Hiya :)

Hello, I'm Amber
I'm seventeen and live in Middlesbrough in the UK (It was voted the least desirable place to live in England if you have no idea where that is) but it's really not that bad. In my spare time I write (a little obvious) and I play guitar as well with a love for music that has any mention of love or has an acoustic guitar playing in the background.
I'm in the middle of applying to university and desperate to turn eighteen, so if any one is a little similar to me I'd be pretty happy to chat!
I'm new on this but I'm a member of Young Writers Online and after having a look around everything seems pretty similar - so just wondering if there is anything crucially different I should know?
Andddd, my chapters are usually quite long so how would anyone suggest cutting them down to be suitable for this kind of format? I usually just cut them in half and post them in two different sections - just wondering if anyone else had a better idea?
Anyway, if you've bothered to read any of that - Thank you!
I'll sit patiently and wait for a reply
x

First off: WELCOME TO YWS!

Why so desperate to become old? Trust me, once you hit 20, you'd wish you can turn back time. Trust me, we all went through that.

On your works: There are sections here depending on what type of work you will be posting. To get to the literary forums (the part where ALL works are written, read, and judged), just point your mouse on the Read/Write tab located JUST below the sword tip and choose the "All Literary Forums". The dropdown also shows 2 other shortcuts: 1 for reading/reviewing and the other for submitting. It's pretty handy, makes everything easier than clicking and clicking.

If you're the type that writes novels, just post them 1 chapter at a time. If you post like 5 chapters immediately, the readers may only be able to read chapters 1 and 2 and the rest be ignored and flooded all the way to page 2 or 3 by new works posted.

For short stories, just post them as complete as possible. No one likes wasting time on reading a piece that is half-baked.


Just a reminder:

You MUST make a review of at least 2-3 works BEFORE posting your own. Otherwise your works will get unnoticed. So please, upon reading this, review, review, review!

You may look at your own profile to see how many reviews you have done. Maintain the ratio of 2:1 meaning 2 reviews per work submitted. This rule aims to keep the selfish ones from receiving any form of review.

Would you like someone to just make you read and review their work without them doing the same for you?

If you wish to have a good (and easy) start, review works in the poetry boards. They are quite short, some may only take you about 5 minutes to read at maximum. Most are of 2 minute lengths. Remember to make good reviews, otherwise be labeled a spammer.

'Ello there. I second that welcome.

So what do you like to write? Any favorite authors?

Bonjour Amber! Welcome to YWS!

Ooooo, I wish I played the guitar! Do you write your own music? If so, I would recommend posting some of your lyrics cause we have a board for that
I'm in the middle of applying to colleges too. Gah! I just want to go right now!
About the chapters, I would divide them into two parts. A lot of people, (myself included ), see a super long post and go 'eh, I don't want to read/review this. it's too long'.

Have you seen the Groups yet? If not, they are definetely worth checking out. There are about a million so your bound to find some that interest you. Don't hesitate to join any of them. They're a great way to make some fast friends.

Now it's time for my favorite part. The really hard questions. Prepare yourself.
What is your favorite genre to read/write? What kind of music do you listen to? What is your baked good of choice? If you were a shoe, what kind of shoe would you be and why? What is your favorite kind of ice cream? If you were a marine biologist, what animal would you study and why?

I hope you have a great time here and if you have any questions or need anything, feel free to PM me!

-Carly

Thanks for the replies
Well, I love romance but I read mostly teen books by Sarra Manning/Sarah Dessen - but I love Dorian Gray and Pride and Prejudice which is what I'm reading at college so I think I'll be investing in some Jane Austen!
What about you?

Oo hello!
I know, it's scary isn't it?! And i haven't looked at the groups yet, but i will do - thanks!
No I don't write my own songs I don't have the skill for it at all so just become absorbed in other musicians lyrics instead
Genre - Romance most definitely
Music - mainly acoustic, or anything soppy like Dashboard Confessional, Matchbox Twenty, City and Colour, Maroon 5, Stereophonics, Crowded House, Del Amitri but my heart will always rest with Busted (R.I.P)
Shoe - Hmm, I wasn't expecting that one - probably a sandal or a flip flop because they're comfortable and go with pretty much anything (I manage to get along with most people) and they're a little bit airy.
Ice Cream - Mint Choc Chip or Cookie Dough, mmmmmmmm.
Marine Biologist - I've always loved Dolphins and got to stroke a pink one in Singapore - so that because I was fascinated that they were pink and they're that colour when they begin to mature!!

What about you?
x

Hey Amber!
Glad to see you have joined YWS
So, let's get the rules down first, the basic ones:

☺ Before posting any work of yours to be reviewed by the members of YWS we would like you to do please review at least 3 pieces of work for every work you submit. Something we like to call the 3:1 ratio. Basically before posting your own work to be reviewed you have to review 3 other pieces of works. Things such as what you liked, what the author could have done better, any confusions, nit picks, etc. Very easy and quick!

☺ YWS is a writing site, so we want our members to use proper grammar, spelling, punctuations, and caps. SEE HOW IT SEEMS AS IF I AM ANGRY AT YOU IF I WRITE IN ALL CAPS??!?!?!?! Try not to use caps unless necessary. Also we have a very nice chat room for all the members to use. Despite it being a chat room however we prefer members to not use chat speak. Chat speak: Cht spk is lyke tis no 1 lykes it n it iz very annoying!

☺ Rate your work just like movies. If it has any mature scences, excessive violence or language then it'll need to be rated. Members of YWS are of different age groups and persona so they might not like something.


☺ Have fun!

So you live in possibly one of the most desirable places to live in England? Haha, wow! That's amazing!
I wanted to play the guitar, but then I guess I never was able to find the time. Do you write your own music? I would love to see some of it! In case you write your own songs, we even have a section for that.
Well I am not 17 or 18, I'm enjoying life as it is right now But I would still love to chat!
As far as knowing anything difference, YWS is like most writing sites. We have fun, review, and improve our writing. I have already posted the basic rules.
We also have rules for chat, but they are similar to the site rules. No caps, no chat speak! Simple!
As far as being unique goes, we have our own radio show, Nate, the founder and creator of YWS hosts. All these members call in, and it's a blast! (:
We were going to have a TV show, but that got canceled due to technical issues. Maybe next time!
As far as chapters goes, I recommend doing a tease. Then post chapters one by one, but wait for reviews. Ya know?

So you like romance? Me too! I'd love to see some of your work some time!
Who are your favorite authors? For me, I just CANNOT choose! There are so many wonderful ones out there, haha. Is it cold right now in England? Over here it is freezing. My toes are like Popsicles! Hahaha I think being a Marine Biologist is an amazing job! You must like animals, no? I love them! Do you have any pets? I used to have like 7 parakeets, and a rabbit. Also a dog, but it died
If you have any more questions, or just want to talk, PM me!
Alright? Oh, and feel free to call me JD, it's a nickname :]
-JD

Hey JD!
Unfortunately I don't live in the most desirable place in England - It's the least. We're all nicknamed 'smoggies' due to the pollution in the Victorian era - niceeee.
I do love playing the guitar but I don't have the talent or the patience to craft my own songs or music!
Ah, I'm a typical girl, any mention of 'love' and I'm hooked! As for authors, Sarra Manning and Sarah Dessen are my favourites - moody boys with dark green eyes and messy hair can make my heart stop. I do have part of my first chapter to one of my novels uploaded on here, so feel free to have a look and comment - I'll make sure I do the same
It's always cold in England - either that or it's windy/raining. Where abouts are you from?
I suppose Marine Biology would be quite cool if you liked fish, but they're a bit funny looking in my opinion...I do like animals though. I have a cat called 'Boo' and a dog named 'Boris' and they hate each other, the joys.
Hopefully I'll speak to you soon!
x

I'll read pretty much anything, but I'm not a huge fan of sci-fi or fantasy. I write romance, lyrics and things that go in 'other fiction'.
I mostly like alternative but I'll listen to almost anything My favorite artists include Paramore, Evanescene, The Killers, Rooney, Death Cab for Cutie and Imogen Heap. I also really like Cher and Duke Ellington
If I were a shoe I would want to be a Chaco flip flop. They are so comfortable!
I agree on ice cream. Cookie Dough all the way
And if I were a marine biologist, I would want to study octopus

Smoggies, haha wow. Who came up with that name?
Well, at least you're area is unique!
That's cool, you should definitely try some time! I'm sure you'd be an amazing music or lyric writer, never gonna know unless you try
Sarah Dessen is amazing! I love her writing, it's addicting.
And, wow. I love guys like that too. Haha, I think we'll get along just fine (though I prefer a blue green color, or brown most).
And I will for sure! One review coming right up.
So you don't want to be a marine biologist? What would you like to be then?
Dogs, gotta love em'. I wish I had one. Well, I did (my grandparents) but she died

No idea, probably the geordies.
Yeah she is really good, they're quite emotional stories but I finish them in a day then feel a bit scammed almost haha!
Aha, yes they are the best kind - with a bit of arrogance mixed in, I love writing and reading about guys who are a bit endearing.
Mmm, I'm not sure really. I'm going to do English Literature and Creative Writing at university so I'll just see where that takes me, I'll probably end up teaching or something like that - what about you?
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