JREF Writer's Group Misc. Business & Discussion Thread

[Phil]

Hey folks, I don't have a lot of news to share, but we're halfway through December, and I thought it'd be a good idea to touch base with you all.

I know everyone is very busy during the holiday season, but I just wanted to let you all know that Roadtoad has volunteered to distribute some material to the group in January. So look for an email from Roadtoad shortly after the New Year.

[Roadtoad]

Bump.

[Garrette]

Look forward to it.

Check your e-mail, Phil.

[Chaos]

Three chears to Roadtoad for volunteering!

[Phil]

Hey folks, I had meant to mention something before, and it slipped my mind until today, but I suppose it's not too late.

If any of you know of any type of event geared toward the craft of writing, don't hesitate to inform the rest of by posting the info.

There are a few quality writers conferences around the US that can be beneficial to unpublished and published authors alike. (Don't mean to exclude those of you outside the US, but I just don't know anything about events in other countries.) Anyway, one conference that I have attended in the past is coming up soon. The Pikes Peak Writers Conference (http://www.ppwc.net/) is held in the late April early May timeframe.

In my opinion, the Pikes Peak conference is very strong on workshops related to the business side of writing, and not as strong on workshops related to the craft of writing; although they do offer some workshops on craft. To me, the business stuff gets old very quickly, but at the same time, many top editors and agents attend Pike Peak, and it is a great opportunity to network. I've made several valuable contacts there. Plus the weather in Colorado Springs in the early springtime is usually very nice.

Anyway, if you're interested all the information is on the Pikes Peak Writers Conference (http://www.ppwc.net/) website.

So if you know of any other conferences or gatherings, fill us in.

[athon]

Well, I just found out how blind I am. I wasn't aware of this little collective. Where do I sign?

To let you all know, I've been writing for a number of years, albeit without anything really to show for it, with a couple of publications here and there. Speculative fiction mostly, although I'm hoping to go into science communication in a few years.

I'll have to frequent this place a little more often.

Athon

[Phil]

Originally posted by athon
Well, I just found out how blind I am. I wasn't aware of this little collective. Where do I sign?

To let you all know, I've been writing for a number of years, albeit without anything really to show for it, with a couple of publications here and there. Speculative fiction mostly, although I'm hoping to go into science communication in a few years.

I'll have to frequent this place a little more often.

Athon
PM me your email address and I'll add you to the member list. You should be in the loop for Roadtoad's distribution.

[jackel88]

Welcome Athon!

Phil, How many members do we have now? I have a very severe spam blocker so I don't receive a lot of crap as you probably experience yourself. So if you could send me Athons' e-mail I can add it to my e-mail list.

By the way, there are quite a few writers groups in the Chicago area. I am going to go through them and see what seems to be some of the good ones and I will post them here so you all can see if any interest any of you folks in the group.

Hope you all are enjoying your holidays.

[Roadtoad]

I've got the first offering ready. I'll be sending it to you all, but I have also posted it on this thread, (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=33004) for reasons explained there.

Hope you enjoy it.

[Girl 6]

Hi! I would like to join! I'll PM you my email address, Phil. This might be the way to kick-start my new year.

thanks!
G6

[Roadtoad]

And I'm sitting here, reading G6's message, thinking to myself...

"D'oh!"

[Girl 6]

I got the distribution and will be reading it this week. Hopefully, I can provide some constructive comment. Thanks for volunteering to go first, Roadtoad! :D

Also, Phil says that my email account blocked his email. I'm looking into it. I find that strange since I did get Roadtoad's distribution via email. You guys are free to test it by sending me something. Please let me know via PM if your email is blocked.

Also, a friend of mine highly recommends an online course that she took from the Gotham Writer's Workshop (http://www.writingclasses.com/index.html) . I may check our taking a class as well since I feel like I'm going into uncharted territory here.

G6

[Phil]

Originally posted by Girl 6
I got the distribution and will be reading it this week. Hopefully, I can provide some constructive comment. Thanks for volunteering to go first, Roadtoad! :D

Also, Phil says that my email account blocked his email. I'm looking into it. I find that strange since I did get Roadtoad's distribution via email. You guys are free to test it by sending me something. Please let me know via PM if your email is blocked.

Also, a friend of mine highly recommends an online course that she took from the Gotham Writer's Workshop (http://www.writingclasses.com/index.html) . I may check our taking a class as well since I feel like I'm going into uncharted territory here.

G6
G6,

FYI, I sent you another test email to see if it gets to your inbox.

[Phil]

Couple of quick pieces of business:

1) Roadtoad, I hope you're getting some good feedback on your January submission. Regarding that, some of you have inquired via email and PM about what kinds of things a critique should entail. I've answered as best I can, but some of you may still have questions. Please don't hesitate to ask if you're not sure. There are many of us in the group with tons of critiquing experience, and we'd be glad to answer your questions, both about fiction and nonfiction material. We need to have more people participating in the critique and discussion. One or two is nice, but five or six is better. Even though we're only online, I think we can make this a very strong writers group.

2) Our friend, Garrette has graciously volunteered to submit some material to us for critique and discussion in February. Unfortunately, he's working in a situation where things could quickly change, and is concerned that that may indeed happen. Maybe one of you could volunteer as a back-up to distribute if he can't. Of course, if Garrette is able to go in February, we'll review yours in March. Anybody interested?

3) TAM2 is a couple of days away. My schedule prevents me from arriving in Las Vegas before 7pm Thursday evening, and I depart for home Sunday at about 3pm. A short stay, I know, but I'd like to have everyone from our group together, even if only briefly to say hello and put some faces with some names. There's an hour break between Ian Rowland's Cold Reading talk at 8:30-10:00pm on Thursday and the seance performances at 11pm. I suggest a quick meeting then. And since I'm not familiar with the layout of the hotel, we could meet at the rear of the conference room, and then make our way into a lounge from there, or to the pool, or whatever. Please feel free to offer other suggestions.

[Roadtoad]

Originally posted by Phil
1) Roadtoad, I hope you're getting some good feedback on your January submission. Regarding that, some of you have inquired via email and PM about what kinds of things a critique should entail. I've answered as best I can, but some of you may still have questions. Please don't hesitate to ask if you're not sure. There are many of us in the group with tons of critiquing experience, and we'd be glad to answer your questions, both about fiction and nonfiction material. We need to have more people participating in the critique and discussion. One or two is nice, but five or six is better. Even though we're only online, I think we can make this a very strong writers group.

Actually, Phil, I haven't gotten that much, but what I did get was invaluable. I'll be trying to get a redistribute out before the end of the month so we can see what the changes have brought out. (Truth to tell, while some of it seemed harsh at first, it was actually great to read through some of the criticism, and get a feel for what would work better.)

I have to apologize for my own lack of response. Part of the problem has to do with my computer. It seems to want to block EVERY attachment that comes in on an e-mail. Another problem has been my work schedule, which can vary wildly. (December saw me with my first logbook hours violation, ever. I was over my legal limit by 1 1/2 hrs. That was followed by two weeks of damn near zilch.) I'll be trying to do better.

Thanks.

[Girl 6]

Originally posted by Phil
Couple of quick pieces of business:

3) TAM2 is a couple of days away. My schedule prevents me from arriving in Las Vegas before 7pm Thursday evening, and I depart for home Sunday at about 3pm. A short stay, I know, but I'd like to have everyone from our group together, even if only briefly to say hello and put some faces with some names. There's an hour break between Ian Rowland's Cold Reading talk at 8:30-10:00pm on Thursday and the seance performances at 11pm. I suggest a quick meeting then. And since I'm not familiar with the layout of the hotel, we could meet at the rear of the conference room, and then make our way into a lounge from there, or to the pool, or whatever. Please feel free to offer other suggestions.

Well, that doesn't work too well for me since the skepchicks are having their PJ party that night. :)

Could we possibly get together as a group for lunch (not Saturday, but other days are fine)?

Also, I fine with staying up late. Just let me know.

G6

[Girl 6]

Roadtoad,

Did you find any of my observations useful in your thread? Was it okay to post it publicly there? Or would you have preferred it via email?

Please let me know.

thanks!
G6

[Roadtoad]

Originally posted by Girl 6
Roadtoad,

Did you find any of my observations useful in your thread? Was it okay to post it publicly there? Or would you have preferred it via email?

Please let me know.

thanks!
G6

Very helpful, actually. E-mail would have been nice, but you work with what ya got.

[Monketey Ghost]

Originally posted by Phil
We need to have more people participating in the critique and discussion. One or two is nice, but five or six is better. Even though we're only online, I think we can make this a very strong writers group.



I'm comfortable enough to be able to work on my writing without having to have a real job. If anyone wants to exchange with me, or just critique my stuff, let me know! Phil, what you wrote here is on my mind; we could make this a very useful group indeed.

I'm down for whatever participation y'all want, just PM. :)

[Girl 6]

Hey group!

I have an idea for a non-fiction book. I realize that I need to create a book proposal , etc... I have done this before. :)

Is there anyone in the group that can offer thoughts, opinions, information, etc... about the business side of pulling this off? Specifically, do any of you have any connections to publishers? My last publisher dealt with technical topics and since this is not of the same genre, I think I'm going to have to look around for another publisher.

thanks!
G6

[RCNelson]

Girl 6:
My last publisher dealt with technical topics and since this is not of the same genre, I think I'm going to have to look around for another publisher.
Some advice on how to find a publisher from author Neil Gaiman (http://neilgaiman.com/journal/2003_11_16_archive.asp):how does one find a publisher willing to publish a fantasy novel, as opposed to, say, publishers who focus on reference books?

maybe it's a silly question.

~Silly American Girl

It is a silly question, on the face of it, with an even sillier answer. But you'd be amazed how many publishers who only ever publish reference books get sent manuscripts for romance novels, which they will never publish, while publishers who really want a new book of werewolf erotica are probably being sent cookbooks as I type this. So it's actually quite a sensible question.

So this is the secret. You go to a bookshop, and you look at the kinds of books that are sort of like yours. Then you look on the spine, to see who published them. Then open the book, and you'll find the address of the publisher on the inside. Write it down. (This can also be done using the web, but a bookshop gives you a better feel of who publishes what quicker.) If you're feeling chatty, talk to the bookshop staff. Say things like "Who publishes the best historical werewolf erotica these days?"

Then send your book to those publishers -- an preliminary letter of enquiry is always welcome, to find out if they take unsolicited manuscripts, or if they want one chapter and an outline, or if they just want you to go away.

[Phil]

Girl 6,

Just shot an email to my agent, asking her to bring her contacts in publishing to bear. As soon as I hear anything, I'll post it or PM you.

[LFTKBS]

Apologies to all - I haven't been critiquing anyone's work, and I don't know what's going on. If anyone wants to send me an update, please send it to jay arr eee eff dubya gee at smearm fullstop commericial. Or PM or whatever. Thanks.

[Phil]

Originally posted by LFTKBS
Apologies to all - I haven't been critiquing anyone's work, and I don't know what's going on. If anyone wants to send me an update, please send it to jay arr eee eff dubya gee at smearm fullstop commericial. Or PM or whatever. Thanks.
I've sent group updates via email and PM. Check your PM box.

[Garrette]

February submission is sent to e-mails. Twice, in fact.

First time, the submissions were in the form of Word attachments, but a couple people responded that the atachments were lost, destroyed, or unopenable.

Second time, the submissions were copied into the e-mail.

Leaving tomorrow (probably) for some travels and so likely will not see any responses for a while. Doesn't mean I don't appreciate them. I'll respond upon return and the eventual discovery of more time.

[Girl 6]

I got both emails and will respond in kind. Thanks, Garrette, and take care on your travels.

G6

[Phil]

Girl 6,

What's the latest on the Skepchick book? Any progress?

FYI: My angent said she can't really comment on it, or offer any advice, or recommend a publisher without knowing the specifics of the project. Anyway, I was just curious.

All,

In other news, I was able to read Garrette's submission over the weekend, and offer a critique. The more work I see from this group, the more I'm impressed with the talent.

Keep up the good work everybody. Oh, and it's not too early to volunteer to distribute material in March.

[Phil]

Hey writers,

A friend sent me this link today (she normally reads Gaiman's blog and I don't, although I think he's a fine author), and I thought you all could get something out of it.

Check out the entry, Feb 03, "On Writing."

http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/journal.asp

I particularly liked this part:. . . It does help, to be a writer, to have the sort of crazed ego that doesn't allow for failure. The best reaction to a rejection slip is a sort of wild-eyed madness, an evil grin, and sitting yourself in front of the keyboard muttering "Okay, you bastards. Try rejecting this!" and then writing something so unbelievably brilliant that all other writers will disembowel themselves with their pens upon reading it, because there's nothing left to write . . .

Also the link he refers to in the journal entry is buried later in the page; here it is for your reference:

http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/004641.html#004641

These insights from a working fiction editor may be of interest.

Anyway, here's hoping your rejection pile is mercifully small.

[Garrette]

Very brief interlude in my trip due to unexpected change of plans. Got to briefly review but not study comments from the two who have responded so far. They look helpful. Thanks. Any more comments from anyone will be appreciated, even those along the lines of "What the hell do you think you're doing passing this crap off as literature?"

Gone again for a while soon.

[Garrette]

Gotten three responses so far, all with good comments, but I've not yet studied them in detail. I'll respond individually as I get that opportunity.

If there's more out there, it's not too late.

Thanks

[Phil]

Hey folks, shortly after I sent the update email today (2/24), I received responses from a couple of writers volunteering to share their work with us.

For March, Troylus has volunteered to share the same two or three chapters of his fantasy novel that he's currently using as queries in his quest to get published. He says thusfar, the queries have garnered mild interest followed by slews of polite rejection letters (something many of us can relate to). But he hopes that some constructive criticism will help polish things up a bit.

For April, Nyarlathotep has volunteered to send out a short story of his for some help with various elements that he'll tell us about next month.

So look for some chapters from Troylus around the first of March, and let's give him some good feedback.

And Troylus, don't forget to include "JREF Writers Group" in the subject line of your distribution email.

[Troylus]

OK, I'll accost the lot of you with an e-mail come this weekend.

I really appreciate Phil's dedication to bring us all together and keeping this group moving along. That kind of commitment and dedication deserves lots of accolades.

If I were a woman, I think I would marry him.

(Don't worry, you'll eventually get used to my lame attempts at humor.)

[asthmatic camel]

Hello writers,

Phil has assured me, very kindly, that I'm welcome to join the group. As I explained to him, I write almost entirely for my own entertainment and have no particular ambition to join the literary aristocracy.

I am by no means qualified to offer a critique, but shall, if this is allowed, offer an opinion.

Many thanks for permitting me to join the group.

AC

[Garrette]

Welcome, AC.

You're first order of business should be to memorize the JREF Writers' creed:

My works are genius and their quality unassailable. Those who critique my writing are philistines and fools.

Can't wait to see whatcha got...

[Phil]

Originally posted by Garrette
Welcome, AC.

You're first order of business should be to memorize the JREF Writers' creed:

My works are genius and their quality unassailable. Those who critique my writing are philistines and fools.

Can't wait to see whatcha got...
Garrette, thanks for informing camel of our creed. I still can't read it or recite it aloud without getting a lump in my throat.

[asthmatic camel]

Hmmmm... Take this, best I can do back from the pub on a Friday night.

A lamp was lit, the first of many to signal that happy event known as "Opening Time". Slowly the drinkers approach and guiltily, happily or with bohemian abandon, enter the Den of the Devil. Now, the first to appear are not the average drinkers, who enjoy a jar every now and then, nor are they the more hardened types commonly referred to as regulars, these people almost defy description. Every barman's nightmare, every landlord's bane, the PUB BORES approach.

The pub bore is a phenomenon, he knows absolutely everything about everything, and is pleased to be able to tell you so. Even if something does not actually exist, the pub bore will be well informed about the subject and more than willing to impart his wisdom. From aardvaarks to zootropes and beyond, this man is an expert. Glance even slightly in his direction and you are doomed to hours of tedium. It's astounding that the pub bore actually ever manages to drink anything whatsoever; his mouth is constantly occupied informing the rest of the world precisely what is wrong with it and just how it could be put right.

There is no escape from the pub bore; attempt to change the subject and he will amaze you with his ability to raise his game to new levels of excruciatingly dull conversation. Try to bury your head in the crossword and he will lean over your shoulder, often slightly grazing your ears with his hat or beard, and tell you what he thinks are "obviously" the correct answers. Some poor saps try the trick of going to the gents, only to find that the bore has followed them in, without any need to urinate, but an over-riding need to continue his diatribe. Often, the bore's victim will spot a friend walking through the door and, sighing in relief, buy him a pint and suggest that they take a seat away from the bore; the bore is wise to this trick and immediately follows them with a cheery "Mind if I join you ?". It makes no difference if the bore's victim is there to meet a lady friend; the bore will immediately introduce himself as the victims friend and ruin what could have been a promising relationship.

[Garrette]

Phil:

Garrette, thanks for informing camel of our creed. I still can't read it or recite it aloud without getting a lump in my throat.

Me, too, Phil. Me, too.


Asthmatic Camel:A lamp was lit, the first of many to signal that happy event known as "Opening Time". Slowly the drinkers approach and guiltily, happily or with bohemian abandon, enter the Den of the Devil. Now, the first to appear are not the average drinkers, who enjoy a jar every now and then, nor are they the more hardened types commonly referred to as regulars, these people almost defy description. Every barman's nightmare, every landlord's bane, the PUB BORES approach.

The pub bore is a phenomenon, he knows absolutely everything about everything, and is pleased to be able to tell you so. Even if something does not actually exist, the pub bore will be well informed about the subject and more than willing to impart his wisdom. From aardvaarks to zootropes and beyond, this man is an expert. Glance even slightly in his direction and you are doomed to hours of tedium. It's astounding that the pub bore actually ever manages to drink anything whatsoever; his mouth is constantly occupied informing the rest of the world precisely what is wrong with it and just how it could be put right.

There is no escape from the pub bore; attempt to change the subject and he will amaze you with his ability to raise his game to new levels of excruciatingly dull conversation. Try to bury your head in the crossword and he will lean over your shoulder, often slightly grazing your ears with his hat or beard, and tell you what he thinks are "obviously" the correct answers. Some poor saps try the trick of going to the gents, only to find that the bore has followed them in, without any need to urinate, but an over-riding need to continue his diatribe. Often, the bore's victim will spot a friend walking through the door and, sighing in relief, buy him a pint and suggest that they take a seat away from the bore; the bore is wise to this trick and immediately follows them with a cheery "Mind if I join you ?". It makes no difference if the bore's victim is there to meet a lady friend; the bore will immediately introduce himself as the victims friend and ruin what could have been a promising relationship.

AC, let me be the first to say:

What utter tripe! What absolute pig slop! It's horrible. Rewrite that first sentence. Chuck the fifth. Get rid of the adjectives but add more adverbs. The dialogue is stilted and the characters weak.

I suggest vocational school.


Now my stuff, on the other hand... You should read my stuff. It's genius. Pure genius, I tell ya...

[asthmatic camel]

:D

[Nyarlathotep]

Just sent out my short story "Murphy's Law" to the group.

Please be gentle with me.:j2:

[Phil]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep
Just sent out my short story "Murphy's Law" to the group.

Please be gentle with me.:j2:
Got it. Already read the first page!!

[Roadtoad]

I haven't yet. I'm still trying to catch up from last month, too.

[Nigel]

Hey everybody,

I've recently joined the JREF forums, and saw your writer's group. I'd like to ask if you focus on a particular genre? Or is it wide-open? I'm focusing on short fiction at the moment, and have a couple of stories I've submitted for publication (no word yet).

May I join in the submission/discussion/critiquing?

Nigel

[Phil]

Originally posted by Nigel
Hey everybody,

I've recently joined the JREF forums, and saw your writer's group. I'd like to ask if you focus on a particular genre? Or is it wide-open? I'm focusing on short fiction at the moment, and have a couple of stories I've submitted for publication (no word yet).

May I join in the submission/discussion/critiquing?

Nigel
We are wide open to all types of writing. Genre be damned. We also help each other out with non-fiction writing. And you are absolutely welcome to join us.

PM me your email address. I'll add you to the list and send out an update email at the end of the month that contains all the particulars, as well as the rest of the group's contact information.

[Phil]

My late Friday afternoon, rambling sort of post-like thing:

I finally had a chance to read Nyarlathotep's submission to the group. I enjoyed his short story immensely and hope he found some helpful nuggets in my critique.

April is half gone, and I'm just getting beyond some hard deadlines. My mind is a bit taxed, but not enough to prevent me from starting another novel. Ohh, the heady days when the idea is newly hatched, and the first words spill onto the page.

Does anyone remember who, if anyone, volunteered to distribute a portion of their genius for us in May?

[Chaos]

Hi,

a question to all group members:

What do you think about turning our mailing-list group into a private usergroup forum? (Those of you who are members of Renata´s World know what I am talking about)

In my opinion it would be much more convenient to put the contributions into a forum, one thread for each, to discuss them, instead of operating by e-mail. That way we could also have a genuine discussion between participants instead of several isolated dialogs; it would also mean that whoever sent the contribution would not hear the same thing five or six times. And lastly, it would save the contributions for posterity, including members who joined after the text was contributed.

The place I had in mind is http://mu.nu/forums. Usergroup subforums there can be set to be private, so that non-members cannot view them, and their content cannot be googled or linked to from outside the usergroup.
Also, I know the guy who runs the place pretty well. If you like my idea, I will ask him about a new usergroup.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally posted by Chaos
Hi,

a question to all group members:

What do you think about turning our mailing-list group into a private usergroup forum? (Those of you who are members of Renata´s World know what I am talking about)

In my opinion it would be much more convenient to put the contributions into a forum, one thread for each, to discuss them, instead of operating by e-mail. That way we could also have a genuine discussion between participants instead of several isolated dialogs; it would also mean that whoever sent the contribution would not hear the same thing five or six times. And lastly, it would save the contributions for posterity, including members who joined after the text was contributed.

The place I had in mind is http://mu.nu/forums. Usergroup subforums there can be set to be private, so that non-members cannot view them, and their content cannot be googled or linked to from outside the usergroup.
Also, I know the guy who runs the place pretty well. If you like my idea, I will ask him about a new usergroup.

That's a really good idea and I second it.

It would let people post their stuff whenever seems appropriate and comment on it whenever sintead of having one month windows.

The drawback, as I see it, is that some critiques (such as Phil's) are in the form of word documents with editorial comments tacked on. This is a very useful format for critiques and it would be a shame to lose the capability. Formatting something like that in a forum would be tough so perhaps it would be appropriate to do both; mail them out like we do now AND post it to a private forum.

[Phil]

According to this (http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/04/22/poet.deaths.reut/index.html), I only have about 30 years left.

Good thing I don't write poetry.

[Phil]

Good news, folks!! Not only do we have Nigel as a new group member, but he's stepped up and volunteered to share some of his work with us for May!!

So look for an email from Nigel around the first of May with "JREF Writer's Group (May Distribution)" in the subject line.

Thanks for volunteering, Nigel. We all look forward to reading your stuff, and you can expect thoughtful and thorough critiques.

[Phil]

Yet more good news, folks!! Not only do we have Nigel scheduled to share some of his work with us in May, but Melissa Johnson has volunteered to share the first chapter of one of her novels in June!!

Her book has been submitted for publishing, but as of this posting, she has not received word of its fate. Our fingers are crossed for you, Mel. And trust me, it's very difficult to type like this.

So again, look for an email from Nigel around the first of May, and then we'll get another treat in June from Melissa.

Thanks for volunteering, Nigel (May) and Melissa (June). We all look forward to reading your stuff, and you can both expect brilliance from the group.

[Melissa Johnson]

Thanks Phil!

[Phil]

Just a couple of points to pass along:

1) I finally had a chance to read Nigel's short story submission for May, and have returned some comments that I hope will be helpful to him. He was kind (and brave) enough to trust our expertise, so hopefully many of you will have a chance to give him something constructive.

2) I have purposefully been staying out of the latest forum drama concerning the big split, reserving the right to keep my opinions to myself. But I want you all to know that I sincerely hope we can keep the business of this group going, no matter how things play out.

This particular thread may wind up in a new location, but most of our interaction is done away from the boards anyway, so I don't think it will be a problem. If you guys have any concerns, however, please post them and let's discuss.

[Melissa Johnson]

Submitted!

Look forward to receiving feedback soon.

And let's not let the group go quietly into that good night, to paraphrase the poet...

[Phil]

I said it before and I'll say it again: We have some talented writers in our group.

Folks, be sure to look over Melissa's chapter when you get a chance. It's well written and enjoyable to read. With our help, hopefully she'll be ready to send it to another publisher soon.



Also, it's not too early to volunteer for July. Any takers?

[Melissa Johnson]

Thanks again Phil, and thanks to all who offered their helpful criticisms & kind words. I am bloody, but unbowed--no, it wasn't all that awful, really. It was excellent to get some other input than my own and in a little while I shall try again to convince some poor publisher.

Now somebody else, step up to the plate! :D

[Nyarlathotep]

Witht he end of this forum near, we need to look at where our new home is going to be. SC seems to be thriving pretty well, so that seems like a good place, mu.nu would be acceptable too.

That being said, I would also like to remind everyone of Chaos' idea a few posts up about setting up a private subforum on either mu.nu or SC (Of ocurse we'd have to talk to either Renata or G6 about that, but since G6 is one of our members....) and posting our stories/critiques there as well.

[Phil]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep
Witht he end of this forum near, we need to look at where our new home is going to be. SC seems to be thriving pretty well, so that seems like a good place, mu.nu would be acceptable too.

That being said, I would also like to remind everyone of Chaos' idea a few posts up about setting up a private subforum on either mu.nu or SC (Of ocurse we'd have to talk to either Renata or G6 about that, but since G6 is one of our members....) and posting our stories/critiques there as well.

Nyar makes some good points that I was hoping to address fairly quickly. Let's settle this as soon as we can, so we can all go back to writing our masterpieces.

I personally have no problem moving to a new location. In my view the bulk of the work by this group is done away from the forums anyway.

I do think it would be nice to have a private discussion area, but then some in the group may not want their work discussed openly, even if only among group members. So I'm not overly concerned about this aspect right now. We can address that further if/when we decide to change our home.

Let me just fill you in on what I know for sure (it's not much, but . . .):


1. The grapevine says that Art & Literature will continue to have a forum when JREF is restructured.

2. It's still unclear if Writers Group business (as defined simply by the types of things we post in this thread) is deemed in-line with the JREF mission, so the continuation of the Art & Literature forum may be a moot point.

3. JREF will not provide us a private sub-forum.

4. Girl6 has assured me that we can conduct miscellaneous writers group business on the SkepticalCommunity forums, if we so desire.

5. Girl6, as of this posting, has not offered, nor agreed to, a private sub-forum specifically for writers group discussion and critique.


Anyway, folks, if you have opinions about this, please voice them now, so we can make whatever changes are necessary and get this little hiccup out of the way.

[Nigel]

I'm still interested in being in the group, though I haven't written much lately (except postings), so I'll go where the group goes - whether it stays here, or to SC, or to another place.

[Roadtoad]

I'll be brief. I just got in after a couple of days on the road, and I'm beat. But, I'd say let's go with SC.

[renata]

Originally posted by Nyarlathotep
Witht he end of this forum near, we need to look at where our new home is going to be. SC seems to be thriving pretty well, so that seems like a good place, mu.nu would be acceptable too.

That being said, I would also like to remind everyone of Chaos' idea a few posts up about setting up a private subforum on either mu.nu or SC (Of ocurse we'd have to talk to either Renata or G6 about that, but since G6 is one of our members....) and posting our stories/critiques there as well.

I am confident there would be no problems with setting up a private usergroup on munu. If you wish, it could be hidden, so only members you allow access would be able to read and post there. It could be closed to the public and to general members of the site. If you want to proceed, contact me.

PS If it were private, I would have no access either, only the owner of the server/tech support guy aka St. Pixy would.

[Phil]

Originally posted by renata


I am confident there would be no problems with setting up a private usergroup on munu. If you wish, it could be hidden, so only members you allow access would be able to read and post there. It could be closed to the public and to general members of the site. If you want to proceed, contact me.

PS If it were private, I would have no access either, only the owner of the server/tech support guy aka St. Pixy would.

Thanks, Renata.

I suppose I could make a couple of executive decisions (though I'm loath to call myself an executive, since I consider this our group). But here they are:

1) Since we just don't know exactly what is going to happen at JREF, I will start a thread in the Humanities (http://www.skepticalcommunity.mu.nu/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=f6d0aefc8d8e5e51438b3045f11fd0b7) forum at Skeptical Community (http://www.skepticalcommunity.mu.nu/phpbb2/index.php?sid=f6d0aefc8d8e5e51438b3045f11fd0b7). The new thread on SC will be less for our miscellaneous discussion, and more simply to inform new writers of the group when they join SC.

2) Let's go ahead and proceed with securing a private area. The information and discussion we currently have in this thread will now be handled in the new private area. We will, however, still leave the decision to share/discuss/critique work with the group in the private area up to the individual writer. In other words, no one is required to use the private area for specific discussion of their writing. If you prefer the one-at-a-time approach that is perfectly fine, but we will have full group forum option if we need it.

I'll post more information about the private area here and on SC as soon as it's available.

So, Renata, how do we proceed?

[Phil]

Originally posted by Phil


Thanks, Renata.

I suppose I could make a couple of executive decisions (though I'm loath to call myself an executive, since I consider this our group). But here they are:

1) Since we just don't know exactly what is going to happen at JREF, I will start a thread in the Humanities (http://www.skepticalcommunity.mu.nu/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=f6d0aefc8d8e5e51438b3045f11fd0b7) forum at Skeptical Community (http://www.skepticalcommunity.mu.nu/phpbb2/index.php?sid=f6d0aefc8d8e5e51438b3045f11fd0b7). The new thread on SC will be less for our miscellaneous discussion, and more simply to inform new writers of the group when they join SC.

2) Let's go ahead and proceed with securing a private area. The information and discussion we currently have in this thread will now be handled in the new private area. We will, however, still leave the decision to share/discuss/critique work with the group in the private area up to the individual writer. In other words, no one is required to use the private area for specific discussion of their writing. If you prefer the one-at-a-time approach that is perfectly fine, but we will have full group forum option if we need it.

I'll post more information about the private area here and on SC as soon as it's available.

So, Renata, how do we proceed?

Update:

As of this posting, I have yet to hear from Pixy about a private area for our group on the mu.nu site. I have supplied him with the preliminary details to set it up, but he must be busy with other things.

At any rate, let's not count on having a private area for July. Hopefully, everything will be worked out before it's time for the August submission, but in the meantime, I suggest we conduct our business as we have been --- one-on-one critique via email. And if anyone needs to post a message to the group as a whole, he/she should use this thread or the thread on SC (if this one is eliminated come July 8th).

Finally, no one has yet to volunteer to share material for July. If you have something you need help with, please speak up.

[Phil]

Another update:

Pixy has responded, and assures me that he will set up a private area for us in due time. As soon as that is done, I will PM and email each of the group members with the particulars.

Meanwhile, since no one else has volunteered to share material, I will distribute the last three chapters of a fantasy novel I'm trying to finish.

I know it's kind of weird to get the final chapters of a book first, but the final chapters constitute the only new material I have for this particular project. I'm hoping you guys can give me a good edit, and that your eyes will catch whatever stylistic hiccups I have missed.

At any rate, look for 20 or so pages from me around the first of July.