Introducing the pen and paper is hard!

mada · Jan 26, 2008

Hi everyone! I've been lurking for a while and I'm going to cautiously poke my head in the door. Why is it that joining a new group is a bit like being the new kid at school half way through the year? In the end you still form great friendships, but you're sure everyone will laugh at you when you first get there!

My name is Heather and in a quest to find the me that has been lost over the past decade, I've realized that I miss writing. Now I'm trying to figure out how to solve this little problem and it's not as easy as I hoped it would be! I have a novel that I'm working on but I'm constantly having to beat off the voice in my head telling me that no one will be interested in it so why bother writing it.

I've learned quite a bit from the safety of the shadows and I hope to learn even more as I make my way into the group!

Heather

Arisa81 · Jan 26, 2008

Welcome Heather!

I am sure you will find what you need here at the Cooler. People are very helpful and friendly, so don't be shy!

Nickie · Jan 27, 2008

Hello to you, Heather! Welcome to AW!

Nickie

jamiehall · Jan 27, 2008

Chase · Jan 27, 2008

Welcome hither, Heather.

Thrillride · Jan 27, 2008

Ve bid you, velcome. Muahahahaha!

Kidding. There's a really cute kitty with big canines (damn, I'm good) that goes with that tag up there, but I didn't want to take up big space with the pic (well, that and I don't know how to get the pic there...it won't cut & paste).

Anyway, come in, take your shoes off, stay a while. You are gonna love it here. There is so much info and help, it's gonna make your head swim.

Oberon · Jan 27, 2008

Welcome, Heather. I have always loved that name. A nature photographer I have dealt with quite often in my photo research for biology texts is named Heather Angel. I've never met her, but I picture her hovering on gossamer wings. Anyway, keep on with your novel. When you get to the end, put it aside for a while and go on to another project. When you come back to it you will see how it can be improved, or that it is hopeless, but get another opinion. It's hard to judge your own work. It's either garbage or golden, and you can be encouraged or disappointed when others look at it. Have no fear, go boldly, let it fly (It's what I tell myself when I question my work).

Maryn · Jan 27, 2008

Hiya, Heather. I know what you mean about being the new kid, but you're in luck, because this place is actually pretty accommodating. (More than any school I ever transferred to!) There are tours, and you can get a guide if you want one, or you can just step out swinging and see if you hit anybody interesting.

Maryn, inviting you to relax in the hot tub at Ray's House of Love

hermit authoress · Jan 27, 2008

Hi and welcome to AW.

Moon Daughter · Jan 27, 2008

Welcome to AW, Heather.

quickWit · Jan 28, 2008

Welcome to the Cooler Heather. Don't listen to the voices telling you to stop. Press on.

And give me your lunch money.

mada · Jan 29, 2008

quickWit said:
Welcome to the Cooler Heather. Don't listen to the voices telling you to stop. Press on.

And give me your lunch money.

Umm, my mom forgot to give me lunch money today!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcomes.

ImagineAZ · Jan 30, 2008

Heather, my first piece of advice is this: whatever you're working on now, you've got something big right there in your first post. Telling yourself (and us) that you're on a quest to find a past "you" is a HUMONGOUS start. Write with that kind of passion, the kind of passion that accompanies a realization like that, and you'll be great.

I'm not necessarily suggesting writing a story about someone who is trying to write a novel after a long time away from writing - although you could. But the whole idea of a lost "me" and a negative voice in your head could be a good spine. It's honest, it's emotional and it puts your negatives to work for you and makes them positives.

Have fun

Mandy-Jane · Jan 30, 2008

Introducing the pen and paper is hard!

mada

Getting back in the groove

Arisa81

Nickie

Not too old to learn

jamiehall

Bereaved Snarkling

Chase

It Takes All of Us to End Racism

Thrillride

A Suburban Farmer

Oberon

Maryn

I Tried

hermit authoress

citanaf draoB

Moon Daughter

quickWit

Totally Ninja!

mada

Getting back in the groove

ImagineAZ

Mandy-Jane

venturing ever further into the unknown