Aha!

[caddyman]

Okay, here we are.

Hello, computer, and sorry romney if I sounded short on IMS - didn't mean to, just I'm just 9 sheets to the wind.

I have just spent a very pleasant evening in the company of caffeine_fairy and latterly, chomper99. Of course, by the time the latter had arrived, I was largely soused, so aplologioes for any bizarre and alcohol-induced behaviour! And also to Emm who was drinking far less enthusiastically than Yours Truly.

Oh, we talked about things both many and varied. Pub talk, swapping stories of friends and generally catching up. Plus other oddments. Some people you just don't see often enough, and I state here and now, to their probable embarrassment, caffeine_fairy and chomper99 fall squarely into that category as far as I am concerned.

But one thing sticks in my memory, from all all the things we nattered about and which have passed now into the realms of myth, folklore and general alcohol indiuced drivel was this: we, or at least I, need to get involved in a writing group. Something with deadlines and feedback to enforce (at least morally) contributions. Otherwise no-one will ever write anything despite our professed interest there in.

Now I have checked my friends and friend of interests and there is a fair number of us who profess an interest in writing.

So, before I collapse in a drunken heap, is there anyone out there interested in joining/creating a writing group where we can submit our guff for constructive criticism without fear or favour to try and develop a shared interest?

I suspect I'll regret this in the sober and overhung morning, but right now I'm serious.

Any takers, or are we all whistling in the wind?

Comments

[jfs.livejournal.com]

I'd be up for it. I found http://www.100words.net very good discipline for the same reason - forcing myself into writing something each day. I managed it for a month, took a month off and haven't managed it at all in May.

But yes - colour me interested.

Well I wish I'd thought of that...

[maleghast.livejournal.com]

Good idea, Bryan - and you're right it is the deadline (for all its bad press) that is the saviour of my will to achieve...

Count me in if you intend to move forward once you have considered this again as a sober man.

G'night!

Re: Well I wish I'd thought of that...

[maleghast.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I ploughed on regardless - damn you for inspiring me *grin* !

Hand up

[cybersofa.livejournal.com]

Yes please, would welcome structure and discipline as writing aids kthxbye.

[caffeine-fairy.livejournal.com]

Yup, definately up for it. (Detected no unusually bizarre behaviour last night BTW. I try to drink less on a school night ;o))

I'm currently in a group called TWP, an APA (Amateur Publishing Association). You make x copies of your piece, send them to a central address and they are collated into books and mailed out to everyone. This is an option, or just having something web based...

[pax-draconis.livejournal.com]

I am, obviously, interested.

[mollpeartree.livejournal.com]

The irony is, I started my journal in the belief that it would force me to try to write well on a regular basis. Instead, I use it mainly for chatting with friends and doing book reports and posting web links. (Migrating to livejournal probably had something to do with that; it makes journalling such a social activity). So, yes, I might be interested in a writing group. Would nonfiction be okay for this?

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Non-fiction is fine, as far as I am concerned. The objective as I see it, is to help encourage people who profess an interest in writing but who do not - for one reason or another - follow up on that interest.

I see it as a kind of on-line co-operative if you like, where the subject matter is a personal choice of the writer, and people critique style and presentation.

Of course, I'm open to ideas, and as of right now, I haven't given a great deal of thought as to how best we can achieve this.

(It doesn't help that at the moment the FAQ is down and I can't investigate the method of starting an on-line community - but there's no immediate hurry - despite maleghast's obvious enthusiasm!).