Jessi
 

My name Steve Rossiter, 20 years old, living in Wilmington, North Carolina. I"ve lived here most of my life. I go to a business, medical, and technical college here in wilmington, and getting a degree in microcomputers...

I've been dreaming up stories for as long as I can remember. My imagination has always been my best friend. After I read Ender's Game in the 7th grade, many moons ago, I knew I wanted to be a writer. That's why I am a member here at hatrack... I want to discuss interesting ideas and methods of writing and gain new insight and improve my skills.

I'm quite insane in my view that writing is a craft and every word writing on a page is also a part of a techique. No word is on that page without a purpose, plan or reason.... Being strong in English and sentence structure is a good start, but crafting good stories has nothing to do with that.. I'm a terrible speller and, in my opinion, a good critiquer.

I like to write fantasy and science fiction, but I'll ready anything that is different and well written, and interesting.

Love you all, and I can't wait to meet you newbies.

My name is Pasi Niskanen, I'm 21 years old and I live in Sweden. I've lived all my life here, but my parents are finnish in case anyone was wondering why I have a finnish name, although I guess that most of you here wouldn't know the difference between swedish and finnish (except the few swedish words in Speaker for the Dead, the names of Ender's students). And I've been surfing the net ever since 1995 when I started high school and saw my first PC and instantly fell in love with it I guess that my (hopefully) good knowledge of english language is because I used to chat and MUD way too much, and read almost only english books all the time, because most of the books I want to read never get translated to swedish, the market for SF and fantasy isn't that big over here. But my local small bookstore has a great selection of english SF and fantasy so I'm not complaining
Other than that, I'm a full-time philosopher (read: unemployed), and I have wanted to become a writer as long as I can remember, I really don't know what would have been the first book I read that got me wanting to write myself, but I did spend the most of my childhood with my nose buried in a book I guess the reason I haven't really tried any writing myself yet (except what I had to write for school and so) is because the more books I read, the more it makes me realize I could never write anything *that* good Maybe I should start reading more crappy books to actually realize I'm good at writing... hmmm, I eat way too often at Mcdonald's, and I love listening to Pet Shop Boys ( go ahead and laugh )
And the best SF writer is still Isaac Asimov but of course he is closely followed by OSC, but I don't think that any living human could ever surpass the greatness of Asimov's books

OK I guess that's enough about me, atleast I can't think of anything more interesting to write at the moment so you'll all just have to read my biograpy sometime in the future when I get famous
 

I live in Wyoming, USA, the armpit of the world I swear. It's freezing right now and we're under like a foot of snow. It snows in July here sometimes and when it's not snowing then everywhere you look it's brown, brown, brown. I took Spanish all the way through high school and college and my goal is to move to Costa Rica once I'm rich and famous. I studied there in college and it's everything I love all in one peaceful little country.

One last note, I am very, very un-PC. Raised fundamentalist Christian background, own several guns, hunt avidly, annoyingly obsessed with moral decay...you get the picture. Despite all that, I attempt to keep an open mind and I do not actively engage in judgmentalism when I can recognize it in myself.

I enjoy getting to know you all (by way of your opinions I mean.) Thanks for the entertainment...oh I meant enlightenment, of course.

Jessi

[This message has been edited by Jessi D (edited January 29, 2001).]
 

Will.
 

[This message has been edited by JK (edited February 05, 2001).]
 

I'm 25, I have a Bachellor of Fine Art with an emphasis in painting, a minor in music, and a job as a secretary. I've been writing since I was 8 and I love it! I have so many ideas in my head that are aching to be written, paintings waiting to be given life, but I have a hard time balancing my three loves (art, music and writing) and the job that pays for my bread. So my loves invariably get dropped from time to time.

That's how life goes, I've heard.

I have this distinct feeling that my art could support me, if I could only take that flying leap and spend all my time working on it instead of being a secretary. But I really don't know, and I'm not brave enough to try yet.

In the meantime... I meander through websites with writing tips, I steal moments here and there to put down 500 words, I get a hurried sketch down on paper. And I press on.
 

My real name is Michael Scott Hayes, but almost everyone knows me as Scott. I'm 27, and currently work as an audiologist in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A., where I have lived since the age of 10. I've been interested in writing since I was very young, starting with a poem that I wrote at the age of 5 or 6 which was published in the local paper in Florida. I'm severely-to-profoundly deaf, which lead some to predict when I was first diagnosed that I would never learn how to read or write beyond a fifth-grade level. So pleased to prove them wrong. I started getting into short story writing seriously in 1989, and went on a seven-year hiatus starting in 1993. I'm now returning to it, starting work on what I hope will be my first novel. Writer's block is not my usual enemy: I'm a world champion procrastinator, so it'll be interesting to see if I can finish this thing before the end of the year.

My favorite authors, fiction and non-fiction, are OSC (natch), John Irving (A Prayer for Owen Meany ranks as one of my absolute all-time favorite books), Terry Pratchett (his Discworld novels absolutely kill me), Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov, Dan Simmons, Neal Stephenson, P.J. O'Rourke (very, very funny non-fiction writer), Daniel Boorstin, Dava Sobel (her books Longitude and Galileo's Daughter are two of the most engaging and lively history books I've read) and Jonathan Lethem. I like Tolkien as well, for while I did enjoy The Lord of the Rings, I love even more his masterpiece The Silmarillion, which is the only book I've read that when I finished the last page, I immediately turned back to the first page and read the whole thing again. Honorable mention goes to Michael Ende, whose novel The Neverending Story I had the good fortune of encountering at the age of 11, and it changed forever my view of the potential power of books. Never mind the movie, (which is an adequate, if flawed, adaptation) it only covers the first half, and it wasn't even the most interesting half of the book. I still have my copy from when I was 11, and re-read the book at least once a year...still seeing things in it with each new reading that I hadn't noticed before.

Now that I've babbled enough, I'll go away now.
 

I'm 13 y/o, I live in New Mexico, I'm in 8th grade, I've been writing for several years and hope to publish someday ,and I love reading. Uh, I play video games...not sure what else to add so i'll submit now
Xeno
 

I'm 28, living in the Midwest, and a community planner by education and profession. I love reading and writing science fiction and fantasy, have since I can remember. My favorite authors include Neil Gaiman, Harlan Ellison, Stephen King, (do I have to actually say OSC?).

I've always considered myself a writer, though it's only been within the last year that the serious bug has bitten. I have set a goal to have at least one thing published this year. In my new fervor, I have been scouring the web trying to find a few good writing communities -- you can imagine my excitement at finding Hatrack River.

I'm looking forward to the inspriation, motivation, and infrequent (but necessary) kick in the pants that can result when people of like passions get together to share. It feels good to be here (and I've only just arrived).

Ciao!

JP

[This message has been edited by JP Carney (edited February 14, 2001).]
 

I've been writing all my life in one way or another, but lately I've realized that writing is really something that I want to focus on. It's the ONE thing that I can't seem to be happy without doing. And yet for the last few months I haven't been doing any at all! Let alone anything else halfway productive...I'm sure many of you have gone through similar blue funk periods. No energy. No motivation. No nothing...

I'm 23, living at the moment on the Northwest slice of the US. I'm a dot com whore and a graphic designer. Apart from OSC, who I didn't even REALIZE had a fan following until I ran across this site(!), a few of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy writers are Octavia Butler, Isaac Asimov, Douglas Adams and Tolkien (of course). Other favorites include Maxine Hong Kingston, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Italo Calvino, and Milan Kundera.

When you're a consummate lurker, posting makes you nervous. As if...oh no! People know I'm here now!!

I am so very glad to meet you all.
 

I'll be 24 this Saturday. I grew up in Portland, Oregon, moved to Beaverton, spent a few years in Tempe, Arizona, then came back to Beaverton. My life is about THAT eventful.

Typing is about the most exciting thing I engage in, except only my relationship. I've been all over the net in forums, but I am very interested in this site.

To be honest, the first Card book I had ever read was _How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy_. It was the first moment I truly wanted to write. It was masterful. After that, I immediately bought _Ender's Game_ and read it in eight hours. From there it was a run of OSC books as well as many others.

I picked apart the stories. The way they were exposed. The stylisms the authors' had used. I was very arrogant, tossing aside books I had no patience for, studying only that which I deemed as well written (I hope that all that effort may someday pay off).

What I found to be the best stories were the stories that had something to say. They felt honest and right, sparing no thought or irony. I abandoned all my plot developing tools and reached back within myself for something I wanted to say. I had to be myself. It seems obvious now-a-days.

Now all I have to do is apply my lazy self into doing exactly what I want to do (finish something). I am the epitomy of lethargy, so I have a lot of habits to develop.
 

I started out as an actress in school, and loved it! I had had a very rough childhood and acting (and reading) allowed me to express myself through imagination, in a way that was denied to me at home. I got married right after high school so my schooling stopped and the babies began. I kept acting through church and because the pool of people to draw from was small, I added directing, producing and coaching to my list. With all the children it was difficult to arrange babysitting with my husbands work schedule, to enable me to get out for rehearshals. Then I discoverd radio commercials for the local radio station! What fun that was! till they closed...

So now I am using muscles I have been reluctant to excercise due to my lack of schooling. Writting! I admit to loving it and have several ideas and such in my mind...but I am slow at it. Because I am wrestling with a lack of good writting tools like sentance structure, spelling, grammar..etc (due to trying to survive during that time in my life when the rest of the world learns those things) it's like trying to run with an extra 100lb .....too much jiggles! If you can believe it I am much better at now than I was when I started (9 yrs ago). Between having and nursing babies...("too much day with not enough nap" was the mantra of my fatigue)I am just now waking from the fog with energy!!!!! Sorta like a garden hose, attached to a fire-hydrant!

You will see lots of me, because I am planning on using you shamelessly to glean what I can since I cannot get out to school right now. My turn will come, but saying yes as I did so long ago to having children means saying no to others for now, because they need to be my first responsibility. But that doesn't mean I should stop growing or stretching where I am!

Writting allows me to stop when I need to, and vent when I have need to (so I don't explode as I mentioned earlier) I am having a grand time! I am also discovering areas where I need to grow. I have problems I would like to thrash out here that I cannot with the writers group I am involved in because they are very busy and would like to keep the circle on E-mail, not here on the site. Which is fine...I will come and bug you instead!
 

I got my name from the punk/metal vocalist Glenn Danzig, but he is not my favorite musician. That honor belongs to Iron Maiden, whose songs have inspired me quite a bit.

Dreaming of Desolation,

Danzig
 

kwsni

P.s.-just in case any one was wondering, kwsni DOES stand for some thing-Knight Who Says Ni! Did i meniton I'm a HUGE monty python fan? <grin>
 

i write the two extremes -- comic YA fantasy (a la Patricia C. Wrede), and depressing-as-crap post-apocalyptic sci-fi. anyone else think there were way too many dashes in that sentence?

i have multiple neuroses, including the fact that i speak to and about my characters like they're real people (they are! they are!), and most definitely, my HUGE problem is falling in love with my heroes. does that happen to anyone else? i even fell for one of my evil dudes once, but that's another story . . .

and i'm a monty python freak too (brave sir robin ran away . . . ), and a trekkie (ahh! i've admitted it!), and i even own the video of into the woods . . . and i think i'll stop before i divulge any more embarassing facts about myself <grin>.
 

Lol, my other post doesn't describe me all to well, (I was probably shy, but not any more!) So I'll add a little...

My real name is Patrick Ward, but everyone calls me Pat. I live in New Mexico, I'm still 13 and in the 8th grade, I am currently working on a novel titled The Chameleon Disturbance. Heh, I don't play video games much anymore nore do I read, (Much to my dismay, but I find that when I read and write I find myself copying phrases from that book, a very bad prospect indeed) Right now I'm on spring break and chuging along in my novel at 10 pages a day. I also write to get my emotions out, but not so much. I love to write, and if I could I would do it all day, (which I AM doing, since it's spring break and I can!). That's me in a nutshell.
Thanks.
–=Xeno=–
 

Anyway, I'm trying to write more and reading OSC's Character and Viewpoints really made me decide to start writing seriously. My primary interests are Fantasy and Science Fiction, but I have no doubt that one day I'll expand my horizons

Dave/Trygon
 

I write at work all the time, but it's not fiction. In fact, I've only written 4 short stories in the last 21 years and have never attempted a novel. I just don't think I have enough to say to sustain a novel, although half of my short stories have tended to be long-ish.

I live in Florida and am in one of the Hatrack writer's groups.

And my user name comes from the character I play in a Medievale Faire every February. Her name's Cupcake and she wears a corset-like bodice. She's a blast to play.

I like to read more than I write (mostly out of fear and laziness, I confess). I also act and sing. So I'm as much extrovert as introvert, I guess.

I hope you folks will provide me an occasional kick in the arse to put my ideas on paper, as well as food for thought.

good luck from a two day old newbie for what it is worth,

LOCKE THE HEGEMON
 

I am 15, but started to have a passion for writing at the age of 11, after reading Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is the author that has most influenced me, but others that have are Frank Herbert, OSC(as others have said), Terry Brooks, and Stephen Lawhead.

I write for the High School newspaper and I would like to finish a novel sometime soon. It seems I am the third youngest person at the moment, but I guess I didn't realize how old some of the people were. I am looking forward to hearing all of your opinions as I will stay on this site for as long as I can.

As always

-weaver of dreams
 

Since my writing bug has only recently been reinstalled, it's a relief to know that I can expect thoughtful and useful feedback on my scribble without any damage to morale
 

My favorite author is Greg Bear followed by OSC. Favorite books are Anvil of Stars and Lost Boys.

My real name is Lucas. I'm 20 and do networking support for Microsoft, although I'm an Macintosh dork at heart. I live in Tucson, AZ and don't know what direction I want my career to go in next. Maybe some hardcore network security? I have always had an interest in writing, but have suppressed it due to whatever excuse I think up at the time of procrastination. I don't plan on making writing a profession. The one chance I have to write for food is that we never know exactly who we'll be next.

Well, it's time to jump in the fog and battle my way through the gigantic water molecules of frustration (bad metaphor). See you all in the message boards!

[This message has been edited by Neuroslice (edited May 21, 2001).]
 

I'm 16, waiting for my lisense. I'll be driving with an instructor starting next week, and then after two weeks of driving, I'll get my blue slip, and then later I'll be a lisensed driver. I won't have a car, though. Oh well, no biggie.

About my writing...I have mostly written Star Trek stories, but I've been told they're pretty good. The reason I've done Trek is because I'm a giant fan, and the characters have already been created. I just put them into situations and try to keep them to their character. I've lately been doing my own original characters in both Trek and non-Trek sci-fi stories. My goal as a writer is to write a storyt before I graduate from high school, a story which depicts teenagerdom as it truly is. I hate reading books or watching TV shows where the only thing teens care about is looks and being popular. It's completely unrealistic. I want to write a story that tells the way high school really is and entertains at the same time.

So...that's me in a nutshell. Any questions?
 

My real name is Mike Substelny. My UserName is a nickname that I have been using all over the Internet for many years, chosen because I drive a DeLorean. Seriously.

I am 36 years old and have a Masters of Science in Industrial Engineering. I teach college engineering classes and also work as a consultant. I have a special academic interest in Artificial Intelligence, though I seldom find work in that exciting field.

Two or three times a year I write nonfiction articles that are published in magazines (specialty publications that you have never seen).

I also write humor. Whenever you find yourself laughing at my writing, I will always insist that I planned it that way.

Years ago I wrote a series of science fiction comedy screenplays. While I do not intend to continue that series, the experience was quite valuable to me and my posts to the forum may make references to that project.

I only recently discovered OSC, and reading Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead has rekindled my desire to write more fiction.

Finally, my wife and I live in Cleveland, Ohio, "The Best Location in the Nation." With a bit of imagination, you might surmise why I drive a stainless steel automobile.
 

(Doc cleverly selects a marque which offers a bit of writing challenge to end his post . . .)
 

Lets see I drive a 7 series BMW, black.

I am female but write agressive stories with strong main characters who don't do well with being pushed around. I also add a hint of humor and a lot of self discovery and comentary on the human condition with 9ut being obvious.

Fits I guess.

Shawn
 

Anyway, I started (seriously) writing very recently (~6 months). My feedback so far has been very positive and encouraging, and I've gotten tons of useful advice from people, and I hope to have returned the same.

BTW, Locke, how do you do it? You must read at like 4000 words a minute or something...

Anyway, hoping not to be too much of a nuisance.

- Fuzz
 

As long as people behave themselves and are considerate of the others here, I don't think we'll ask anyone to leave.

Try to avoid outright silliness, though, ok?
 

I only come here because I respect you all's opinions and advice.
 

Jayelle
(PS Jayelle stands for J.L.- my initials)
 

I've got a year left of college, studying Electronic Engineering Tech.

I started writing in third grade, but stopped when I looked through a book I had written for the principal and realized it didn't have any words, just pictures. Boy, did I feel childish. Picture books were for little kids. Anyway, I just started writing for fun again recently.

 

I'm not only a prose writer, but a poet. Right now I'm going to school and I'm writing.

I first came across Orson Scott Card in the 8th grade...not by way of Ender, though. I knew I wanted to write science fiction and fantasy after I'd read stuff by Anne McCaffrey in the 6th grade. But in 8th grade I saw his book "How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy" and I still have that book.

I didn't know anything about the Ender books until my Junior year in high school.

I always seem to do things backwards.

Besides writing I love music, law, basketball, and many other things.

I also do "beta-reading", which is when I read over someone's story and send them comments. So if you've got a sci-fi/fantasy story, chuck it my way (frostjaunt@hotmail.com).

My favorite ice cream is vanilla. My favorite song of the moment is: "My Madonna" by Dexter Freebish. My favorite movie is: "The Green Mile". My favorite TV show is: M*A*S*H

And that's enough about me!

-Meg

****
Somtimes you have to pull down your pants and slide on the ice
- Sidney Freedman
M*A*S*H

*****

I have been here for over a year, in the pasts months its been a real on and off again thing. Oh well. Things change. Its still nice here though, its tough as nails finding an educated discussion around me. It feels so good to hear people talking about something I can relate to!!

Most of you know me. And if you dont, you should. And if you question that, I say...why not?

And age wise I am "old enough".
 

Hi, my name's Ben, and I have a writing problem...

Well, only in the sense that I'm addicted to it...

Oh, sorry, you wanted the a/s/l thingumybob? Right, here goes... shoot me if I get boring.

My name's Ben Eastaugh (pronounced something like East-awe), I'm 18 (old enough to do just about everything, including drinking and getting married), and I live in London in the UK. Currently unemployed (kind of... got a tech support job fixing my dad's company's computer network), having just finished my A-levels.

Sorry, think I must have bored myself into a doze for a minute there... Umm... right, favorite writers! Wow, where to start? Hmm -- how about with what I'm reading right now?The Business by Iain Banks. He's a great writer, got a wonderful imagination; I'm only just starting to read his 'normal' fiction (I put the inverted commas in because nothing he does is normal in the usual sense of the word, but I have to do something to differentiate those books from his science fiction). He uses his middle initial 'M' when he does sci-fi -- and does it extraordinarily well I might add. Damn, I'm rambling again: back on track. Other favourite authors: Asimov, simply because I love the way he extrapolates his ideas (although he does tend to sacrifice characterisation to do this, something I'd rather avoid); Ray Bradbury, for the wonderful atmosphere his stories evoke (although it's a shamefully long time since I last read Farenheit 451); Terry Pratchett, because his books are so clever and witty -- Only You Can Save Mankind is especially close to my heart, and I read the Discworld books religiously; John LeCarre; Homer; Rosemary Sutcliff; James Ellroy.

A couple deserve a special mention: Tolkien -- I first read The Lord of the Rings when I was 8, and I've been re-reading it ever since. An amazing work from so many perspectives; too many to go into now. And last, but certainly not least, Ursula LeGuin. Both the Earthsea quartet and her science fiction stories are essential reading matter -- I've just finished re-reading The Left Hand of Darkness.

(I bolded the authors' names so you don't have to actually read all that rubbish I wrote, just skim it)

Doubtless I could blather on for hours about writing: about me, and my love of writing, my wonderful imagination, and so on...

But as Shevek says, "Don't egoise."

So I won't.

I'm sure I'll see you around...

[edit] Special thanks goes to British Telecom, whose telephone directories I steal names from.

[This message has been edited by IonFish (edited July 05, 2001).]
 

Unlike most people in these groups, I have never read a piece of OSC fiction. I was pointed to his "Characters and Viewpoints", which is a really great book. As soon as I can make some headway on my current to-read list, I'll put every Ender book on it.

So, there you have it.

Arron

[This message has been edited by A_Bear (edited July 22, 2001).]
 

My SN is a butchered combination of several words: Hermione, from Harry Potter; Rhia, from _The Lost Years of Merlin_ by TA Barron; and hija, Spanish for daughter, because I needed an email for Spanish class and Hermionerhia was taken.

I've just very recently started writing. (read: in the last two months) I credit OSC for inspiring me to write. (Day I finished ES: May 30. Day I finished my first story: June 18) I write short (very short) fiction whenever I get a chance. I would like to be published someday, but I want my work to be better before I try.

Hmm... favorite authors... Well, there's really too many to name; I've only read one or two books in my life that I didn't like at least a little... but a few of my favorites are:
Orson Scott Card of course; especially the Alvin Maker and Homecoming series and EG & ES
JK Rowling I know they're a little childish but I love Harry Potter, and they were the books that brought me into the world of web communities.
T.A. Barron Great fantasy books; I especially like _The Ancient One_ and his Lost Years of Merlin series.
Grace Chetwin The Gom Gobblechuck series - it's out of print, but they're great books if you can find them.
There are a whole lot more, but I don't have time to list them all. Right now, I'm in the incredibly awkward position of liking books from three sections of the bookstore - intermediate, young adult, and adult fiction, which are all in different areas of the store - but I don't mind too much.

Anyway, that's me, more or less.
 

I'm not going to bother with another time consuming paragraph anymore. I'm just going to stick with the facts now.

-been haunting the boards for a month, posting(though rarely) under different names such as litterateur and wicked.
-14 years old, a freshman in highschool.
-If you care(heh), Azile is my first name spelled backwards.
-Feel free to figure it out yourself
-Had a love for writing since I was eight.
-Been obsessive over writing just recently(last year)
-An avid reader, I especially love books involving fantasy or sci-fi.
-Ever seen me at the books store? I'm the one teetering five to ten books at a time.
-This :: points to the bullet above:: is the main cause of my severe money problems.
-I come from the city of polluted streets and contaminated water- ie. Los Angeles, California.
-I have a one eyed dog named Mr. Hobo.
-My dad later renamed him "coco".
-Shucks.

Ok thats about it(I think). Bye now!

[This message has been edited by Azile (edited August 09, 2001).]
 

Small world huh?
 

Anyhow, the name is Wolf. Yes, this is my real name. I'm happily married w/ two children, and a third on the way. I'm currently living in Barstow, CA, which is about two hours south on I-15 from Las Vegas, NV, where I grew up. I've started a great number of stories, but have gotten distracted or encountered our passion's bane, -writer's block-. Anyhow since I'm a house father now, with lots of time on my hands (when I'm not dealing w/ kids) to keep my sanity I've resolved to write, and complete a novel with in the next year or so (It's prolly not going to be published but hey). As for other related items, I'm a truck driver, I also grew up in the state welfare system, as well as the streets. My views are, well blunt, it's the only way I know how to be, so if sometime later down the road is offended by my blunt POVs... tough I'm not changing them.
(Point of Note: This does not mean I'm mean and heartless, this does not mean I go out of my way to offend, this simply means I'll tell it how I see it, with no sugar, and expect the same.)

As for what I write, I have a leaning towards SCi-Fi and Horror. On related literary notes, Piers Anthony, and OSC are my favorite authors, particularly The Incarnations of Immortality, and The Ender Saga respectively. Well there's me in a nut shell.
 

[This message has been edited by Ekard (edited August 16, 2001).]
 

i haven't been much of a reader or writer until this past year reading at college...i guess i just found a lot of books i liked. anyway i way behind all of you guys...i am reading lord of the rings for the first time.

my favorite author right now is c.s. lewis (a good friend of tolkeins). i love his space trilogy and The Great Divorce.

anyway i want to tell stories to people relating real christianity to everyday life for us for God and for the devil. i think there are definatly some good stories hiding in all that.

well i hope i can learn something from you all.thanks a lot.

brad
 

Ni!
 

'Ecky-ecky-ecky-ecky-pikang-zoop-boing-goodem-zu-owly-zhiv'!!!
 

ni!

 

ni back at ya!!
 

Q. What's the perfect number of beans to put in chili?

Give up?

A. Two hundred-thiry nine. Why? Because if you add one more, it becomes two-forty.

Don't get it? Well, the only hint I'll give is to say that some Missourianites would just as likely eat chili with a fark, er, fork, as they would a spoon.

JP
 

My nick comes from the book Xenophobia by OSC and a joke told by a highschool Spanish teacher about the sales of the car Nova in Mexico. (It means no-go in Spanish).

A few biographical facts:
- 21, college student (senior) in Western MA
- major in Spanish, minor in mathematics
- originally from the Dakotas

I read sci-fi/fantasy, Victorian/gothic novels, poetry and fiction.
A selection of my favorite authors:
- Ursula LeGuin (she started my reading kick in 5th grade)
- Ray Bradbury - Mervyn Peake
- Victor Hugo - Dostovesky
- Robertson Davies - George Eliot
- Wordsworth - Robert Penn Warren
- Sherwood Anderson - Rumi
- Pablo Neruda - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- Isabel Allende - Orson Scott Card

I've been writing since I was in 4th grade (or earlier -- short stories and poetry. I started one novel in 7th grade but never finished it. I go on writing & reading binges and then stop and rest for awhile. I'm trying to smooth out that habit and turn into a reading, writing, churning machine (including man's eternal quirk).

I'm open to unsolicated emails about writing, creativity and favorite authors -- no forwards please.

My aol nick is bluequrl, icq 39091912.

Thanks

EJD

 

name: let's just stick with cosmi
age: 15; ya ya whine whine. i'm not supposed to be here, but i think i'd go bonkers in the kiddie corner, so you can just...

no, i digress. let's just get this over with.

location: soule pretty much summed it up. good ol' Misery. she's the one who dragged me to this site in the first place.

now about myself.

i try to not be a "nice" writer. i hate happy endings (for the most part), i hate good vs. evil (there goes about 85% of all fiction ever written ), and well, i'll get back to ya.

i try not to rant or ramble(ehhmm, soule ), but i do have a tendancy to go on and on about things i'm passionate about. for the most part, i'm unyeilding in my opinions around peers and a little too easily swayed by elders. i'm still trying to decide which is the worst of the two evils.

misc: i like to write in a variety of genres... mainly sci-fi and fantasy. if you talk to me long enough i'm bound to make you laugh, but my writing has only subtle humor (for the most part). i've never taken a "writing course", which i assume some of you guessed because of my young age. but, please o please, don't be gentle. there is just about zippo chance you'll hurt my feelings and if you don't tell me the niddy-gritty, no one will. certainly not those coddling (coddling? sp? word?) teachers we got at my high school.

now i'm ranting. i'll be better later... i go bye bye now, take nap...

TTFN & lol

Cosmi

[This message has been edited by Cosmi (edited September 02, 2001).]
 

If you didn't notice, Cosmi and I go way back. And I didn't have to drag her here - I merely mentioned it, and she came running faster than a speeding bullet.

My new favorite hobby, and Cosmi's too, is eating poptarts, especially the cinnamin ones. I just thought that you should know that.

If you are feeling really inquisitive about our usernames, just go to our website. If you still don't get it, niether do I. P.S. - the site is still (sigh) under construction, and I refuse to be held accountable for any dirogitory comments made towards sci-fi. I have seen the light, and plan to install a 300-kilowatt lightbulb soon.

By the by, I liked your joke, JP, and here's a few for you:

You know you're from Misura when:

you add an un-needed preposition to the end of every sentence. By the way, where's my coat at?

asked if you can dance, you reply: 'I donnoe. I usta could. Gimmie a minnit, and I mite could again.'
 

I'm very happy to see constructive interaction here. I may even open my mouth from time to time, as this proves.

Me? Name is John. 34 year old musician who studied English in college and put writing on the back burner for about 15 years. Now, I'm working on my first book. Epic Fantasy. World building and research and much too much planning still going on, but I'll put prose to page sometime early next year.

I'm most influenced by Tolkien, Fritz Leiber, Stephen R. Donaldson, OSC, Dan Simmons and Larry Niven, but I've read many more books in speculative fiction. Here are a few: Ursula K., Poul Anderson, Asimov, Heinlein, Robert E. Howard, H.G. Wells, Piers Anthony, Andre Norton, Lovecraft.

I've been reading as long as I can remember breathing. I was reading Detective Comics and X-Men by the time I was in 1st grade and got firmly hooked on Batman, of course. I believe I discovered King Arthur, Beowulf, Norse Myths and Homer's works as early as 8 years old, and I've been absorbing writings of heroic fantasy, mythology and science-fiction ever since. This love was cemented when I discovered Tolkien a few years after that, followed closely by a love affair with Dungeons & Dragons gaming when D&D was still a mysterious thing only whispered about in the back of school libraries.

Somehow or other I got swept up into being a professional musician, and I've had much success at it, but the years have taken their toll (it's an often harsh, unfair business), I've burnt out (for now) and I have felt my creative juices flowing back towards writing.

I'll drop by the forums and read as often as I can. When I think I have something constructive to add, I'll do my best to be helpful.

Peace,

John L.
aka
Foehammer

I have been writing on and off (mostly off) since I was ten. I wrote a lot in elementary school, not much in junior high, a lot of poems, songs, and a few short stories in high school. I wrote a lot my first two years in college, then I entered a Catholic monastery. When I left the monastery a year later at age 22, I ended up studying Catholic theology very intensely for four-and-a-half years. I didn't write a lick of fiction then, but probably close to a ream of dense theology and philosophy papers. I have been published -- a little 1,500-word article on the Gospel of John in a Catholic magazine called Lay Witness.

During those four years of intense theological studies, I read maybe one novel -- Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose. While I was studying for my comprehensive exams for my master's degree, I started reading fiction again to get my mind off of my studies. I started with Ender's Game, which I loved immensely, and then went on to Tad Williams epic, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. These two works perked my desire to write fiction. Then for Christmas 2000, out of the blue my wife gave me Stephen King's On Writing. The desire was beginning to catch fire again. Then for my birthday my sister gave my OSC's Homecoming Saga, and when I finished I would start to salivate just thinking about penning a story or novel that would allow people to transcend themselves.

Yet, there was a problem--namely, I wanted to get a Ph.D. And anyone who knows anything about doctorate studies knows that it leave little room for anything else. I graduated with my master's in May 2001, and after a week break, immediately began studying for the GRE and preparing to apply to five doctorate programs. And then one day I was looking at my then 5-month-old son, and I realized that I wanted to be a dad more than a scholar. My wife and I talked about it, prayed about it, and decided that it was best for the family if I let the dream of earning a Ph.D. pass on by.

It was hard at first. I mean, for close to five years I was focused on one goal--getting a Ph.D. Every ounce of intellectual energy I had went into achieving it. But I soon realized that not getting a Ph.D. left a lot of time for writing

So, here I am.

I have recently finished two short stories--one fantasy, one science-fiction--and I am working on a science fiction novel. It's not my first attempt; I do hope it is the first one I finish. And a second non-fiction article on the Nicene Creed is currently being considered for publication. I know the dream of being a full-time writer is a long shot, but one thing I have learned in my short life is that the old axiom, "where there's a will, there's a way," is very, very true.

Sorry for being so wordy, but that's who I am. I am looking forward to exchanging ideas in this forum.

[This message has been edited by Augustine (edited October 01, 2001).]
 

My name is Tyler Bower. I'm a 24 year old obsessive procrastinator who should be studying for a mid-term rather than browsing the net right now. I just started a graduate degree in Theology this fall semester and before that I was living in Alaska with my wife and daughter.

I've always been one of those artsy, craftsy types and I have attempted to write fiction several times in the past, never sucessfully (life invariably get's in the way). But the insidious creativity bug combined with a compulsion to-put-off-utill-tomorrow-what-I-could-do-today recently caught up with me once again.

I tried painting and then drawing (more hobbies) but they didn't cure it. So I decided to get out the last story I had shelved and work on it a bit. Tragic mistake. Now all I want to do is work in it instead of smelling the roses and going to the pumpking patch with my family. Therefore my first step in expunging this plague from my system is to have other people who I have never even met harangue (or should I say provide constructive criticism?) my work so that I am too demoralized to continue.

So that's my introduction. Pleased to meet all of you. Oh, yes, influences. Clearly I wouldn't ever have looked at this site if I didn't read OSC, also Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were powerful influences when I was younger. --- The End.
 

And I thought I was a fast talker.
 

I probably should have joined this forum long ago, but, well, I'm lazy and never bothered to check it out. Although, I do know that some of you already know me from the VBS forum (who am I, Hermionerhija?)

At any rate, I don't care over-much for giving out my real name on public forums - although I'm sure everyone here can be trusted, you never know who else might read this! BUT, Mary-Michael is a nice name, and has sentimental value to me, so I'll use it instead! I'm 19 years old, and I live in NC. (and I'm currently being attacked with a water pistol by my boyfriend's roommate...) I have started several dozen very good stories in my life, and finished maybe 2. Is is obvious what I need help with? Yeah...

Obviously, I'm a fan of Card. Between him and Heinlein, I've basically based my world-view and writing styles on my sci-fi gods. Weirdly enough, only about half my writing is even vaguely sci-fi. For example, a story once popped into my mind - a military adventure/spy thriller type of thing. I don't even like to read that style - but there I was, writing it!

At any rate, I would like help, but I also rather need to know how this works! Does one just randomly join a writing group? Please help!

(Oh, and please do excuse any poor writing in this post - being randomly squirted while writing tends to distract one!)
 

One of the "roads less taken" leads you to

http://www.hatrack.com/writers/writers/join-form.shtml

which has a form on it that you need to fill out if you want to participate in a Hatrack writers group.

Please go there and fill out the form and submit it, and it will be sent to me to let me know what I need to know in order to create a group for you.

I'll contact you and let you know that I've received the form, and we'll go from there.
 

My real name is Kostas and I am from Greece. I've been writing and writing and writing... a lot.

(And some advertisement: )

If you are Greek and enjoying fantasy and/or scifi, visit our on-line web-zine

http://fankingdom.topcities.com/

[This message has been edited by Bardos (edited October 16, 2001).]
 

My real name is Dan Eshleman. I'm a computer science major at Valparaiso University, with a minor in Math, Creative Writing and Japanese. I really enjoy writing, but it seems that I am cursed with a very whimsical writing sense; a good portion of the time I can't stand to read my own writing (it blows!), but every now and again I write something that is above and beyond what I've ever done before.

I really enjoy reading and writing science fiction.
 

Some of my favorite authors include J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, Tracy Hickman, Margret Weis, George R. R. Martin, Stephen King, Jonathon Swift (Gulliver's travels), Scott Adams, Orson Scott Card and of course the great bard Homer.

My ICQ # is 15138144 and my AIM handle is masterful12

[This message has been edited by Bone (edited October 28, 2001).]
 

I write primarily fantasy, with some sci-fi and a smattering of 'normal' writing in there for spice. I have numerous short stories in various stages of completion, and two novels in process. (Actually 3, but I have promised myself to stick with two projects at a time. The 3rd is locked in a drawer for now.)
 

Ta ta,

Patrick
 

I'm a first-year Architecture student at the good old University of Minnesota (I guess it's a nice way of saying 'freshman', which, I suppose, is a really nice way of saying 'easily tricked', 'naive' and/or 'just out of her parents' house'). I'm a born and bred Norwegian-American who loves snow and lefse, and is currently learning to converse rather clumsily in her ancestors' tongue. In a few years I'll be marrying a nice boy (that's what my grandma calls him; a 'nice boy') who's an engineering student at the University of St. Thomas. He is not Norwegian, but wants to be, and I suspect that's why he's chosen me...

I've been writing...well...not including what was imposed upon me by the public education system...since about 1st grade. The manuscript I'm working on now I've had in my head and in various forms on paper for years and I really hope you guys can help me finally turn it into something good! Needless to say, I'm not yet published and greatly admire all those who have accomplished this - to be able to see my ideas in print and share them with the world would be just incredible!

I love to read and found this writer's discussion because Ender's Game is my favorite book on or off this beautiful world of ours and I was looking to see what I could find on OSC. I also paint, draw and play the clarinet. As my profile says, I love to drive and only wish I hadn't totaled my car so I could still do so!

I thoroughly look forward to working with you all!
 

wow, i didnt now wou could be on both workshops!!!

for those that are familer with the young writters fourm im Seph(2)on my secend faverite name. i am the worlds worst persn at spelling and grammer.

 

I'm SarkyC - can never utter a word without someone, somewhere, thinking I'm being sarcastic. Never had a problem with that in my writing, but mainly 'cos no one has ever read any of my stuff...

... and there isn't exactly much of that stuff yet anyway.

But that will change.
Oh yes.
That WILL change.
One day.
Probably not today, though.

My one ambition in life (other than living happily ever after with a wife and a few kids and a comfortable existence and good health and lots of friends and a thriving business that requires little of my time) is to get an entire novel published.
Not much to ask, surely?
 

I've been intending to start writing for years, but only started a few months ago, as I had so many ideas for stories that my head hurt (things are better now that I've emptied them onto paper). I love fantasy (and to a lesser extent sci-fi) and my favorite books include anything by David Gemmell, the first three WoT books, the lord of the rings (though I'm ashamed to say I have only read the first book), and naturally the Ender saga.

Pet hates include people assuming that fantasy is a sub-section of either sci-fi or porn, philosophy teachers who think they are supposed to be peddling their faith, and close-minded nationalists. Apart from that I'm a happy chap, and look forward to a fruitful time here.

p.s. If anyone has any extensive knowledge about either Toni Morrision's Beloved or Bushido and the samurai (my current coursework topics) I would appreciate any help available
 

I am over 30, and have been writing off and on since I was in my teens. Have written several short stories, and have two series length novels in the works set in the same world. I have not ever attempted to get published, and one major point of joing Hatrack is to improve to publish, within the next 2-3 years (not quite finished the novels).

Major influences are Tolkien, McCaffery, OSC, Heinlein, Cherryh, Anthony, Eddings, Asimov-- you name it, I've just about read it- very voracious reader!

I see we have quite a diversity on this forum/site, which is wonderful, even for the youngsters. My daughter is also a writer, and that's the best time to start!

Will be roving around checking the boards occasionally when work/school/life & writing permit.

Hope to see you out there-

Regards,
Graceful

[This message has been edited by Graceful (edited November 22, 2001).]
 

Just thought I'd say hi...

And the fact that I can't sleep means I probably won't remeber this experiance at all in the mourning. So don't be mad at me, if you happen to be like VBS and hate 'newbies' because I'm not new... just... strange.

*swallows hard*
*lifts skirt and runs away screaming like a school girl*
 

Oliver
 

I'm 28 and working on my first novel manuscript for submission. I've co-authored other manuscripts for school plays and things but not to send to publishing houses. I live in GA and will probably be keeping my day job for quite a while.

-Di
 

Get something ready for your group beforehand, and you'll be able to jump right in when the time comes.
 

I write about my life, fictionalizing it enough so that it is indeed fiction, but my personality colors every protagonist. My professors/editors have labeled my as a deranged fatalist, characters in my stories seem to come away damaged or dead. I don't intentionally do that it kind of happens. I sort of shut down when I write and when I come to I am about a mile away from where I started. Sort of like this post.

I just joined all of an hour ago and I've never been to this page before then so I am very green, don't know my way around so much.

Influences are: Hunter S. Thompson, Joseph Lethem, David Eddings(his contempary stuff), Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut, and all of the Russian Authors Whose Names I Can't Spell.

My favorite novel is Edding's The Losers, and Heller's Portrait of an Artist As a Old Man.

I like long walks on the beach and candlelight dinners. Whoops that was supposed to go on another forum.

I'll leave at that.

Take care and Happy Holidays

laterdayswilliemays
brandon
 

I also help administrate a young writers' forum named Sleepless Whispers. http://www.sleepless.issexy.com for any who are interested.

Hopefully I'll be spending a fairly regular amount time here in the future (on the educated assumption that my schedule should be opening up after the holidays). You see, it's my new year's resolution to spend a deal more time on practicing my writing. And since my budget won't allow a creative writing class, this (obviously!) is the next best thing.

Hope to be getting to know you all soon,

-ERJF-
 

I've been writing since I was 8. Even though my essays at school never received great marks, my poetry did. I think its because my essays were always too long. (One that was supposed to be 700 words turned into a monster of over 4000. And I had no idea on how to shorten it and still convey the whole story. I gave it in as is. My teacher was not impressed. (Not with the rest of the class essays to read as well)

My favorite authors are:
Robert A Heinlein, David Eddings, Raymond E Feist, Maggie Furey, Anne Mccaffrey, Anne Rice, Janny Wurts, Lois Duncan, J K Rowling (love Harry Potter) and last but definitely not least Orson Scott Card.
 

My name is Joel. I'm a 30+ year old aspiring writer. Hmmm. What else?

I currently work as a project manager for a large wireless company. I also have a side busines selling rare used books.

Oh, I'm not good at this!

Uh...oh! My spouse first introduced me to OSC's Ender's Game. Though I haven't read the rest of the series (I think it's on Shadow of the Hegemon at the moment), I've read Mr. Card's short story collection (which name escapes me at the moment) and have tried vainly to assault his mammoth Harmony series with varying degrees of success.

In regards to my own writing effort, I tried writing full-time for 2 years before giving up. After many differing jobs, writing classes, and general anguish, I finally made a resolution to start a new novel on December 1st, 2001, and mail out the final draft next year. So far I'm in the middle of chapter 2 and am progressing in fits and starts. But I am writing; my goal is eventually to be a full-time novelist. And make mucho bucks. And be famous. And my acne to finally clear.

Whew! I've never been good at these intro thingies.
 

My name is Justin Burnett. I have loved writing in various forms for at least 15 of my 23 years. I have written three plays which have been produced, co-written a number of others, written and performed poetry, written short stories, essays and reviews. I love the written word. I have also written many songs, both by myself and with my bandmate Byron, in our band "Ticklish Brother" (and I produced our CD).

I discovered Orson Scott Card through the chance acquisition of the book of short stories "Unaccompanied Sonata and other stories", and proceded from there. I have a long and deep affection for science fiction (primarily of the speculative rather than harcore, capital "S" sci-fi).

The last few years I've done pretty much every type of writing except short stories and novel-length fiction. I want to tackle them again, since I miss them. I've never had much faith in my poems, and writing for theatre is rather different again...

Part of my problem is that I'm a fairly strong pessimist/realist, and realize that I don't need another highly engrossing creative outlet whose only payoff will be personal. The work it has taken to make the music even vaguely lucrative has been huge (though it is paying of), and I know that the struggle to get published (other than the few poems I've managed) would be so heartbreaking and (probably) ultimately unsuccessful that it's kept me from writing "impractical" things like short stories and longer work lately.

So. Hi everyone! Enough about me. I'm a really shy person in real life, so if my comments here ever sound arrogant or whatever, please forgive me. It will not have been intended that way. I look forward to discussing with people drawn together by an author whose work I admire so greatly.

Take care
-Justin-
 

<Peeks head around curtain> Hi.

Gulp.

<whispered> "Go on."

<gets pushed from behind the curtain>

Hello. I am sidewayzzzzz. I am twenty.

<runs toward the curtain, but hands come out and push him away>

<turns to face the crowd, smiles sheepishly>

I am living in Madison, Wisconsin. <gains momentum> I am male. I am also an X-ray tech at a local hospital. I'm currently in the army reserves. I have been reading ever since I learned how, and writing shortly thereafter. Some authors who have changed my life are: OSC, Robert A. Heinlein, Pier Xanthony, R. A. Salvatore, J.R.R. Tolkein, Douglas Adams, Robert Jordan, Franklin W. Dixon and C. S. Lewis. Also a shout out goes to Chuck Pahlanuik (sp?) for the book Fight Club, to William Goldman for the book The Princess Bride, and to Thomas Harris for the books Red Dragon, Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal.

I love movies, especially ones that leave you breathless, either by surprise (Fight Club, The Doom Generation) or by laughter (Any Mel Brooks, Monty Python).

KWSNI, you have my respect.

I have a couple of poems online at poetry.com which you could find by doing a search on my name: Paul Grover

I also am an extremely lazy person and in fact have the procrastinator's creed hanging on my wall. I would love to write constantly, but for now at least am still soaking up as much as I can from great authors. (I just finished Salvatore's Cleric Quintet, and plan on re-reading Heinlein's The Cat Who Walks Through Walls)

At any rate, I would appreciate any sort of reply to anything I've said, even via email, so until we meet again,

Love, Peace and Chicken Grease,
Sidewayzzzzz

<walks back behind curtain muttering "And that, my leige, is how we know the world to be banana shaped.">
 

My first name is Haydn but usually ends up being something completely different after I have told people that I am a British Police Constable. At 13 I read the Hobbit and at 14 I read the Lord of the Rings. I am now 33 and have tried just about everything in the genre and just not found that same sense of the historic anywhere else. I speak a couple of East European languages, love Old English and Old Norse and sound pretty boring up to now! Well, it wont get any better the more I bang on about my life story so I'll get to the point. I write Fantasy Fiction and purely that. I am about 40 chapters into a work of three or possibly two parts and I am currently on the third rewrite hoping to finish the entire thing this year. But I have heard myself say that before! No, this year I mean it. My great ambition in life is to get it into print but the more I work the less I think its going to happen. Anyone know a blind, daft, gullible agent and publisher?

And finally, I am married and have a vewy ickle baby! I write just about everyday. But I also end up with baby sick on me everyday as well so it's nothing to brag about!

[This message has been edited by Heimdall (edited January 02, 2002).]
 

My name is Laurie, and I'm new. I live in Columbus, Ohio and while I'm not yet an aspiring writer, I'm aspiring to become one. My main interests are more the elements of writing than writing itself, so perhaps I lean more toward editor than writer. We'll see, I suppose.

 

I write the way I post, it is either a famine or a feast.

I am obsessed by names . . . no really, I sometimes spend longer working out the names of the characters than I do writting them, the name has to be right, it has to fit.

last bit of trivia . . . I do a martial art which I really enjoy, but I don't believe in hitting people. Go figure.

-- Shan
 

I'm from everywhere, pretty much, but Oregon always feels like home when I'm here. And I am. California always warms me, Colorado excites, Ohio I shouldn't mention in polite company...but I'm just a visitor anywhere, no matter how long I stay.

Your time is the only thing you really own. The currency of true wealth is love... these - cliches, I guess, to most people - guide my writing like they do my life.

Major influences in my writing are Heinlein, Foster (who produced mediocre stuff but tons of it), and of course the character creators OSC, Niven, and Stout.

It's funny: I always loved reading sci-fi, my whole life, and assumed I would grow up to write it, but I can't worth a crap. I write 'speculative' fiction, I guess, but nothing is futuristic about it - nothing you would normally associate with the genre.

Not that it matters. Anyway that's my two cents, I'll keep it short. Nice to be here.
 

So I hope I can contribute to the group!

-Scott
 

About me: I'm probably the youngest person here, and thus the most prone to comments. I don't care much for stories here, for I do those elsewhere. I'm more interested in well, politics right now, and have found that the most inteligent of people on these subjects, are people who can write (ie: all of you).
 

This is a place for discussions of writing, and I'd rather we kept it to writing as much as possible.
 

The above is the first paragraph out of a famous diary, written on june the 12, 1942. I had to use it, because it is exactly what I hope to get from this forum.

Picking up The Hobbit when I was 13 turned out to be a blessing and a curse. The blessing was that for the first time ever I knew what it meant to read, and have a new world open up to my mind. Prior to that I had been a less than reluctant reader. (John Ronald Reuel, I owe you one.) Following that humble introduction into the genre, I took the greater part of the next 4 years to read The Lord of the Rings, however, a friend passed me a copy of Pawn of Prophecy, during that time, and suddenly, my reading began to get quicker. (though I’m still in the habit of getting so caught up in a story, tasting the atmosphere, which consequently slows my reading immensely.

By the time I had finished the Belgariad and the Malorian, and a great deal of the Elenium, I was in my final years of grade school, and finding English my best subject. My writing folios in 11th and 12th grades were the Highlights and were comprised primarily of creative fiction. During my final Secondary year, I was encouraged to enter my writings into the local Fellowship of Australian Writer’s Annual competitions, and won a joint first prize for the Judah Waten Award for a collection of writing from young writers. I shared the prize with a group of 6 students from another secondary school. Boy was that a surprise. Couple that with a commendation for a short story, in which I was one of the youngest writers, and I began to really believe that I had been given the gift of the gab. (you’ve probably noticed that by now!!!)

Since that time, though, I’ve gone through the usual Pre- and Post-Adolescent garbage you have to go through to be considered a “grown-up”, but I’m sorry to say that pushing on 30, I still have a little wide-eyed boy, who daydreams all the time, inside my head. The fallout of those times, though, was a hiatus in my writing. I began my first novel in 1991, and have only recently caught the bug again, to do something about completing it. I have never really been idle though, just have too many interests. Reading, writing, and not just Fantasy, but Songs, Poetry, the occasional social commentary. Too many interests with not enough time.

Fave authors are: Anthony, Asimov, Card, Clarke, Eddings(es), Feist, Furey, Jefferies, Jordan, McCafferey, Rowling (gotta love Harry!!!), Scott Rohan, and of course, (alphabetically speaking), Tolkien (the God of Fantasy in my opinion).

Saffron Buggles is a character out of my latest story thread, (a Rowling inspired work – never knew children’s lit was this fun!) and looking at the ever climbing word count for this Narcissistic Diatribe, I guess I DO like to hear the typeface of my own voice…

Thus spoken
Great to finally discover you all
Greetings
Dave

 

I'm 18, and a student at Roanoke College (in Virginia). I was originally going to major in Biochem/Comp Sci (double major, in the pre-med program) but I decided to switch to English and pursue a career in writing (be it in newspapers, or whatever). I still may do the comp sci thing, but I'm not sure yet.

Most of what I write is about depression, having delt with it myself and seen it in my family a great deal, but I also try sci-fi and fantasy from time to time.

This is really a random thing, but if any of you watch either Speedvision or OLN then you may have seen some of the work I've done (graphics).

Yeah... I guess I've rambled on long enough. Anyway, nice to be here and all... maybe I'll start posting some.

[ Begin Edit ]
It has occured to me that I did not say where I am from. I'm from Connecticut, though I do go to school in VA. I think that would cover it.
[ End Edit ]

[This message has been edited by EWilliams (edited February 02, 2002).]
 

I'm a graduate biology student...well, in a manner of speaking. I had some medical difficulties, lost my financial aid, and am now washing buses for a living until I get some debts paid off.

I am apparently somewhat talented on the technical end of language. I first began piecing together how to read from road signs when I was two years old, or so my family tells me. Since then, it's become downright hard to get my nose out of books. I will read almost anything sci-fi or fantasy, and still have some taste left over from my younger days for mystery. Everyone praises my clarity of expression.

But when it comes to actually producing a _story_, I run into trouble. Most of the time what happens is that I use up my plot ideas producing a setting--an alternate history, for instance--and then find I have nothing for characters to _do_.

Now that I have a computer, here I am. I showed up just yesterday and got myself signed up to this forum a couple of hours ago. I first heard about the place in the afterword to _Children of the Mind_, which also enthralled me with Card's bit piece on "serious writing" and on his intent to write for his religous culture. I myself am a devout member of the LDS' mirror image, the churches of Christ, and would love to end up doing the same thing for us.
 

I try to be honest, to a fault sometimes; I'm way too smart for my own good, meaning I coast a lot in school because I don't need much effort to get along. I like helping people out in stressful times because those are also the most interesting ones. I'm strange. But sometimes people like me anyway. I like games a lot.

I've been writing since a very young age--first grade? Earlier? It was all imitation at first, but even then it was better than most of what my classmates turned out. I have a very vivid, very active imagination and I come up with a lot of ideas, most of which end up lost in my head somewhere. I first got into original fiction in 6th grade and since them I've been doing my best to stop imitating and start innovating. It doesn't work well, but I have a knack for pulling bits out of everything I read or watch and combining them in new, interesting ways, so I guess I'm stradling the line between new and reused stuff. I have a number of short stories and what comes out to be a novelet finished, plus the starter set for a fully-functional trading card game, but I've only tried to get myself published once. Got rejected--no wonder, it was an awful story--pinned it up. Now I have Gordon Van Gelder's signature on my wall! ^_^

I think I'm beginning to get bored with writing. This scares me to no end, because I'm not sure what to do with myself otherwise.

And that's me. Hi. *waves*
 

Anyways, I'm 22, and I'm a computer science major in my senior year at a California State University. I've written short stories and essays for school, and I've been told I have a knack for it. So, I've started writing for *gasp* my own pleasure. And thus, here I am.

[This message has been edited by Arcada (edited February 14, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Arcada (edited February 14, 2002).]
 

I stumbled in here about the same time I started working on my first serious effort, and have found that many people in here have intelligent things to say and that I can learn a lot, so I tend to be around pretty often.

I read like an addict, devouring whole series in a matter of days, and my favorite authors include Orson Scott Card, James Clavell, Frank Herbert, C.S. Freidman, Margaret Weise & Tracy Hickman, just to name a few.

Hmm... what else would anyone care about? I live in Seattle, I'm single, I like long walks on the beach in the moonlight... Think I've crossed over into giving too much info, I should probably stop...

-Cesare
 

I’m a 25 year old book lover who is working on writing her first fantasy novel. It’s been great reading through the many posts in the Writing Forums as well as the rest of the well-crafted Hatrack website -- very informative and thought provoking.

Out of curiosity, what is the Literary Boot Camp private forum? (I can’t seem to find any information about in on the site.) The title makes it sound like it would be interesting.

GZ

 

I don't know if he's going to teach one this summer. If he is, there will be announcements on the home page <www.hatrack.com>.
 

My Name is JLGothos, I am 24 yrs old and i am working on my first book. Just thought i would introduce myself. Have a nice day!
 

Crappy would be the honest term.

Back to me for a sec--I attend Michigan State University (badly). I do computer stuff (and donate plasma) to pay the bills. I like reading and acting and singing and music and playing bass, but they all take away so much time from each other that I never seem to be able to do any of them. And, most importantly, I've found a wonderful girl who puts up with all my self-absorption and scatterbrainedness. I hope to be a part of this community, just to get to know y'all if nothing else. Ideally, I'd like to be a better writer for the association, as well.

Peace
policy
 

I am looking forward to it.
 

[This message has been edited by Nofear (edited February 25, 2002).]
 

My name is Nate Nelson (aka Falken, bob, Phil, Frank, Fred, Tom, Joe, Pete, Natalie)

After spending 20 of my 23 years in Portland, OR USofA I have recently moved to Idaho. I work as a programmer for the Idaho State Police, and I love stories and storytelling.

However, the sad fact is, I despise writing. I hate it. I can think of few things I would rather NOT be doing. But I cannot contain myself. I have too many stories to tell, to many wonderful worlds to share with people, and when it comes right down to it . . . I hate NOT writing more than I hate actually doing it.

So, here I am, trying to nurture the very creative energy that tears me apart. :-(

Okay, so maybe it's not quite that bad, but it feels like it sometimes. And I find I like what I write better when other people rip it apart and I can put it back together again. 'Cause when it comes right down to it I'm a better re-creator than I am a regular creator.

It's good to hear all the advice, all the stories, all the frustrations and jubilations. I hope to have a great writing experience with all of you, if you'll be patient enough to keep dragging me back here. :-) (once you get to know me of course.) ;-)

Happy Storytelling to all.
 

Actually, no . . . I LOVE typing and am better and faster at it than most people I know. I hate trying to describe the pictures in my head and having them come out all wrong. I have a lot of people tell me that will come easier the more I write, and it does, but in the meantime . . . *shudder*

I love EDITING though. I can take words and reshuffle them around to make something sound better, or different.

I just have to learn not to edit myself 'til I get something down the first time.

But those first drafts. UGH!

[This message has been edited by Falken224 (edited March 04, 2002).]
 

Life got in the way for my writing, but I'm back now with a new name and even more silly ideas to write about! or well... this time I atleast have a few ideas that I migth actually start working on if I ever get the courage to get started

Short story of my life... 22, male, Sweden, still a full-time philosopher (=unemployed, but hoping to change that next week), writer-wannabe ever since I was little but never really managed to get anything written,
and as a useless thing to know about me; I have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... 34 coke-cans surrounding my computer. Wonder why I have trouble sleeping during the nights
 

I like the coke cans.