Hello :)

[timelord1]

So, here's my livejournal - I'm going to try to keep it specific to my endeavours as I write fan-fiction for Dr. Who (thus far only at Teaspoon, but maybe I'll branch out one of these days if I get brave). Not sure what to put on here, but I'll figure it out. Probably recommendations and fiction bits and whatever else.

I have another writing project that I talk about on my other blog: lostinethia.blogspot.com if you want to check that out. Been working on a series of humorous high-fantasy-ish adventures for many years. One novel in the can, another in the works, a third ready to go after that, and just need  to build some confidence to get it out there for publication. Writing on Teaspoon is the first step - it's a lot easier to have someone give you feedback on a story you wrote about characters you didn't create than to put your whole soul out there the first time. At least I think it is. I couldn't have survived it if my characters from my own imagination were reviled and torn down right out the gate. Writing for Teaspoon gives me the chance to write stories to see if people like the WAY I write, which will give me confidence to go further with my original work.

So, that's all for this first entry. Now, to see where we go from here. Allons-y!

Comments

[who-in-whoville.livejournal.com]

Yay! You are here! It is an awful lot of fun. Check out the communities. I really enjoy the "Who_Contest" community. It is a pressure-free place to dip your toe into the water of competitive writing. When you write something Doctor/Rose related, make sure you post a link to your story on Time_and_Chips (they have instructions how to do so). You can even link back to Teaspoon if you don't want to re-create the wheel on LJ... but I like the creative ability to add graphics and such to my stories. Much more fun.

Welcome!

[timelord1.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :) I will check that out right away - is Time_and_Chips on lj or is that another site? Thanks so much for kind of being a bit of a guide. Do people post stories right on here like an entry? I'm so green to this ha ha! Thanks again for your help!

[who-in-whoville.livejournal.com]

WARNING: I have written book below! :D

I was SO CLUELESS about LJ when I started. Here's a primer:

LJ members have their own LJ "page" (basically a blog). Individual members join Communities or "Comms" like time_and_chips. You can see the link in my list of communities on my profile page (click the "about the who" link on the top of my LJ page. I think it's on the far right next to "go forward in time".

Some communities are more "open minded" than others. I don't know where you fit on the scale of what you are willing to read, but heed warnings. That's all I will say. I enjoy a bit of hotness, but there are some things I just won't read, and believe me, you will find it ALL posted here.

Some of the comms are just downright fun. I have a thing for David Tennant (what red blooded girl doesn't?) My husband rolls his eyes and laughs... so I am a member of dt_sexy_off. It's just a really silly forum that "meets" on Friday nights and posts pictures and discusses various, ahem, aspects of our beloved Scot. 

Another really fun Comm is doctor_rose_fix. A moderator will post a picture or a quote, and we will discuss the subject to death. The funny thing is that many of us are fully grown women; I know of a dentist, a doctor, an attorney, many grad students... and we all have an obsession with DW!

Another helpful comm is dw_ficsearch. Can't remember the name of a story you read and loved? Post a synopsis and within hours, if not minutes, you will get an answer. In the mood for serious angst or something humorous? Post your specific request and you will get many suggestions.

Want to read some really excellent fiction? Join then_theres_us. It is a membership-only posting community. One has to apply to have posting privileges, but in the least, join as a watcher, although I doubt you would have any problem being accepted, given your first showing. The stories posted are truly fantastic... publishable. 

Regarding user pics, make sure you give credit to the creator when you upload a picture. I had a hard time finding the proper HTML tag, so here it is:  Between < > type lj user="who_in_whoville" (for example).

LJ Cut - you'll see this a lot. An LJ cut is a way to hide text behind a link. When people scroll their their friends pages, they want to just see headers or short bits of text, not full stories. You highlight the part you want to hide behind the cut, click on the icon that looks like a torn piece of paper, and enter the "jump text", something like, "read on" or "here be greatness" or something really pithy.

The biggest thing I'd suggest? Start friending people whose work you like, or names you recognize from Teaspoon. kelkat9 is here. (She just wrote that hilarious Smurf story... she has a great sense of humor and is a really nice person... we email a TON... she's been really helpful as someone off whom to bounce ideas.) When I friend someone, I usually just make a comment on a post with my intention, so they have some idea as to who I am, so they know I'm not a creeper. (I'm really not... I'm a boring housewife with two darling girls and military husband who travels a ton for his job.)

So those are some suggestions. If you have any other questions, please feel free to drop me a line via the "send message" option.

[kelkat9.livejournal.com]

Hi! Welcome to LJ! I stumbled on LJ about a year ago when I was reading some DW fic. This is a great place for writers. I can't begin to express how helpful it is to have a place to meet other writers and get help or input on stories you are working on. who_in_whoville has given you an excellent summary.

There are many resources for writing DW fics. For general dw related questions, I recommend time and chips OT (off topic). It's a place to post questions. People on the site are quite nice and friendly. Here's a link to tons of DW resources on LJ

http://newbieguide.livejournal.com/14312.html

Sorry my link's not pretty but I have never figured out how to make them look nice in comments.

I think writing in the Doctor Who community is an excellent way to learn about your style. Right now, I'm pretty much exploring styles and genres I like to write and what feels natural. It's a great opportunity for feedback and advice.

Glad to see you here and can't wait to read your sequel!