Thread: This is a story. I wrote it. It's about some people. And things that happen. - ???

Caroline was eating. After she ate, the phone rang. She picked it up to answer it. It was her ex.

I don't remember reading so many stories before that were so wooden, so abrupt and vanilla. But I'm seeing more of them (not just here) and I'm hoping that it's not an epidemic, but rather the result of fledgling writers getting out there and dipping their quills for the first time. Or would you say it's really about the same as it's always been and I'm maybe sensitive to it?

Well, at least it's not American Idol.


mgencleyn was done writing. He clicked the button.

I remember a post ages ago, I think it might have been Pete C. In essence it said "My mate has a dog, it has wiry hair, I would like to write a piece about my mate's wire haired dog, how do I go about this?". Pete has a caustic way of putting things sometimes, but no, there is very little that is new, perceptions change.

I think as we become more experienced as writers, and more exposed to good fiction as readers, we become more aware of stilted prose and less tolerant of it. I have to say that I've read a lot of garbage, but have also come upon quite a few gems. People amaze me, in both good and bad ways.

Awe... so rude .. I mean u mgencleyn but me joking.
I understand. but it's more no ones here to read a novel, just read some interesting stuff.... I thinks. me no no.
anyway. please leave a note in my story ARA. and tell em what u think. I'm about to drop it all together because there is no interest. I was just getting tot he best part. the start.

Originally Posted by Olly Buckle

I remember a post ages ago, I think it might have been Pete C. In essence it said "My mate has a dog, it has wiry hair, I would like to write a piece about my mate's wire haired dog, how do I go about this?". Pete has a caustic way of putting things sometimes, but no, there is very little that is new, perceptions change.

I became curious about Pete and went looking for that post.

What I found saddened me. The OP in that thread, an older ex-patriate Englishwoman living in France, and a professional writer to boot, had offered her services to assist people with writing magazine-type articles for online publishing.

Some arsehole who’d studied journalism came along and rubbished her. That person still surfaces occasionally in Writer’s Workshop. But never mind about him; I’ll remember him and fix him.

What does matter is that the lady OP vanished shortly thereafter. And that is where a bit of supportiveness by us all - mods and/or ordinary members - might help to keep the worthwhile people around.