Please help...

[dreamingofnow]

Hey all...

I'm new to the whole writing aspect of this. I'm used to reading and responding. I've never actually tried to write one. Well, I did... but I never finished it. Now, I've started a new one and no matter what, I'm going to finish it. That I have sworn to myself because I have been working on it over 2 years now. The thing that I want to know is, where do I start? I've read through quite a bit of the "beta pens" threads, but I'm still lost. I don't know if I should start at the general idea process or just drop my first chapter by. I was trying to work one on one, but I haven't got any responses, so I've decided to go bigger. The more thoughts, the better, however... I have ideas and a specific way I want to write, so what should I do? I need help?! Someone, please, tell me where to go?!

[Zooeys_Bridge]

Sometimes the Beta Thread goes quiet for a long while. If you've posted and gotten no bites, keep writing, edit as best you can and try posting your story over in Pens. The visibility will generate a reading audience and maybe someone will contact you with ideas/advice/etc;

...did that help at all?

[dreamingofnow]

Yeah, that helped a little.

I never actually posted anything in "beta pens" yet, simply becasue I didn't know where to start. The guidelines for newbies it so start with the general ideas thread, but thing is, I've already got my general idea. I don't need much help because it's not going to be historically accurate or anything other than just simple uber fic in a specific time period. But the problem is, "beta pens" doesn't tell you what to do if you've already got everything from idea, plot, character development or etc. done. That's my problem. Do I ask for help and wait for ideas or do I post a chapter and see what happens?

See the thing is... I'm actually afraid of just posting. I wanted to get someone's thoughts on it before I posted it. Basically, I wanted to test the water before just diving in head first. I did that last time... and well, I figured out there were sharks. A little problematic... it has left me a little shaken about reposting...

Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Paint the Sky]

try posting your story over in Pens. The visibility will generate a reading audience and maybe someone will contact you with ideas/advice/etc;

I second that, if you have chapters written and you're happy enough with them, just post at pens and see what happens.

I did that last time... and well, I figured out there were sharks. A little problematic... it has left me a little shaken about reposting...

Not quite sure what you mean by that, personally as a relative newbie to the board in general, and pens in particular, I've found everyone friendly and courteous, but I do understand the nervousness in making that first post of a fic.

I found this thread on page 7 at pens, it might help, I found it interesting.

http://thekittenboard.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=4044

[maudmac]

Hey, dreamingofnow, if you want to use the Beta Pens forum at all, it sounds like you're ready to start a "Developing" thread. That way you can get some feedback on what you've written (hopefully) before you post it on Pens. If you're looking for a single beta reader, there is always the One-on-One Authors / Beta Readers thread on Beta Pens.

Of course, you are also free to go ahead and post it on Pens.

I think we actually did have a few sharks swimming around here years ago, but they are loooooong gone and I do think you'd get a decent reception over on Pens if you post your fic. Generally, if people don't like a fic and don't want to like it, they just don't post anything at all. If they don't like and they want to like it, they may post and offer some suggestions or advice (usually they suggest that you get a beta reader!), but there's very little if any shark-ness anywhere on the board.

And if you're just trying to build up the courage to post your fic, maybe it would help to remind yourself that absolutely every single author posted a first fic once upon a time and every single one of them was nervous about the response they would receive.

Whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you!

(Welcome back to the board, too!)

[dreamingofnow]

Paint the Sky - Thank you for your words of encouragement and support. I will definitely take a look at the thread as soon as I get a moment.

maudmac - First off, thank you for running such an awesome site. I said that a couple years ago, but it is worth being repeated. Secondly, thanks to this plea for help, I have found a beta and we are in the process of looking over my fiction. I'm really looking forward to posting this eventually on pens. Thirdly, it's good to hear that there are shark free waters now. Like I said, I haven't been on for over 3 or 4 years now, so... it's nice to know that people are more open to newbie writers than they once were. Fourthly, thank you for the reminder, I will definitely keep that in mind when I make my post. Lastly, thank you for the welcome back, it's good to be back! I'm an addicted once again.

Thank you.

[maudmac]

I'm an addicted once again.

We put crack in the pixels!

Seriously, good to have you back!

[dreamingofnow]

That's the most awesome reason I think that I've ever heard!!!

Thanks again.