Writing group thread

[gambit]

All right, it's nice to see that I've gotten some good response for a writing group, so here's the official thread for it. For those who don't know, we send bits of writing (short stories, poems, essays, novel chapters, etc...) to each other, read them, and comment on any mistakes or anything that doesn't make sense on a stylistic and thematic level. So far there are five members:

me
holden
b.miller
grady
myrrh

I'm sure no one will protest if there are a few more join, but I don't think we want to get the group too big. Anyway, how about setting some ground rules?

First, only send your work via email. This should be obvious, but don't post your work on the forums here just so no one steals it.

Second, I think each week should feature one piece from someone. I've sent my first story to everyone this week, so it should be someone else's turn this coming Friday (or Saturday depending on what works for everyone), and so on until it gets back to me in maybe five weeks time. How does this sound to everyone?

Third, in case someone doesn't have a piece to send to everyone and is mostly here to help others (which is fine), then we'll skip ahead to someone else. Or if someone just doesn't have anything they're finished with, then we'll skip ahead just the same. Personally, I have three, maybe four, more stories in the bank.

I think having a time table for those of us aspiring to be writers will help motivate us to write more. I know when I was in college that the creative writing courses (which were about four courses total) I took were the most productive times in my four and a half years there. Obviously, we don't want to rush or force anyone with their writing, but sometimes we all need a little push.

Thoughts?

[b.miller]

I think having a time table for those of us aspiring to be writers will help motivate us to write more. I know when I was in college that the creative writing courses (which were about four courses total) I took were the most productive times in my four and a half years there. Obviously, we don't want to rush or force anyone with their writing, but sometimes we all need a little push.


yeah i would agree with this.. as long as we, you know, don't get F's if we're not ready...

[grady]

yeah i would agree with this.. as long as we, you know, don't get F's if we're not ready...

F's!?!?

Any chance of getting an incomplete or a no pass?

Time Tables are very good.

[gambit]

All right, who wants to be second? And third, fourth, and fifth?

[holden]

Got your manuscript, Gambit, and will read it tonight!

Most of my writing is about 1400 miles northeast of me right now, so i doubt i'll be able to contribute anything until Mid-August. I'm happy to read and offer comments for the time being, though!

[b.miller]

All right, who wants to be second? And third, fourth, and fifth?

yeah i think it might be cool to commit to weeks on this thread so we all know when we're up but i like sending the stories and feedback via email so we all have to write out our own thoughts and don't have that opportunity to be lazy and just agree with the previous post...

plus i'm thinking that the feedback and notes will get a little easier and more comfortable once we've been around the table a few times... I'm anticipating a few sore feelings although i doubt it's anyone's intention.

I have a seed of an idea... i don't want to make Gambit have to give all his stuff up right away so if nobody else has anything ready to go, i think i can whip something up for this weekend.... i can definitely hold off till next though if someone has something already ready for feedback.

[grady]

One thought that came up as I've been writing up some comments before emailing them off was perhaps at some point if it's possible depending on everyone's schedule is that we should have a chat session of sorts about each of the stories. Not that the written comments we're providing aren't useful, but having that dialouge between one another would provide a real time exchange of ideas and comments about each story that cannot be reproduced in email discussion.

What does everyone think?

Granted there are some logistics to be worked out in all of this happening, but I figured it would be worth mentioning to see what everyone else thought of the idea.

[gambit]

A real time chat would be nice, but obviously finding some time where we all can be online at the same time would be a challenge. Are we all in North America? That would make things easier, but we'd have to find a mirc room or all get on MSN Messenger or whatever program works for everyone.

So, is b.miller going to be the next person? Grady, do you have anything ready? Or maybe myrrh?

[b.miller]

So, is b.miller going to be the next person? Grady, do you have anything ready? Or maybe myrrh?


...crickets...


ok i will take this week... expect an email from me sometime friday. No guarantees on its quality though... and it's probably sort of inspired by gambit's story... but it's short.

which leads me to the subject of size. maybe it's a bit premature but some of my stuff is larger than 4 pages. maybe i'm in the minority but if not what does everyone think about the occasional longer story and perhaps making it a "2 week-er" to give everyone more time to read and digest. I don't know where everybody's limit is... is a 20-30 page story too long for this group?

in any case, what i've come up with for this week is only 3 pages so we have some time to see how this comes along... just planting the seed.

[grady]

...crickets...


ok i will take this week... expect an email from me sometime friday. No guarantees on its quality though... and it's probably sort of inspired by gambit's story... but it's short.


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(It's like sitting in a classroom and no one is saying anything after the teacher has asked for comments.)


b.miller posted first, but I could have something ready as well, but I might need just a bit more time.

And also, how does everyone feel about a piece of non-fiction sometime soon. As one of the initial posts stated "fiction, poetry, etc." One of the things I was thinking of submitting was a book review for an upcoming release to get some feedback. Nothing terribly long, probably 3-4 pages tops. The writing of the review seemed like a good exercise at the time.



which leads me to the subject of size. maybe it's a bit premature but some of my stuff is larger than 4 pages. maybe i'm in the minority but if not what does everyone think about the occasional longer story and perhaps making it a "2 week-er" to give everyone more time to read and digest. I don't know where everybody's limit is... is a 20-30 page story too long for this group?

in any case, what i've come up with for this week is only 3 pages so we have some time to see how this comes along... just planting the seed.

I like the idea of a longer stories, sometimes the limitations of something short can be quite difficult to work through but it can also be good to force me to tighten things up a bit.

[grady]

A question for everyone and their reading of the selected story so far.

Have you been reading the story off of a computer screen or printing it out to have a tangible copy to make notes and observations on?

I prefer to have a few pieces of paper myself and take notes upon a second reading of the story in a notebook.

[gambit]

Another question, does everybody here use Microsoft Word? The thought didn't cross my mind until now, but if you do, then we should take advantage of the comments function.

[b.miller]

i'm on Word 2003. I'm curious about this too. i guess anyone that doesn't can just tell me and i can send a text-only copy this week.

[myrrh]

I have word on my laptop. Unfortunately, the power cord to my it is dead, so it is just sitting idle.

Gambit sent me an email about writing something for week 4. I can't do this because that will fall when I am out of town and in the middle of nowhere. I will be gone from Aug 5th to Aug 21st. I can send out something to you all when I return from then. I don't have time to get anything together before then, but will glady still read what you all are doing.

-Adrian

[holden]

Yeah, i like to print out things for making comments on. But i'll use the "track changes"/"comments" thingee in Word to give you the feedback.

[gambit]

Hmm, week 1 was July 8. Week 2 will be somewhere in the 15-17, and we will get something from b.miller this week. Week 3 should be somewhere in the 22-24 range, and week 4 should be somewhere in the 29-31 range of July. I think you got the dates mixed up, Adrian, which is understandable since this is all very loose and undetermined right now. Could you have something ready for the last days of July, or would that not be possible?

[myrrh]

It won't be possible. I have too much other stuff I need to get done before I leave. Wait until I get back. I will make it worth the wait. :)

[gambit]

All right, I can provide something for that week.

[b.miller]

story: SENT'D

[gambit]

Received, read, commented on, and returned. :)

[b.miller]

so who's up this week?

[gambit]

It should be grady's turn this weekend. Got something for us, grady?

[grady]

Yep it's me up this week. I should have something whether or not I want to part with it going out to everyone on Friday afternoon when I get home from work.

[grady]

Sent the story out.

[holden]

(Bumpers!)

Hey all,

Thanks for the storys so far, and hope the comments have been helpful! i'll get Gambit some remarks on "Confusion the Waitress" soon. Do i owe anyone else comments? Just want to make sure this doesn't fall by the wayside, cos there's some serious talent among y'all!

Also, who's up next? i'll volunteer for mid August, when i am reunited with my manuscripts (they're in New York. i'm in Houston :o ). Then y'all will get some unintentionally comedic writing:p !

[gambit]

It should be b.miller again since you (holden) and myrrh don't have anything just yet. Also, people can resubmit works they've submitted before as long as they've made significant changes to the work. Just to let everyone know.

[b.miller]

yeah....... ..... i am running behind.... but i will have something for friday, sure...hmmm.... i'm not saying friday morning.... but sure i can get.... something... to you guys this weekend.... yes... something


....

EDIT: yay i have something! it's short though, and filled with naughty language.

EDIT AGAIN: yeah it will be later on tonight for sure. unless you guys want it missing a page or two

EDIT AGAIN AGAIN: sent'd.

[b.miller]

by the way... is the roster still the same or did Riko/nicnuxx want to get in on this as well?

[gambit]

As far as I know, no one else has joined the group. But, uh, no offense to Brian, but can people finish my story first?

[holden]

Ah, balls! i'm sorry, Gambit! i owe you comments! And B.Grady's is next up. I'm falling behind! Nooooo!!!

Well, i'm about to drive 1600 miles from Houston to New York, so i will have some hotel reading on the way;)

holden

[grady]

Ah, balls! i'm sorry, Gambit! i owe you comments! And B.Grady's is next up. I'm falling behind! Nooooo!!!

Well, i'm about to drive 1600 miles from Houston to New York, so i will have some hotel reading on the way;)

holden

b.grady? :)

Gambit, my reply will be coming to you later today. I've got my notes I just need to type them up as they've been sitting in my notebook these past few days.

[gambit]

b.grady? :)

Gambit, my reply will be coming to you later today. I've got my notes I just need to type them up as they've been sitting in my notebook these past few days.
All right, do you have your next piece ready?

[grady]

All right, do you have your next piece ready?

I do indeed, no need to remind me either. Just been kind of busy at the moment. Your notes will also go out today gambit, same for b.gra....er...b.miller.

[grady]

Sent'd, a bit late too.

sorry everyone. next time i will be on time.

[gambit]

Is anyone else getting comments from Holden? If not, I think we need to smack him around some.

[b.miller]

sent some stuff for this week out...

[grady]

sent some material out to everyone.

[b.miller]

well after this weekend it's very clear to me that the Quentin Tarantino Film Festival is going to take up my entire week. Greg, I will try to read your stuff and gets notes back to you but I am officially taking myself out of the running for this week's submission. I will have NO time to work on anything pretty much.

However, if you want to read my ongoing QT6 experience, my movie journal is:
http://mymovie.medialife.org
(click browse and scroll down to "The Spy With My Face")

i will also scan pages from my journal notes if you say pretty please.

but no writing stuff from me this week....

[gambit]

All right, I'll send part 2 of my story unless Adrian or Grant want to take your spot. Either of you have something ready for Friday/Saturday?

[grady]

After reading b.miller's message I kicked into gear and will try and have something ready to go by Thursday evening. More to come in the next 48-72 hours.

[gambit]

Good, but Adrian said he was working on something as well. I say if he's ready with something, then he should take Brian's spot since he hasn't submitted anything yet (or maybe he can have something for the 23rd in your place).

[myrrh]

Okay, like I said I am in the process of moving. I will be done with all that on Friday. I can send out something on the 23rd.

Sorry for the delay. Real World Drama has taken over my life for the past month and a half! :(

[gambit]

Okay, grady, do you have anything for this week? And is anyone reading my submission?

[gambit]

Okay, I've still received nada in the past week. No responses for my work, and no new submissions. What's going on with everyone?

[b.miller]

sorry to say but this week has largely been spent playing catch-up for last week for me... still don't have anything presentable and still haven't read Greg's piece, although i thought you were gonna send the second half last friday, Greg? in any case I'll try to get back up to speed with this stuff next week

[myrrh]

I have finally got my internet and everything up and running again as of today. I will send out my piece tomorrow.

I haven't been able to read the last few because I have been moving etc. I will get to them over the next few days, time permitting.


-Adrian

[gambit]

Well, I thought grady was going to have something ready. He said he was writing furiously on something, and would come back with news in 48-72 hours. I can certainly send the second half of my story, but I want to hear where grady is first.

[gambit]

Well, since no one's doing anything, I sent the second half of my story on Friday. If anyone's interested.

[gambit]

So, is anyone still participating in this group? I've heard hide nor hair from anyone regarding my recent story (either part) or anyone's next submission.

[holden]

Hey all y'all! Well, my excuse for the past month has been being out of the country. In Argentina, to be exact. I've about 3 months worth of stories to tell from the last 4 years there, but the only writing i have time to do on this theme will be in thesis format (read: boring!)

Anyway, i don't know how much i can contribute to the dirty writing group in the foreseeable future. Sorry, folks...gotta finish the degree first. i'd still love to read some creative writing if i have the time, so feel free to send anything you like...just can't guarantee timely feedback.

Holden

[b.miller]

yeah i know i've fallen off with this lately... and really my only excuse is that a bunch of crap has kept me busy every since QT came to town... and next week's horror/sci-fi/fantasy fest will continue to keep me busy. My hope is that i can come back to this the week after next... Greg, you're story's all printed out and just waiting to be read, but I don't want to fall asleep 2 pages into it when i sit down to read it so sorry about it taking so goddamned long!

[myrrh]

I sent out a story today.


-Adrian

[gambit]

I'm still waiting for people to read my story (or stories as the case may be).