Last fall, Heather put up a post asking for suggestions about what members would like to see in the group and one of the suggestions was check-ins. So, I'm giving it a try.
I have seen some of you posting your individual updates, which is great. :) But for others who may not want to create a separate post and to make it easier to find progress over time, a centralized post like this now and then could be fun and helpful.
So, "weigh in" with us. How is your writing going? What are you working on? Are you writing? Editing? Having a hard time fitting it in because of family, work or school? Stuck on something? Have a fun breakthrough you'd like to share? Please, tell us how things are going for you so far in the comments below. #wednesdaywritingweighin
There was a week missed due to illness (but some folks started their own check in anyhow, which was great) and then I was back again on February 5th with the following:
Ready for you Sockmonkeys this week! :) It's been nice to hear updates from a number of you. I hope more will join in as time goes along (whether you've been writing recently or not). How is your writing going?
Any new story plans? Working on editing? Taking a break from a story to get some space before editing? Procrastinating in general? Reading any new books on writing? Please, share your updates in the comments! #wednesdaywritingweighin
Finally, here is the post from last Wednesday, February 12th:
#Wednesdaywritingweighin time, Sockmonkeys! It's been great to see so many responses from members. Don't be shy! How's the writing going?
It's okay if you've been busy with other things. Tell us if you've read any good fiction or writing related books lately. Bought any fun new writing tools? Let's share our progress in multiple ways! (And feel free to comment or ask questions about what other folks post in this thread! Start conversation, etc.)
Although I meant to get something posted to the blog about this sooner so it could be sent to the Sockmonkey Twitter for people to see there, I just didn't get to it. I also meant to post a quick version of it on our Instagram, so Sockmonkeys who follow us there could join in, but that didn't happen, either. That's why I figured I'd start with this post, so those not in the Facebook group could see what's been going on and could join in either here on the blog, on Twitter or on Instagram. I have to admit, it was also easier to start testing this sort of thing out for interaction/response rates on Facebook first, because I'm often far too wordy for Twitter (haha) and I wasn't sure how it would translate to Instagram. But, we're caught up now, so folks not in the Facebook group can see what we've been doing and more of an effort will be made to put this out here where it can be interacted with by more of our group's members.
Now, this post is already long enough, so I will come back another time with a quick post updating everyone on responses that have been given to the Facebook posts (without any identifying or personal information) as a way of helping connect our group more.
What do you think of having check-ins ("weigh-ins", as I've dubbed them) like this on the blog and our other social media? Any suggestions for future group building posts like this? Whether you want to answer those questions or not, if you'd like to, feel free to reply to any of the writing questions listed above in the comments below.
How IS the writing going, Sockmonkeys?
I like seeing the weigh-in on Facebook roll through my timeline every once in a while and seeing what people are up to. :) I never thought of using it as a measure of personal progress (or regress, as the case may be!), but that is an excellent idea!
ReplyDeleteI think it is a kind and worthwhile thing to cross-platform the Wednesday Weigh-in to Insta and Twitter and wherever. I know in my heart that not everyone uses Facebook, but it's the platform I most heavily use, so I forget about other people's preferred usage. That is rude of me!
Go forth and spread the love, friend.
Oh, and to answer the last question: I am in the wool-gathering stage. I may have to re-read Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal", which is just a lot, dude.
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ReplyDeleteI like the weigh-ins. It helps to see others both succeeding and struggling. It would also be fun to have folks post what books they read that inspired them to become writers. Also, what authors have influenced their writing style and approach. For me, the clincher was reading Steppenwolf, by Herman Hesse, in 10th grade. The portrait of the protagonist as someone who just didn't fit into normal society resonated strongly. So howl at the moon, sockmonkeys! It's good for the soul.
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Thank you! I'm glad you like the idea - or ideas, as the case may be.
ReplyDeleteIt's not rude, per se, we are all basically creatures of habit and tend to like to stay in whatever comfy den we've made for ourselves. But, being a large group that is supposed to encompass an entire county, well, not everyone has the same preferred social dens. That, of course, is the idea behind trying to centralize things here - doesn't matter where you inhabit most often, this is accessible to all. Well, in theory.
Sounds like you have some reading ahead of you in preparation - though, I believe you commented on FB that you've finished it already and aren't sure it will work for you project. That's okay. Glad you're making progress and figuring out what you'd like to do with your satire.
I'm so glad you like the weigh-ins. I do think they help build some sense of community - whether we're doing what we'd like with our writing or having a slump, etc., it's a way to see that there are other writers in the same proverbial boat. Thank you for those fun suggestions! Hmm, as to authors that have influenced writing style...that's a pretty in depth question. I'll have to mark that as something for a future conversation. Love the graphic you found to add to your comment!
ReplyDeleteI'm about restructuring my WIP, applying lessons about creating characters with emotional resonance from my Odyssey online class. I've received some pretty sharp critiques, but am rolling with the punches. It's how one gets better.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, emotional resonance. It's great that you're taking a class to help with that. How long have you been participating in that class? Do you know if it's a recurring class or is it just the one session that you're part of now. I think many writers never get to the sharing their work stage, precisely because they're afraid to get those sharp critiques, but you have a good attitude about it. It's not personal about you... they're just trying to help you make your work better. (But it's hard not to let our feelings get involved when it's about our creations.)
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