Laura S. Fox

No, that's clearly just a mistake. (That, of course, could happen when writing in the heat of the moment.) And I would hate to have the English language pushed down to stupid Twitter abbreviations - unless the respective piece of content wants to illustrate a conversation carried on via phone messages. So, to be clear, I think you are making a very good point, and everyone should pay a little attention to what they write. And someone mentioned here; I use Grammarly, too. It helps with most of the dots and can be quite useful.

What happens, I think, is that English is our world's lingua franca. I am not a Native English speaker, yet I'm using it every day, in my work (for which I'm paid), and in my passion (which is writing). I'm constantly striving to be better, especially since I have only learned English on my own, and not in a formal environment. I understand that for someone who is a Native English speaker, the mistakes done by non-Natives must be bothersome and even funny. I wish my writing was completely free of mistakes. Having an editor really helps. However, I must point out something. When people who use English as a second language talk among themselves, mistakes do not count as much. I have written plenty of fanfiction and got comments from people from all corners of the universe, and it showed in the way they were writing their reviews. But isn't it a bit wonderful that someone like me, from Eastern Europe, can write something, and be read by someone who's from the Philippines? Without the English language as the communication vehicle, that could not have happened. Don't get me wrong. If someone is looking to get published and wants to be taken seriously, they should proofread their work. Yet, it's a learning process for a lot of people, and, as long as they do not write absolute trash with total disregard for the English language, I'd say they should continue. And they should also accept constructive criticism because that's the way you can grow and learn.

Welcome! Thanks for reading!

Glad to clear that up! Thanks!

“How did you get that?” Diaz examined his bruised shoulder. “I got into a fight with some Wanderers,” Jake mumbled while trying hard not to wince as his brother poked his arm. “No shit. I bet the others look worse,” his brother’s face lit up with a smile. Jake fell silent. He wasn’t going to tell Diaz he got saved by a gorgeous man named Klaus who had jerked him off and made him see heaven for the first time in his 21 years of life. “So,” Diaz insisted. “Did you beat them up?

I started by writing fan fiction and I still do, because I enjoy the exercise and because it makes me happy. Although, unlike other people here, I write for some obscure fandoms most of the time, mainly yaoi and BL manga and anime. I think it helps a lot, and that it provides you with some tools for writing well. Plus, you're getting yourself out there, so you can get in contact with an audience, learn what they like, what they don't, and you even expose yourself to criticism, which is another good thing. I will continue to write fan fiction, mainly because when I read or watch something I like, it sparks my imagination. And I honestly believe that is a good thing. It also happens because of some frustration or another. I wanted that character to have done that or said that ... or get paired with X or Y. And sometimes, I just want to change unhappy endings to happy endings (because this is how I roll :)))

Yes, writing usually derives from an internal need to create. What other people say matters to a certain degree. I don't usually give up on writing something because of lack of comments or likes, or anything similar (depending on website). If I want to tell a story, I try to do it all the way. When I stop mid-way, it usually happens because of a terrible writer's block or personal problems. I agree about engaging. Opening communication channels with readers truly helps. But, again, it depends on the website and the setup where all happens. I'm on tumblr, and I often post small drabbles - usually fanfiction - and I already got used to people just leaving likes. (There's even a joke about tumblr not being real social media, because everyone just talks to themselves). Here, I see that people are much more engaged, and the setup encourages this kind of things, which is really helpful for writers. So, kudos from me to you, guys

I think it was Mario Vargas Lllosa who said in one of his non-fiction books - I don't remember which one right now, I think it was the one in which he creates letters he would send to a young writer - who said that when an author writes, they have one particular ideal reader in mind. For me, it is how things happen. The first piece I ever wrote - more than 15 years ago - received a lot of positive feedback on the website I published it on, and there was a person there who I clicked with right away. Even though I haven't talked with that person in many, many years - and I doubt I ever will again - I still imagine how they would react to every little thing I write. I even have small imaginary conversations in my head with that person, and I try to explain one thing or another, until I'm satisfied that I managed to get the point across. As far as reviews are concerned, I suppose every writer wants them. Preferably, to be the positive kind. But I think constructive criticism has its role. As long as they are not mean comments like 'you suck' (well, it happened to me) or elaborated insults (that again, happened to me), these reviews definitely help. Writing is a labor of love, and no one likes being criticized. But when someone takes the time to explain something they see in your writing that is not that good, I believe it is a sign that the person writing the review cares. They care enough to get down and spend minutes of their precious time to tell you something. And even if you still think they're wrong, at least you have the opportunity to reply and have a meaningful conversation with that person. Frankly, I think no reviews whatsoever are the worst scenario. That kind of silence is gut-wrenching. It means that you haven't touched anyone with your writing and that you are, simply, so bad that people don't care at all.

Thanks a lot for your comment! I will try to update weekly. Next time, maybe your question will be answered

That is definitely how one should improve. And luckily, the classics are available online, too, in this day and age (Project Gutenberg has a vast selection), so it is not that difficult to find good books to read.

Thanks a lot! I hope you will continue to enjoy.

Chapter One Jake had never been the type to fear anything for too long. It was either that way or his way. It was how he had been taught to think from an early age. His brother was in charge now, and that meant more responsibilities for the 21-year-old who was supposed to find a way in life, outside the lulling security of his family. They were not just punks. They were The Outsiders. A name many feared. A name Jake and his brother took pride in. But Jake knew he could not stay, no matter

Jake is young, wild, and runs with his brother's bad-ass gang. But he has a secret he needs to hide. When he is saved from a rival gang by a guy with eyes blue as the summer's sky, all dressed up in an Armani suit and moves like Bruce Lee, the walls he carefully built around him start to crumble.