Michael Erasmus

@kristianne-hassman

Oh, that’s cool! Seven years is quite some time. How have you been finding it here?

Don’t worry about Afrikaans; I basically said that I can’t speak it well (and I’ve been here my whole life!). I learned only enough to get through school. My family is mostly English.

@kristianne-hassman Woohoo, another South African! And a writer of fantasy and historical fiction. Awesome! I write mainly fantasy, but I’m often inspired by our world’s history, which I think is just so interesting.

Ek’s ook van Suid Afrika, en my Afrikaans is so sleg soos ‘n pantoffel(?), want ek’s uitlink Engels. Wat van jy?

@naiya-dyani…[Read more]

@phoenix

For what it’s worth, my daily goal is 1,000. With full-time work, other responsibilities, and exercising (which also helps having a clearer mind for creative work, I might add), I have neither the time nor the energy for more. On some days I squeeze in 1,500 or more, but then others I barely do 500. So don’t feel bad about that. Start…[Read more]

@phoenix

This might sound abstract or even cheesy, but it’s what helped me in such a time, so hear me out. For me, the key to overcoming these obstacles is . . .  LOVE! (This doesn’t just apply to writing, but I’ll explain it in a writing context.)

When you fan the flames of love for something, and embrace that love, then your focus will shift…[Read more]

@anne_the_noob14

That makes sense, yes. Unless it doesn’t and I just think I understand…

Hmm, maybe that “nuh uh” feeling is good, like humility? Either way, you’ll figure it out. Maybe.

Those all sound very cool, but you got me at archery. I love it! Always used to do compound bows, but the bells and whistles make it too easy. This year I…[Read more]

@anne_the_noob14

Hello there!

I get the “wide and picky taste” thing, though to me that comes in different forms. I love classical/orchestral pieces, but also love the heavier, more symphonic, metal genres (though I am very careful when it comes to lyrics). It may seem like two extremes, but they’re really not that different. Every other type of…[Read more]

@phoenix

When a story leans more towards young adult or teenage characters and themes, fewer older adults will enjoy it. Similarly, complicated and mature characters and themes may bore teenagers.

However, I would say that fiction doesn’t always have an age. There are works that can be equally enjoyed by both young and old readers. Take Lord of…[Read more]

@deeprun Who needs geography when you can write your own world? And yes, I think I shall do that. Maybe I should take some time first getting a feel for the community as I’ve only just joined.

@daeus-lamb Good idea. I hadn’t noticed the “users online” section!

@naiya-dyani @deeprun Australia’s time zone is 9 hours ahead of mine, while New Zealand’s is 11 hours ahead. What would work is Western European time zones. For example, UK is only 2 hours behind.

Alternatively (and perhaps this would be better) I should look for critique partners/groups that don’t have sessions but rather pass a piece around for…[Read more]

I’m in the same boat. Two things bother me:

1. I can’t do physical writing conferences. I live in a small South African town far away from such lofty things, and there’s nothing in my local community (I’ve investigated). Though I’d prefer physical meetups, I recognize my solution HAS to be an online one.
2. As I haven’t been able to interact much…

[Read more]