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Thanks guys - no the question was not rethorical, more an opinion or deduction, that you confirmed

The heap of paper was rethorical - I am quite sure that it is "normal", just a way of indicating, what is happening to me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

I have no idea what kind of story I would start trying - but, I admit, the virus caught me - to my own surprise

And I had no idea about the abundance of material and advice available, nor of the multitude of fanfic or other - how do I say that? I don't want to say "unprofessional" or "amateur", maybe I can say "uncommercial"? Without hurting anybody's feelings unintentionally and undeservedly? - literature.


LOL - you said it fine, Glance. 'Uncommercial' - 'non-commercial' - both have a good ring.

Yes, there is a ton of writing info on the web and in bookstores. Everyone who has an opinion on the art of writing seems to have written and published a book. Wading through all of it can be a mind-numbing experience. Best advice I can give anyone who catches the 'writing virus' is to get a copy of Strunk and White's "Elements of Style" and read it from cover to cover. Anything that you learn after that is icing on the cake. Oh, and one more recommendation. If you decide to take the plunge and publish your work, make sure you get a copy of the publisher's guidelines. It's a waste of time if you pour all your hard work into a short story, article or novel and don't know the first thing about formatting your manuscript. If it's not done properly - no matter how stellar your work is, it won't make it in front of any editor. I try to keep an up-to-date copy of Writer's Digest "Writer's Market" on hand. I buy a copy every two years. If the publisher isn't listed in there, they usually have a website where you can query for their guidelines.

If you have any questions about good writing sites, I have a ton bookmarked. I can pm them to you.


Faralas <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mage.gif" alt="" />