I have no idea if anybody is even seeing this. · 9:20am Jun 6th, 2013
Hi, I'm Dark Secrets. So I recently discovered I am a closet Brony. So there's that new part of my life. I feel different about this than most communities I am a part of however. Most other ones I have no problem letting my friends and family see, usually because they are not embarrassing. While this part of me might definitely be embarrassing to let others see, the reason I am hiding it is much more simple. This is a part of me I want to share with no one else. This will be my hidden love, my closet obsession. I'm not ashamed of this side of me but I don't want it to be a part of my outside self. This will forever be my Darkest Secret.
(^See what I did there. Haha...I promise I'm funnier in person.)
Anyways down to business. Like I said I feel different about this community, and unlike many others where I am simply a no contribution observer, I want to be active here. I want to write!
I don't know how.
I know literally nothing about how to create and manage my stories, how to get them proofread and edited, anything about any systems or unspoken rules you all might have created, how to get artwork, the rules and courtesy of all these interactions, etc.
the one thing I do have are ideas. I have lots of ideas for individual stories. At least 15 as of now. Two of which are definitely what I like to call series stories (you know the long ones where there are chapters and lots of events and relationships happen?).
So any and all help will be greatly appreciated! The most probably being for anybody who can show me a way I can post this blog submission so that others may see it and help me! Haha. Like I said I have no idea if anybody...anypony I guess...is reading this.
Hey, I've just seen your forum post in the School for New Writers. Welcome to the herd, I guess?
If you're interested in the mechanics of writing, e.g. how to write, common mistakes to avoid, stuff like that, I'd first like to recommend you to The Writing Lab, a group on this site which is pretty small still, but is dedicated to exactly this. If you check the forums, you'll notice a book recommendation thread, and if you don't I'd like to recommend to you: "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr, and "On Writing" by Stephen King. I have them both and they're a good read as well as very helpful.
I don't know of any unspoken rules or rules of courtesy. I just try not to be an ass and it worked thus far.
If you're looking for coverart, you should create a deviantART account and search for pictures that fit your story. (e.g. "MLP Fluttershy Sad" If you're writing a sad fic with Fluttershy as protagonist.) If you find one that you really like, just send a message to the artist and ask whether they'd allow you to use said picture as coverart for a fic you're writing. If you don't find anything suitable and have some money on your hands, many artists offer so-called commissions, and will draw you something for a small or not-so-small fee.
If you're looking for critique on one of your stories, you should go to Authors helping Authors, another group on this site that has a review-for-review trade system. It requires some effort on your part, but reading and analysing other author's works goes a long way in improving your own writing as well.
That's all I got for now, hope it helps.
1216687 Wow thanks a ton those are actually great suggestions. I'll definitely join the groups immediately, the two I'm in have already seemed to connect me much more. Ill check out the books if I seem to get a good response from this. I've kinda always wanted to try and write something but I've never had an open opportunity like this. Thanks again, I really appreciate that you took the time to respond!