is this a writer's guild exclusively in sheffield? I kinda wanna join if there's still a spot, i do enjoy writing up horror stories and poetry and such. I'm a dude, my name is jeff but you can call me jepoy, my usual filipino name. I've been here for the past 9 months and yeah well, i'm looking forward in joining the writers guild if it's okay :D

Not sure where I am heading to… writing.. I am what you would refer to as a complete novice, but my desire is to overcome my fear of writing before it become phobic.
… at times when I am having a nice jovial conversation, the question would burst out of nowhere… do you write … at this point I simple want to double over with laughter, saying out loud are u trying to be funny… So, here I am, let’s see where this journey going to take me.

Reading has become an eventful passion in my life, and i soak it up as much as i can manage

Writers:
John Grisham
Paulo Coelho
David Baldacci
And many more

Hi folks,

Been a member for a couple of months, but only just got around to posting anything. Ooops!

I'm an English teacher, productivity freak and lover of green tea. Stick me in a well stocked kitchen and I'll be happy all day...

Writers:
Douglas Coupland
Khaled Hosseini
Audrey Niffenegger
Niccolo Machiavelli

Hi Ollie,

Welcome to the group and well done for posting something. I'm looking forward to reading your "weapon" story.

I've been a member for about a year and I've had some great feedback and support here. I'm certain that you, and the other new members, will benefit most by being brave enough to post your writing... but don't forget to leave feedback for others too. That's what it's all about after all.

cheerio
Ron

Hi All.
I am Deano that plays the banjo.. thanks for having me aboard, i have only just joined your writing group, but i hope i can offer you all a little something, i am very inexperienced and a complete novice, but i do love to read and have tried on a few occasions to put pen to paper, having now found myself unemployed, i thought the time would be right to try and motivate my mind in this direction.
I generally read biographies, not about anyone famous, but just normal working class people who have a story to tell, one of the best books i read was by Hellen Forseter. "Tuppence to cross the Mersey"
Anyways..thanks to you all
Banjodeano

Hello! Just joined tonight and very much looking forward to being a part of this. I'm currently writing a book to go with my wedding business - I'm hoping this will inspire me to push on with it!

Secondary to that, I just love writing and have been a journo, English lecturer and radio presenter - so writing and being creative has always been part of my life.

If I have a lot to do (like marking exam scripts) I will find the time to write a poem - funny how inspiration strikes at the most inappropriate moment!??!

Looking forward to reading on here.

Rachel

Oooo, btw Banjodeano, Tuppence is a fantastic read - totally agree!! :)

I have recently created a new website unremarkable-journeys.com

It is a free forum for writers of all standard and in ten 10 days it has had over 9000 hits 46 members and over 300 different topics, including poetry and advice from published authors.

Please feel free to join me

John Daley

hello, I've just joined as I've realised it's about time I started to write something. Did a creative writing workshop yesterday which has inspired me to start writing seriously. I really enjoyed the writing exercises we did, and I've realised that I might not be that bad after all!

Favourite writers include Irvin Welsh, Hemingway, Orwell, James Clavell and John Irving.

I grew up reading Modesty Blaise, amongst others. Think it's because they belonged to my brother - who obviously liked the sexy chick on the front cover.

Hello

My name is Iain Broome and I write fiction. I completed my novel as part of Hallam's MA Writing course and I'm now represented by literary agent, Tibor Jones. I also work in Sheffield as a copywriter for The Workshop, a design and e-learning company based in Nether Edge.

Side projects include:

Write for Your Life (http://writeforyourlife.net) - a blog that provides practical advice and productivity tips for writers
Websites for writers (http://www.websitesforwriters.net) - an independent directory of online writing resources
Words Aloud (http://wordsaloud.org) - formerly Sheffield's premier open-mic night for creative writing!

Hi I'm the newest member of the group having joined this afternoon. I have always loved making up stories (this is before I realised it was 'creative writing')and not me just day dreaming again. I left secondary school with no qualifications and was just about illiterate. I have improved a bit since then! I love to read and have a pic-n-mix approach as I will tackle anything that looks interesting although I try to ignore the hype on the back cover and form my own opinions. Recent reads are 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, The Corum Boy, The Secret Life of Bees, Pig Heart Boy.' My favourite reads are Jane Eyre, The House on the Strand, The Time Machine, The Power of Three, and so on. I have my own library of several hundreds of books which are currently languishing in the garage as I don't have room in the house for them.

I am looking forward to e-meeting you all and sharing the highs and lows of creative writing with you.

The only thing I can think to say right now is 'gulp'... I've been sitting here an hour debating my writing prowess and thinking, can I do this, dare I do this, yes, no, maybe.

The 'maybe' won after a battle of Wills (that's those little men who run around in my head with placards, it’s just easier to remember them if I call them all by the same name). I have to say the 'no' placards usually win in a battle of Wills, so having a moment where the 'Maybes' triumphed is a feat in itself.

I have a few more posts to make before I can go forth with my password begging bowl, I just hope the ‘Maybes’ stand strong until that time.

Fingers, toes and eyes to nose, all crossed till then :D

Hello - just stumbled on the writers group.

My book has just been launched so I now consider myself an author...

It recalls the time when I worked for 6 local authorities in 6 years as a management consultant and tells what its really like living in hotels and out of the back of your car boot.

Looking forward to writing again but probably after christmas

Linky is in my sig so I won't link drop.

Hullo, I just came across this section. I've recently started a novel (very recently - not finished the first chapter yet) and I get writer's block very easily.

Hello All!

It's been a long time since this topic was started hasn't it?

I'm Kate, 24, a Sheffielder and a passionate children's fantasy fiction writer. After five years of not being able to think about anything else seriously, I've finally finished my weird and wonderful children's book, which is a mere 70,000 words!

I've just sent my work off to an agent and hope to hear from her soon...still waiting...I'll wait another month before I remind her! ;)

It's like wondering around in the dessert with no water - fingers crossed she likes it!!

I was born in Sheffield 48 years ago but my family relocated to Essex when I was only 5. I still have distant memories of Broomhill. I love reading, particularly historical fiction and short stories.

I have written a fair amount of short stories myself and I am also into Life Writing.

Hi, Eveyone!

I have been hovering about these boards plucking up the courage to get involved for quite some time now!!! Have finally bitten the bullet and joined in!

Am female, 39 and the first book that really grabbed me by the scruff of the neck was 'Alice in Wonderland'!

Welcome Fanfa!

I'm looking forward to reading some of your work.

Hi all,
I have just joined Sheffield forum so new to it all. I joined because I want to be a part of the writers group, not only for critical feedback but I have also resolved to start reading my poetry.
Sadly I can't make any claims of a great history in English language, my English teacher at school was brain damaged, so as kids do, we used it as a tool to avoid learning. Although I did leave school with a good knowledge of the second world war, India and great contribution the British made to the world. All that was forty years ago so it's time to move on.
While I can write love poems, it's not my real interest. I like to think that my stuff is edgy, most call if angry. I don't see that but I don't mind as long as it's not indifferent. I'm happy to take on input that other may make, positive is okay, but I have a fantastic ego so don't mind how many negative stones are thrown, as long as they're constructive.
If anyone can point me in the direction of poetry reading venues that would be great.

I started to writing to alleviate the boredom of college when I was seventeen or eighteen. Now, over twenty years later, I am an avid writer of all sorts of things. Science Fiction and Fantasy being my preferred genre, but I am currently writing a novel about Death and a spy thriller based on the Len Deighton style. Would love to communicate with other writers of other genres.

Hello.

My name is Caroline and I love writing. I'm hoping I can be a member of this group and I look forward to meeting like minded people and reading their work. I live near the city centre. I've written a few poems but I prefer writing stories as I'm not all that clued up on verse and its rules.

I was hoping I could be given a few pointers (aside from the ones in print) on the best way to go about doing this writing group. Meanwhile I'll keep reading.

Caroline xx

I have to write. It's a compulsion I've had, right from junior school.
A good teacher, at Whitby Road Annexe (Darnall), told me, when I was about eleven,
If you hear a new word etc. that you want to remember, try to make it into a rhyme or short story.It makes it easier to remember.
I started doing that & just carried on from there.
That must have been around 1959. Good old Mr Mawson!
I wrote something for the Forum writers group, called CRASH & sent on it's way.
Unfortunately, I'm rubbish with computers & it probably got lost.
If anybody comes across it, I'd be grateful if they'd flag it up, as I'm new to all this.
I normally stick to pen & paper. My house is cluttered with scraps of rhymes and unfinished stories.

Hi, I'm Geza-

I joined in September last year but have only just started practicing at being a real participating member and not just a voyeur.

I don't live in Yorkshire anymore- but I went to Uni in Huddersfield when I was younger. A friend of mine pointed me in the direction of this site and I'm very glad that he did.

I'm trying to get my first book up to scratch so that I can try and get it published (one day). I'm also into writing short stories. I try to keep them clean but they inadvertently turn out rude! Have no idea why ;)

Welcome to the group Geza.

Hopefully you will get some support here, in your quest for publication.

I see you have already posted a short story. I wonder if it is clean or rude? I'll look forward to finding out. :heyhey:

hi my names mary i love doing storys but im dislexic so my spelling is not up to much actually i can hardly spell but i love writeing storys

hi my names mary i love doing storys but im dislexic so my spelling is not up to much actually i can hardly spell but i love writeing storys

Hi Mary

Yey! I am from a family where dislexia is a scourge - my father, my sisters, my own son are severley dislexic. I have dislexia to a certain degree - left and right get muddled up sometimes and I have to work very hard at spelling. My dad is dead now and my sisters didn't get any help until they were 13+. The then education system failed miserably to help or even identify those with dislexia. My sisters are twins and they were treat as if they were idiots! My son has been helped by various mentors over the years and is now at University and he writes - he is working on a science fiction novel at present and it is good stuff.

Go for it - sod the spelling that can be tidied up anytime. Have you tried using a filter for your pc? My son uses 'Parrot Green' which helps him to focus on the words. You can have a test done at an opticians - I think free of charge - it should identify which colour is best for you.

Keep writing!

MiS

Hello All,
Just a quick line of introduction. I'm Lft and I hope to post a few poems & short stories as I am interested in hearing some feedback.

Bye for now.

Hello everyone

I've been watching your discussions for a few weeks and have just got around to sorting out an account so I can join in. You all seem like a nice bunch. I'm just celebrating having my third non-fiction article published but have never got anywhere with my fiction writing. I'm hoping that being on here might give me an incentive to keep going. Lady A

Hi All,

My name is James and I've already posted a couple things on here. Some sports articles for a Sheffield free-mag a while back and most recently a translation I made of a famous Latin poem by Horace. The poem's now being exhibited in large on the Moor in Sheffield, and you've maybe seen it, maybe not (link to exhibition pic in me signature).

Plan for this year is to bust a couple more translations, and see maybe if I can write an 'intermediate students guide' for the ones I've done - lots word meanings and notes etc. Also wanna write me this genre-crime story I've had etched out for a while now. Guess it will be part police procedure and part, I dunno, I really want to make it so it kind of turns you back-to-front. Working title: 'Preparation of a suicide scene'.

James

Hello to all who might read this,

I would like to introduce myself to the group. I write under the name Ian Rivedon, which, as most will deduce, is not my real name. It's my pen name, or pseudonym, whichever is preferred.

I was born in Sheffield, in Attercliffe to be precise, in a building that was only recently demolished. It was immediately alongside the Newhall Road bridge over the River Don, so, since I was born at home, I can claim to be one of the relatively small number of people who have been born literally within spitting distance of that once murky old river.
Is it just me, or do Sheffielders in general have an unusual affection for what was, until recently, little more than a sewer? I love the river, particularly its name...Don. I think it's just typical of Sheffield to have a river called Don. I wonder if it was called after somebody of that name in the dim and distant past? (I know, it's rumoured to be named after a Celtic goddess, but that doesn't appeal to my sense of humour)

I know that there's a copy of our Don in Russia, and maybe that one, too, is held in great affection, but I've never met any Russians called Don, and I'm certain there's no Celtic tradition there. So, maybe their river was called Don for a completely different reason. There's also one in Canada, but that was named in honour of ours, so maybe the Canadians are wondering the same thing as I am. Who was Don?

I now live just outside London, in Hertfordshire. Unfortunately, nowhere near a river. I began writing a couple of years ago, and now claim to be a full time writer. I'm unemployed really, though I now just tell people, in a gloating sort of way, 'I don't work anymore.' I like it when they reply with, 'Ooh, aren't you lucky? You don't look old enough to retire.'

I haven't had anything published yet, but I have just sent my first novel off to a literary agent, and now await my first rejection slip. I have the frame all ready to put it in.

I look forward to contributing in due course, and to receiving some feedback. If anyone's interested, I have recently started a blog called Beyond 1984. A Google search will find it. I can't post the web link yet, but will do in due course. I'd be really happy if I received some feedback from Beyond 1984, too. You might even recognise me from my photograph.

Until next time then...

IR

Oooh ...what a lovely long thread ... ! :D

I've recently moved to Sheffield from Manchester ... and I find that I like it a whole lot better somehow. :D

I've a few hundred internationally published articles to credit and have worked for over a year as a news-magazine's sub-editor. I'm now trying to break into the local/national magazine industry ... fingers crossed for lots of luck. :D

I'd like to introduce myself as a local(ish) writer - currently based in Rotherham. I've hovered around reading the odd post before, but I thought it was time to register and get involved :)

Hi GKamsika. I'm glad you've decided to get involved. A wise decision, in my opinion.

Welcome to the other new members too :wave:. LFT, Lady Agatha, Jahanshahad, Ian Rivedon and Mimi83 - thanks for introducing yourselves, and it's encouraging to see that you're all getting involved straight away.

Have fun!

Ron