#amwriting discussion

May as well get us started. Who are you, and what are you writing :D

My name is John Bullock (amwriting bio), I am nearly thirty, unpublished and I predominately write fantasy and science fiction.

I started writing in earnest around three years ago, and am currently working on my first novel, a fantasy tentatively titled "The Last of the Keepers." I haven't had the "joy" of a rejection letter yet.

My main influences are Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin, Piers Anthony (as well as the usual suspects, like Tolkien).

Thanks for suggesting the group, John! I'll pop by after I finish writing today and add my intro too. :)

Hey there! I'm Shannon Kelly. I've been writing off and on since I was ten (thankfully have gotten better since then). Being a published author has been my dream since my 3rd grade class was read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe every day after recess for about a month and a half.

I wasn't able to convince my mom to buy the rest of the books in the series for me for another year. That summer I officially became an avid reader (devoured the books in a week) and a writer. I attempted to write my first (and last) play. I wish I still had those notebooks!

In this way, I've been influenced by C.S. Lewis. I studied for some time under Mort Castle, and later (much later) I found Holly Lisle, from whom I have learned so much about writing and being a decent person.

I'm now in my late twenties. I have two kids, three cats and a husband overseas.

Hi all! My name is Shireen Jeejeebhoy. I've been writing since I was a kid, short stories and poems mostly and only seriously since the 1990s, and I've been reading for as long as I can remember. I joined Goodreads a few months ago and have been taking my time getting to know it. I love how it makes reading easier.

My first book Lifeliner: The Judy Taylor Story was a biography on the first person in the world to live without eating. Yes, it's true!

I've now returned to fiction, and my first novel She has just come out; it's an urban fantasy set in Toronto. Having lived here for years, I like this growing and fractious city as a setting. It provides endless conflict possibilities, plus it has a personality all its own.

I'm currently revising my second novel and am planning my third one, a SciFi.

Hi Everyone! My name is Karen Pokras Toz - I am a new writer, writing for just over a year now. I have two books - one recently published - a novel written for 3rd-5th graders:


& one that I want to revisit and publish eventually. I've also started a sequel to the Nate Rocks book.

Since this is a group derived from twitter hashtags, should we include our twitter id so we can follow each other? I am www.twitter.com/karentoz

Hi all! I'm Johanna Harness and I write MG/YA. My story, "Cherry Bomb" is coming out in Mystery Times Ten from Buddhapuss Ink (releases July 22nd). I have a YA fantasy out on sub and I'm currently writing a YA contemporary.

I started the #amwriting hashtag on Twitter and had been thinking about starting a group here. When John asked me about it, I didn't hesitate.

I'm in the process of adding my books to Goodreads, but not adding anything I wouldn't give 4 or 5 stars. (And even then I'm comparing similar books to each other--because what living authors would want their books judged on a scale with Shakespeare? Jikes).

I also have a shelf for authors I know personally because, while honest in my evaluation, I recognize I may not be altogether objective. :)

Good idea adding twitter names, Karen! I'm www.twitter.com/johannaharness

It looks like I'm about a day late in joining the introductions, but I didn't get the e-mail about it until today. Oops, oh well.

My name is Megan Trennett, though that's just my writer identity. My mild-mannered, alter-ego's last name is Bennnett. I'm from Nova Scotia, though I'm currently in Montreal Quebec.

I've been telling stories since a very young age, though it didn't occur to me to write anything down until I was in the fourth grade. From then on, I was known at school as "the weirdo who writes for fun."

Fast forward to college, I signed up for a new course at my community college called "Writing for Publication" where I learned from the great Thea Atkinson. When I left the course, I learned a lot about writing, though I will confess I didn't write for about three years after that (Sorry, Thea). When I started up, I did it as a stress reliever so I didn't kill customers at work (somehow I don't think that's good for business). Therefore, being out of focus for so long, I've been reading Blogs and learning what I can to refresh myself, and learn more as well.

Currently I'm an Indie author published with Girlebooks, and my debut novel, "Heart Pulled to Pieces", came out in April.

www.twitter.com/megantrennett

Oh, suppose I can do this too. Hi all! I'm Patty. I've been writing seriously for about a year and for fun about two years. Right now I'm working on getting my novel, Being Human (please, don't remind me of the syfi show, I know, oh yes, I know!) ready to self-pub. It's not my first story, but the first one that stuck me as one that I wanted to share. So far, I am torn between sheer terror and squeeing like a fangirl. Hopefully, there will be more to come and improvements on my writing with each one.

My twitter is https://twitter.com/#!/patricialynne07

Good idea Karen about Twitter handles. Mine is twitter.com/ShireenJ

Hi Megan! I find writing a great stress reliever too. As you said, a good way not to kill the customer..or an aggravating friend.

Hi Patricia! I never did see that show, but saw lots of ads for it. I know that terror/squeeing feeling well. LOL!

I'm Sarah, I used to write short stories and eventually want to write another. I've been writing over the past four years (just recounted). I enjoy reading dark contemporary stories, dark futurism, and philosophical stories.

I just finished a short ghost story, now under third revision (expecting many more).