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Hello everyone!
I am new here, and new to writing. I have never shared any of my writings with anyone before this. I am looking forward to doing so and to learning from other writers. I  glad I found this site.

I started writing recently for therapeutic reasons. I write about my experiences, sometimes in first person but most comfortably in third person. I have struggled and lived through a lot, so I have plenty of potential content. I just do not know what would be interesting for others to read and connect to. I am also having trouble finding my writing "voice". I would love any advice! And I can't wait to read some good stories.

I am on a 7 day trial. I don't know the cost of membership, but I doubt I will be able to afford it. I am an unemployed single mother transitioning careers. But I do appreciate any advice and critique during this week, and hopefully I will be able to come back soon after my trial is over. I just love the idea of this site.

Thank you, Lynne.

Hi TirzahLaughs,

Both can be correct, but here's the catch: you must pick one and stick with it throughout.

First, you have to decide if your narrator is telling the reader a story that has already passed (this is usually a framed story, where the narrator makes it clear at the beginning that they are going to tell you about something that happened, e.g. "It all started on my tenth birthday...") or if the reader is walking alongside the narrator through the story. Both are valid narrative structures. In the first case, use past tense. In the second case, use the present tense. And never vacillate in between.

To use the example from this thread:
"So, I slapped him silly when I found out and he got mad and jumped in his car. I'm flipping him the bird while he's driving away staring..."

The issue is "slapped" is past tense, while "I'm (am) flipping" is present tense.

It could be:
"So, I slap him silly when I find out and he gets mad and jumps in his car. I'm flipping him the bird while he's driving away staring..."
-or-
"So, I slapped him silly when I found out and he got mad and jumped in his car. I flipped him the bird while he drove away staring..."

Good luck untangling!

Hi, Tirz, you are telling the story in first person, but the story has already occurred or you wouldn't be able to tell it; therefore, you "flipped" Binny the bird as you are not in the process of flipping him the bird while you are telling the reader that you did so in the past. Beyond that, if it sounds strange to you, then it is probably "wrong" even if many might think it is technically "correct." I've read a great deal of Plum, but don't as a rule comment on grammar things in a review because I am not the best qualified person to do so and there is also a "voice" the narrator uses which is unique and it would be totally natural for said voice to screw things up now and again.

I would suggest that you finish the book and whatever edits you wish to make before losing any sleep over a grammar situation which appears to be a toss up between reviewers. You and/or a future editor can make that ultimate decision regarding tense and other technical things which might create a difference of opinion among current reviewers. Lord knows Plum has enough to deal with without getting embroiled in a grammar debate, lol. It might be helpful to note that I ran into a similar situation with Root Hog or Die regarding dialect; some love it, others call it a no-no. I finally decided I would keep it with some slight toning down and hopefully let some future publisher/editor decide if it should stay or go. I put that decision in the summary at the beginning but still told readers comments either way were appreciated. Take care. Vern

I'm leaving the site at the weekend and will delete this group as I exit the door on the 28th Jan 2018... UNLESS anyone wants to take it on? Please shout before Sunday, else it is going, going, gone.

I've been offsite for a long time, but have now returned and I am hoping to get the old writing juices rolling again. I am so happy to be back:) Message me anytime for networking or just some good old-fashioned correspondence author to author:)

Regards,
Chalice

Hey Tizrah,

you probably don't remember me, but I remember you and your wonderful writing. I look forward to reading for you soon.

Regards,
Chalice

Hi, Im a Newbie trying to find my way around.

So far I've given one regular review, but haven't even put my profile up. Will be next.

I finished writing a novel with the title The Eyes of the River, a story that plays out in two historical worlds that are connected by a river. My excitement about having finished a first draft was short-lived. Now the real work begins, and that is why I have landed here.

I'm looking forward to find kindred souls. Happy New Year!

For those of you who purchase books online via a Kindle, Nook, iPhone, etc., what time of day do you think you do your purchase? I'm looking at some data from my campaigns and it looks like the biggest spike in sales is between 8-10 in the evening. I'm wondering if this squares with your personal experience.