Ship of Fools: Board for writers

Thread: Board for writers Board: The Styx / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

Are there any other interest in a board for writers?

I can see it covering usual writers topics - getting agents, getting published. But also, spirituality in writing (fiction and non-fiction).

I am not sure how many shpmates might be interested, but if you would be, please say.

Posted by Spike (# 36) on :

Do you mean a private board or an Eighth Day project?

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :

There used to be a private board. I was on it, but buggered if I can remember what it was called. The Write Stuff?

It lasted a decent while, and then fizzled out. I'm going to suggest that you bring your suggestion with you to the New Ship™, and we can see if there's renewed interest there.

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :

I'd be in. When are we to be graced with the New Ship?

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :

The New Ship will be ready when it is.

You cannot hurry the New Ship.

Posted by Paul. (# 37) on :

All hail the New Ship!

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

I mean an eighth day experiment first.

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Doc Tor:
The New Ship will be ready when it is.

You cannot hurry the New Ship.

NEW Ship? [Eek!]

You had to say that. gasp change... pant...gasp...choke...hadn't thought of it that way...no no no no no...will not panic... change can be good...can't it?..getagrip!!!
No, it will be fine.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
[it will be fine, breaking the horizontal page width isn't fine]

[ 10. September 2017, 19:22: Message edited by: Alan Cresswell ]

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

New Ship? My grandparents gave the light bulb in the old Ship!

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :

I would be interested in taking part.

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

It may be an Eighth Day experiment for the new boards, given the time to organise it.

2 interested so far. It could potentially be open to music writers too (but for those who produce the music, not just listen or play).

Posted by Dafyd (# 5549) on :

I would be interested.

Posted by Ohher (# 18607) on :

I'd be interested.

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :

I participated a bit in the old one (I feel like maybe it was called Writers' Bloc? but not sure ...) while it was alive, and would probably participate again if there's enough interest to keep it going.

Posted by RooK (# 1852) on :

I would be theoretically interested, then well-intentioned about participating, then increasingly guilty and awkward as I never find time to do either any writing or writing about writing.

<beamingawkwardsmile>

Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :

I'm active in a couple of writing forums and would be interested.

I presume the reason the writer's board was private on the Ship was because you don't want to post chapters or extracts from unpublished work-in-progress writing on a public board (to prevent plagiarism, safeguard copyright). Most writers' forums have password-coded private areas where members can put up synopses, opening chapters, pitches etc for feedback. This is often where posters find beta readers who are sympathetic to their kind of writing, write the same kind of thing and would be keen on a reciprocal close read of works-in-progress.

What I find useful in the more public spaces of a writers' forum is discussion on fiction structure, world-building, developing characters and narrative arcs. Along with threads on what people are reading, weekly word counts, links to articles on self-publishing, finding agents, self-promotion on social media or not, etc.

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Trudy Scrumptious:
Writers' Bloc?

That was definitely it. Well remembered.

Posted by mr cheesy (# 3330) on :

I'm curious to know what a writers board has to do with the main thrust of this bulletin board (ITTWACW), what would be gained for participants beyond that offered by other more focused boards elsewhere and so on.

Fair enough as an experiment or a private board for those who are interested, but it seems to me to be a bit of a problem to try to ultimately include every possible hobby, job or interest of participants here.

Posted by Barnabas62 (# 9110) on :

I think it's just a facility (which folks have to pay for and apply for) offered to Shipmates who have a common interest. I don't think it needs to relate directly to the Ship's ethos. Also, there is no guarantee of acceptance of application.

Here's the link to Private Boards.

Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :

Barnabus, there are many writers' forums completely free for anyone who registers. Otherwise people like me, given the currency exchange rate, couldn't possibly participate.

What is different here is that you have a pre-existing moderated community which is what most writers' forums have to create from scratch.

CORRECTION Oh, sorry, just clicked on the private board link and saw it requires payment. Well, that's that then.

[ 11. September 2017, 09:05: Message edited by: MaryLouise ]

Posted by Barnabas62 (# 9110) on :

It's a cost per board, not a cost per person, MaryLouise. It just recognises that the website and server aren't kept going for nothing. Plus SoF doesn't have much by the way of reserves. Only donations keep the main boards afloat.

Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :

Sorry again Barnabus, I seem to be in a fog of misunderstandings this morning. I do know how much it costs to maintain a website.

Posted by mr cheesy (# 3330) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Barnabas62:
I think it's just a facility (which folks have to pay for and apply for) offered to Shipmates who have a common interest. I don't think it needs to relate directly to the Ship's ethos. Also, there is no guarantee of acceptance of application.

Here's the link to Private Boards.

OK sorry, it wasn't clear from the first few posts about whether this was a discussion about a temporary, open, board (possibly leading to a permanent, open, board) or a private, exclusive, invitation-only paid-for board.

If it is the latter, then I'd suggest various benefits aired above regarding the suitability of this website dissipate (although my q regarding whether they fit with the purpose of this website are also moot).

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

quote:
Originally posted by RooK:
I would be theoretically interested, then well-intentioned about participating, then increasingly guilty and awkward as I never find time to do either any writing or writing about writing.

<beamingawkwardsmile>

Yep, me too. Any mileage in 'Virtual Writer's Bloc'??

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :

I write for my living, but suspect I'd be ... boring. I mean, it's not fiction, which is way more exciting.

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

Yeah, sorry I didn't make it clear that this would be an Eighth Day Board, public, no payment required. It is only as an experiment, to get this out of our systems.

I don't think it would be a place to post much in the way of long excerpts, although maybe shorter parts, and they would be publically shown. I know of one writer who posts pieces on facebook occasionally - just short pieces, so plagarism is less of a danger.

I suppose it would more be discussion of the process and the challenges. In terms of the site ethos, I suppose there is a chance to discuss areas like how you write good fiction that expresses your faith, without being overtly Christian. And whether there is a place for a faith perspective in non-fiction (Lamb Chopped, the fact you do it for a living could be really helpful and interesting).

But maybe not. It might evolve in different ways. Is there anyone who would be interested in co-hosting it with me?

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :

I'd be happy to share whatever I know. I've been doing this for 30 years, with occasional stints into teaching, proofreading, etc. etc. etc.

Posted by Brenda Clough (# 18061) on :

I too have a deep and considerable knowledge, but somewhat narrow. I'm an American genre writer, no more. But in certain narrow arenas I can make that highway run.

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
...I suppose it would more be discussion of the process and the challenges....

That is what would interest me.

quote:
It might evolve in different ways. Is there anyone who would be interested in co-hosting it with me?

I would. I also write for a living. I don't write fiction; I do occasionally review it, though.

Posted by Stercus Tauri (# 16668) on :

Always conscious of Capote's great put-down, "That's not writing; it's typing", I type a little and get bits of it published here and there, so I'd be interested.

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

Cheers Rossweisse.

I will try to put together a proposal in the next week or so, as there seems to be sufficient interest.

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

Can someone remind me where I put a board proposal?

Posted by Rossweisse (# 2349) on :

I have no idea, but thank you.

Posted by RuthW (# 13) on :

Per the guidelines, PM to me. Looking forward to seeing it.

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