For all Authors and Wannabes

[Guest]

A surprisingly wise friend just mentioned that I was doing a few things to improve my writing (which desperately needs it). I hadn't looked at it that way, I just thought I was digging myself a hole. The list, short and sweet as it is, was:

*writing outside my "box"
*collaborating with other authors on a story
* hanging out with other authors and workign through some of my pieces with them, page by page.

Wow, sounds simple, right?

It isn't. I'm scared to death by all of it. Especially the going through my things bit by bit and ripping them to bloody shreds before trying to repair them. If it hadn't been for the group of writers I fell in with, I would still be plodding around my same little rut, not daring to peek my head above the ground.

How many others are stuck in this rut? How many want to get out of it, or just upgrade the quality of the rut? Basically what I'm asking is: Would any of the AH authors like to have a forum where they can chitchat back in forth in chat and find authors willing to beta (different than an editor, sort of) each others work, offer constructive criticism, thoughts, hints, ideas, etc? By writing, I mean any genre, any length, any type. From a flash fic to a novel, or a haiku to an epic. I'm presenting this question to several other writing sites I belong to, just to get a feel for it. I'm willing to set up such a site, and maintain it, if I know others can use it and appreciate it.

So, let me know?

Angel

 

[minsue]

Angel, that pretty much sounds like the Story Discussion Circle on these boards. I've never participated since I don't write, but it's fascinating to read.

 

[Guest]

Mmmm... in theory.

The problem I've had with the SDC is that they don't accept anything from anyone, and rather than helping a new or confused author along, they'll tell you to come back when you're up to their standards. In nicer terms, naturally. But, if no one is interested, this thread will die out and I'll go back to the tried and true method of accosting my friends over coffee (or IM) with a bucket of highlighters.

 

[minsue]

Mmmm... in theory.

The problem I've had with the SDC is that they don't accept anything from anyone, and rather than helping a new or confused author along, they'll tell you to come back when you're up to their standards. In nicer terms, naturally. But, if no one is interested, this thread will die out and I'll go back to the tried and true method of accosting my friends over coffee (or IM) with a bucket of highlighters.

Really? That's distressing. I haven't been there in a while, but in the past the only criteria was that you had to critique at least two (I think) other writers prior to having your own work put up for analysis, kind of a 'fair is fair' program. I never saw anyone turned down for the quality of their work.

 

[Guest]

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[Guest]

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[minsue]

Any reason we can't help here?

Nope, not in the least. I just thought Angel might want to take a look over there if s/he hadn't already, esp if s/he was thinking of setting up a new website to do basically the same thing. I never meant to discourage.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I sympathize with you about the Story Discussion Circle board, but we're really trying to make it more inviting and useful and friendly. The big problem, of course, is people who drop by for an opinion or some help but then never reciprocate. Really, that doesn't bother me that much, but it bothers some people.

I'd like to see the SDC do more works-in-progress and casual stuff like "what do you think of this opening?" but it'll never be like having a circle of friends to share things with. By its nature, the SDC attracts some pretty acomplished critics.

 

[Guest]

I try to break molds with every thing I write. Very few of my stories Even wind up in the same genre. I like doing different things when I write. I experiment with different characters, different perspectives etc. I have my preferences but trying something different can make your prefered style even stronger.


Oh, I can definitely agree with all this, lol.

Collaborating with other authors is a good idea but I recomend keeping the collaboration a short one at first. I say this from experience as I collaborated with another author on a fiction piece a few years ago. By the 15th chapter we realized we both were trying to go a direction the other didn't want. It was the death of an otherwise great story.

It was more along the lines of, if you want to, you can.. this was (and I probably didn't make this clear) a question about whether people would be interested in an open foorum where MANY authors from MANY place could mingle and explore together in various directions. Rather like an orgy.

If you want to improve, you're going to have to acceot that you are deficient. Don't take that as an insult. It's not. Honest. I've spent the past few weeks traing new employees. WHen someone believes they know it all, they're A) Full of shit. B) Unwilling to learn anything. C) A lost cause. Don't close yourself off to learning something new. It may be something you decide you'll never do, but at least you'll know what you don't want to do.

I am very much deficient, lol, and if I hadn't already admitted it, repeatedly and with emphasis, I wouldn't be wondering if I could help others while on my journey of self-improvement.

As for thinking outside the box, see below.

Hmm... scales haven't looked so appetizing since that rattlesnake kabob in Texas...

 

[Guest]

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[Guest]

I sympathize with you about the Story Discussion Circle board, but we're really trying to make it more inviting and useful and friendly. The big problem, of course, is people who drop by for an opinion or some help but then never reciprocate. Really, that doesn't bother me that much, but it bothers some people.

I'd like to see the SDC do more works-in-progress and casual stuff like "what do you think of this opening?" but it'll never be like having a circle of friends to share things with. By its nature, the SDC attracts some pretty acomplished critics.

Not everyone's up for it, lol. I was thinking a loosely organized and friendly gathering of various authors and betas (which I just realized are so INCREDIBLY different from editors with the way they do things) and editors could, with a touch of gentle persuasion and advice, become a circle of friends in a digital world, with the forum and chat becoming that table in the back of the coffeeshop with the bucket of highlighters and the neverending carafe of liquid mud that passes for a beverage.

I always try to give good feedback, but I've found very few people a) appreciate it, and b) return it. *shrugs* But, as I said before, it's an offer, it's open, and I'm tallying up the numbers from acouple different groups. I'll bump this thread every day or so for a week as it drops,, and at the end, if enough people want to be involved to make an IM circle impractical, I'll start buildign the forum and site.

 

[Guest]

Mmmm... in theory.

The problem I've had with the SDC is that they don't accept anything from anyone, and rather than helping a new or confused author along, they'll tell you to come back when you're up to their standards. In nicer terms, naturally. But, if no one is interested, this thread will die out and I'll go back to the tried and true method of accosting my friends over coffee (or IM) with a bucket of highlighters.

I know a bunch of authors (Myself included) willing to read over a piece and give honest opinions. We don't tear anyone's work apart and I don't correct grammar because heaven knows, without my editor, my grammatical failings would be more readily apparant. A lot of times, if you just ask, people will offer to help.

 

[Guest]

I know a bunch of authors (Myself included) willing to read over a piece and give honest opinions. We don't tear anyone's work apart and I don't correct grammar because heaven knows, without my editor, my grammatical failings would be more readily apparant. A lot of times, if you just ask, people will offer to help.

That's pretty much my thoughts on the subject. It came up in a conversation with the aforementioned friend that I wish some of my other writing buddies had someone as honest, direct, and humorous to help them with improvements and tweaks on their stories. After talking to a few other people I realized that there's quite a few of us who either don't know how to be helpful without hurtful, or don't know how to find people who are already proficient in that skill.

A lot of the writers I've been working with/for lately are fanfiction writers. Literotica only accepts certain types of fanfiction, so, it's difficult for some of these authors to get feedback from a crowd as diverse and skilled as the Lit bunch. There's also a lot of poets in the group, as well as a few songwriters and some very interesting SOC writers. I also work with more non-erotic writers than erotic. So... well, I'm sure you can see where that is heading.

Although there doesn't seem to be much need or interest for something like this for the Lit crowd, I think I may do it for the other writing sites I have gotten involved in. Once I make up my mind (and the forum, lol) I'll post a link in this thread for anyone who may or may not want to check it out.

 

[Kev H]

IMHO, if the wheel always breaks or is square, it's time to reinvent it. This seems to be what 'Shadow is trying - she sees a need for kind but honest help, and she sees a desire for enjoyable growth as an artist. And, she does not see that already offered.

It's all about the spirit in which help is offered. The banner to this sight should read: Leave the ego's at the door, learn to love to help others, and come give more than you take. You are welcomed here.

Or something a tad less corney. It sounds like writer's utopia to me, and my cynical side says that knowing people (read: authors), this could never possibly happen as it should. But, that does not stop me from hoping and wishing 'Shadow the best of luck.

Kev

 

[Guest]

IMHO, if the wheel always breaks or is square, it's time to reinvent it. This seems to be what 'Shadow is trying - she sees a need for kind but honest help, and she sees a desire for enjoyable growth as an artist. And, she does not see that already offered.

It's all about the spirit in which help is offered. The banner to this sight should read: Leave the ego's at the door, learn to love to help others, and come give more than you take. You are welcomed here.

Or something a tad less corney. It sounds like writer's utopia to me, and my cynical side says that knowing people (read: authors), this could never possibly happen as it should. But, that does not stop me from hoping and wishing 'Shadow the best of luck.

Kev

Hey now!! Since this whole crazy idea was your fault!!! *pokes him and hugs* I know darlin', I know. But hey, if I don't offer it for the public population, it becomes that elitist clique we were discussing earlier. And, honestly... sometimes I've had someone with very minimal skill and/or writing ability point out things that other editors had completely missed.

 

[Guest]

Any reason we can't help here?

Wow, I missed this the first time around... sheesh, sorry Dranoel, I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you.

No, there's no reason it can't be done here, but as I pointed out beofre, a lot of the group I've been working with are in categories Literotica doesn't support, such as certain fanfics, and (sighs here) graphic horrotica. And I think I spelled that wrong.

Eh, Friday night. Never fails.