...and if so, a lashing and proper direction would be appreciated. Mostly the proper direction, but you know, whatever on the lashing.
First, a sort of big wave hello, again. I was here, I took a class, I worked a major political campaign (indeed, I took the class *while* I worked the campaign, which was not ideal), my dad got really sick and died---I kinda dropped off the litreactor radar entirely. Clearly, that could all be a whole, long post, but that's not what's on my mind, mostly. What's on my mind is the desperate need for a writing buddy, someone whose brain plays in the same spaces and same ways, someone who can, and would want to, discuss, you know, story stuff. I'm pretty much in wilderness in that regard. I suspect my cat just refuses to answer me out loud because she's a cat. The dogs can't focus that long. My partner doesn't have a life-long myth background and gets out of her depth too fast to be helpful. So:
Solitary author seeks similarly twisty brain for occasional, as-needed discussion of stuff and things and story and the like. Must be conversant in most myth, be down with high fantasy. Probably helpful if you read Cat Valente and fervently wish you could do that. A disregard for linear story-telling probably isn't bad either. Offering: general exchange of ideas, problem-solving, and encouragement, thoughtful and compassionate review and critique. Also, if you want, an education in perfume and Scotch.
Maybe it's astonishingly stupid to even ask such a thing. I am confident someone will tell me if that is so. I don't know, maybe eveyone writes fundamentally in a void and confronts questions like "hue to the myth or go high fantasy?" all by their lonesomes, and it's fine. All the same, it would be super-awesome-lovely-divine to say to someone "so, here's what I'm thinking..." and get an intelligent, thoughtful reply.
Thanks for reading to the end-
Karen
Hey Karen- no issues. I get that, I have a few writing buddies myself. Some on here. Southerners have a different way of speaking, so I get that. Sorry about your Dad, I went through something similar not so long ago. In the end, even though we're very much alone throughout life, we can't actually do anything on our own.
I'll PM you some of my contact details.
Hey Karen,
Good to see you back, and I'm sorry to hear your Dad passed. I hope things start looking up for you guys soon.
Jess xx
Hello Karen,
Sorry about your Father, and Welcome back. There is nothing wrong at all for wanting a writing buddy. I have reading budies locally but none who write also so I rely on the good people here at litreactor and the workshop to hash out my ideas. Personally, I'm not sure how much I would be able to help you because I've never read Cat Valente but there are probably several people around that would be perfect writing companions and that would love to help. Good luck with your writing! You can p.m. me if you have any questions or such.
Thanks,
J.R.
Hi Karen,
I'm so sorry about your father, and even though we haven't met (probably because you were here before me), welcome back. Feel free to PM, or post to the workshops. Myth knowledge isn't my strongsuit, but I'd be happy to look it over as a lay-reader and give feedback. I'm sure there are several here who can give you more specific guidance in that regard. Good luck with everything!
--Dino
Welcome. Having any luck?
In terms of a warm, kind response? Oh yes, you people are wonderful. Truly. In terms of my plot-condundrm, sorta.
So sorry about your dad.
And this is a great example of why chat rooms on here would be quite nice. Of course, it would be easy to coordinate a time to do a chat room using other software. But it would be nice to have chat rooms and be able to just drop in as time permits.
I hate to think how much time I'd waste in a chat room when I already feel like I waste too much time on the forums.
@Karen - you've got paid membership, yes? Why don't you submit your story or story chunk to the workshop for feedback? There are quite a few of us participating in WAR (a round robin short story challenge on this site) at the moment, but in a few weeks it will be easier for people to provide reviews in the workshops again. And I sent out an email to our fantasy/sci-fi classmates a few days back, it might be worth seeing if anyone on that list could help. I'm pretty sure I had you on there, but if you didn't get it, let me know and I'll CC you in.
Some Scotch whiskeys taste like perfume/mothballs, some taste like whiskey; I prefer the latter.
I've read more myth and folklore than I have high fantasy, but if you want an opinion on something, I will give you one.
I'm new so I haven't yet met you yet. I was a Dad that had a tummy ache and when I awoke nine days later I found everyone distraught about something I missed and had no recollection of. I am one in the lucky stats. I'm sorry for your loss. Listen for the voice it is still there.
I've read fantasy in the past. Being a hard scifi enthusiast that devolves to soft scifi, space opera, best of fantasy and then variously through mysteries, thrillers, conspiracies and spy novels seeking a good read I think I might be enough of a generalist to be of some help, not the club tennis pro but a nice green backboard that is there all the time and quite consistent.
Many, many thanks to all of you who responded here and who sent messages. fport, you are indeed lucky, and so is your family. On the immediate plot issue front, I decided I should just get out of the story's way and stop trying to make it fit in a box, which, you know, is probably usually a good idea. Doing more hibernating than writing right now, but now I have a couple of fantastic buddies to bounce things off of, and that is a gift. You are all awesome.
Hey, as they say here - write it and submit. I've avoided following the advice so far and people still talk to me as I ramp up to that fateful day when I actually do submit. Right now I am listening to a heavy metal concert on my headphones while I write. Nightwish if anyoen is interested.
Welcome back Karen.
