SCP Foundation

Let me preface this (probably long) post by stating this: I have always wanted to be a writer. Well…perhaps not always (as i vividly recall wanting to be a ninja turtle at one point), but for a sizable portion of my life. I've always felt drawn to literature and books, and have wanted to add my own contribution to this vast body of art.

Unfortunately, I suck.

That is to say, I have believed myself to suck for a very extended period of time. I am starting to see that, while no Shakespeare, my own individual voice and style has emerged from the ashes of crap and rejection, to the point where I feel i may have something to create that merits the light of day.

Once again, however, I fall in to the somewhat daunting world of trying to create something that can be published, which while not insurmountable, is still intimidating. Plus, I still face the task of actually writing something of short story/novel length, a feat that I still find somewhat frightening.

So, in this spirit of fledgling adventure and vulnerability, i turn to you, the rabid horde, for assistance. I need folks willing to read, review, and help edit whatever nonsense I churn up. In this endeavor,I am not a Admin or Staff member, i am meat, no better or worse then any other newfag writer. Be brutal, be honest, be whatever it is you feel you need to be in response to whatever it is i make.

In addition, if there are others who feel the call for larger, more varied and longer works, perhaps we can set up some kind of pool or group of peer review and such. I don't doubt much of it will be rubbish, but one or two good works may bubble to the surface. Speaking personally, I'm not overly worked up about paying the bills with book proceeds. Even a basic ebook distribution around the site would be exceedingly rewarding, at least for me…

So, what do you think? Do I need to stick to SCP, or should I extend my warped perception out a bit farther? Do any others want to try their hand at more varied literature? Please let me know your ideas and thoughts, and we'll see where this goes…

It's funny that you mention that. Due to my circumstances, I just got handed a lot of free time and I've been using some of that to try to get back into writing fiction. I'd be delighted to join a writing workshop. I have to warn you though, as much as you worry about your writing I'm much worse. I do thoroughly appreciate feedback on what I create, and am excited to assist you in any way I can.

I'm willing to lend you my brutally honest, mostly condescending editing style at any time. I find it quite enjoyable when I can use my skills to destroy people's hopes and dreams help others.

I'd be happy to either help edit or contribute to a peer review group. (I tend to avoid writing things up unless the other options of the moment are even more frustrating - which, ironically, is itself a source of frustration - and I've been told joining a writing group can help with that.)
I do tend to slash at a draft until it bleeds red ink, though.

I'd be willing to read it over, and see how it is. Granted, I'm not always the most critical of editors, but at the very least, I can give you my general impressions. Feel free to send something my way, and I'll do my best to do it justice.

I admit, hearing about the razor-tipped help waiting for me has instilled me with enough confidence to fill a thimble, but I still think this is a good idea. What I'm thinking for the initial bits is a chapter or so for "books", and 2-3 stories for a "short story collection" (I use both these terms extremely loosely, and purely as shorthand at this point). This will allow for establishing a good base, but not get so far ahead that edit and review feels like a total teardown. At least for the beginning stages, i feel that's the best bet.

Let me admit my weaknesses up front: My spelling is terrible, and my grammar can at times follow suit. I sometimes have issues with word economy, and can get a little too flowery at times.

Major inspirations are Peter Benchley, H.P. Lovecraft, Richard Matheson, Stephen King and about a million others that I can't think of at the moment. My biggest issue is that, shortly after starting, I start to write myself in to a corner, and can't seem to get back out of it.

So, there you have it. I (hope) to have something to show in a week or two, possibly sooner. Also, if anyone is interested, I have software that can convert documents in to one of many ebook formats, so we can have official-like "finished products".

As a minor post-script, a issue I feel needs to be brought up, however unpleasant: There are no official rules or copyrights being tossed about, but i assume that all parties involved understand that each person's ideas are their own, and can only be sampled or used with express permission. Again, not something we need to worry about, i'm sure, but it's better to have it stated.

I have done some freelance editorial work in the past (mostly for textbooks), and would be happy to take a look if you like.

I'd be willing to contribute my works of art attempted stories pieces of crap. I don't write Foundation stories, at least not yet. It's just ideas that I write at 3 in the morning, when I'm semi-delusional and feeling creative. It's kinda my version of getting high and fooling with a guitar.

But anyways. I'd like to have someone I can trust to give me the truth about the flaws in my writing and suggestions for salvaging it.

I would very much like to be a part of this. Of course, I usually only write short stories and poems, and don't really have enough time to do much of anything right now, and my writing probably induces headaches, but still. I can definitely help with spelling and grammar, but I tend to be too gentle and generous with general advice. I do do a bit of editing for my friends, but that can only grant so much experience. On the off chance that I do have free time, I do enjoy reading what people write and seeing if there's anything that can be improved without straying from the author's personal style.
I suppose some of my major influences would be Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Edgar Allan Poe, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Jim Butcher (Yeah, yeah), Tove Jansson, Alan Dean Foster, and on and on et cetera.