Writing Exercises & Conversations discussion

For those of you already in groups ( which I'm sure the majority of you are) I am certain you've already gone through introducing yourself.I would like everyone to do the same here, but for you to include your favorite books ,authors,a brief summary on your life and what you like to write as well as the usual,name ,age and location.
It goes without saying this is totally optional and you only have to include what you feel comfortable sharing.
I will start with myself to get the ball rolling...

My name is Jolie,I'm 27 with 3 kids ( 2 girls ages 10 and 7 and my son age 5,almost 6).If you did the math you figured out I started pretty young...married at 16,divorced at 25.
I've live on ranches pretty much my whole life.By ranches I mean thousands of acres with hundreds of cattle and alot of other types of animals,as well as (and one of my favorite advantages of ranch life) our closest neighbor being miles and miles away and at LEAST a 45 minute drive to town ...(in some cases hours).In my opinion it's the best way to live,and the best way to raise a family by far.
In some ways I have lived a very sheltered life...the way alot of people have who grew up in small towns or remote areas.And I am so grateful for that.
I also come from a very large,very close family,which I am also very grateful for.
Reading and writing are like an addiction for me.I would love to be a writer someday,right now it's just a dream.I love writing anything, if i had to narrow it down I would say I like writing fiction based on fact more then I like writing anything else...but it changes all the time.
My favorite authors include: Larry Mcmurtry,Laura Ingalls Wilder ,Michelle Lee West and Jeannette Walls ,I love many others but those are on the top of my list.My favorite books are mostly the ones written by the authors I just listed...
I love history and almost anything non-fiction.I love people,it's one of the reasons I started this group-I really can't wait to see everyones work.I like seeing peoples creativity and what they come up with :)

Nice to meet you, Jolie! :)

My name is Katie, I'm 20 and I live in the heart of Texas. I come from a very close family that includes my parents, my older brother, and finally one older sister who is married and has one child (until December), my nephew Isaac. My older brother died when I was just a baby of leukemia. I love Texas, but I also lived in the Pacific Northwest for about 4 years. A year and a half was spent in Boise, Idaho and about three years were spent in Washington state. It was really beautiful up there. I also started reading more and more during that time, which started with Harry Potter, of course. Then the Lord of the Rings, etc. I decided that I wanted to be a writer when I was 12 years old and attempted my first novel about time travel. It was plotless, but oh so fun.

I've come to love many classics from Austen, Bronte, Twain, etc. but J.K. Rowling will always have a place in my heart, as well as Melina Marchetta, Kelly Creagh, Maggie Stiefvater, Lauren Oliver, and so many more. My favorite books are written by them as well :)

I'm really happy to be a part of this group and have a chance to write and share in others' writing as well. Thanks Jolie for making it happen!

My name is Stacey; I am 24 years old and live in Arkansas. I was born in Arkansas but have lived in a few states including Illinois and Indiana. I have also visited New York and New Jersey the last few years (thank goodness for friends = free room and board)!

I am trying to be more active on Goodreads but I work fulltime and I am enrolled in college fulltime. Needless to say I do not have a lot of free time. I am a nontraditional student because my life was kind of crazy for a few years… my mother passed away in 2006 and my father in 2007. Now I am back in school and going to graduate early. I have always wanted to be a writer; I used to write my own playtime scripts, short stories, and so on. A Bachelor’s degree is my safety net but I will always strive to be a writer.

I have an eclectic taste in most things: art, books, music, movies, etc. I always have a difficult time picking favorites but a few of my favorite authors are Alex Kava, Janet Evanovich, Jonathan Nasaw and John Patterson. Classic authors: Charlotte Bronte, Alexandre Dumas, and Mary Shelley. A lot of my favorite books are by these authors as well.

I am really looking forward to this group; the creativity of others never ceases to amaze me (or inspire me). Good luck everyone! :)

Nice to meet you too Katie:),

I'm sorry to hear that about your brother...I just signed up to donate bone marrow a few weeks ago after I learned about children with leukemia,I have been trying to get everyone I know to do the same.

I am about ot start Harry Potter myself,my nieces are obsessed,and I look up to J.K.Rowling big time! I am amazed by what her books have done,and how humble she is about it.

I'm so grateful to have you in this group,thank you so much for joining:)

Stacy I am sorry to hear that about your parents,I can't imagine...

I am in the same boat as far wanting to be on here more but having too little time!

That is so awesome you have written scripts! I wish I had that ability, but I struggle with dialouge terribly .I can't wait to read what you share with us!and thank you so much for joining!

I am glad you guys shared your storys,my boyfriend was actually killed in a car wreck a year ago today.It's hard for me to even mention it. It was ironic for me to read both your storys today and see you have both lossed people so close to you.

I am so glad you both joined and I can't wait to see your work!

Hello:)

My name is Megan and I am 16 years old. I am the second youngest of 5 (three girls, two boys). My older sisters are 24 and 22 and my brothers are 21 and 14. Living in such a big family kind of makes me want to hide my talents. I don't share my writing with my family. I fear their judgement and opinions too much.

I've wanted to be a writer ever since I learned how and so far I've stuck to my dream. I've finished three books, but they are no where close to being publish-ready. I enjoy reading and writing Young Adult Fiction--mostly fantasy/romance.

My favorite authors: Cassandra Clare, Kiersten White, other YA

My favorite books: Jane Eyre, Clockwork series, Immortal Instrument Series, Withered...ahh I don't know. I pretty much love YA.

I also love music. I sing and perform. Broadway musicals are another love of mine. I am currently in a musical at a community theater called "Children of Eden" which is about the story of Adam and Eve and the story of Noah. It is such an amazing show:)

As if I don't already have enough...haha

I am trying to write a musical with my brother. I'll write the actual play and he will write the music....anyway, I am really excited about being in this group. I re-read my earlier comment and I sound so detached and...robotic haha I promise that I am neither of those two.

I am so sorry about your brother Katie. It is strange how strangers can come together and have similar experiences that can bring them more understanding of one another. On the other hand, it is great to be in another group with you!


Jolie, I am very sorry about your boyfriend. It is very sad how many people have a "story." It is also very uplifting because of how many people push on and strive to help others (like you are doing). :)


I am very excited about this group, I will do my best to be more active on here and on Goodwriters for Goodreads!

Hey All,

Terri here. I'm a mom of three & a NICU nurse in Virginia. I've lived all over the U.S. I've been on the east coast for quite a while now.

Love reading, knitting, my computer, training dogs & long walks on the beach (lol).

I lean toward the dark & gritty but its more about the story than the genre.

What I want from reading:

To be desperate to know what happens next.

To be disturbed or jolted into viewing things from a new perspective.

To be entertained.

For it to be cathartic or just to take me away from everyday.

To be sad it's over.

To think about it long after I'm done.

To be eager to share it with others.

I think this is an awesome idea for a group. Eager to read entries. Hope this non-pressure environment will give me incentive to write (something I've wanted to do but have been too busy & intimidated to start.)

Great to meet you guys. My heart goes out to you all. Remember, noone, NOONE gets through this life unscathed, so glad to see you guys are keeping on, keeping on. Seek out joy, don't be afraid to feel the loss and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Proud to meet such strong, determined and talented women.

Hello everyone, my name is Natalie. I am eighteen very soon to be nineteen. I've been married for about six months now to an amazing militant. A city girl all the way with a passion for reading, writing, and law. I will be attending college to major in communications and eventually head off to law school. My hobbies are reading YA novels with paranormal or supernatural elements. I am writing two books that I will be self-publishing this summer on that. Writing is for fun, I don't write for profit.

Love being a part of this group, and I cannot wait to read other people's work!

Terri, it is nice to meet you, thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement. My uncle used to live in Virginia - I loved it when we visited. I am an East Coast kinda girl but lately I have been thinking that I would love to visit Washington, it seems like it would be a great place to live. I have a tremendous amount of respect for nurses, being in NICU I am sure you see your fair share (and more). Thank goodness for people like you!


Natalie, it is nice to meet you as well. Good luck with your Bachelor's & law school. I am finishing my degree soon and have to make the final decision on whether or not to apply to med school. Either way, I would love to be a "for-profit" writer, lol!

You can do it if you put your mind to it Jolie...You can do anything...

My name is Tory Shay Hastings...I am 34 and obviously female...I was born in Prescott, AZ. and grew up on a ranch in Morristown,AZ. that my family still runs...Due to an accident I am not active in any riding or horse related activities but I do love watching my siblings and nieces and nephews participate!!! No children but 6 crazy dogs...3 weiner dogs, two cairn terriors and an australian shephard mix...I am also gay which to me is not a big deal but that is the only reason I feel I don't have kids...My partner and I were married legally in Lake Tahoe, CA in 2008 and life has been exciting and rewarding since...

I have 4 siblings whome I love dearly and love their kids as if they were my own...I am blessed because my partner feels the same about them all and we try to have them over as often as possible...

I do not read very often so I can not point out a favorite author however I do love to write and I look forward to participating in this group...I am also an ammatuer artist and love most types of art, sewing, beading, etc...

I look forward to reading what everyone has to say here and am excited to be a part of this group...Thank you Jolie!!!

Hello all I am Jo,

Thank you for the invite I really appreciate it. I live in New York City. I have one daughter a teenager and I will be 36 years old week after next. Send me as many birthday kudos as you like.

I think this group is very interesting and I hope it will help me jump-start my creative flow.

Hi all,
I'm Tamara, I'm 23 and I'm from the UK. I've only just joined goodreads (I don't know where I've been these past few years!) and this is the first group I've joined.

I absolutely love reading and writing and have just completed a Bachelors degree in Creative Writing. I've joined here in the hope that the prompts will help me keep writing as I'm finding it difficult to get motivated right now.

I suffer from M.E. and am currently housebound so all my socializing is currently done online - one of the many reasons I wanted to join a group I felt comfortable about. If I don't reply straight away please don't take it personally - I'm not always able to sit up to go on my laptop.

I'm the oldest of 5 but have moved away from home. I've just moved in with my boyfriend, Chris, in the same town where we went to uni (we met at the end of the first year - have now been together just over 2yrs!). It sucks being away from our families but it just felt right for us.

As I said, I love to read and write. I'll read almost anything though I am usually curled up with a chick-lit, memoir or literary book. I'm currently trying to broaden my tastes so am literally trying everything. I still haven't found the genre I want to write in so am looking forward to the exercises as a way of trying new things, experimenting and practicing.

Okay, this is probably way too long now. Anyway, good to meet you all and hope to get to know many of you better.

Hi,my name is Randy,I live in Va. love read, write (any area)travel (been to Europe many times) and I have a great love of smooth jazz.

As to my writing I tend to write excessively sometimes, it a way I deal with stress,sometimes. To date I have written 3 novels and about 50 short stories... yes I have had loads of stress lol.

My Favorite authors are Laurell K Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Patrica Briggs,Janet Evanovich and a few others which I can't seem to remember at the moment.

Oh I also love to talk/write/have conversations. To me a stranger is only a possible friend that I haven't met yet.

Hello all, my name is Brianna though many call me Bri. I'm 21 going on 22 (very soon!) and have one semester left of college. I'm originally from Ohio but have been going to school in Michigan for the past three years. I love to travel and plan to do a lot of it after I graduate (starting with India in January!). I decided to become a writer in high school, though I knew I loved to write way before then. It all started with a story about a girl who finds a magic talking leaf that fell from her favorite tree, (which was written in third grade, but it's still great to return to it).

I'm currently caught up in writing poetry and screenplays. I've been working on a particular screenplay for two years now and I hope to get it produced one day.

My favorite authors are Sharon Creech (for nostalgic reasons), Madeleine L'Engle, J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Donald Miller, Dave Eggers, Tennessee Williams, Wislawa Szymborska, William Carlos Williams, and so many more.

I'm addicted to coffee and cafes in general. I have the romantic idea of writing the next great American novel in a hole in the wall cafe with three lattes downed and a fourth on the way, but usually it turns out to be me people watching and occasionally (in the loosest sense of the word) scribbling in my journal with one latte because that's all the money I have. =)

I'm excited to be apart of this group, and though I may not have a lot of time while I finish up with school, I do hope to participate as much as possible. It's always great to have writers so willing to help other writers.

Welcome Brianna and good luck with the screen play.

Hi my name is Patrick, I'm about to turn 18, my favorite book of all times is TWILIGHT, I just love it, for my favorite author,Dan Brown is very good and so is Stephenie Meyer, I love fiction books, drama and romance pleased to be in this grooup :D

Hi Patrick and welcome.. I like Dan Brown as well, not to much in to Meyer,but I did like the first book.

Hi I'm Tamara. I have 3 daughters ages 20, 21, and 23. I am 47 years old divorced and a property manager on the Central Coast of California. I live about a mile from the Pacific Ocean :). According to Oprah I live in the happiest place on earth; the County of San Luis Obispo.

I enjoy taking walks on the beach, hiking, bike riding, camping. At the moment I am taking a class,"Writing from Life," which is harder than I thought it would be.

I want to write about having a child with disabilities and all that she has been through over the last 20 years. My daughter has Marfan syndrome and I find there is not a lot out there and thought it would be nice to write her story.

I enjoy poetry and true stories although I read what ever keeps my attention through the first chapter. Okay, I guess that is it for now :)

It is nice to meet all of you.

Hi everyone!
I'm Sandy from Brisbane, Australia. I love to read a variety of genre but my favourite has to be a good thriller. I write short stories and am currently co-writing a crime novel with a friend. I belong to a small writing group which meets once a month to exchange stories and do some 'off-the-cuff' writing. We've been doing this for 2years and find it stimulating, especially when you're suffering from writers ' block. I'm looking forward to sharing stories with the group.

Hi Sandy

Hey Everyone, I am Sudhanshu from Bangalore, India. I always loved to read and write and was always inclined towards literature as my father is also into this profession(literature teacher).
I am working in an IT firm after doing MBA. I lyk creative writing and have written few small poems(mostly in Hindi).Despite of my altogether different profession, I also have the dream of being an author(lyk Jolie) some time in future as I learn more things from life..But I am not getting time to pursue this.. Will be needing your help and wishes to fulfill it..And of course looking forward to this interesting group..I am sure its gonna be fun.. :-)

Hi Sudhanshu and welcome. I finally found the time to write and I am taken advantage of it. What I did before finding the time or rather having it put upon me I use to write very chance I got. I called it my mindless scribbles. well they overtime have turned it a notebook of possible stories and manybe even a novel of two. Know that no effort when positive is wasted.

Hello! I'm new to Goodreads as well as this group so I hope I'm doing this right... lol.

Name: Airicka Phoenix
Age: 27
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Favorite books: (I swear, this is the hardest question out there.) Harry Potter Series - JK Rowlings, Morganville Series - Rachel Caine, The Darkest Series - Kelley Armstrong, Vampire Academy Series - Richelle Mead, The Last Vampire Series - Christopher Pike, Anything by LJ Smith, The Outsiders - S.E Hintson, Percy Jackson Series - Rick Riordan, and so, so many more.
Summary: I'm a mom of four (2boys, 2girls) I've been with my husband for 10yrs. I write paranormal/romance for the young adult genre. I do most of my writing while the little ones are in school or anytime after midnight (I get my inspiration anytime after 1am). My biggest problem is not getting inspired, but finding enough hours in the day to write (24hrs is NOT enough) I have more ideas than I know what to do with and can't get them all on paper fast enough.

Other than that, it's a pleasure becoming a part of this group and I hope to get to know you all in the future.

~Airicka

Tony wrote: "Hello Everyone, I'm Tony. I believe I'm the old man in the group at the tender age of 57 (next week). I'm married with two children: Lina 31 and John 25. Lina blessed us with our first grand child ..."

Hallo, I am glad I am not the only mature person here, Tony. I am a literary translator and author. Hallo to everyone. :)

Congratulations Tony, I hope everything for you and family are going well.

Hello Mikka, I too am mature not near my 50's yet but well passed the 20's. I introduced myself earlier it is great to have another person in our group. However I was wondering about writing exercises. I haven't seen a new one issued. Has anyone else?

Thanks, Jo! Let us watch and wait.

Hello everyone,

My name is Anna-Maria and I joined this group because I think that writing needs feedback. I'm sure we all in this group love writing and reading but sometimes that's too lonely and we need some advise or someone to discuss writing. I truly believe that artists need to be surrounded by an artistic mini-society which will inspire them and cheerlead them, or even sometimes frustrate them and make them work harder. I grew up in a social circle where no one around me loved books, I'm the weirdo who loves stories instad of serious matters.

My favorite writers are (contemporary and classic): Margarita Karapanou (greek writer)and Joy Williams because they make me perspire. Jack London because he makes me feel innocent and cry. Franz Kafka because he reminds me how small I feel sometimes. Oscar Wilde because he is a word-social genius. William Shakespeare because in an seemingly simple sentence he explains the wisedom of the human kind. In general I prefer writers who can make your body tremble and your heart race rather than beautiful descriptive writing.

I'm waiting for the week's exercises. Everyday writing keeps us going!

I love you mind and attitude!!

Mikka wrote: "Tony wrote: "Hello Everyone, I'm Tony. I believe I'm the old man in the group at the tender age of 57 (next week). I'm married with two children: Lina 31 and John 25. Lina blessed us with our first..."

LOL I will be 55 on 12/22 so no you aren't alone in the age range..

Hello all,

I'm not really good with introducing myself but here it goes....

I'm 20 going on 21 in two months (EEkk!) I live in Texas have my whole life, I live with my mom, just me and her, my father left us when I was ten, he's not really in my life anymore. I have a sister who just had my first nephew in June and I love him to pieces. I love reading and writing and have since I was little, I used to sit there before I could actually read and just stare at the pages, my mom always thought it was cute and even gave me books with pictures (Thanks Goodness) Last year I was dignosed with RSD which is a chronic disease that deals with my nerves, my nerves misfire and cause me pain when there really isn't a reason, it has been a very trying year went through countless surgiries and procedures and lost for a year the use of my right dominant hand. I had to learn to write with my left hand but thank God I have finally regained my strength. I look back in that dark time and see how much it has influenced me as a person, I'll never take for granted the use of writing. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't write, I think I'd be lost. But anyways during all of that I still went to college and hoping to graduate this next spring with a degree in biology. I'm working hard to become a physical therapist. Just in november I did NaNoWriMo and wrote over 60,000 words last month, I hope to have my first novel finished this month. I also have a blog where I post my book reviews: www.laceyshoelaces.blogspot.com and I write in a journal with writing entries every night, so far I've been doing it for 320 days in a row, I'm almost to a year! But anyways some favorite authors/books: Before i die, If I Stay, Across the universe, Vampire Academy series, Angel Star, ect...I have so many favorites it's too hard to count...

But yeah, that's about it, I'm usually a really up-beat person so I hope I can bring my pep and cheer to help egg you all on!

Randy wrote: "Mikka wrote: "Tony wrote: "Hello Everyone, I'm Tony. I believe I'm the old man in the group at the tender age of 57 (next week). I'm married with two children: Lina 31 and John 25. Lina blessed us ..."

Great, Randy!

Hi,
I'm Michelle. I'm 20 and live in Chicago. I am currently attending university (between sophomore and junior year). I have always love reading and enjoy writing. I currently have a blog and appreciate comments, tips, and constructive criticism. I'm pushing myself to improve my writing and read more books. I do believe in the written word, so I always appreciate free books.

http://michelle4p.blogspot.com

Hi! I am Innocent Lamb, call me IL, Innocent or whatever, I don't really care.
I love to read and write and I am very enthusiastic in anything and everything. I have a very bubbly personality and jump around a lot. I am very easily distracted and love to talk. I can't sing... at all, but I can play the piano.
My favourite book changes alot... as in every week is the maximum.
I am very absent minded and sarcasm is used a lot when I am in a bad mood or when I just don't feel like answering.

I also like to draw and am generally reading something or thinking about some idea to write a story. When I graduate, I want to go into law or psychology or maybe even politics... Meh, when I get there, I'll decide.
Right now, I am a straight A student with an average of 99%
I freak when I do not get an answer right and always go mad trying ti figure out what I did wrong.

Hello IL,

It joined this group a while ago and but is seems like not much activity goes on here except intros.

Howdy folks, I've been a member for a bit now and have seen no activity. That's sad because I was very interested in some good writing prompts. Not to worry though, I have found some excellent writing locals, thanks to NaNoWriMo 2011 (of which I'm a rookie winner).

So I guess this is my hello and goodbye, I'm leaving the group.

Hello folks

This is Aditya, 21 from India (Asia). I'm a Computer Engineer and would be taking admission in postgraduate courses.

I love to design some random stuff on Photoshop, play guitar and travel to new places. Seems I can make a band with 'Innocent Lamb' ;)

I was not a good reader in my school days. When I got to college, I got great friends who made me see the magical world beneath the words. Well, I started off with Dan Brown, then read a few of local 'pop' writers, and now I'm taking up classicals. "A Tale of Two Cities" is on my table right now.

I hope I'll learn a lot with this group!