The Writer's Workshop
Dedicated to improving
Pick up your pen, pencil, quill, keyboard or whatever you use to write because I've got a writing challenge for you! You don't have to be a published author or an amazing writer to join in. All you need is a passion for writing and a desire to improve.
Sounds easy? That's because it is!
How it works
Got to have some guidelines for it to work
Basically, a prompt will be placed up each week and your task will be to write a short piece of writing for it. You can write about anything as long as it remotely relates to the prompt. Let inspiration take you wherever you wish to go each week.
Each piece of writing should be around a hundred words long. Not too hard right? But if you're a wordy sort like me, feel free to write more than a hundred wocrds. The aim isn't to keep to a word limit after all. It's about getting into the habit of writing and improving the way you write.
Some weeks may specifically ask you to focus on a particular aspect of writing such as the setting, characterization etc. You can of course ignore these but they're there to help you work on some of the things you might want to improve.
Keep in mind that you don't have to participate each week. If you have all your prompts on a single page I can skim through it at the end of the week and see if I'll need to add you to a feedback group or not. Alternatively, you can just mail me and let me know if you've done the prompt or not.
The Feedback System
Perhaps the most important part
Since the point of this workshop is to improve your writing, there will of course be some sort of feedback system. How this will work will depend on the number of people interested.
From the list of participants, small groups of 3-5 people will be formed. Each person will have to read everyone else's drabbles from that group and give them some sort of feedback about it. This means that everyone will receive opinions from at least two people.
And of course, this will rely on everyone to make it work so please, don't just say something generic like "it's good. I like it". Additionally, don't be afraid of criticism! It's there to help you improve and remember, not everyone will like what you write. And that's perfectly fine! Don't get upset if this happens.
Examples of things to think about when writing feedback
- What you liked/didn't like about the piece
- How you felt about the overall drabble
- Opinions on the style of writing or techniques used
- Things you would like to see in the future
- Ways to improve
- Things you think is important to tell the author
- What you liked/didn't like about the piece
- How you felt about the overall drabble
- Opinions on the style of writing or techniques used
- Things you would like to see in the future
- Ways to improve
- Things you think is important to tell the author
Feedback does not have to be super long or anything. To see an example of one, click here.
You are encouraged to try rewriting your drabble for the week after reading the feedback others have provided. Additionally, if you want, you can create some questions you would like others to answer about your writing as feedback.
If you don't want feedback or don't have the time for it, you can always opt out of it.
Feedback is optional.
Interested?
Then sign up now!
If you're interested in joining the writer's workshop, just send me a mail!
Please include the petpage you'll be posting your drabbles on. After all, people will need to be able to read it to help. If you change the location of the petpage, just let me know and I'll update the page with it.
Mail reminders
The Workshop now offers mail reminders so there's no excuse to forget about writing anymore ;)
There are two types of mail reminders:
1. A mail at the start of the week to let you know that a new prompt is up; and
2. A mail near the end of the week to remind you to hurry up
If you're interested in any of those, just let me know!
The Writers
Armed with our pen and paper, we shall write!
Here's our growing group of writers so far!
If you would prefer to not have your username posted, just let me know
super_star12001 (/~Lighte#Workshop)
chocolate_lover67 (/~wintermint_5) B, no F
ribena_gum (/~Chavonne) B
animalker (/~Jyzie) N
vixalope (/~Yggdraasil) B
luvblondee (/~Nexca) B
comet55525 (/~Mordykai) B
hzoo_26 (/~Polymaths) P, No F
tealadi (/~Darkias)
angelofspring131 (/~Krad) H
King_of_Baking (/~Jaelinth) , B, No F
mojoschweni (/~Veatro) H
kathleen_kate (/~ariai_chigo_12) P, no F
yelly366 (/~Mocila) B, F regardless
___starclan___ (/~hello_seatttle) P
wheezergirl68 (/~Moonsigns) B
shedninjaqueen (/~November) P (no mails for now)
anruiaki (/~draiky_love)
deaths_kiss (/~Arkham) B
char (/~Sevbit) B
lunamaru (/~Niguli)
patricks378 (/~inderoath) B
dhullu (/~lallistar) P
cool_girl2002224 (/~Kmia) B
luna142000 (/~elvis__95) B
kennaalana (/~Unlively) B (no mails for now)
steven (/~rr) P, no F
punchups (/~Motsure) B
bavardage (/~Tofu) B
luciphur (/~Sparn)
tekarock (/~Utauloid) B
earthbred (/~Azazer) B
ardour (/~Nekhbet) B
hannahpete (/~corlu)
omgzdet (/~mirrorland) B, no F
yummysweetz92 (/~Pwyth) B
caitify (/~tyhsoe)
seamonkies (/~rubida)
loberas (/~Modos) B
straightatme (/~Ziour) B, no F
aurni (/~Nimika) B
zailai (/~zailai) B
Letter after your details are as followed:
B - both mails
P - prompt is up mail
H - end of week reminder
No F - no feedback
If I've got the wrong things down, just let me know :)
If you come across one of our boards, feel free to pop in and chat! Discussion of Workshop related things or just completely off topic stuff is always welcomed. You don't have to be part of the Workshop to do this either!
Prompts
Let the writing begin!
Prompts will be placed up on a weekly basis. You might find some of them up earlier though. We'll be working according to a six day week. The seventh day will be mainly used by me to split people up into feedback groups and organize all that.
Please note that you don't have to finish all your feedbacks in a single day. Everyone will work at a different pace but please have it finished by the end of the following week at the latest.
Also, if you have a prompt you would like to suggest, mail it in!
6th Feb - 11th Feb
This week's prompts are: cookies, escape, shimmer and bliss.
Another speed writing week! Try and write non stop for five minutes. Don't edit while you write, if you have the time, you can do that later. Just get writing!
For anyone interested, the winner of the Workshop Game is Sunny! I'll work out the details with you once you get back from the cruise ;)
Another speed writing week! Try and write non stop for five minutes. Don't edit while you write, if you have the time, you can do that later. Just get writing!
For anyone interested, the winner of the Workshop Game is Sunny! I'll work out the details with you once you get back from the cruise ;)
Week 20
30th Jan - 4th Feb
This week's prompts are: balloons, duty, float and treasure.
Please pay particular attention to your sentence structure and length this week. Writing is best when the sentences vary in length with each written to create a particular result. This is something that I feel is easily forgotten, resulting in repetitive and somewhat boring writing. So if you have the time, try experimenting with your sentence structure and length :)
Also, consider this a final call for those who participated in the Workshop Game. Please mail me with how many points you managed to get. I would love to know if you managed to get over the targeted amount as well!
Please pay particular attention to your sentence structure and length this week. Writing is best when the sentences vary in length with each written to create a particular result. This is something that I feel is easily forgotten, resulting in repetitive and somewhat boring writing. So if you have the time, try experimenting with your sentence structure and length :)
Also, consider this a final call for those who participated in the Workshop Game. Please mail me with how many points you managed to get. I would love to know if you managed to get over the targeted amount as well!
Week 19
23rd Jan - 28th Jan
Happy Chinese New Year to all who celebrates it!
Let's start the new lunar year with more prompts ;)
This week's prompts are: conquest or faith.
As an additional task, try to focus on two (or more) characters and their interaction with each other.
For those who participated in the Workshop Game from the previous week(s), please mail me with the total number of points you achieved. This is just to make it easier for me and to make sure that I don't miss out on anything.
That's it for this week!
Let's start the new lunar year with more prompts ;)
This week's prompts are: conquest or faith.
As an additional task, try to focus on two (or more) characters and their interaction with each other.
For those who participated in the Workshop Game from the previous week(s), please mail me with the total number of points you achieved. This is just to make it easier for me and to make sure that I don't miss out on anything.
That's it for this week!
Week 18
1st Jan - 7th Jan
Happy New Year Everyone!
I hope 2012 will be even better than 2011 for everyone :)
I won't be here for the next two weeks so I've planned something a little different for the Workshop while I'm away. It's a sort of game that I hope everyone will enjoy.
How it works
Below is a list of prompts along with other things. Each prompt is worth a certain number of points. There are additional points that you can earn but you'll learn more about that later.
Start by choosing a target amount of points to aim for and over the next couple of weeks (now to 20th Jan), write until you have accumulated enough points.
And at the end... we'll see who has done the most?
The winner will have bragging rights as well as the use of yours truly for approximately two weeks. Star-X508 is good for proofreading, giving feedback, coding (I can help you out or code something entirely for you. I deal with mainly petpages but I can code a petlookup for you if you want) and writing stuff for you (for examples, please go here).
For the sake of ease, please keep a total on your page as well as the prompts you've done from the list.
Prompts
Each prompt is worth one point and can only be redeemed once. So if you decide to use a certain prompt three times, you will still only get one point.
Crowd
Melody
Creature
In the hours of darkness
Clarity
Order amidst chaos
Fly / Let go
Sacrifice
Rainbow
Bliss
Struggle
Unlimited
Countdown / tick tock
Fog
Unseeing
Ribbon
Dancing to my own tune
Home
Window to another realm / window to another time
This is for you
Possible Total: 20 points
You will receive 1 bonus point for every 5 prompts from the list above that you complete. If you complete them all, you will gain an additional 1 bonus point on top of the 4 you will have received. (So 22 points if you complete 10, 25 points if you complete all 20).
Additional prompts
These are additional prompts to add to those above. If you complete one of these, add the number of points they're worth to your score. So for example, if you wrote a piece about 'This is for you' and included a small poem, you would have earned 3 points for that. Unlike the ones above, these can be done as many times as you desire.
Include a small poem in some way (4 lines minimum)– 2 points
Mix two prompts together – 1 point
Write the same (or very similar) piece in a different point of view/perspective – 2 points
Do a twist on an old tale (fairytale, mythology etc) – 2 points
Not relating to writing at all but draw an image to accompany what you've written – 2 points
Write four pieces in one week (honesty required here) – 3 points
Sentence starters
Use any of the following sentence starters for 2 points. A few repeats because I can. One use only
- She could not help but be disappointed when she noticed the...
- Daylight came in a shudder of tears as the moon kissed the world farewell.
- There were words spelled out in pellets on the bottom of the hamster's cage
- Things were not as they used to be.
- You put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up.
- The town folks called her crazy and for once, she had to agree.
The aim isn't so much to win as such. It's about setting a number of points as your goal and trying to achieve it.
Please remember that there will be no feedback groups or mail outs for the next two weeks. And that's it so go write! 8D
I hope 2012 will be even better than 2011 for everyone :)
I won't be here for the next two weeks so I've planned something a little different for the Workshop while I'm away. It's a sort of game that I hope everyone will enjoy.
How it works
Below is a list of prompts along with other things. Each prompt is worth a certain number of points. There are additional points that you can earn but you'll learn more about that later.
Start by choosing a target amount of points to aim for and over the next couple of weeks (now to 20th Jan), write until you have accumulated enough points.
And at the end... we'll see who has done the most?
The winner will have bragging rights as well as the use of yours truly for approximately two weeks. Star-X508 is good for proofreading, giving feedback, coding (I can help you out or code something entirely for you. I deal with mainly petpages but I can code a petlookup for you if you want) and writing stuff for you (for examples, please go here).
For the sake of ease, please keep a total on your page as well as the prompts you've done from the list.
Prompts
Each prompt is worth one point and can only be redeemed once. So if you decide to use a certain prompt three times, you will still only get one point.
Crowd
Melody
Creature
In the hours of darkness
Clarity
Order amidst chaos
Fly / Let go
Sacrifice
Rainbow
Bliss
Struggle
Unlimited
Countdown / tick tock
Fog
Unseeing
Ribbon
Dancing to my own tune
Home
Window to another realm / window to another time
This is for you
Possible Total: 20 points
You will receive 1 bonus point for every 5 prompts from the list above that you complete. If you complete them all, you will gain an additional 1 bonus point on top of the 4 you will have received. (So 22 points if you complete 10, 25 points if you complete all 20).
Additional prompts
These are additional prompts to add to those above. If you complete one of these, add the number of points they're worth to your score. So for example, if you wrote a piece about 'This is for you' and included a small poem, you would have earned 3 points for that. Unlike the ones above, these can be done as many times as you desire.
Include a small poem in some way (4 lines minimum)– 2 points
Mix two prompts together – 1 point
Write the same (or very similar) piece in a different point of view/perspective – 2 points
Do a twist on an old tale (fairytale, mythology etc) – 2 points
Not relating to writing at all but draw an image to accompany what you've written – 2 points
Write four pieces in one week (honesty required here) – 3 points
Sentence starters
Use any of the following sentence starters for 2 points. A few repeats because I can. One use only
- She could not help but be disappointed when she noticed the...
- Daylight came in a shudder of tears as the moon kissed the world farewell.
- There were words spelled out in pellets on the bottom of the hamster's cage
- Things were not as they used to be.
- You put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up.
- The town folks called her crazy and for once, she had to agree.
The aim isn't so much to win as such. It's about setting a number of points as your goal and trying to achieve it.
Please remember that there will be no feedback groups or mail outs for the next two weeks. And that's it so go write! 8D
Week 17
26th Dec - 31st Dec
This week's prompts are: opposites, dream or nostalgia.
No additional tasks this week sine it's been chaotic enough. Bonus points if you manage to add two lines that rhyme in there though ;)
No additional tasks this week sine it's been chaotic enough. Bonus points if you manage to add two lines that rhyme in there though ;)
Week 16
19th Dec - 24th Dec
This week's prompts are: patience or adventure.
I'm also adding in a different option this time round! Below is a paragraph starter that I (hastily) wrote. If it inspires you, continue it! Feel free to change the character's gender etc to suit what you want.
If you would like to write a paragraph starter, feel free to send one in :)
Things were not as they used to be. The once sleepy town had hurtled forwards in time as the rest of the world too evolved. The pastures she recalled in her faded memories were long gone, replaced with skyscrapers that littered the bustling city with their ever reaching heights. She looked down at the piece of paper clutched tightly in her hands and wondered just what she was doing here. Nothing was as she remembered it and she felt like every bit the stranger as she absorbed in the changes.
There was thirty minutes before the next train would arrive and take her back to the comfortable home she had built. She could pretend like this never happened.
I've removed the people who didn't reply to the mail frmoa few weeks back. If you simply forgot and would like to join the Workshop, just send me a mail :)
I'm also adding in a different option this time round! Below is a paragraph starter that I (hastily) wrote. If it inspires you, continue it! Feel free to change the character's gender etc to suit what you want.
If you would like to write a paragraph starter, feel free to send one in :)
Things were not as they used to be. The once sleepy town had hurtled forwards in time as the rest of the world too evolved. The pastures she recalled in her faded memories were long gone, replaced with skyscrapers that littered the bustling city with their ever reaching heights. She looked down at the piece of paper clutched tightly in her hands and wondered just what she was doing here. Nothing was as she remembered it and she felt like every bit the stranger as she absorbed in the changes.
There was thirty minutes before the next train would arrive and take her back to the comfortable home she had built. She could pretend like this never happened.
I've removed the people who didn't reply to the mail frmoa few weeks back. If you simply forgot and would like to join the Workshop, just send me a mail :)
Week 15
12th Dec - 17th Dec
More options this week. The prompts are stranger than fiction, journey or bionic. There will be no additionally tasks this week but feel free to make up your own. If you enjoyed the time limit from last week, you can always keep practicing speed writing, alter the time you allow yourself to write etc. :)
I'll be putting up a paragraph starter next week so keep an eye out for that.
If you've yet to reply to the mail from last week, please do so soon as I will be removing people sometime next week. You can always rejoin at a later time though.
I'll be putting up a paragraph starter next week so keep an eye out for that.
If you've yet to reply to the mail from last week, please do so soon as I will be removing people sometime next week. You can always rejoin at a later time though.
Week 15
5th Dec - 10th Dec
THE WORKSHOP IS BACK!
With a bunch of belated spring cleaning to do as well but first, the prompt.
This week's prompt is snow or festivities for the holidays! Remember, you don't have to like the holidays. Feel free to write about how much you hate it. I personally hate all the Christmas movies they keep showing.
There will be a time limit placed on this week's writing. You can either choose to:
1. Write for five minutes at your own pace or
2. So a speed writing session. You'll have one minute to write whatever you want (don't think about the editing). See how much you can accomplish in 60 seconds.
If you get stuck or just lack inspiration, try searching up some images and writing about the image. You can try writing the scene shown in the photograph or just work on describing it. Just write something!
Onwards to the spring cleaning
1. The hints page is gone
It wasn't getting updated frequently enough and I don't think anyone used it anyway. If you did and want it back, let me know I guess?
2. I will be removing people from the list
The list is growing but half the people aren't really active so I will be removing some people from it. I'll be sending a mass mail about this. I'll only be removing people who are no longer interested in being part of the workshop so don't worry too much about this. You can always get readded anyway.
3. Mail outs
As always, there is currently two mails that you can subscribe to - a mail at the start of the week when a new prompt is out or a mail at the end to remind you to hurry up. You can pick either, both or none. Just let me know if you haven't already. (If you don't want to be part of the feedback system, also let me know or I'll just assume that's a yes).
4. How can we help motivate you?
A common thing I've been hearing is that people haven't been writing because they simply lack inspiration. How can we fix this for you? Let us know and we'll try our best to implement it! If you have anything you would like to see (or not see) on this site, please mail me.
And lastly, I would just like to point out that if you only write when you have inspiration, you'll never get much done. A lot of writers force themselves to write for around 8 hours a day regardless of their mood. If they didn't, they would be starving right now. So maybe what we all need is a bit of discipline ;)
It's worth a shot anyway xD
Sorry about the super long post. I'm eager to get the Workshop back and running
With a bunch of belated spring cleaning to do as well but first, the prompt.
This week's prompt is snow or festivities for the holidays! Remember, you don't have to like the holidays. Feel free to write about how much you hate it. I personally hate all the Christmas movies they keep showing.
There will be a time limit placed on this week's writing. You can either choose to:
1. Write for five minutes at your own pace or
2. So a speed writing session. You'll have one minute to write whatever you want (don't think about the editing). See how much you can accomplish in 60 seconds.
If you get stuck or just lack inspiration, try searching up some images and writing about the image. You can try writing the scene shown in the photograph or just work on describing it. Just write something!
Onwards to the spring cleaning
1. The hints page is gone
It wasn't getting updated frequently enough and I don't think anyone used it anyway. If you did and want it back, let me know I guess?
2. I will be removing people from the list
The list is growing but half the people aren't really active so I will be removing some people from it. I'll be sending a mass mail about this. I'll only be removing people who are no longer interested in being part of the workshop so don't worry too much about this. You can always get readded anyway.
3. Mail outs
As always, there is currently two mails that you can subscribe to - a mail at the start of the week when a new prompt is out or a mail at the end to remind you to hurry up. You can pick either, both or none. Just let me know if you haven't already. (If you don't want to be part of the feedback system, also let me know or I'll just assume that's a yes).
4. How can we help motivate you?
A common thing I've been hearing is that people haven't been writing because they simply lack inspiration. How can we fix this for you? Let us know and we'll try our best to implement it! If you have anything you would like to see (or not see) on this site, please mail me.
And lastly, I would just like to point out that if you only write when you have inspiration, you'll never get much done. A lot of writers force themselves to write for around 8 hours a day regardless of their mood. If they didn't, they would be starving right now. So maybe what we all need is a bit of discipline ;)
It's worth a shot anyway xD
Sorry about the super long post. I'm eager to get the Workshop back and running
Week 14
This week's prompt is magic/mythical.
Think magic tricks, mythical creatures/stories etc.
Think magic tricks, mythical creatures/stories etc.
Week 13
It's retrospective week! ;)
Was there a particular prompt that you wish you could have done differently? This is your chance to pick out one of the past prompts and do it again!
Was there a particular prompt that you wish you could have done differently? This is your chance to pick out one of the past prompts and do it again!
Week 12
An early warning that mail outs and feedback groups will be cancelled for the next 2 to 3 weeks. This won't be a common occurrence, it's just for my exam weeks. Prompts will still be placed up on a weekly basis though. Just take the next few weeks to catch up on other stuff you want to do I guess? xD
Sentence starters as promised this week. Incorporate one of the following sentences into your writing. This can be at the beginning, middle or end. Feel free to edit them a bit to fit with your character (eg. name, what they're holding etc). If you absolutely hate sentence starters, just use the theme of each or something.
- They say it's rude to stare but when Ellie walked in wielding a chainsaw, everyone couldn't help but stared.
- They say you can never have enough space... until you drown in it.
- For them, there would only ever be those hidden moments in the dark.
- Sooner or later it's all got to end.
- They wanted an explosion so she would give them one.
- The sun shone while the earth mourned.
- There were words spelled out in pellets on the bottom of the hamster's cage
There, now go for it :P
Sentence starters as promised this week. Incorporate one of the following sentences into your writing. This can be at the beginning, middle or end. Feel free to edit them a bit to fit with your character (eg. name, what they're holding etc). If you absolutely hate sentence starters, just use the theme of each or something.
- They say it's rude to stare but when Ellie walked in wielding a chainsaw, everyone couldn't help but stared.
- They say you can never have enough space... until you drown in it.
- For them, there would only ever be those hidden moments in the dark.
- Sooner or later it's all got to end.
- They wanted an explosion so she would give them one.
- The sun shone while the earth mourned.
- There were words spelled out in pellets on the bottom of the hamster's cage
There, now go for it :P
Week 11
Apologies for the late update and lack of mails for the past few weeks. Exam time is nigh so I probably won't have much time to do mail outs etc on a regular basis. I will still place a new prompt up each week though.
This week's prompt is catastrophe or miracles.
Next week will be a sentence starter so be prepared for that ;)
This week's prompt is catastrophe or miracles.
Next week will be a sentence starter so be prepared for that ;)
Week 10
Running a bit late again this week.
The prompt for this week is time or alternatively, costumes for the love of Halloween 0:)
The prompt for this week is time or alternatively, costumes for the love of Halloween 0:)
Week 9
Sorry about placing this up so late!
This week's prompt is quotes. Similar to last week, go find some inspirational quote and write something in response! Remember, quotes don't have to be long, can be incredibly vague and short etc
This week's prompt is quotes. Similar to last week, go find some inspirational quote and write something in response! Remember, quotes don't have to be long, can be incredibly vague and short etc
Week 8
This week's prompt is songs. Interpret this however you would like ^^ You can choose to write a song, write something based on a song and so on. Feel free to just go out, find a couple of lyrics that you like and write something based on that. There's a song out there on just about anything after all!
If you do choose to use an existing song/lyrics, include a note about it so that others can tell you how they thought you went with the interpretation of that song/lyrics.
Sadly, no feedback groups this week due to an extreme lack of interest. Start writing people!!
If you do choose to use an existing song/lyrics, include a note about it so that others can tell you how they thought you went with the interpretation of that song/lyrics.
Sadly, no feedback groups this week due to an extreme lack of interest. Start writing people!!
Week 7
This week's prompt is elements. Think earth, fire, water, air or even your chemistry elements of oxygen, hydrogen etc ;) It'll be fun!
Your task for the week is to include some sort of dialogue in there. For some people, this will be easier. For those who avoid dialogue whenever they can, practice because it's something all stories require eventually.
Your task for the week is to include some sort of dialogue in there. For some people, this will be easier. For those who avoid dialogue whenever they can, practice because it's something all stories require eventually.
Week 6
No feedback groups for this week
Sorry guys but I have 2 assignments due at the end of this week and I haven't started ;__; If you really want to do a feedback thing, you could always try organising one yourself by going down the list and seeing who has written their prompts? Sorry about this
Anyway, this week's prompt is Four Seasons or Change because our world is influenced greatly by time and change. No focus because we need a break with that so write about anything you want.
Have fun!
Sorry guys but I have 2 assignments due at the end of this week and I haven't started ;__; If you really want to do a feedback thing, you could always try organising one yourself by going down the list and seeing who has written their prompts? Sorry about this
Anyway, this week's prompt is Four Seasons or Change because our world is influenced greatly by time and change. No focus because we need a break with that so write about anything you want.
Have fun!
Week 5
12th - 17th September
A bit of spring cleaning to do this week but first, the prompt.
There will be no prompt this week so write whatever you want. If you get stuck though, try sensation/perception.
The focus however, will be a different point of view.
This will be the last week of POV so no complaining xD By different, I do not mean just writing in 2nd POV (though you can choose to do that if you wish). You can write from the POV of a baby, blind person, inanimate object, dog etc. Play around and see if you can look at the world in a different light.
Mails
As you should know, we've started a mailing system where we will mail you
- at the start of the week to let you know that a new prompt is up; or
- at the end of the week to remind you to hurry up.
If you haven't already, let me know which of these mails you want. You can opt for both or none as well :) If you don't tell me, I'll just send you whatever I feel like (which will probably be none).
Feedback
Again, there's some issues with people not writing feedback to those in their groups. If you can't manage to do feedback for that week, just let me know and I'll take you off the list temporarily :) If you've already been assigned and something's come up, just mail the people in your group and let them know.
Solution?
We've decided for the feedback issue that we will let group members sort it out for themselves. We don't really want to spend each week chasing up members when we can't really do anything about it. So, if you don't receive feedback from someone, mail them about it first! Be polite of course =D If that doesn't work, then mail us and we'll talk to them about it.
We may be implementing a three strike system in which people who fail to return feedback to others on three occasions will be removed from the feedback system entirely.
So yeah, be good and do your feedback :D
There will be no prompt this week so write whatever you want. If you get stuck though, try sensation/perception.
The focus however, will be a different point of view.
This will be the last week of POV so no complaining xD By different, I do not mean just writing in 2nd POV (though you can choose to do that if you wish). You can write from the POV of a baby, blind person, inanimate object, dog etc. Play around and see if you can look at the world in a different light.
Mails
As you should know, we've started a mailing system where we will mail you
- at the start of the week to let you know that a new prompt is up; or
- at the end of the week to remind you to hurry up.
If you haven't already, let me know which of these mails you want. You can opt for both or none as well :) If you don't tell me, I'll just send you whatever I feel like (which will probably be none).
Feedback
Again, there's some issues with people not writing feedback to those in their groups. If you can't manage to do feedback for that week, just let me know and I'll take you off the list temporarily :) If you've already been assigned and something's come up, just mail the people in your group and let them know.
Solution?
We've decided for the feedback issue that we will let group members sort it out for themselves. We don't really want to spend each week chasing up members when we can't really do anything about it. So, if you don't receive feedback from someone, mail them about it first! Be polite of course =D If that doesn't work, then mail us and we'll talk to them about it.
We may be implementing a three strike system in which people who fail to return feedback to others on three occasions will be removed from the feedback system entirely.
So yeah, be good and do your feedback :D
Week 4
5th - 10th September
Up early because I felt like updating things.
This week's prompt is Wishes or alternatively, Promises.
You know that POV you chose last week? Write in the other one this week. So if you did 1st person POV last week, write in 3rd person this week and vice versa.
Simple? Good.
Get to work!
This week's prompt is Wishes or alternatively, Promises.
You know that POV you chose last week? Write in the other one this week. So if you did 1st person POV last week, write in 3rd person this week and vice versa.
Simple? Good.
Get to work!
Week 3
29th August - 3rd September
Another week is upon us! This week's prompt is the wall.
Hopefully, you'll find that easier than last week's chocolate prompt. There will be no alternative prompt this week so if you get stuck, make sure you check out the hints page!
We will also be focusing on point of view (POV) this week.
I doubt I'll have to explain that for you. When we write, we often have a preference for a particular point of view and we tend to stick to that. But each POV has its benefits and that's what we're hoping you'll learn. Use the Workshop as a way to experiment! That's what it's all about after all.
Choose from either a first person point of view or a third person point of view for this week.
Needless to say, you'll be writing from the alternative one for next week so either way, you'll be doing both.
Hopefully, you'll find that easier than last week's chocolate prompt. There will be no alternative prompt this week so if you get stuck, make sure you check out the hints page!
We will also be focusing on point of view (POV) this week.
I doubt I'll have to explain that for you. When we write, we often have a preference for a particular point of view and we tend to stick to that. But each POV has its benefits and that's what we're hoping you'll learn. Use the Workshop as a way to experiment! That's what it's all about after all.
Choose from either a first person point of view or a third person point of view for this week.
Needless to say, you'll be writing from the alternative one for next week so either way, you'll be doing both.
Week 2
22nd – 28th August
Well that's the first week out of the way. Hopefully everyone will now have a good idea of what the Workshop is about. We had a few issues regarding late submissions last week so we're just going to make this clear. It's very difficult to add you into a feedback group once everyone's been assigned to one already. As a result, we've decided that anyone who has not finished by each Sunday will simply not be included into a feedback group. It is unfair to expect everyone to do an additional critique after all. So please, be on time ;)
With that out of the way, let's get down to business.
This week's prompt is chocolate or alternatively, vanilla or cake. We will be focusing particularly on our use of description this week so make sure you brush up on your adjectives!
Focus in particular about how you can get information across to the reader without specifically stating it. For example, instead of saying "she was impatient" you can write something like "she drummed her fingers along the wooden surface, eyes watching both the clock and door as she awaited her next client". Bad example since I'm terrible at this but you get the point. A good writer shows rather than tell and that's what we'll be trying to do this week.
Try not to over describe something as well. We don't need an entire page focused on how the grass is green or something.
That's it so get writing!
With that out of the way, let's get down to business.
This week's prompt is chocolate or alternatively, vanilla or cake. We will be focusing particularly on our use of description this week so make sure you brush up on your adjectives!
Focus in particular about how you can get information across to the reader without specifically stating it. For example, instead of saying "she was impatient" you can write something like "she drummed her fingers along the wooden surface, eyes watching both the clock and door as she awaited her next client". Bad example since I'm terrible at this but you get the point. A good writer shows rather than tell and that's what we'll be trying to do this week.
Try not to over describe something as well. We don't need an entire page focused on how the grass is green or something.
That's it so get writing!
Week 1
15th – 21st August
The first prompt is grey or alternatively, colour.
There will be no particular thing to focus on this week. It's just to get you going and for everyone else to get a feel for your writing style more or less.
Once you're done, please send a link to your drabble to me by the 22nd August. That way, I can get everyone sorted into small groups for feedback. If you don't want to be part of the feedback system, just let me know.
There will be no particular thing to focus on this week. It's just to get you going and for everyone else to get a feel for your writing style more or less.
Once you're done, please send a link to your drabble to me by the 22nd August. That way, I can get everyone sorted into small groups for feedback. If you don't want to be part of the feedback system, just let me know.