Writing Sites: Why You Might Like to Give Them a Try
Journalists are familiar with the panic of deadlines and
novelists can identify with the horror of blank pages. Then,
what about the desperation of those who feel the urge to write
and do not dare or do not know where to go? This is where the
online writing sites come in with enormous possibilities for
people who enroll in them.
With the onset of the internet, we have the option of allowing
ourselves get in contact with other writers and possibly make it
to the storefront of the writing community worldwide. Better
yet, the interactive relationship among writers helps us build
skill, confidence, and an enhanced appreciation of the writing
profession.
Internet writing sites do not have to be a showcase for our
writing, although some are just that; they accept writings on a
sporadic, selective, or random basis. Others only give advice or
reviews. Some are just friendly places. Most, if not all,
caution their members against scrupulous businesses, agents, and
greedy unethical publishing practices. Most combine a few of
those things. They are, generally, pleasant and highly
encouraging, and it pays any writer or a writer-in-the-making to
be a part of a writing site.
Come June 2006, it will be five years for me in the writing site
where I belong, and I consider registering there to be one of
the best decisions of my life. Our site is not only a writing
site but a community of people who truly care for each other.
The age-span of the membership extends--almost--from cradle to
grave, as is the diversity and array of the experience of our
members. Some of us are highly accomplished authors or English
teachers, whereas others may be school children, and such a
varied range makes it possible for members to interchange ideas
and learn from each other. Since the content ratings are marked
and carefully monitored, even the younger set can find and enjoy
being in its own niche.
The multiplicity of our site offers us more than the differences
in age or experience. We have contests, groups, discussion
forums, genre writing, cyber stores, advice forums, and even our
own currency. Plus, we are never restricted in our writing; all
kinds and genres of writing have a place. Moreover, our site
lets its members post their work in the raw or as a first draft
immediately, because within a day or two each posted piece will
get at least several reviews from other members. This is a
wonderful concept, since a writer, especially the novice writer,
sees immediately where his weaknesses are and how other writers
and readers react to his work. I find the breadth and scope of
our writing site truly amazing and give a lot of credit to the
upper staff for its conception and innovative and continuing
expansion.
Writing, after all, is a language in itself, and to those of us
who belong to a writing site, it is the most basic language of
all. Like any language, writing's logic--the way it is
understood--is based on standardized grammar, usage, syntax,
sentences, paragraphs, phrases, content and construction. When
these skills are taught by the highly qualified to those in the
position of learning, not in a teacher-student manner but
through camaraderie, the performance of everyone will surely
improve.
If you are the least bit interested in writing, give writing
sites a try. As a writer, you need reviews; you'll get reviews.
You may even sell your work or teach others. If a writing site
takes it on itself to better its members as well as I have
witnessed it happen, a member who enrolls in a writing site will
have everything to gain.