New member? Introduce yourself! (Page 2 of 3)

thanks, Janet and bimmy!  I recognize both your names, which is reassuring in a strange way

Welcome back Rach!! I wondered where you went, but glad to see you back!

And welcome to all newcomers. Feel free to hit any of us on this forum, or through messages/reviews.

Welcome to TNBW Ava! We've been quiet around here lately, but don't let that stop you from starting a thread if you have any questions. Someone will step forward from lurking and leave a reply/suggestion/answer! We have a really good bunch of people all over the site - everyone has their own strengths and all put together will give you great feedback to improve your writing. It can be daunting when you see those first reviews, but keep it mind it's coming from a good place and everyone here just wants to help and be helped! Hardest bit sometimes is to know which suggestions to embrace, which ones to adopt and which ones to let go, but you'll get the hang of it, just give it time!

The single best piece of advice I have for you is to start reviewing (you also learn from doing them and need it to get points to post your own writing). And the site works on a reciprocating basis - it's expected to return review for review unless you agree with someone else that it's not expected (that also happens, but not that much in my experience).

I also think it would be good to let people know if English is your second language and if you're after specific help. It's not a requirement, but it's good to know this when you're doing reviews.

I'll leave you to find your feet and yeah, if you have any questions, just let us know - here, messaging or whatever works for you!

Glad to have another Romance writer around!!!

Now I only worry what will happen as I turn up the steam, I'm challenging myself to write more explicit (in a way that I like to read sex scenes) because I'm usually so shy.
I'm not sure I'm ready to show it to the world, I'd feel so much safer showing it more private to a smaller group of romance readers and writers who knows what they are in for... makes sense?

You can start a group and make it as open or private as you want. When you post your writing, only post it to that group. That way, only people you want to look at your writing, will know it exists and will be able to leave reviews. You can always ask around here for people from the Romance community to let you know if they are interested. I haven't created a private group yet, but it should be fairly easy to do. If you have any questions, you can ask SolN or in the Premium forum for help.

How did you go about it?
How explicit do you write?

I write fairly explicit/accurate/to the point, but don't use explicit body part descriptions. I know of at least writer that had been skipping the sex scenes, but not anymore as part of growing and doing something that he otherwise never would've. That said, we're really lucky in that we have a good male representation - they're absolutely great to get the male perspective right.
If it wasn't for those scenes I'd feel less concerns regarding posting my second chapter (but I'd still worry people would think I didn't learn anything from my first reviews haha, this is very scary no matter how you look at it). I'm afraid I'll offend someone, or that they will find my writing cheap because I'm a beginner and still finding my voice, especially in scenes like that.
I give a warning as part of the chapter note/review guidance if there's any sex scenes in the chapter. Those that want to avoid it, can.
As for offending anyone, don't let that ever stop you from writing anything. And no one knows who you are in real life - you're just pixels to us! You can let people also know that you're jus starting out and still finding your voice - 99.9% of everyone will be supportive but honest to help you through the worse. We've ALL been there! Trust me, my first chapter I've ever posted was ripped apart. I'm still learning after a couple of years on TNBW. I don't think I'll ever stop learning. So that's also no excuse! So stop worrying and start writing!
Two pieces of the best advice I have for now:
-- Sex scenes are just a special kind of action scene, so if you can write/review a fist fight, you can write/review a sex scene
-- Don't let the naysayers into your head - write what you want to write and forget about the church ladies, your mother, or whoever you never want to see your writing
Hope some of this helps!!!!
ps - I'm also pretty shy in real life - I force myself to be assertive at work and when situations ask for it - and then I need quiet and being by myself to recharge again, so you're not alone!

Welcome to TNBW and Romance Inc!

Hi everyone!
I don't write in the romance genre, but all of my writing contains a heavy dose of romance, so I hope that is acceptable.
I have a self-published ebook that is a YA western, ghost story with a sweet romance. How's that for a mix of genres? My WIP is a YA fantasy, also with romance. I'm looking forward to participating in this group.

A really late welcome! If you have any questions, ask away! I'm not around as often as I would like to be, but I take a peek every now and again!

Happy writing!

Hi Jennifer, it's been quiet around here, but we're always lurking! Not sure if it's really quiet because of NaNo, or not, but we can be chatty when the mood strikes us. Let us know if you have any questions! Glad to have another Romance enthusiast!!!!

Hello Everyone,
My name is Pat and I am a new writer.  I have just started my first novel. It is a romance and I am excited abot sharing and getting feedback.

Hello there! I'm incredibly new to the writing world, kind of one of those people who writes but has no idea about any of the writer's lingo; a dabbler, I guess. I've joined this group specifically for critiques on my poems. The novel I'm at least attempting to write isn't romantic, and unlike other members here, I have no idea what genre it would fall under. I'm more comfortable sharing my poems, though, so I'm interested in hearing what people have to say about them! (And then, maybe, once I feel up to it I'll put out my general writings for people to scrutinize, but not yet).

Either way, I'm interested to read everyone's work, as well as have you read my own!

Hi there! My name is Najya and I’m an Afro-Caribbean activist and poet! I’ve been writing for more than ten years now, but I’ve been wanting a community to grow with, especially in preparing for more serious publications. I am writing a few poetry manuscripts and I hope to write a book of love letters for/to Black women who struggle with self doubt, depression and other mental health issues. I just posted my first poem, The Untouchable, to the group so feel free to tell me what you think. I’m excited and can’t wait to see this through!

Warmly, Najya