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Return of the Barbelith Writer's group.

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Phex: Dorset Doom

14:55 / 12.07.05

Maybe it's the intolerable heat, but I've been having trouble being inspired to write lately, and from the sound of this thread, some of you are feeling the same way. It's hard to get it together and start producing substantial stuff outside of a structured environment. A while back me and several other 'lithers started a little writing group who exchanged a story a week for peer criticism, and it really helped me write good stuff quickly. So I'm bringing it back.
The idea is to have twelve people write one short story a week (there are no size requirements, only that it be substantial enough to critique) based on a title decided upon by members in the order that they signed up. Everybody's story is sent to everybody else for (constructive) criticism.
Firstly we need to set up a structure for sharing stories and feedback. The document-sharing sites I've found online always seem to charge, so maybe somebody can come up with something. We'll also need eleven people to sign up: you'll need to be committed to writing every single week, good at what you do and smart enough to offer insightful criticism of others' work. Of course if too many people sign up they can always start their own group.
So who's first up?

15:54 / 12.07.05

Yeah, sure - it's been too long since I've been in a workshop, and my productivity has dropped to nonexistent for... jesus god. For about the last year. Yes, interested.

And in terms of sending a single short story to eleven recipients, I think e mail is dandy.

07:44 / 13.07.05

So it's a short story a week for twelve weeks? Should keep a chap busy until NaNoWriMo starts again. Hmm. OK.

For sharing files we might also consider using a Yahoo Group.

09:38 / 13.07.05

Sounds like a dandy plan. I always work better if I've actually got a deadline I didn't impose myself.

19:13 / 13.07.05

I've been needing motivation to write short fiction lately, so I think I'll sign up.

I'd also prefer the email method over the yahoo group one. yahoo groups and I don't get along so well.

Withiel: DALI'S ROTTWEILER

19:20 / 13.07.05

you'll need to be committed to writing every single week, good at what you do and smart enough to offer insightful criticism of others' work.

Although I'd love to take part, and feel up to the analysis/criticism aspect, I'm confused as to how I'd judge whether I'm "good at what I do" or not. Is there an entrance test, or do you trust the self-judgement of individuals? Apologies for the horrible construction of that last sentence.

Having said that, I'd love to be involved if that's at all possible.

rising and revolving

20:43 / 13.07.05

Count me inwards.

And I'd lean in favour of a Yahoo Group (which allows for receipt via email, anyhow) simply because it's very easy.

So is a 12 person CC list, I guess.

A wiki would also be neat, but I think probably excessive for what we're trying to do.

Oooh! We could pop it on the Barb-wiki, though - might be nice?

Phex: Dorset Doom

23:23 / 13.07.05

Withiel: It's down to your own judgement. What I should have said was 'confident enough in your abilities to share your work with others and accept criticism'.

As for the networking structure, there are a few things I would like to be able to do and I'm hoping somebody with greater sk1llz than I can help:
Ideally, each story would be like a blog entry; a body of text with comments underneath. This would be preferable to e-mail because each story would create a 'thread' where people could discuss the work. If it were open to other board members than that would also be a plus. If we each got a blogspot/livejournal and linked it to the other 11 members then we could do the above and more (pictures, links etc.)

P. Horus Rhacoid

01:50 / 14.07.05

As the new guy, I'm sort of hesitant, but what the hell: half the reason I joined Barbelith was the prospect of joining a community with so many writers. Lately I've been feeling the urge, but it's summer and I've got no job so as seems the case with most, inspiration is hard to come by. So, this seems perfect. I will count myself in if you will have me.

Sadly, I have no 1337 n3tw0rxing skillz.

03:09 / 14.07.05

I love the blog/thread idea. blogspot is probably the way to go (livejournal and I also don't get along so well). If not that, then the barbe-wiki is probably our best option.

11:34 / 14.07.05

Oohm, yes, may I join?

Would be keen to both criticise and produce my own work, and would benefit greatly from other's opinions.

Mick

Phex: Dorset Doom

17:12 / 14.07.05

So that's me, iconoplast, autran, Evil', TeN, Withiel, Sylph, Yorrick and Mick-Travis.
Only three members to go, and we need a rad name which is wicked awesome.

18:38 / 14.07.05

I'd be up for this I did TMD for a while but it kind off ebbed off.

paranoidwriter waves hello

19:42 / 14.07.05

Not sure if Life will allow me to manage "one a week", but if you're prepared to have a somewhat flaky member,

"Can I be in your gang?"

paranoidwriter waves hello

19:56 / 14.07.05

As for names, how about:

"Write read" writer's group. (too obvious...?)

or,

"This is not a movement" writer's group.

20:40 / 14.07.05

Since there are twelve, how about "writer's dozen" as a name? Or "pop. 12" ?

Or "The Writers' Clique"

Withiel: DALI'S ROTTWEILER

21:41 / 14.07.05

I quite like "write read", and would like to put in a vote for a blogspot account.

paranoidwriter waves hello

22:42 / 14.07.05

The Inky Dozen?

06:38 / 15.07.05

Ninja Dinosaur Thunder Force?

Phex: Dorset Doom

10:12 / 15.07.05

Metallica?

17:51 / 15.07.05

(largely unrelated but...) Write Read reminds of a ,unfairly dubbed I think*, programme for illiterates called Read Write Now.

*Well wouldn't that title confuse just a little?

Can we just be called something unrelated to writing like The Remmington Steele Appreciation Association or Blimey This Aint My Payslip (just for the laff like).

rising and revolving

20:17 / 15.07.05

Sexy Writers International

Or, you know, Barbelith Writing Cabal.

I do worry that we've just hit the hump. Asking 12 writers to decide on a name collectively is just asking for a nightmare that never ends.

rising and revolving

20:19 / 15.07.05

Oh, another thought : Phex, can you be the boss?

I'm just not much for trying to do things by committee. With this sort of thing it's largely a waste of time, in my experience. I'm more than happy to do anything that needs doing, but I'd rather write than discuss minutiae.

So, tell me what to do and I'll do it

paranoidwriter waves hello

20:29 / 15.07.05

I vote for "Blimey This Aint My Payslip". It's a positive start and as I'm usually skint, I like and can fully relate to the sentiment. One day it WILL be (fingers crossed).

Phex: Dorset Doom

21:50 / 15.07.05

The boss eh....
.
.
.
.
.

I'll do it!

paranoidwriter waves hello

23:16 / 15.07.05

Get behind me Satan. I need some support.

Phex: Dorset Doom

23:41 / 17.07.05

By my count we need one more guy/guyette for our little group.
Oh, and as Dark Overlord, I've decided the name should be autran's suggestion 'pop.12'. Dissent will not be tolerated. That is all.

10:42 / 18.07.05

Ah, it's good to have a great and wise, if dark, overlord.

Phex: Dorset Doom

11:14 / 18.07.05

Your grovelling sickens me. But don't stop.
Also, seeing as no new members are forthcoming, if we don't get our twelth and final member in 24 hours we'll go ahead with twelve members.

13:51 / 18.07.05

Sounds like a bat-plan.

paranoidwriter waves hello

18:17 / 18.07.05

I love it when a plan comes together.

Phex: Dorset Doom

17:39 / 19.07.05

Okay, time's up. We'll go ahead with eleven members. Oh, and the name will have to be amended to 'pop.11'.
Now, to begin:
The first step is to register a blog at blogspot.com.
The name should be pop.11:your name. So mine looks like 'pop.11: phex'. Lower case looks hella large

. The URL is your name followed by pop11 (i.e phexpop11)
Next, pick the classic 'Minima' template and continue.
In settings, write something in the description field, remembering to save everything you do. Set it so that anyone can comment and go into the 'Template' page, scroll down nearly to the bottom and look for where it says "Links", it should have Google News underneath at the moment so rewrite to Barbelith ("

") Later we'll use the empty spaces underneath to link to all other members.
Once that's done save your changes, republish your blog and view your beautiful new blog. Put your URL in this thread. Once everybody has their blog set up we can move onto 'Phase Two', which might involve some writing. Just so you have something to look forward to, Phase 19 will involve threatening world leaders with an Earthquake machine.

P. Horus Rhacoid

18:05 / 19.07.05

A dark overlord and sinister phases of operation? This is getting more exciting by the minute!

P. Horus Rhacoid

18:27 / 19.07.05

Also:

yorickpop11.blogspot.com

18:31 / 19.07.05

Whatever Master Wants Master Gets

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