Greetings fellow newcomer

I assume you're one if you've entered here, but everyone is welcome. I've been trying to locate a thread where fledglings such as myself can share our stories and support one another, since the hardest part as a writer is usually just getting a foot in the door. When I couldn't find one such thread, I decided to make my own.

I want to make it clear up front that this is not meant as a thread where we advertise our novels, or asks for review swaps -- there are dedicated threads for that. Instead, it is meant as a thread to help us all get rid of the dreaded zero in our valid readership, as well as motivate each other to keep up the good work.

Here's what I propose

• Introduce your story briefly in a post (name, genre, male- or female lead, and what makes your story unique)
  ** No covers or synopsis, please. Go to the dedicated thread to advertise your story.
• Take your pick among the others who has posted
• Go read their first chapter (Even if it's a genre you don't like, you can always read one chapter)
• Greet the author in the comments as a fellow newcomer, so they know how you found them
• Comment on one thing you found interesting or good about their story, and point out one thing you think could be improved (constructively, as you yourself would like to receive criticism)
• Repeat for as many of the other posts you like (Except for the introducing-your-own-story part, of course. Don't spam :))

The point to this is that there is no need to make arrangements with one another, or commit ourselves to reading a lot of stories. If the story isn't your cup of tea, it's perfectly fine to leave after giving some brief feedback on the first chapter. There's no pressure to do it more than once either, although I propose you do one for each newcomer who visits your own first chapter. If you've only got time to do it once, then that's fine too. No pressure and no expectations.

If you're game, then let's help each other out!

Here's my story:
Rattus Rex
Fantasy genre, with a reincarnation device. Main character is male. The story is about a rat-man (skaven inspired) who dies and is reborn as a human. It can be a bit brutal at times, but the first chapter is not so bad -- outside of the MC dying, of course :D.