Important~anyone who ever visits here please read.

I'm new to this forum, so forgive my ignorance. I would like to get into writing again though...but I've been hesitant to join in here. Here are my well-intentioned although probably wholly unhelpful observations:

I'm a little confused about how everything works, even though I've read the stickies, etc.

Regarding writing workshops - it might be nice to explore our childhoods, life experiences (work, school, first date, first love), etc. I guess I feel like if I would like to write about my birth stuff, there are many forums to do this in? It would also be nice to have more complex creative-writing-type prompts, like those in the book "What If..." Awesome, awesome book, if I could just make myself do the dang exercises.

It would be fun to have more group exercises. For example, I like the "games" subforum of TAO because it is an opportunity to do group writing (of a sort) and is relatively nonjudgemental.

I don't mind if it's moderator-only for a while as I understand it to be during the workshops...but it would be nice to choose either to participate in the workshop or have another way to participate (games, other exercises, or ability to post new works).

It would be nice if it were explicit that many genres and topics are welcome, not just those that explore pleasant feelings of parenting. May I post my seven-part series on the dark overlord and his evil plans for meddlesome humans, using the demonic medium of Entertainment Tonight? I'm totally kidding. Unless anyone wants to offer a contract, then I will write it.

I like the workshops b/c they give me an "assignment" without having to write in a specific form or on a specific topic. I like the key words format, b/c I can take it or leave it. Since I prefer (online at least) to write emotive prose/poetry, the experiential stuff works great. I like the vaguely (not specifically) mothering topics, b/c I think its hard to get specific motherhood experiences that we have all had, etc.

Ummm

As for the moderator only threads thing... I guess it makes sense, b/c if we all started our own threads for stuff, we'd cycle through them pretty quick, I think. On the other hand, its pretty hard to get the "attention" we want for our work when we do stuff like that.

Maybe we could put our names in a hat (so to speak) and have like three or so people a week submit a work or two the week before. Then we can all concentrate on those works and, when its our turn, we get the focus that I think many of us prefer.

Hmmm, I think that covers it for me...

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Thanks for the chance to chime in!

I guess I misunderstood - so people can't EVER start a new thread on here, not just during the workshop time? Yeah, I would definitely prefer to see others' work and the ability to respond via them starting their own thread. I don't think I would ever participate - I guess I was just waiting for the workshop to get over. I did look at the rebels thread, but the prompts/lack thereof didn't do much for me.

boatbaby, I'd love to see your scripts! How cool! Even the synopsis...or finding out how your day goes, writing with a baby (now there's a topic). I think maybe some of us do write for fun, but I'd rather write for pay. Not that I've tried, mind you.

I like the PP's suggestion of rotating a "work of the week" or spotlight (in addition to being able to start our own posts)...and I would LOOOOVE a travel writing workshop. It would be nice to get very good, critical feedback on a piece.

"What subjects would you like to see come up in writing workshops?

I think with a workshop idea, you have to have something that fits together to make a whole, or a theme.... so it could be a short story, where chapters are written each week.... it could be a focus on poetry for six weeks. I don't think the topic matters as much, but in this particular case, I just didn't care for the topic b/c it was basically a rehash of the last workshop.

Do you even like the 'workshops'?

I like the concept... my biggest issue is the time.

What do you think about the fact that only the moderator can start new threads, does this make you feel unwelcomed?

In other boards, one of the biggest benefits, is when someone posts a thread.... that gets people thinking. Some threads peter out, but others... are new ideas. When you have people posting, you don't have one person coming up with topics.... it becomes a group/collaborative effort. Not that I don't enjoy the topics ya post, but I think what happens is when you have only one person directing, it can hamper creativity for the entire group. It would happen this way I think no matter who was 'directing' the group. Make sense? Everyone has their own expertise and ideas... so maybe someone on here is a master haiku writer... and a person's post on that inspires other people to look at a genre like they never have before. That can't happen now.

In addition, is it bad that some thread got pushed down, if the traffic increased? Threads that really do generate thought and creativity will automatically be pushed to the top, and other topics are still available to read....things like feedback threads, are stickying....

Anyway, I guess I can't think of any 'good' reasons for not trying it.

Tammy

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My first issue is a personalone, too many activities, not enough free time. I'm writing a novel and sometimes feel like I'm 'fooling around' when I come here.

I love the workshops, but my babies are not babies and I dont' really write about motherhood, or my kids too much. Ok, not true, I DO write about both the above, but for a workshop, I'd rather do something different.

For instance, my dd just had a school assignment. Make believe you are a piece of luggage. Describe yourself. Are you a back pack or a suitcase, fancy or plain? What is hanging or stuck on you? What's IN you. Make sure each item describes somethign about who you are.

I liked that idea! You could write as a mother or a small child or anyone! Sort of open-ended. I wanted to post it for anyone who wanted to play, but there really wasn't anywhere to go with it, so I guess being able to start new threads will be a plus!

Keep plugging! Keep writing! I read this forum more often than I write to it.

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I would TOTALLY be into that. The writing exercise, that is, not actually being a piece of luggage. Although after a day like today...