If I read 40 pages per day for the next 4 months will I see an improvement in my vocabulary?
You sure will! But if you really want to improve your vocabulary, read so-called English Literature some of the time. This, in the broad sense, includes American Literature at the very least. I don’t want to run through a list of all the English-speaking countries (including India, which has a genuine literature in English), but they would all be on it. The reason I suggest this is because of a basic principle in foreign-language teaching which applies to us native speakers too: the most improvement comes from giving a student what he or she already knows plus alpha (alpha being what the student doesn’t know; it should be a fraction of the book read). When I read my first 19th-century novel on my own, as (in public school terms) a first-year high school student, my vocabulary shot up. It was “Jane Eyre,” and though I was a guy, I came to just love it. But I needed to use a dictionary at first. By the end of the novel, I didn’t need the dictionary. So all reading of decent writing is good for your vocabulary, but something fine and a little challenging (with the plus-alpha factor) is best.
What websites allows you to read fanfiction?
Well, this is a personal opinion so not all people agree…But I have accounts on a few:1- Archive of our own ( Archive of Our Own ) :A huge number of fan fics in almost all fandoms that could ever exist (there are original works as well) is here. A website by fans for fans.I put it first because it’s simple, user-friendly, searching options are very impressive, you can put/find as many tags as you want and the writing standards are pretty high..The voting system is quite strict so when you find 1K kudos on a work it literally means that 1K person has voted.2- Wattpad (Wattpad - Where stories live):Another huge platform, the number of fics is enormous and original works find a reputation easily.It is however a little less easy to search for works, tags are limited and you can’t always find great works with acceptable levels of language, search filters aren’t as impressive as my first pick.The pros are : the possibility to insert media easily, the great team behind the platform who go through works and do rankings and advertising as well as events and competitions and the best part is there’s an app, easy to access, read, write, vote and comment wherever and whenever.3- Fanfiction.net :It was my fanfic awakening, very simplistic design, average in almost every aspect but a pioneer nonetheless. You will find lots of great works and many supportive readers and writers.4- Asian fanfics ( For fans of all things Asian )As the name indicates, it’s about Asia, whether the fandom is an anime, an asian drama or an asian band, you just have to search for it and you’ll get yourself a list of fics…I call this website, the quiet one, it’s not easy for a work to get found or recognized, it isn’t as user-friendly as the first two platforms previously mentioned but you get used to it I guess…It’s also a community wher you can chat and share things so it’s … “pretty cool” if I may say so.Honorable mentions:There are a lot of other platforms out there like Quotev, Amazone… They either require payment, or are too big and complex…I just listed the best for me as both a writer and a reader…I hope it’s helpful :)
How can I find out if my writing is any good?
There's nothing worse than having a burning desire to write, pouring your heart and soul into a poem or story, and then wondering ... is it any good? How can I improve how I write? Am I just spinning my wheels?There's also no better feeling than having someone tell you they appreciate how you write and what you have to say -- and, if they see where improvements can be made, offer helpful suggestions.I love to help writers find the assurances and constructive help they are looking for, especially if they have a hunger to be published as an Author.When I started writing years ago, I didn't know anyone who had been published. I had done a lot of writing, but I had no one to ask whether I was looking at a possible book, or if I had merely found a new hobby to enjoy ... so I went online and joined several writing communities.Most of the communities have several categories where you can submit your writing: poetry, fiction, short stories, essays, blogs and articles, to name a few.In most, the poetry category is even further broken down into genres: children's, erotica/sensual/adult, religious/spiritual, humorous, rhyming, prose poetry, etc.The real power behind joining a writing community is being a part of something where everyone there is also writing and learning about the love of writing.You will get valuable feedback on your work when you post it, with comments and critiques — those you receive, as well as those you give to others.There are also poetry and writing forums where you can showcase your work, (and yourself), and most allow personal profiles and detailed biographies.Joining a writing community also creates name recognition, for when you DO get something published. People from all over the world will be familiar with who you are and what you write.Joining writing communities allows you to also make lasting friendships with people who have the same interest that you do -- writing.I wish you the very best —