Do you know where I could share some of my stories. I'm doing well with writing, but there are things I still lack of. I rather get help from other people rather than my family.

thank you for posting back

Hi Nightwrath,

I'd suggest a few of the following places -- although one caveat, I'm not a member of any of them, save the last! (even though I'm not a young poet!)

http://eratosphere.ablemuse.com/
Eratosphere Poetry & Writing Workshops is your one-stop online destination for the post and critique of poems, fiction, and artwork

http://www.everyauthor.com/forum/
Constructive criticism and creative catalysts for writers of prose. Online since February 9th, 2005.

And I'm not sure of your age -- I'm only including it here because I want to draw attention to it for our younger members, because its a great resource:

http://www.youngpoets.ca/forum/
The League of Canadian Poets forum for young writers.

I'm twenty, and thank you.

Then please do check out the youngpoets website -- its great. There's also some great dialogue betwixt well-published, experienced poets and those that want to learn the "trade"!

I'm on there, too! (But no so young)

I might be in the wrong fourm.

As of now I'm trying to better myself in writing; and I'm trying to find a book a book store for some guidance. any books you recommend?

Glad to see you back NightWrath!

If it's poetry you are after, I'd recommend Ted Kooser's The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice For Beginning Poets.

Ted Kooser gives helpful advice to poets on how to improve their work, from use of _meta_phor to keeping form from hindering the perception of the poem. This type of Book is good for anyone aspiring to write better poetry, no matter what level they are currently at. If you are either a beginning poet or have a few publications under your belt, you can learn a lot from this.

When people are looking to learn about writing, they usually make a beeline for one part of the store: the Reference section that focuses on Writing and Publishing. It is true that there are some excellent How-to books in that section. I’m particularly fond of Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott, and The Art of Fiction, by John Gardner. (In fact, most published fiction writers are intimate with both of those books.) However, it is also true that there might be many books that are too simplistic for your needs, or perhaps too sophisticated.

But here's the most important one: Read! Read a lot of the kinds of books you’re interested in writing, and to do very close readings of as many as you possibly can.

This sounds obvious, but it’s amazing how few aspiring writers do this. Sometimes this is because they say, “Well, I read a lot of mysteries, so I know I can write them.” True, but there’s a huge difference between reading widely and reading deeply.

To learn craft, one must look closely at what one is reading, and dissect it as a writer would.

Focus on contemporary books (especially if you want to publish). What do I mean when I say contemporary? If you focus on books from the 19th century, you’ll have a great learning experience, but you’ll be underinformed about the _style_s and approaches that are more acceptable now.