the trade of authorship is a violent and indestructible obsession

Name: Kristie

Location: Virginia

About me:: I'm a biology major and plan on getting my master's (and possibly my PhD) in marine biology. My minor is Russian. I tried creative writing, but found it almost impossible to get along with any of my instructors. I swim competitively (and am rather good, if I may say so myself), I horseback ride, and play the classical guitar. I could probably play ANY guitar, but I've found classical to be harder, and therefore more interesting. I'm an animal enthusiast, a war history buff, and a concert whore. I probably see more live music in a month than most people do in a year. I love philosophy, religion, and philosophy OF religion along with the science of creation. I tend to tinker around with abstract thoughts and questions that I will never know the answers to. I'm an advocate for all things casual and take way too much enjoyment out of being a cynic.

About my journal: My journal has everything you could possibly think of in it - real life updates, online stuff updates, memes, introspection, random thoughts and opinions - except for my writing (for that, go to wastedpages, my I'm-too-lazy-to-make-a-separate-writing-journal-but-I-don't-want-my-writing-to-clutter-my-journal community that I hardly ever update). Occasionally I'll get stuck on a certain subject for a while and occasionally I rant. Usually, though, it's just regular stuff. Things I find funny, things I find interesting, etc. I think the proper word for it is "WHATEVER!"

What I write: I like realistic fiction, though I sure as hell don't limit myself to it. Right now I'm working on four 'projects' - one's slightly angsty realistic fiction, one's depressing animal-perspective fiction, one's... horror? I guess, and the other's a sort-of urban fantasy satire. I like making fun of things and I also like not knowing where a story goes.

What I prefer not to write: Fanfiction and epic fantasy, though I can be persuaded to do either. It all really depends on what I FEEL like writing. Oh, and I will never write a poem.

What I read: I love me some classics and some humor - even if that humor's non-fiction. It's hard to really put a sticker on what I like and what I don't because, really, it's more of a matter of what happens to catch my eye and what I happen to enjoy. I DON'T like most urban fantasy - Twilight makes my eyes bleed - and most other kinds of fantasy honestly don't tickle me the right way. However, some of my favorite authors/books are fantasy-ish, so this certainly isn't a rule. I guess I could say that a book needs to have passion or purpose behind it - I don't like authors who write just to write because that always ends up boring me to tears and I don't like "Deus Ex Machina" plots; there has to be a REASON for everything - OR it just has to be damn funny.

Favorite Author's: Fyodor Dostoevsky, Douglas Addams, R.A. Salvatore, Shakespeare, Bill Bryson, Neil Gaiman.

Favorite book(s): Crime and Punishment, Vanity Fair, Good Omens, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Wish List, A Short History of Nearly Everything, The Silmarillion.

Could I edit someone else's work: ...Sure. I'll edit, critique, whatever. Warning: I am a picky reader and will tear whatever you give me into itty bitty pieces, so don't come to me for feedback unless you can take it.

What I am looking for: Someone who's willing to read my work and who has a sense of humor? Really, just anyone.

I would like to get together a group of OKC area LJers who write who could get together on a regular basis and support each other in our writing.  Does anyone here know of anything like that or would be interested in anything like that?

Hello, potential (and hopefully soon-to-be actual) new LJ friends. My name is David, I'm 27 years old and from the UK; but of course you knew all that from the subject line above...

Moving on to stuff you don't know: reading is perhaps my main hobby (though you may have guessed as much from my posting on here), and I have a tendency to acquire books faster than I can read them. I may not have more books than I know what to do with, but that's only because I know what to do with them.

Certainly reading is the main subject of my journal, as I've been posting about everything I read this year. I post about other subjects as the thought crosses my mind (though not generally about my everyday life).

As for what I like to read... pretty much anything. Oh, all right, I'll be more specific: most of it comes under the broad heading of 'science fiction and fantasy', but I have been broadening my palate (and also possibly my palette) recently with other kinds of fiction, and I read non-fiction occasionally, too. Favourite authors (in alphabetical order) include: Mary Gentle, Neil Gaiman, Tom Holt, Graham Joyce, James Lovegrove,China Miéville, Terry Pratchett, Christopher Priest, Robert Rankin...

My writing is usually non-fiction, mostly book reviews.. In short, if you like reading and discussing books, you may find my journal of interest. Feel free to drop by and say hello!

Name: Joanna Paula.

Location: Bulacan, Philippines

About me: Determined to have a novel published before age 25. Currently too embroiled with writing and editing fan fiction though. Very friendly. Collects quotes and trivia. Has first been published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer at age 15. A short story. Has been published again last December in Philippine Speculative Fiction III. I'm going 22 on September. So I have three years before my self-imposed publication deadline. Not in a hurry, though. Happy soul. Delights in dogs, flattering clothes, good reads, rainy days, chatty emails with friends, touch-typing whole paragraphs without typos. Hates bad grammar, scrunches nose at 'writers' who don't spell correctly (how do they do that?!). Deaf since age 13. Due to meningitis. It's either deafness, blindness, or brain deterioration. You understand why I'm happy? ^_^

About my journal: Typical diary of a young woman. Not literary news-y (you can get them from my Friends Page, though, hee). I haven't posted any of my writing on my journal. But who's to say I won't? Not I.

What I read: The greats, the good ones, the getting-there's. Not to mention fan fiction (which has all three). I read almost anything I get my hands on. Short stories and novels. I love children's and YA Classics, Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, The Count of Monte Cristo, most of Dickens's. On the contemporary front, it's also YA, especially Newbery winners, and Neil Gaiman, Ursula Le Guin, lots of fantasy and alternate universes. I also rather like Jeffery Deaver's suspense. Stephen King, I've lovingly rescued from my termite-destroyed shelves, too. I get curious about popular books, and most of the time, I deem them deserving of their renown (except The Da Vinci Code). I'm a veritable Harry Potter expert (with documents and awards) and if I'm not "determined to be published before age 25", I probably will become a Twilight guru as well.

What I don't read: *thinks about it* Treatises, computer and math books! Oh, and slash. I looked at the tags and I have read and enjoyed at least one book/short story from almost the whole list, except slash (lgbt) and erotica-- wait, does NC-17 fan fiction count as erotica? LOL. Then I suppose I have read erotica.

On journals, I'm really nosy. I'm a magpie when it comes to other people's experiences/musings. But I don't like rants without humor, without optimism, and without maturity.

What I write: Speculative, YA romance&fantasy, romance, horror, utopian futuristic. Essays on the Classics and Contemporary Classics for a local magazine. Oh yeah, Harry Potter fan fiction. This has helped me a lot, you know, the archive I submit to is strict on grammar, characterization, POV and such.

What I don't write: What I don't read. And poetry. I love poetry, but I can't create them myself.

Could you edit someone else's work: What will 'edit' entail? If it's critique (and I'm still too young to be trusted in this area, I think, though I have read voraciously to be counted on to have valid comments) or maybe paragraph/dialogue restructure, I'd love to. But not spot-editing. I already do that with fan fiction. I think my tolerance comes from knowing the people I'm editing are enthusiastic teens, who have lots of fish to fry yet but want so badly to see their Harry Potter story published in a fansite, and from the Harry Potter characters I love. I don't think I'll be able to stomach correcting typos, misspellings and punctuation errors from 'serious writers'.

At least, not in heavy doses. So my answer is, 'yeah, sure, love to'! (slightly traumatized beta-reader here, *grins sheepishly*)

What I'm looking for: A friendly, happy, reader-writer soul like me. Key word: friendly. Someone warm and serious about the craft at the same time. Mustn't be stand-offish. Writing is already a lonely job, after all.

Name: Elysia

Location: Northern California

About me: I'm a 22-year-old college student, double majoring in English and Psychology. I've been writing since before I could write, and adore it. My ultimate goal is to become a published professional, and I'm aiming high, as difficult as it is to get there. I've yet to attempt publishing, but I'm about to, and I'm currently working on two novels: a coming of age sort of story, and a young adult novel with a supernatural flair.

About my journal: In my journal you'll find my musings about writing, writing quizzes, exercises, exerpts from things I've been working on, sometimes full pieces, my luck or lack thereof with publishing, and any other information as I work toward my goals. There will be very little info on my personal life or anything like that. This is strictly my writing journal, thus every post will be primarily about writing.

What I read: As far as genres, I'll read most things. In particular I like the supernatural, contemporary sci-fi/fantasy, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) or fiction involving sexuality, religious studies save for those with a clear Christian slant, horror, humor (especially dark humor), and young adult when it catches my interest. Non-fiction can be awesome, but it'd have to be on a tempting subject for me to get into it.

What I don't read: I don't like romance, but I'll still give it a chance. I don't read fanfiction, either. I also don't read Christian Lit, though strictly inspirational is fine. And I especially dislike anything with unjustified animal cruelty or death. That doesn't come up too often, but it bothers me a lot.

As far as journals go, with this journal I only read other writing journals. Feel free to add me, whether you post about writing exclusively or not, but just be aware that I'll likely only comment on your posts about writing.

What I write: I write just about everything. I've experimented in nearly all genres, and likely will for the rest of my life. For the most part, though, my writing tends to be sci-fi/fantasy, young adult, dark humor, horror, LGBT themed, speculative, or a mix of two or more.

What I don't write: Romance. There are sometimes relationships in my stories, and sometimes that's an important part of the story, though not so often. Generally speaking, relationships are either one of many aspects, or of little importance in my work. I also don't write strict genre sci-fi, fantasy, etc. I'm sorry to say, Lord of the Rings put me to sleep, and I've never seen Star Wars, so...

Could you edit someone else's work?: I most certainly could, but if you want me to, you'd have to give me some time.

What I'm looking for: I'm looking for other serious writers. This means anyone who has been published, or is trying to get published. If you haven't started yet but have that goal, that works too! I'm not overly interested in exclusively fanfic journals, for this reason.

I'd love to add anyone who lives and breathes writing, especially those who love to talk about it. Encouraging and/or friendly people only, please. Confidence and constructive crit are both good things, but arrogance and rudeness are not!

Hope to make some new friends here!

Hello all.

Name: Jeremey

Location: Florida (Hell at the beach)

About me: I am random and crazy, and I love to write and RP. If anybody wants to RP, just let me know, and I'm willing to. I work nightshift, so my hours are wonky, and my sleeping is off. I am a huge gamer, with an addiction. Alot of times I spend my time playing games, but can be drawn away from them to write or RP. I am very open, a bit of a geek, but I love being a good friend.

What I write: Everything that comes into my crazy mind. I love writing for my main character Flycker, which is a bit of romance, a bit of action, and a bit of angst. I love Rping with people. There's nothing like an awesome RP set, when two great minds can come together and create a story so amazing, and intricate, as creating a whole new world, or so simple as a bar fight. (If you like RPing, or are curious to try it let me know.) I do fanfic from Final Fantasy 7 to Harry Potter to Peter Pan. I believe any and all pairings are possible. I do some historical fiction, trying to work out a Tokugawa shogunate  story in my head. I've written all different types of characters, from a furry, to a human, to a vampire, to a dragon, to a god. Just depends what kind of mood I am in.

What I prefer not to write: Non fiction.

What I read: All sorts of things from graphic novels, to sci fi, to kids series. Whatever catches my fancy. Currently reading a romance series by Diana Gabaldon.

Favorite Author's: George Orwell, JK Rowling (Yes I'm a HP Dork. ), Diana Gabaldon, and various mangaka, and some various writers I know from other websites.

Favorite book(s): I loooove 1984. It's an amazing book in my opinion.

What I am looking for: Anybody I find interesting, or who finds me interesting. Unique stories, unique characters. I love plot twists and morbid stories. I love torturing my characters with pain and misery, and see how they come out of it.

Other: I love writing random tidbits. Fanfic wise I recently wrote for FF7 what it might feel like to be showered with mako. Yes, very random, but it was fun.

If you have any questions about me, just ask. My journal is FO, but don't be frightened by it. Drop me a comment, and I'll probably add you, if I haven't scared you off yet.

Name: Jennifer.

Age: Infinite; I hardly believe in age by numbers.

Location: South Florida.

About me: I live inside of my head. My mind works paranormally. I read people instantly. I could say an endless amount of things about myself, and their opposites would be true as well. I have a lot of theories and thoughts; my mind never closes. I'll believe almost anything just to experiment with it, while doubting it fully. I can contradict anything, and re-contradict it. I am everything and nothing.

About the journal: This is my journal strictly for writing and there is nothing good in it yet.

I write: everything. It changes periodically. Ups and downs. Back and forth. Stories, songs, poems, letters, pieces of books I'll never finish, personal accounts illuminated, nothingness.

I don’t write: history.

I like to read: Psychological, philosophical, intellectual anythings. Deepness. Things that are intricately detailed. Romance. Shockers. Everything, nothing. Anything that sounds like the words were taken from my mouth / my thoughts exactly.

Favorite authors: William Saroyan, Chuck Palahniuk, Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Coupland, Haruki Murakami, Chuck Klosterman, etc

Name:  Wylde

Age:  Adult, but seeking to hide out with the Child Within

Location: The Hinterlands, aka rural writer's retreat (in a place scarily redneck after leaving The Big City)

About Me:  published science fiction/fantasy novelist, seeking to cure long term writer's block. And better get on with it zippy quick, too, since I just committed to a delivery deadline to my publisher.  Left the Big City to hole up in a writer's retreat for however long it takes (and that might well be years) until I can get two overdue novels done, and reconstruct my stalled writing career.  See my synopsis of writerly angst and Why I'm Here at the first post in my journal, here: http://wylde-writer.livejournal.com/646.html  (sorry, I don't know how to do those LJ links cut links yet). 

Other than that, I am a gamer (& former rpg designer),  former geek, woman-oriented woman, poly when it serves the relationship, eclectic pagan, kinkster, all-around Inquiring Mind and occasional agent provocateur who falls somewhere around the liberal/libertarian scope of the compass (see politicalcompass.org for your own interesting polisci test).  I look just like my Second Life avatar which serves as my user pic. If you believe that, see my first journal post for my Brooklyn Bridge sale offer.  And oh yes, let's not forget the news du jour, which is that focused work in The Artist's Way is actually managing to dissolve the block thingy, and forward progress is being made in the land of Writing Craft. Much jubilation has ensued on this point. Spotted Dick has been consumed in celebration thereof. Really. (I'm a foodie too.) 

About my journal:  place to share my process as I recover my craft and sense of self as novelist. And what the hey, for the occasional freakout and angst fest, though I expect rather more useful conversations than simply that kind of weirdness. Though all bets are off during new and full moons. 

What I read: eclectic and endless. I once had a 7000 volume personal library. I'm a former librarian. I catalog my stuff at Library Thing (www.librarything.com. Great bookish social networking, too.)   You name it, I probably like it. My recurrent faves are speculative fiction, low fantasy (I love low concept, nitty-gritty, Being There), and assorted mostly social-science-related non-fiction.  Eg:  I just downloaded Chambers's Encylopedia of Universal Knowledge (1863) from google books. The world through Victorian eyes.  Rock on. 

What I don't read: 99% of romance and most mainstream fiction.  Can't tolerate experimental fiction and most modern poetry.  Everything else is fair game. See above. 

Favorite Authors: too many to name. In my genres of close focus these days (sf and fantasy) I'd say, CJ Cherryh, C.S. Friedman, Walter Jon Williams' cyberpunk (like Hardwired), Melissa Scott (what's she doing these days?), Tanith Lee (what a gem), Storm Constantine, Kate Elliot, Elizabeth Moon. And Eddison's The Worm Ourobourus.  More women should write about heroic women like David Weber does in his Honor Harrington series. 

In her intro here Aisley Crosse wrote, "I should mention that I fall in love with writing because of how it is written, how the story is told rather than the plot."  I mostly agree with that. It is the quintessential storytelling modality that *first* captures my eye and attention for a story/author. Although then I do also expect and need a coherent plot to deliver the satisfying payoff.  Yet it is because of this that (for example) I love Alexander Dumas' collected works, the entire story arc of D'Artagnan & the musketeers (of which the Three Musketeers and the Man in the Iron Mask are but outtakes): the work does not hit the beat of the modern novel's pacing and plot points, but it is the storytelling itself, and the era it evokes, that  I find captivating. 

What I Write:  novels. Have 3 in print (sf/fantasy). My interests range wider than that, but have 2 more in those genre camps to complete before I can move on to other things.  The occasional short story comes to me, and those are quite good, but that form as a whole is not my ouvre, and I find it generally frustrating to work in. I'm a marathon runner, not a sprinter. 

Could I edit someone else's work: have done it for years, professionally (book-length works). Have good sensibilities and can give great constructive feedback. However, there is no way I can contemplate doing that while under book deadlines, so for now, the answer to that question is, I have the capacity, but not the time. 

What I am looking for:  published professionals dealing with artistic/craft/personal obstacles (so we can compare notes); accomplished amateurs (you're the judge of whether or not you're "accomplished") who have intelligent feedback about relatively sophisticated artistic challenges.   Am looking (a) to network with a community of supportive artists (writers primarily, but I think the term 'artist' applies as well),  thoughtful about dealing with their craft issues.  (B), eventually would like to perhaps find a critique partner, if our sensibilities and subject interests are sufficiently aligned.  And (C), am always casting about for a sympatico fellow gamer who'd like to engage in an email rpg of my own invention. (Takes place in the world setting of one of my books.)  Long slow pace, writing propensity required, patience and slow fuse necessary given the vagaries of email gaming while on writing deadline. 

If you'd like to talk more, please drop me a note and friend me. I'll friend anyone who friends me: casting a wide net in the spirit of inviting the right connections.

~Wylde~

Name: Jesse

Age: Eighteen

Location: Southern Illinois

About me: My friends call me a “nerdfest in an iron happy bubble,” and it’s a fairly accurate description. I’m a voracious reader, aspiring photographer, struggling writer, epic cosplayer, eternal optimist, happy drunk, and part-time gamer.

About the journal: My journal is a mixture of my personal life, my doings on the internet, some fandom related things, and daily Twitters. Anything generally explicit or personal is kept under f-lock with appropriate warnings. I tend to post several times a day every few days. I read my friend’s list frequently and comment a lot.

I write: A lot of fan fiction currently, and mostly for Final Fantasy VIII and Loveless. I tend to branch out into other fandoms randomly, especially when I find something new. I do write original short stories and drabbles from time to time.

I don’t write: Poetry. I was never any good at it.

I like to read: Anything I can get my hands on! I’m not much a fan of historical nonfiction, but other than that, I’ll read anything. I’m really not too picky at all.

Favorite authors: Chuck Palahniuk, Mitch Albom, Poppy Z. Brite

Name: Aisley Crosse

Location: Ontario, Canada

About Me: I am a very imaginative person, sometimes in the worse ways, but generally happy. I have always been one to tell 'tall tales' but I like to think of that as a good thing. In fact, I love to be outside and explore, I find that it only encourages this story telling obsession I have. I also love food, photography, learning, animals, small children, dollar stores, reading, writing, organizing and painting. I volunteer as a crisis counsellor on a crisis line for women, and while I search for my dream job I am a grocery store cashier who pages 'produce to lane 9 for a price check' at least five times a day. As much fun as it sounds, I love to be at home with my boyfriend doing nothing. I don't go out alot, I like movies, and have a very small circle of friends, all who must love either Jack Sparrow, Legolas or Gerard Butler.  I am not so much a sports person, but I do have interests other than writing because if writing was both inspiration and creation my work would be pretty boring.

About My Journal: It is basically a way for me to update, get feedback and keep in touch with myself and my friends who will visit once in a while. As a writer, it contains much of my inspiration but not much of my work. I prefer to talk about my work rather than post it because that way I keep you in suspense... yes that's it. Mainly friends only posts, but you can check it out. It serves also as a notebook in which I record my inspiration, ideas and keep busy.

What I Read: Hmm... The Troy Game Series - Sara Douglass, The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova, The Dark Jewel Series - Anne Bishop, Harry Potter, The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Sleepers, Lawrence Sanders McNally series, Poison Study & Magic Study, When Rabbit Howls, The Thirteen Tale, Obsidian Mirror, Trauma and Recovery, The Memory Keepers Daughter, and right now I am reading Dark Matter.... Sorry, I started leaving out authors names because it was getting tedious. Oh, and The Handmaids Tale, Ms Atwood...

What I Don't Read: Stopped reading harlequin romance novels... not interested in crime fiction or mass media novels for the most part.

Favourite Authors - Anne Bishop, Sara Douglass, Maria V. Snyder, Elizabeth Kostova, Jonathan Stroud...  just to name a few as I am drawn in by piece not name for the most part.

***** I should mention that I fall in love with writing because of how it is written, how the story is told rather than the plot.

What I Write: Now to the interesting stuff, I like to write mainly short stories (20 000 words) that are ironic, satirical, humourous or just a great story.. I have worked on some larger projects but I tend to lose interest and feel as though I am not accomplishing anything. I want to work up to some though.

What I Don't Write: Things that don't appeal to me, and non fiction.

Could I Edit Someone Else's Work: I wouldn't mind, but I won't offer my work to you. Also, I can be a mean critique...

What I am looking for: Someone who is interested

 

Name:  Alissa

Location: California

About me: I tend to gaze around my own world. My personal thoughts infest everything I do. I excel at music and writing- I am play guitar and scream poetics in a band called The Iron Queen. I am the Editor-In-Chief of my high school newspaper.  In reality, High school disgusts me and I perfer a world more mature and unwilling to compromise to typical thoughts. I have an extremely hard time relating to most people, I can't communicate with most of the population correctly. Summer is depressing and loneliness reveals itself in writing.

About my journal:  My journal reflects my own judgments, stereotypes, and thoughts. I've made it for most of  my band's lyrics and updates, but have personalized it into my own niche recently. I tend to add loads of quotes to whatever I write in my journal. I write in it when I feel incredibly depressed or lonely. I found that its my best friend in times of need. My insanity lies inside of it.

What I read: I have just finished Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It was the most inspirational book I've ever read, alongside White Oleander by Janet Finch. I drench myself in novels made in the 1800's through early 1900's; my favorite authors include Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and William Blake. I also love poetry- I've been reading Sylvia Plath constantly. I feel that she is the only one who understands the emotional suffering of an adolescent mind. I am currently reading Paint It Black by Janey Finch, one of my favorite writers in the current era. So far I have been enjoying the life that's embedded into it. I feel as if reading takes me away from my own life and places me in the hands,eyes, and ears of characters that live freely by the hands of another's mind.

What I don't read: I don't read science fiction nor fan fiction.

Favourite authors: Sylvia Plath,Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Janet Finch, William Blake, Shakespeare....

What I write: I tend to write my thoughts that flow through me which either becomes fire or ice to my pen. Poetry expresses things I can't write properly. Words or phrases invade most of my writing. I love to write enormous letters to people about the California sun and the torture of my insanity. I write some short stories, articles, and little poems.

What I don't write: I'll write anything. I don't like to limit myself.

Could you edit someone else's work?:  Possibly.

What I'm looking for: Someone who actually likes me. That's all I need. Someone to reveal their own life and opinions to me. Someone who is looking for a friend that is a little un-leveled.

Name: Doris

Age: 21

Location: West Virginia

About Me: Oh, what can I say about myself? I'm a junior in college for an accounting major. My life is all about reading, writing, and music. I also play video games. I like a few shows on TV. I like movies, but I'm not crazy about them like some people are. My favorite movies, though, I've watched so many times that I know almost all the lines. I love cats, and have some of my own. I'm childfree, which means I don't want children. More than that, I can't stand babies or children. I don't think they're cute. So, that's a big thing about me. I'm not someone who goes to parties or drinks. I'm old enough to legally drink now, but I have no desire to do it. I don't do drugs or anything like that. The only drugs I take are ones that keep me sane. I rarely even go anywhere with friends. I'm just someone who enjoys staying home. =)

About my journal: My journal is about everything. About my life, about my cats, about what I'm reading or writing, and everything in between. Sometimes my entries aren't that great, when I'm feeling really down. But it's up and down. Anyway, my journal is friends only. That's basically because I like to hide. I post links to my journal in various places, and I'm always slightly paranoid that someone in the family might find it. I wouldn't really mind, except sometimes I talk about things that I just don't want them to know about. If you comment and add me, I'll most likely add you back.

I write: Everything. I don't know. I used to write a lot of fanfiction. Lately I have been writing more on an original thing. I typically don't share what I write, though. The biggest part of what I write is for me only. I write because it makes me feel better. It helps me work through things. I write it through characters, because it just helps me in some way. Anyway, I love writing whether I'm sharing it with anyone or not.

I don't write: Poems or songs. I also don't write a lot of romance stuff. I'd rather have a character get killed than fall in love. Although, it usually does come around to them liking someone. Anyway, poems I can't write. I've tried. I had an ex-boyfriend tell me that he thought I'd be good at writing poems. I also had an English teacher tell me the same thing. I just don't think I am good at it. And songs, well, it's just not my thing.

I like to read: Fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and probably other genres that I can't think of.

Favorite Authors: Oh, I have a lot of favorites... but my top two favorites are Sara Douglass and John Saul.

General Miscellaneous: There really isn't much else. I'm just looking for friends who are also really interested in writing and reading. I always find it interesting to read an entry about what a person is writing or about their inspiration for writing. I don't comment a lot unless I have something I absolutely cannot go on without saying. If you're someone who expect comments on every entry, you shouldn't add me. Anyway, there really isn't anything else. Just comment and add me. You can comment here or on my friends only entry. =)

Name: Elle

About Me: I'm 18 years old. I am currently doing a creative writing degree. I live in Australia. I wish to be an editor to pay the bills, but be an author to write the stories that swirl in my head. My journal, while now refocusing on my writing will talk very occasionally about my social/love life due to the fact that I am 18 years old and know how to be 18. I often answer the "Question of the Day" here at LJ just to do some writing. Please do not be discouraged by the digressions from writing, I look at it as inspiration for later years to come.

What I Write: Mainly fiction. Short stories to novels. I'm working on my novel now. There is no set genre, it really depends on what the story is. But I'm a planner, so unless it's a uni assignment, it takes forever to get done. (I dabbled in fanfiction a couple of years back.)

What I Don't Write: Poetry. I have written haikus and free verse - as required by my course. I much rather analyse poetry than write it. I just don't have the rhyme for it, I believe. However, if I'm in a particularly cryptic mood, I will jot something down.

What I Like To Read: It's all over the shop. (I've removed the "Favourite Authors" section of this because of this reason.) I read Melina Marchetta (regular fiction); JRR Tolkien; I'm trying to get through CS Lewis and a Sherlock Holmes book at the moment. I read Stephenie Meyer (fantasy), Matt Reilly (action/adventure), JK Rowling, Paulina Simons (romance), Jane Austen (classic), Holly Black and Cassie Clare from the urban fantasy section. As i said, all over the shop. (Honestly, I just looked in my bookshelf and picked out names.)

What I Don't Read: There is nothing I won't try.

What I'm Looking For: People that write and practice their art. People that have resources and are ready to share. People that just want to talk about writing and talk about my writing - as I am willing to talk about theirs. People that know who Melina Marchetta and Matt Reilly are (and even those who don't). People that can make playlists with me for my stories - I always write with music, as I believe everyone should (or out in the world, like park benches or cafes).

Other: My sister is an aspiring animator and my father a painter. We're a creative family and I've always been told to dream. So I do that. There's a list of things I want to accomplish in my life and sometimes I will talk about those dreams. I like to wish.

Cross-posted. Feel free to add me or ask questions for more information. :D

 Name: Christina

Age: 20

Location: Virginia

About Me: I am a loving wife, a clumsy waitress, a drudge to my 4 pets, and an aspiring author/elementary school teacher. I have my days where I am comfortable in simple jeans and a tshirt, and I have my days where I feel the need to dress up. I cook, I clean, I read, I shop, I play video games.  I am really just a plain jane. Feel free to check out my profile for more information.

About my journal: My journal is about the ups and downs of married life, waitressing, writing, and studying. It is friends only. If you wish to befriend me, I will most likely accept you. I'm simply protecting myself. I do not want my personal business open to anyone who has access to the internet.

I write: Chick Lit. While Chick Lit is often looked down upon, I triumph over the bad vibes thrown at me by my passion for Chick Lit. I am working on my first novel in hopes to have it published, though it's been a long road so far. I am also in the process of working on a children's book with my husband in hopes to have that published as well. I have been recieving a one on one creative writing class from a professor at ecpi college, and thus a good portion of my writing is dedicated to the assignments he gives me.

I don't write: mystery, poems, or songs. To be quite honest, they turn out horrible. Especially mysteries. I just can't get the whole 'twist and turn' plot down.

I like to read:  Chick Lit, Fantasy, and the classics.

Favorite Authors: Jane Green, Sophie Kinsella, Candace Bushnell, Terry Goodkind, Chuck Palahniuk, etc.

General Miscellaneous: I am willing to critique, edit, and/or offer my help in anyway. More then anything, I just want to have a few writer's to socialize with. I do not know any writer's here in Virginia other then my professor which, as you can imagine, is a little depressing. Please, feel free to add me. Just leave me a comment either here or in my journal, letting me know!

After looking over my profile, I realized it could use some updating...and give people that don't know me a chance to introduce themselves. :D

Name: Lily

Age: Eighteen, though I look younger

Location: Florida

About me: Hello, I'm your resident writer/cynic/insomniac. Pick one adjective or all three. I am antisocial by nature, but will talk at length if you bring up the proper subject. I have an obsession with the RMS Titanic. I talk about and to my characters too much. Emily Bronte, Oscar Wilde, Thomas Hardy, Vladimir Nabokov and Virginia Woolf are my role models, Hardy especially. I'm the eldest of four. I analyze my characters too much and love casting actors that look and act like them. (It makes my writing process easier.)

I also need to read Fight Club one day. I am of the belief that Heathcliff could beat Rochester in a fight, though I love them in equal amounts. I watch way too many period films. I love Starbucks, but who doesn't? My favorite place is Barnes and Noble. I love a good book and in-depth conversations.

The only TV I watch is the History Channel and Dateline NBC. I dabble--very lightly--in listening to musicals, though I generally dislike them. Music in general is mandatory when I write. If I'm really suffering from writer's block, I turn to my favorite films for inspiration. (Titanic, Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World, Moulin Rouge, and Tess Of The D'Urbervilles (the 1998 version) are some of my favorites.

What I write: Historical fiction, namely in the period between 1895 and 1912. I also dabble in The Picture Of Dorian Gray fanfic.

What I like to read: Classic novels, historical fiction, historical biographies and the occasional play. Somehow, I have a fondness for depressing novels.

Favorite authors: Thomas Hardy, Emily Bronte, Vladimir Nabokov, Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, Jack London, Ian McEwan, Charlotte Bronte

Favorite books: Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Jude The Obscure, Lolita (my number one book of all time), The Picture Of Dorian Gray, Girl With A Pearl Earring, The Call of the Wild, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, Branwell, Dangerous Liaisons, On Chesil Beach

What I don't read/write: Crappy teen fiction or anything that doesn't appeal to me. If you're a friend, I'll read your stuff.

Other: I'm quite happy to discuss my work with others; you can catch me at the following IM screenames. :D I'm always online and don't mind conversations.

MSN: lilypeters2001@yahoo.com
YIM: lilypeters2001
AIM: inthisabyss

What I'm looking for: Writers up for good long chats and reading each other's work in-depth. Fellow historical fiction fans are a plus.

Hi Writers,

Here are some writing communities to check out. If you have a community regarding writing, authors, and/or books you want to recommend, please comment with them and I'll add it here.


LJ Communities

creativefantasy

This community is for lovers of fantasy writing - a place for those that write original fantasy to find people to beta read their stories. It is also for sharing writing tips, writing articles and general writing information, along with discussions about various aspects of writing (plot, dialogue, characters, world-building, etc.)

creativewriter

A network of communities designed to provide inspiration; to gather aspiring authors together to discuss problems, ask questions, and basically help motivate the writing process. A place to post work for others to see. If it involves original work, you'll find it here.

promptdujour

Different creative prompt every day; meant for writers, but also open to other creative types.

sfwriters

This is a community for people who enjoy writing in general. And Science Fiction, Fantasy, Cyberpunk, and genres like that in particular.

shortest_story

Every week four 'titles' for snippets of original fiction will be posted. The titles will be single words or short phrases, and it's up to you how they should be interpreted. How you respond to the prompts is entirely up to you, just as long as it's inspired by the title.

summer_scribble

Summer Scribbles is a community dedicated to writing 100,000 words in just over two months of the summer. The plan is to do this through camaraderie and a real sense of community spirit, gained by group discussions and making regular accounts of their progress.


Non-LJ Communities:

http://www.inkstains.wordsoffiction.net/forums/

A writer's circle where critiquing of each other's works takes place, as well as books and author discussion.

http://www.scribophile.com

Scribophile is a community of writers. Publish your works and get valuable critiques and feedback from the writing community. Read the works of other authors and write helpful critiques. Interact and grow with a vibrant community of authors and poets. And, when you've put the finishing touches on your work, publish it as a PDF eBook.

Name: April

Age: Timeless

Location: California (bay area and such)

About Me: I'm honestly not too great with the self-description thing.  I'm a music education major and also a performer.  I play the doublebass and it will always be taller than me.  Before I made the musical switch, (complete with set changes and dimming lights!)  I was a journalism major, drowning in the interviewing process and clever leads of a college newspaper.  My past feels, at times, separate from who I am but it has shaped me, nonetheless.  I also like drawing.  Good for me.

About my journal: My journal is mostly a self-serving update session.  I mainly write on it for my own benefit, but others are welcome to benefit from it as well.

I write: Summaries of my day(s), Schedules and inane lists, random musings, assignments or writings I've done that I particularly enjoy, poetry, prose, and the occasional miniature update if I'm writing about love or other things.  I tend to be long-winded.

I don't write: You a love song, 'cause you asked.  Well, maybe, if you bribe me.
I don't tend to write constructed stories or much of anything worth continuity.

I like to read:  The classics, mostly!  I'm pretty bad with picking up a new book.  My favorite writers mainly come from the Lost Generation and some are dangerously under-appreciated, being that the 20's was their partying era.  They are far smarter than Paris Hilton, though.

Favorite Authors: Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Allan Poe, David Foster Wallace, and John Dos Passos.  I usually say Stephen Colbert, but this is serious business.

General Miscellaneous: I can critique, edit, give feedback, and then write you that aforementioned love song if you so dearly ask.

Name: Radish

Age: Younger

Location: Virginia *pout*

About me: I for some reason unknown to me, have identified myself as a Radish, though I don't overly enjoy reading such vegis.

About my journal: It's new.....posting my current peice of delightful clicheness in it

What I read: Anything honestly, except hard science fiction

What I don't read: Fanfiction and hard science fiction

Favourite authors: Orson Scott Card.

What I write: Noveling of clicheness ^_^

What I don't write: Poetry and Shortstories

Could you edit someone else's work?: Sure thing

What I'm looking for: People that will read my writing and give me honest feedback, or just writer friends

 Name: Tanya [a.k.a. Venexea] (31)

About Me: Well lets be straight forwards here, if you're going to be a friend of mine and we're going to mesh/click and hopefully talk (in Lj mgs or Messenger) communication is the most important, and me being honest may come out a bit blunt and manged at times. It's part of my charm .. *big chessey grin* I suffer from social aniexty, and my emotions switch on a dime at times, my motivation and emotions are rather enviromentally effected, that means that if my rebellious 11month old cat Wroo is rampaging and the hubby is warning me to control her, I will likely loose on motivation to write or be happy. I am not at all proud or fond of being on Disability but with my debt, old student loans and my horrible job skills and lack of common sense it makes finding the right job impossible.

I am also a cat person and can get pretty obsessed about them, I have Wroo (11mth Tortie) and Oscar (15+yr old Tabby), my husband is a dog person though when I met him in '96 he also came with Oscar. He and myself have been married four years this October and are trying for first child [crosses toes]. Uhm, I got on Face Book I guess a year now surprisingly in a way to keep in touch with my little sister that is out of State and hopefully build a relastionship, unfortunately, we haven't but have bridged a pretty big cavern with my youngest cousin Sheen through Face Book and now Messenger.  I spend a lot of time knitting, and doing projects for my father in in law and really should try trusting the patterns more then making them up as I go... okay I'm obsessed with knitting according to the hubby. I'd say I'm more obsessed with The Dresden Files novels then knitting. I've read up to Blood Rite and have to wait till November, or I have the cash to pay off the library fees (I blame the snow and the hubby for the fees and that's the story I'm sticking too). I confess though, once I find something I really do obsess on it -- or so I'm told... *silly little cackles* I'm perfectly happy with good tunes, my feet up knitting outside on the portch with a vodka cooler though its rare I have a cooler XD, I wouldn't mind doing the same with but with a lab top writing instead of the knitting but untill that bank is robbed or we win the lottery it's going to have to wait. :)

I Write: Fiction. fantasy horror and have spent a lot of time writing play by post rpgs(pbp rpgs) [as a fix since rpging D&D with hubby and his friends isn't an option] mostly Shifter Rpgs rather then Mutant. I have been trying to write a novel for a good ten years but always I loose interest, the computer blows up (I mystically am cursed around technology), or over think the story & plot and end up scrapping it, however, I have roughly 10k 60pgs of a "vampire novel". Nano 07 was a "shifter novel" that is suppose to be the first book though it will likely be finished secondly if my timeline and thinking pans out. This "shifter novel" needs to be reworked and since it has 26, 528 words words I praying I can keep most of what I wrote when I have the motivation (and not terrifide I'll loose what I write due to computer corruption). I hope to finish these two stories since it is a running theme with me and not finishing what I start writing, and it's this thought that keeps me from starting anything else. Which is hard since I've just got in my head today to do my pbp rpg in live journal by myself since I was mostly the only one writing in the forum, so me being pratical will try to talk myself out of doing this.

I haven't written anything story wise really since Nano, though I did write some things for the second or third try to revise my pbp rpg (Blood Orchard) unfortunately I'm sort of stuck in limbo writing wise now. I may be the cause of my depression, or bordom since I do get that way if I can't write and am  having problems with it. I'm pretty big time hard on myself writing and unfortunately I judge what I write to others despite how hard I block out the negative thoughts and what not so please pardon me if I get negative with my writing.

I Don't Write: Love stories, or for the teenagers, long since any of my characters been in High School so it's unlikely I purposely put any characters in High School. I also don't tend to be delicate

I Like To Read: You have to know something that's pretty big for me, for us. The hubby is a HUGE reader and I mean huge and fast he's into David Eddings and R. L Salvatore and all that genre and all the years I've been with him he's always lovingly teased me that I read the same size books in 2-5yrs. Last summer I picked up at the Niagara Falls, Ontario library the first The Dresden Files book and read it in three days. I had to wait for the second book so I took out a book I had got for the hubby, I believe it to be The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko. I had read the back, the first page and knew hubby would like it and it struck me as being vaguely similiar to what I write but the amount of pages intimidated me. So not wanting to loose this new found reading phase I was in I picked it up and read it in five days. I was bouncing off the walls, the ceiling I was so bloody estatic I was reading so fast and so happy to find the type of books I only wish I could have in High School where I'd spend all summer hiding in the basement from the sun and heat trying to read some book so I could do book reports during the school year. The way I figure it, last summer I read six books over the course of 2-3 months. I still need to read The Twilight Watch of Sergei Lukyanenko's series but first I need to find out if Harry saves Murphy or clues in he may have feelings for her.... *squeels* Me reading that much really made the hubby happy, and proud and if you're married or been with anyone for a while you know having and them being such makes you just as well.

I Don't Read: Romance, drama, etc

Favorite Authors: Obviously Jim Butcher & Sergei Lukyanenko

I'm Looking For: Someone I share interests in, hobbies, thinking and issues with; it would be helpful and easier if you wrote partially in same area as I have no attention or motivation in reading anything that doesn't catch my attention within the first paragraph. I would ideally like to, eventually find someone in the Niagara Falls, Ontario area though I know this is being purely impossible since my luck generally sucks and I'm apparently not meant to have friends (hopefully female since the hubby is leary about males online) to escape to.

Other: I'm a bit rampedly randomly silly and dark and morbid, generally negative and can likely come off complaining (though I don't realize it most of the time so please tell me kindly when I am) . Uhm-m-m, I'm sure I could think of something else but if there is anything else I'll let you know or, if in the likely event I forgot or didn't explain something, ple-e-e-ease reply or contact me.

Thanks.
Stay ramped silly

Name: Lola

Age: 20

Location: Canada

About Me: I am a wanderer at heart, but I have no drive. I'm in university now, or I would be if I could afford to go. I'm studying Linguistics and Applied Languages, which is a lot less impressive than it sounds. I want to teach English overseas. I'm very sarcastic, but I never lie; I always say exactly what I'm thinking at any given time, which makes it quite easy to hate me, I suppose, but I'm not as bothered by that as I probably should be. I love drinking tea and dancing in the rain. I hate cooking.

About my journal: I mainly post about what's going  on in my life, but I post writing when I can and ramble about my lack of motivation. I also post photos and fandom ramblings.

I Write: Prose. If I had to give it a genre it would be drama/fantasy. I'm working on a story I've had in my head since I was a kid.

I Don't Write: I'm really weak with plots, so I don't really write anything else.

I Like To Read: Everything under the sun, as long as it's interesting. Anything from murder mystery to historical fiction, just as long as it can keep my interest. I can be pretty flighty at times.

I Don't Read: Anything that doesn't grab my attention.

Favorite Authors: Anne Rice, Neil Gaiman, Douglas Adams, Christopher Moore, Chuck Palahniuk, Oscar Wilde, Vladimir Nabokov, and probably a whole bunch of others.