Writer's Resources

[Laurel]

Hey kids... Whispersecret just submitted to me a very fine essay on how to write good dialogue. I'm stoked, as I think it adds to our lil writer's section - the Volunteer Editors list, the Writers Guidelines that Wordmage kindly created, the Writer's Guide submitted by Katarina...

I started thinking (I know - oh sh*t, we're in trouble again...)... How cool would it be if we had a library of essays, written by volunteer editors and/or writers themselves, discussing various aspects of the writing process? Sort of a resource center for new authors looking for more info than just where to place a colon in a quote... The dialogue essay is a great start, then maybe we could have essays on developing plots, making characters "real", and writing good description. If I were a new writer, I'd soil my panties over such a resource...

If you BB'ers are into it I could send out an email to the rest of the volunteer editors about the project. We could decide on 10 or 15 or whoever many or few topics y'all think are worth essay-ing and find out who's interested in writing which essays. We could even have a couple people write on a topic to get a few different takes on it...

So, what do you other editors think? Is it a good idea, or am I getting myself all worked up again? hee hee

 

[SpecialK]

I think it is a great idea, Laurel.....

..... provided people actually USE it. Maybe it's just me but I haven't had a lot of stories trickling my way for the Volunteer Editor Program.

My view is that if people aren't even using the services already in place, it won't make much sense adding more.

However it could be that people would be more willing to read an essay which gives them pointers on a particular thing rather than have an editor try to illustrate it to them using their precious stories as a chopping block.

I dunno, call me cynical, but until the V.E.P gets more firmly established, I don't see this idea rising up off the ground.

K

 

[Whispersecret]

I have edited between 5-8 stories, so far. Just consider that there are a lot of volunteers on that list, and not everybody is going to take advantage of us.

It would be nice to see feedback about the editor program from those who are using it. I usually get my thanks via email, but if "the public" saw how it was benefitting other writers, it might be used more.

I have only just used it for my own story. I think it's FANTASTIC. The people who combed through my story found TONS of mistakes and gave thoughtful comment on the content as well. I am jazzed about the job "my" editors did for me.

SpecialK, I think you could be right in your assumption that people might prefer help in "friendlier" guise. It takes a certain kind of courage to give your story to someone and risk getting your feelings hurt. I think Laurel's idea is a good one. Let's put those essays out there. It couldn't hurt! (Is there a way to keep track of how many times they're accessed?)

 

[Tawny T]

I am not on the Volunteer Editor's list but have read three stories and then wrote the authors encouraging them to write more - BUT - to use the Editor's help as they made some 'misteaks.'

The one I noticed most prevalent was having such - l o n g paragraphs. It made the story hard to read and dragged it down. I hope they will use the help here from the talented authors.