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Forward Motion for Writers

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I'm just learning my way around, and I'm not sure if this is how I post my intro. Hopefully it works. I'm Joe Reese, a novelist, storyteller, playwright, and failed college teacher now living in Lafayette, La. I lived in Chicago last year, though, and have just had published a novel called "And the Flowers began to Dance: A Novel of Chicago" which deals with a young woman who takes a position as docent with the Chicago Art Institute and becomes caught up in the shadowy world of international smuggling. I'd love feedback on the book, and especially tips on marketing, how to get reviewed, etc.
Mainly, since I'm novelling full time now, I'd just enjoy interacting with others in the same boat.
Hope this gets to the right stream, river,twitter, etc.
Thanks,
Joe Reese

Hello Joe! Welcome to FM!

Yes, you've posted in the right place. We're in the process of simplifying the site, so hopefully it will soon be easier to find the info you need.

There are lots of friendly people here, all in love with writing and reading. Please join in and add to the conversations.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

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Welcome.

We have a few places for you to get feedback. My suggestion is to first make a posting on Roving Crits (or Prvate Roving). Roving allows you to post a chapter (about 5k worth or words) and get comments back from members. You can ask for specific things like "I need help with my dialogue." or "What impression do you get of Jason from the scene?" Or you can just leave it open and let members comment on what they see as helpful.

Roving is here - http://www.fmwriters.com/community/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=38 - and you'll see the details of Private Roving if you want to post there instead (the details will explain the difference)

To get comments back on Roving it is a good idea to look through past postings and make you own comments. You can read up what others have left to get an idea of how members comment and on what. That will help you work out how you want to make crits, if you are unsure. Making comments on others will show that you mean to stay and contribute back, but you'll also learn what works and doesn't work for you and be able to apply to your own writing.

Once you have comments via Roving you'll get an impression on how much work or how little work you writing needs. and you can decide if you want to take the next step, now or later.

The next step is to join a crit group or do a novel swap.

The crit groups have specific rules and processes. You'll find a list of them here - http://www.fmwriters.com/community/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=36

Some will take whole novels, others take smaller stories or part stories. Or you can look through the posts of members who want to do swaps, or ask for yourself.

Which ever way you choose you will find a method of helping you to the next step towards publication.

Of course we have many other forums that are helpful - Indie Publishing, Marketing your publications, World Building, The Great Rejection Slip Contest and others.

We are a big site, although we are undergoing a clean up. Wwander around, have a look and get a feel. If you have any questions you can always come back here and ask - we'll point you in the right direction.

Have fun

Cat

Oh and we also have a very active chat - pretty much someone is in Chat 24/7

This is a great place to connect with active writers in all sorts of genre. If you have any questions, just ask. Welcome to FM!

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