Timewaster's Guide Archive
Local Authors => Writing Group => Topic started by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on February 13, 2006, 02:32:03 PM
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This is to see if there is sufficient interest to justify trying to start a second writing group.
Shrain, can I count you as interested?
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Indeed. :)
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I'm free on Thursday nights, as long as no minds that I don't write much and I fight with SE a lot.
Again, 9 months pregnant here, so I'm not ditching anyone.
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Fight, fight! In one corner: Mistress of Darkness. In the other: God. Could a writing group be any more interesting?
Maybe not. But I'm hoping some of you other writerly people will want to get in on the action...
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I'm looking for a writing group in person, as a way of meeting new local friends, so I'm probably not in the market for another online group.
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Aww, shoot, stacer. Way to get my hopes up! I saw you'd posted on this thread and thought maybe you were thinking of joining. *sigh* Oh, well. Hope you find a good local group, though...
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Rosencrantz says he's interested in the AS coordination thread.
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Cool. So that's three (if, that is, SE is willing to spread his omniscent self between two groups). Still a bit small, though. But maybe not everyone's checked out the Writing Group corner of the board lately.
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I want to say that I will participate, but I just can't spread myself that thin--I can't meet that frequently. Three times a month is about my max. But if you ever need comments on stuff, Shrain, I would be happy to read whatever you need me to.
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Nessa, thanks! I'd like that.
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I'm definately interested in joining a writing group. I just hopped on with everything on this site, so just let me know if there's space and when.
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Sure. I'd be happy to have you. So that brings us up to
four six or seven people:
SE
Shrain
MoD
Rosencrantz
Lightning Eater
Robert_Boyd
Jena (?)
Hey, Rosencrantz, can you introduce yourself a little more? Post your intro to the Introduce Yourself--right on! thread. (http://www.timewastersguide.com/boards/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=news;action=display;num=1051196804;start=105)
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MoD and I are both in Speculists, but I guess there's not that much harm in having us in both. Unless you get tired of hearing our arguments. It's amazing we like the same genres. We're always fighting about what makes that genre worth it.
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lol. Yeah, no harm so long as you guys fight word-to-word; no weapons of any kind. ;D
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Okie-dokie, I'm all introduced. I'm not sure if I know any you... But I have a pretty free schedule, so let me know if we have a definative schedule or anything yet. Thanks
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lol. Yeah, no harm so long as you guys fight word-to-word; no weapons of any kind. ;D
Dang! I was going to bring a bat'leth to the first meeting.
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Ah-ha! I know your tricks and manners, SE. Keep in mind that I'll call Skar in to do pat-downs for bat'leths and pain sticks if I hafta.
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If you need to pat someone to see if they have a Bat'leth, then I probably have a good chance of sneaking in something much smaller and much more effectively deadly.
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Hey, people can be very creative with how they conceal stuff. Given the right costume and a sufficiently refrigerator-size physique, a fellow could sneak in a lot of questionable items. (See, you have to remember that I've never met you before, and you're "god" to me. So can I help it if I've pictured you as larger than life. ;))
Anyhow, do you know of anyone I might want to message about joining this 2nd group. People who might not have read this part of the board? I'd like to get a few more writers on board, esp. since Izzy is so close to having her baby.
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/me ponders
I'll get back to you on that.
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Yes, please ponder while I keep staring hypnotically at this giant, color-shifting "e" I have discovered. Ooh, look now it's blue. No, brown, no . . .
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I'm interested in joining a writing group assuming it's all done online & stuff (I'm in Taiwan at the moment so meeting in person may be a tad difficult). Would be useful to get some more opinions on the stuff I'm writing for my book & critiquing other people's work is fun too.
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Can you meet at a time that would be an evening in the US (probably middle of the day or in the morning in Taiwan -- I'm too lazy to look up the actual time offset.
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Hi, Robert. We'd love to have you in the group if you can meet during the evenings our time. Also, we can't meet on Tue or Wed nights because I've got classes. So hopefully those two things won't keep you from participating.
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I'd be able to join, but I haven't gotten around to writing until about half a year ago so I don't know how good I'd be.
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Ah-ha! I know your tricks and manners, SE. Keep in mind that I'll call Skar in to do pat-downs for bat'leths and pain sticks if I hafta.
Skar? What? Where? I'm so there!
Oh man, now I feel guilty for my merciless teasing...maybe it will go away?
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For reference, Friday, 10:00am here in Taiwan is Thursday, 6:00pm in California.
US evenings actually work great for me since I work in the evenings (teach at an English cram school) and am free every morning except for Saturday (so Friday in the US). Work starts for me at 2pm (well, I have to be at work then although I usually just read a book until I actually have to start teaching) so it needs to be sometime before 10pm California time.
Oh, and I guess a quick introduction wouldn't be out of order. Name's Robert, age 25, LDS. Graduated from BYU last year. Took a couple sci-fi/fantasy courses while I was there including the creative writing class taught by Brandon & Sally. Very slowly working on a novel called Krystal Unbalanced (light comic YA fantasy).
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They have a thread for introductions here: http://www.timewastersguide.com/boards/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=news;action=display;num=1051196804;start=105
(How do you put links in a word instead of writing the URL?)
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Hey, Robert, we were in the same class. Huh, imagine that. I'm sure I'd recognize you but I didn't recognize your name! Ironic. But everyone sort of kept to their writing groups and the class was big. So I didn't get to know all that many people. Do you remember me at all? (I'm Sarah; I was in the group w/ Luke, Erin, and Andrea over in the corner. I brought some tasty fat-free muffins a few times.) Who else was in your group? It'll be cool to have you in this group! :)
Lightning, here's the little URL trick (as taught to me by the all-powerful SE):
BRACKETurl=http://www.yourlinkhere.comBRACKETYour Title HereBRACKET/urlBRACKET
Naturally, I had to write out "bracket" instead of using them or else you wouldn't be able to see the code. Well, SE managed to explain the trick more elegantly, but this gives you the idea.
Welcome to the group.
I think Jena is going to join too. Yay!
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Cool. No, I don't remember you by name Sarah, but I probably would recognize you if I saw you. I was in the group with Lori-Ann, Pam, and another girl who showed up maybe twice during the whole semester (forgot her name). Our group met in the other room and had the hardest time trying to stay focused.
I went ahead and posted on the introduction thread in greater detail. Just posted the initial introduction so that you would all know that I wasn't some psycho stalker or something. Though that would make things interesting... ;)
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They psycho stalker is an important demographic to my writing.
Anyway, we've got plenty of people. I'm coming up, so you'd better get this party started. Because of Family Home Evening, Monday's a bad day. Tues and Wed nights are not good for Shrain's Class. Friday night is not good for Robert. I guess that leaves Thursday night. Is everyone good with that? I'm thinking 9 eastern, 7 mountain, 6 pacific, and I guess that means 10am Taiwan.
Are there problems with this time?
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Thursdays, 9 EST, would be perfect for me.
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Out of curiousity, I'm guessing that you guys aren't doing this via online posts due to the need to set a time. What's the communication format?
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That works great for me. And yeah, how are we doing this? I assume one of the various IM systems? I'm on MSN, AIM, and Yahoo myself.
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It's usually IM (MSN) or IRC, depending on what everyone has accounts for. It's pretty easy to set up an IRC account (and this from someone not very savvy about those kinds of things).
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All I have is MSN, but I suppose I could find out how to get whatever the majority has.
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MSN
YIM
AIM
I've any of those, though I prefer the first two. AIM is buggy at best.
~J
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I have YIM for sure. But I think I have an old MSN account I can activate. If not, I can get one and then use IM. That's probably what we should use since SE already does.
So when do we want to start the rotations? Do we want to critique just one story/chapter per session or maybe two? Probably just one, I'm thinking. Isn't that how the Abrige Speculists group does it, SE? Anyway, we could meet three times a month so that it doesn't take as long to get thru the rotation. What do you think?
Hey, Rosencrantz, are you still interested?
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Well, I am going to bow out of the writer's group idea. I just crunched my schedule and realized I need five of me to keep up with what I'm doing. If I don't get my next novel into Deseret Book within the next two months, I will likely tick off my editor and then I'll be back on the twinkie diet due to stress. And I can't work on the novel until I finish the tech manual I already got paid to write. So I apologize and know you will all survive without me (I can already hear the collective sigh of relief) ;D
Good luck, and if it's possible in a couple of months to crash your writer's group, would you still have me or would it be too late?
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No problem. Don't feel guilty or anything. When you do have a freer schedule, check back with us. Good luck with all your deadlines!
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Yes, I'm still quite interested. 7 Provo time, thursday, you say? I have Brandon's class every thursday until 7:20, technically, though we usually get out earlier. I also have Leading Edge at 7:30 on thursday and I just made a promise to start going more. Sooooo.... basically that and tuesdays are the only night of the week I actually have something going on. If that's the only night available to you guys, I might just have to beg out. Or, I'll submit comments and stuff in absentia. For referance, I have MSN and AIM (though I use Trillian for overall governance) Well, let me know.
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Thanks Shrain! I appreciate the offer of being allowed to play.
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De nada, jules.
Rosencrantz: shoot, it's too bad you can't meet on Thur. :( Bad news is that I think Thur is the night we all had available. Good news is that you could try joining the Speculists group if you can meet when they do. That way you wouldn't have to be an "absent" member. Sorry about that, though.
Okay, so it looks like we've got:
Shrain
SE
Robert_Boyd
Jena
Mistress of Darkness
Lightning Eater
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ok, the above list, meeting on Thursday.
Who submits first? I'm beginning work on the actual second draft of The Heir of Ungrith (instead of just planning it), and I expect to have the first five chapters in a couple weeks. so if we're meeting every week, I'll be happy to go Mar 16. Someone else should step up for Mar 9, though. I suppose if someone has something ready RIGHT NOW they could send it out for a meeting on Mar 2 (This coming Thursday). Volunteers?
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Um, I won't be able to submit right away. :( I'm revising Ch 1 big-time for my Emerson writing group--something I've been wanting to do but kept making myself put off. I get in this editorial revising loop that can keep me from writing new stuff. However, this group wants a better handle on my world (they've only read ch 1 and ch 7). So I won't be ready to send something out this week. Sorry!
You know, I keep telling my group that I can't be expected to fit *everything* about my world solely into chapter 1 and that the synopsis I gave them should help them grasp this new setting. But I have two additional scenes I've been needing to put in ch. 1 anyhow. The cool thing is that they love my characters enough that they don't mind reading ch. 1 again.
So I guess I'll bow to their demands. (shrug) Once I do that, though, I'll have chs 1-7 to submit in intervals over the next few months whenever my rotation comes up! Plus I'll be pressing forward. :D
Does anyone have something for Mar. 9th?? And do we want to meet 3x or 4x a month?
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Okay, so it looks like we've got:
Shrain
SE
Robert_Boyd
Jena
Mistress of Darkness
Oh, am I in it?
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Uh, whoops! Sorry I left you off the list. If you can meet on Thursdays at 7pm MST, then I'm sure you're welcome to join. (Unless SE says otherwise for reasons unknown to me! I must defer to the Powers That Be, after all.)
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How long are the meetings?
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I'm guessing they'll be around 1 hr, based on the other group's meetings.
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They usually last an hour (that's about the time SE starts losing interest and wanders off), depending on how much there is to cover, or how bad your story is. So when you submit stuff for comments, make sure it's short enough to cover in an hour--usually about 30 pages, give or take.
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Only to get ice cream!
My distractedness simply becomes more evident after an hour. I'm very ADD. I do read everythign, I just get less vocal as time goes on.
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Haha. SE's comments are always helpful, even when he and MoD are arguing. Only don't expect him to last beyond an hour. That's just how he is. Plus it gets too close to his bedtime.
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Ice cream and sleep. The two most absolute necessities, of course. So I can't fault SE for either of them. lol.
Yep, we'll try to keep it to an hour and everyone should submit 30 or less. Hey, shouldn't we exchange emails via PMs here pretty soon? Also, it seems like some of our members don't check TWG that often (since some haven't posted in a while). Kind of worries me, actually. But, anyhow, email addresses are a must. SE's is public, of course. Most of ours aren't, though. So let's email swap.
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go ahead and just email th4em all to me. I'll compile a list. My email is public, after all.
anyway, who is submitting for our first meeting?
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Well, if no one else is up for it; I'd be willing to submit the first couple chapters of Krystal Unbalanced for the March 9th meeting. I'll email it off to everybody sometime late this Saturday if that's acceptable (figure a week is plenty of time for people to have a chance to look at it). It's not especially long (my chapters tend to be a couple thousand words long) so if someone else wants to submit something else as well that'd probably be fine.
I don't have any problems with people knowing my email. My MSN is [email protected] and my regular email (for sending submissions to) is [email protected]
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Robert, that sounds fine. Why not submit the first 30 pages or so, however many chapters that is. I think if we get it by this Sat, we'll be fine for a Mar. 9th kick-off. If no one objects, then we can shoot for that.
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OK, I have everyone's address except Lightning Eater. As an admin, I have can see the address in his account though. Should I just use that hotmail account?
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Hey, what's Lightning's real name anyhow? It's not on the Introduce Yourself thread, and I don't think I've ever come across it elsewhere. I know everyone else's, but realized I didn't know his.
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Do we want to at least briefly get together tomorrow for the sake of making sure that everyone can get on IM and doing basic meet and greet stuff? That way for the next meeting we can focus in quickly on the writing work having already worked through any technical issues or such.
Thoughts?
~J
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OK, I have everyone's address except Lightning Eater. As an admin, I have can see the address in his account though. Should I just use that hotmail account?
That's the one I use.
Hey, what's Lightning's real name anyhow? It's not on the Introduce Yourself thread, and I don't think I've ever come across it elsewhere. I know everyone else's, but realized I didn't know his.
It's Michael.
By the way, isn't my email visible on my profile?
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I'll be on my MSN account at the meeting time tomorrow ([email protected]) so if you want to IM me and say hi, feel free. :)
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Hey, Robert, I'll see if I can't be at the computer at the same time and make sure everything works.
Michael (thanks for the name:)), you have the option of not showing your email. Just unclick the "Hide Email from public?" checkbox and it'll show up when people click on your profile.
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I never assume that the email on profile is the accurate one.
I sent an email out with all the info I have, so everyone should now know everything I do. Just need Shrain's and Jena's msn identities.
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SE, it's [email protected]. Same prefix as my yahoo account. :)
Edit: Hey, so has Izzy had her baby? She was super close to delivering, if I remember right.
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haven't heard, but d'oh! forgot to include her on that mailing
I'll resend
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OK, I got the full "lizst" now. Cool.
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Yeah, that's my nerdy music side. My friends mom had a memo pad on the fridge labeled "Chopin Liszt"
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Actually it's possible thursday might not work for me either, since one of the things I do is restarting for the spring and there was some talk of changing days, but I doubt it will end up on thursday, and if it does I'll know in at least a week or two. Sorry about that.
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Dag nab it! I hope you don't get stuck working on Thur. :(
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This weekend looks like it's going to be busy for me. Okay if I submit my story on Monday (US Sunday night)? I could use a little extra time to polish it up a bit.
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Monday should be fine.
Sorry I wasn't on last night, I had stuff come up. I've seen half the group on MSN so far though, so it should work.
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Tis okay. We had a good time chatting with the three of us that were there. Though Shrain may never forgive me for exploding her main character. :) We're making it better! We are!
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I'm just glad my stupidity could amuse someone.
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Though Shrain may never forgive me for exploding her main character.
lol. I won't say it wasn't an explosive moment for me as a writer. :-/ The weird thing is that I almost expected it to happen. Yet I needed someone else to step in and light the fuse, you know. *sigh*
Oddly enough, I'm somewhat relieved. I was being too twisty and turny in my plot, really. I'm already pondering a lot of different ways to piece things back together. Tonight I'll do a more formal brainstorming session, I think. Or I might do it tomorrow--let things simmer a bit more.
The good thing is that my two other main characters and some supporting characters shouldn't need to be slated for demolition as far as I can tell.
BUT that doesn't mean you're off the hook, Jena. ;) Ya gotta help me clean up this mess for pete's sake!
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Heh...I've been mulling on it all morning. I should have an email for you in a bit with questions and random bits to maybe pull into your brainstorming.
:)
That's me, lighting fuses. Give me a pair of scissors and I will run with them.
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Ok, I won't be able to make the meetings, I'll be able to go to the first one or two, but I don't know what the point of that would be.
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d'oh!
let us know if things change.
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Yeah, please do. Sorry your schedule got changed, Michael.
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O, Robert, why hast thou forsaken us?
I'm anxiously awaiting your submission, man. Just wondering if you're still going to give us something to tear apart on Thur. ;) Did your computers at work have a meltdown again or something?
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Nah, the computer hasn't blown up. I'm working on the story right now. Expect to get it in a few hours. :)
Glad to hear that Jena managed to work some explosions into that convoluted story of yours Sarah. ;)
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Um, I know this is probably a little late, but if it's ok I'd like to be in the writing group. :-[
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I don't think it's too late seeing as how we haven't even had our first meeting yet. I included you in the list of emails that I sent to.
I just sent off my submission for this week. If you didn't get it, email me.
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Yeah, we're just assuming your email on your account is both your mailing email and your MSN account.
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*chuckles* Blowing holes in other people's stuff...that's my job. :) Though I also do my best to help patch the holes back up. Yes, Shrain, that means there is still an email coming your way with suggestions and stuff now that I've read more and have a better feel for it. I'm trying to finish that up today so I can start going through Robert's stuff for Thursday.
~J
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Thanks, Jena.
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Ok, thanks. My msn account is the one I use most often so that isn't a problem.
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Someone brought up the idea of naming this writing group. Anyone have any suggestions?
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I like to give it a couple meetings to get the feel for the group first.
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I agree, since everything I'd come up with at the moment would be phenominially silly and possibily not appropriate to our final make up.
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Good idea, e. (That "someone" Robert referred to was me btw. lol). But I think it'll be smart to hold off a bit until we see how we all come together.
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Sooo...this week. Thursday March 9th, 7 PM MST, 9 PM EST, writing group through MSN messenger. We're reviewing Robert's piece. If you didn't get it dogpile on him and get it sent your way. :)
BTW...Shrain did you get the write up on your stuff? I haven't heard from you and want to make sure I didn't cause anything else to explode. No burst veins or anything. :)
~J
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Well, you've really done it this time, Jena. I had to special order a couple pints of AB+ thanks to your literary bloodletting. Ouch.
lol. I'm kidding, naturally. Anyway, yes, I did get the comments. Thanks so much! I haven't had time to read thru all of them, because I'm working on this huge project for this prof I work for. Blah.
I'm really hoping that your feedback helps me figure out how to simplify C'Nia's magic w/o totally getting rid of it because that presents a whole load of other problems. Hmm, we'll see. I will go through everything before we meet tomorrow night, just in case a few of you want to hang around and bat some more ideas back and forth.
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Oh, Great and Powerful SE, why hast thou foresaken us? We met without thee last night. *pouts*
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Thanks a bunch for all your comments guys. It was very grueling, but useful. Sorry you couldn't make it e.
And thanks for the advice Jena about being able to say at any time "Sorry guys, but this part of the story is still under construction on the moment, enough with the questions, you can critique it when it's down on paper."
I think we need to lay some more guidelines for the structure of the meeting. Since this was the first one, it was understandably rather chaotic.
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I wasn't there because I suxxor. However, I did kill J'Nah and befriend Deekin the kobold bard. Does that make up for it?
(I forgot! Even though I was thinking about it all day!)
Someone send me a log and I'll respond to it in an email to Mr. Boyd.
Normally structure involves the writer asking questions about specific concerns, then turning it over to the others to bring up their concerns that hte writer didn't address. The writer is the one in charge. He says when we move on. Too much speculation about what happens in the future is usually not productive.
Anyway, I'm *really* sorry. I'm a stupid head.
Are we still on for next week? the 16th? I feel too guilty to submit my chapters for then at this point, having missed last night. So someone else can go.
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Hmm. I didn't save the conversation 'cuz I thought Robert was. Then I found out he didn't since it would've just been in Chinese. lol. He took notes, though. I could also email my typed up comments, if you want, you forgetful jones! ;)
Oh, and I think it's good to have the author ask a few questions up front about his/her concerns and *then* have him/her enter the Zone of Silence so we can discuss without undue influence. I like starting off with stating the postive stuff, too.
We definitely need to appoint a time referee, though! Otherwise we'll quickly become the Neverending kind of group.
Edit: I think Jena's going next, btw. :)
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Yeah, my computers are being sutpid right now so I can't submit.
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Smooth move E! Though we still luff ya anyway.
I have a log of the evening, but it's on my home computer. I'll see about cleaning it up and sending it out for those that want it.
I do think adding a little bit of structure would be helpful to our meetings, since we have shown in the last two that we do tend to get going. :)
My thoughts were a couple fold:
1: When a work is submitted to the group some additional information to go in the email.
.) The intended audience. YA, for example, is a broad span of folks. The language considerations and such is different based on the age of the audience. Gender concerns may also come into play. The Anne of Green Gables books are written very specifically for girls and women. Doesn't mean men can't read them or don't enjoy them, but it changes the expectation of the readers.
.) How complete is the work? Is this the first time scribble on something without much fleshing out having gone into it? Or the first chapter of something that's been entirely completed?
2: I really like the idea of starting with the positive and ending with supportive suggestions and positive. No, we don't need to be blowing hot air, but it's much easier to face rewrites and such if you feel like there are redeeming things that are worth the effort of fixing.
3: The "Zone of Silence" is a good thing, but then everyone else needs to be quiet and give the author a chance to address the points that are brought up, both the positive and the negative. I think we kept cutting Robert's train of thought off last night and want to keep things moving forward in a way that is helpful for everyone.
More ideas as they strike me.
~J
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Good. Very good. I agree on all counts.
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I agree that the writer ought to be the one in charge of the structure making sure to give everyone a little time to address concerns that the writer didn't address. As long as the writer is thick-skinned and doesn't get all defensive, I think we can do away with the zone of silence.
EDIT: Don't worry about sending your submission to us this week e. I'm looking forward to reading it. :D
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I agree. E...go ahead and send to us. I'll be ready for next week.
~J
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I was talking to Lightning Eater about the Writing Group and at one point he said he'd still be able to come to at least half of the meetings, including this week's, if that's okay with everyone. So can whoever's submitting to remember to send it to him too?
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Lucky your you, SE, we're a forgiving bunch. ;) I'm fine with reading your submission next, too.
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Thanks a bunch for everything guys. Thanks to:
1) your comments at the writing meeting
2) church today
3) me reading the first half of Matilda by Roald Dahl on the way home from church
4) a comment from one of my friends that it'd be funny if Sirak wore glasses
I've come up with some big ideas and major changes that I'm really excited about. It's not really that I'm changing the destination so much as that I've discovered a route that I think will make the getting there so much more elegant and interesting. :D
This week - brainstorming up my basic outline. Next week - Conquer the world! (I mean write like a maniac).
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Uhm... it's not here with me. HOw late is too late?
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I'm not fussed as long as we have it by tomorrow and it's less than 100 pages to read and have ready for critque in 2 days.
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Less than 100 pages? yikes. Jena, what're you tryin' to do to me? I thought we were setting the limit at around 30! ;) *That* I can do, if we get it by tomorrow or tonight.
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Heh...30 is good too. I just thew out 100 off the top of my head. :P
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Heck, I can *write* that by tomorrow night.
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egads! You god types are always so prolific. *grumbles*
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Then stop talking and get to writing.:P
And remember to send it to Lightning Eater.
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Oooooh.... great gooiness E...where is your piece!?!?
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gooiness? More like Spidey-ness, I should think. He's too enraptured with his new "precious" to bother with writing!
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I have a chapter! I'm just retarded! I was hoping to get chapter 2 done, but it' won't be. So I am sending out chapter 1 (10 pages) in just a few moments.
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Chapter received. YAY for you. ;)
I'll have pages for next week that I'll try to get out by this weekend.
~J
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Okay, I'm totally confused.
Are we meeting tomorrow or next week?
I don't think I got Robert's submission, so if someone could send it to me and the questions that should be addressed, I'll be happy to send comments.
And, with my 2.5 week old & 21 month old, 6 o'clock has been proving to be very difficult to make it to the writing groups, just as a heads up. Things will be better in a month or two.
Saint, do you think you could post the meeting schedule on www.writing-group.org (I can't remember the actual url)? Something on the front page that says "Writing Group2, next meeting Thursday March 15th, discussing E's submission"?
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Okay, I'm totally confused.
Are we meeting tomorrow or next week?
Yes.
both of them.
Mine is tomorrow, Jena's is next week.
Saint, do you think you could post the meeting schedule on www.writing-group.org (I can't remember the actual url)? Something on the front page that says "Writing Group2, next meeting Thursday March 15th, discussing E's submission"?
I let that domain go. I do run the #writer web site, but it's not an appropriate place to put that. uhm.... I can still do it, but you'll have to tell me where you want it. Your options:
http://www.thelemur.net/writer (or some variation of the word 'write,' or perhaps the group's name once we know it)
http://www.herbertlives.com/writer
uhm.
that's it. Which domain do you prefer?
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Hi, Izzy. (You should call yourself "Supermama" not just "Mama," imho, what with trying to work in a writing group too! ;)) I just sent Robert's submission to your gmail account.
As for when we're meeting..... Now that SE has *finally* sent his piece, I thought we'd meet as usual. But it sounds like Jena can't get to it by tomorrow night. Not sure about Fastor or Lightning. Speaking for myself, I have enough time to read it and respond, so I dunno what the deal is at this point. ???
P.S. Do you have everyone's MSN handle?
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I'm good for meeting if we only have 2 or 3 people (besides me). Nessa, who is helping with the original draft in Abridged Speculists, wants to join us for meeting when we're talking about mine, so she might be there tomorrow. As long as I know at least 2 other people will be there, I'll show up.
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Yeah, I might be coming on Thursday when SE's stuff is up for review.
I also offer my domain for posting current writing group schedules for both groups. Plus, I'm more organized than SE. Not trying to offend, but you get a little scattered sometimes, bud. Besides, I'm at home and not as busy.
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As long as I know at least 2 other people will be there, I'll show up.
Or so he says... lol. At least with his piece up for review, he'll probably remember. ;)
Nessa's coming! yay. :D
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*blinks at Shrain* Huh? Course I can get to it by tomorrow night. The pages I'm referring to for next week is my piece for ya'll to slaughter. :P
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oh. hehe. Got it.
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Or so he says... lol. At least with his piece up for review, he'll probably remember. ;)
Nessa's coming! yay. :D
My wife even bought ice cream. I'm so there.
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In a muuuch earlier thread...like page 9 of 9, stacer posted a link to http://www.rickwalton.com/writers/critique.htm. I wandered there today and this is a great resource for critiquing, both for those of us that have been in writing groups before and those that are new to the process. It looked like it was worth a repost with a second group getting underway.
~J
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Ex-cellent. I think I'll have to go to Hannaford and get some Fudge Tracks. Low fat, of course. That way I can eat twice as much. ;)
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To prove that I am obsessive compulsive, here's (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm) an ugly, but usable, schedule.
Just for Izzy. Because we love her.
Make sure to bookmark it. I will update it weekly. If Shrain so desires, she can email me a month or two of meeting dates/submitters and I'll add it.
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Yeah, sounds great . . . but we'll have to set up a submission rotation first! hehe. We got off to a rocky start, what with e's absence and all. Plus, we got carried away with Robert's story, so we didn't set one up. But I'd like to go next after Jena, if that's okay with everyone. Then maybe Fastor, since Izzy's just had a baby. And then Izzy.
Robert
SE
Jena
Shrain
Fastor
Izzy
(Lightning? Probably not, since his work schedule is changing, I think)
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Whoa! That's quite a few people to be in one group!
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Ok. Updated.
As for Izzy, she hasn't even submitted to the AS group, so she may not for your group. Likely not time to write, with the little ones and all. But if she does decide to submit, she'll tell us, and we'll fit her in wherever she wants.
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The calendar looks awesome!!
Yeah, I'm more a reader than a writer. I will do my best to be there tomorrow.
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I can set up an app that will automatically tell us who is who and probably send out an email if you just tell me where you want it.
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Yeah, I'm more a reader than a writer. I will do my best to be there tomorrow.
Oh, yeah. I kinda forgot about that stipulation... I was getting all wrapped up in the hunt for my alter ego (which Tink seems to have won, beating out the ninja monkeys for the win. lol).
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Thank you for the schedule. That's very helpful and appreciated. :) The app for reminders could be way cool too.
I was also thinking, looking at that list of folks involved, if we could do an updated distribution list with the emails everyone wants subs sent to? I know my list doesn't have everyone on it and I don't want to miss folks when I'm ready to send out.
~J
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Umm...e, is there a reason you haven't sent me your submission? Also, like Jena I need everyone's e-mail, since I only have some of them. Lightning said that he would be able to come to around half of the meetings. Other than that I'm fine with everything, but consider this an early warning; based on the way our computers have been behaving lately there is a small (really small) chance that they all might die and I won't be able to submit. But like I said, it probably won't happen. Nessa, the calendar is awesome! :)
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the email intended for you was unfortunately intercepted by a rag tag band of pathetic Pirate fey creatures. Rest assured that they have been captured and punished and the manuscript should be in your inbox as we speak.
Also, I can't figure out why you weren't already in my address book, but you weren't. So there you go.
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I can't figure out why you weren't already in my address book, but you weren't.
I'll hazard a guess: pathetic Pirate fey creatures? (Hmm, I'll have to get myself some of them so I can blame them for everything. ;))
Anyway, I'm reading your piece right now, e. :)
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Jena, I command you to send forth your submission! The itty bitty taste you gave me has run out. I need more. More, I tell you!
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Heh...I'm gathering email addresses and will send stuff out here in a bit.
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Goody. Can't wait for more blood . . . and Ben. ;)
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Okay, submission sent out. Let me know if anyone else that want it didn't get it. It's 34 pages long, paranormal story. Or at least the first part of it. :)
~J
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I didn't get it.
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I didn't get it.
I sent it to you, Robert, along w/ Jena's "rating advisory." lol
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I got it. Lightning stop making fun of me! ;)
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I got it.
Are we supposed to post when we get it?
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I won't dignify you with an answer to that question. Though I do take that to mean that you got it/are coming this week and will not forget?
Edit: Wasn't there talk of only meeting three times a month? Not that I'm complaining, the more the merrier! I was/am just a little confused by the schedule
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I just assumed that it was four times a month. If that isn't true, someone tell me and I'll fix it.
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I figured four times a month, with skipped weeks as necessary if everyone can't be around. For the hour that it takes even having 3-4 people is still worth getting together in my opinion.
~J
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Yeah, that's fine with me. Even if one of us needs a hiatus one week, the rest of us can do a crit.
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Yeah, we've got enough people in the group that if a few people want to take a break every once in a while, it's no biggie since the others can cover for them.
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I just have to say that Jena rocks! She's a super IM pal, helping me muddle through all kinds of problem spots in my novel--and all while she's at work. ;)
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:-[, I feel really embarrassed for missing. I fell asleep, no forgetting, just my body demanding rest and forcing me into slumber. Could someone send me the conversation so I can know what was said?
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So, planning on sending this week's submission in soon, Sarah? :)
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I missed too. :( I haven't gotten used to being in 2 writing groups yet. I did read and would love to give comments on anything Jena still needs/wants comments on.
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We missed ya, Faster and Izzy! Jena is in Disneyland right now, and so she'll have to send you the conversation log later (unless someone else saved it?).
So, planning on sending this week's submission in soon, Sarah? :)
Um, yep, sorry. :-[ Battling some writer's block yesterday and today, but I'm working on my chapter right now. With any luck, I'll have it ready before 7:30 so I can make it to ward FHE. Sure hope so, I've also got to submit it to my Emerson group for Wed.! yipes.
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Ok, cool, looking forward to it.
Umm, so, would anyone happened to have saved it besides Jena?
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Okey dokey, everyone. You've got mail. :)
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I'm happy to look at comments anyone wants to drop my way: jenarey at gmail dot com. :) I'm going to rework this first part for my next sub, so the sooner the better.
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Okay, now I fell really embarrased, two weeks in a row, dang it. :(
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hmmph!
/me sulks and refuses to speak to Faster.
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If it makes you feel better I still feel really bad...
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Hmm. Will someone tell Faster for me that I'd feel even better if he emailed any comments he may've made on my submission? ;)
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I would, but I"m not speaking to him since he doesn't show up to writer's group. ;)
so. Faster and Lightning Eater are the only two who haven't submitted yet. Without one of them stepping up, and y'know, actually coming around one thursday, we'll be skipping next week.
We also need to name the group, I think.
I like The Dirty Kobolds. Not because it's necessarily descriptive, but because it sounds funny.
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Kobolds, kobolds!! Hey, wait.... who're you callin' dirty??
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How does this affect the schedule? I'm needing input.
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Unless Faster or Lightning pipe up soon with a promise to come to the meeting and a chapter to send out, we're going to cancel next week's meeting so that SE has more time to write before submitting again. Robert's not ready to submit for a while since he's re-working a lot of things. So put SE down for April 13th, if you would. Thanks, Nessa!
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OK. I think I got it fixed. Does this (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm) work?
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I think that looks great! Thanks
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Now I feel really stupid, can anyone tell it was end of term this week and so I've been cramming for it? I've been logged in all this time haven't I? You guy were probably waiting for me to reply. Ok, looks like I'll just have to wait and try to do better next time. Feel free to kick me in the shins anytime now.
Edit: Shrain, If you don't get my comments by tonight you'll get them before the first Sunday session.
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So who is submitting for next week and when are you planning on submitting?
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1) me
2) tonight or tomorrow.
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Got it. I sure hope I make it to Thursday night... This week is beyond hectic. Apt hunting, new job, major homework. Blah!
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I have too much homework to be able to do tonight's meeting.
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It's tomorrow, see today is Wednesday, we meet on Thursday.
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yes, it is tonight. And I want you all there so I can feel loved.
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I finished reading the submission this afternoon, so I'll be there.
And I'm really looking forward to my next submission (next month apparently based on the schedule). As I mentioned in another thread, I scrapped Krystal Unbalanced entirely for a new novel which I'm using a different philosophy to write (basically, everything and I do mean everything is subordinant to whether or not it makes the novel funnier). The new novel's name? MaZoGiDeSto: A Magical Zombie Girl Detective Story. I apologize in advance to anyone in our writing group who isn't in my target audience (i.e. anyone who doesn't have a similar sense of humor as I do).
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I'm going to try to come. No promises, though, but I have read the chapters. (Since daylight savings, the boys go to bed at 8pm, which has thrown the whole routine off, and affects when I can get online...)
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Very nearly finished reading. I'll be there as soon as I get home from the gym. :)
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Yep, I'll be there, and no, I won't forget this time.
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I'll be there. I'm excited to talk about e's chs.
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So, when is the next submission coming? The schedule says that it's your turn Jena, and I'm assuming your going to be able to. I want time to be able to look over it and then be able to screw around for the rest of spring break, excluding the actual meeting.
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Yep. It's me. I'm nearly ready to turn it back to your gentle hands. Prolly this afternoon or this evening at the latest. :)
~J
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Ok, thanks, looking forward to it.
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Cool. I'm definitely going to read it but.... well, I'm moving this week! Yep, it's going to be nuts. So I think I'll just have to email you my comments. Sorry. :-[
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Well...apparently Gmail ate my sub and didn't send it to anyone but E. Bad bad gmail...sooo...I'm going to add a bit to the end so you've got a more significant chapter and resend it and we'll try again next week.
Sorry.
~J
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I updated the schedule to reflect the changes.
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Okay, color me selfish but I'm happy that gmail messed up because now I won't miss workshopping Jena's chapter. Woot!
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You mean to tell me that even though I couldn't get on the computer because my mom needed it I still managed not to miss it because of a fluke? Awesome!
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Heh...guess it turned out for the best. I'll be sending out the new sub, a little longer this time. this afternoon. Sooo...if you don't have it in your hot little hands by tomorrow morning PLEASE let me know.
Thanks,
~J
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Um, guys, I won't have internet at my new apt. until Friday night. :( And on Thursday night, I'll be in the final stages of unpacking and cleaning anyway. So.... sorry Jena! I'll have to send you comments later, k? And somebody send me the log of the group, pretty please. Thanks!
P.S. Don't worry, I'll send my submission to y'all on Sat or Sunday once my internet is up, and I've tamed the clutter of moving.
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Would this be a good time to let you know I don't have it? Or am I just up early enough that you haven't sent it?
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I lost power last night, so nothing went out. Stupid construction trucks that muck with powerlines. I'll send during my break a bit later this morning.
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I am confirming that I *have* received the latest copy of the submission.
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I've gotten it
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Got it, though I won't be able to participate. :( Somebody send me the log when you get the chance so at least I'll know what went on. Like, if one of her characters explodes or something. ;)
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I've been having problems with my home internet connection (on the work computer right now) so I'm not sure that I'll be there.
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I will be there, and probably on time.
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Man this really sucks, my sister was on the computer doing "homework" which is to say she was chatting with freinds. I so cannot wait for when we get the network up and running.
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well, it was jsut me and Jena. Short meeting. Who's next?
Looks like Shrain.
We should name the group now too. I still like Dirty Kobolds, but no one got excited about that. So... come up with some names.
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How about The Unattenders? :)
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LOL. Wow, too bad that FMP's suggestion fits us so well....
Jena knows why I couldn't come, being incredibly sick and trying to move to a new apt at the same time. :P I still don't have internet at home because I have to hook it up myself and it appears that I need to get another part. uck. Hopefully I will sort it out soon.
I'll email the submission asap guys.
EDIT: Submission sent!
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Shoot! I just realized that my choir concert is tomorrow, it starts at six and ends at nine. So as far as this goes consider it a warning that I won't be able to make it tomorrow.
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Well, the Unattenders it is, then....
Ironically, I myself might not be able to attend, simply because I still can't get my internet connection figured out. :-[ I'm so annoyed with myself!! Why, oh, why didn't I just fork out another $60 and have the cable guy do everything!
If I haven't posted a "This is a Go" message on the board by 8, then just consider this session nixed, regretably so. Sorry, guys. But PLEASE give me feedback via email when you can, if you would be so kind and awesome!
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let me state that I don't really care for the unattenders at all as a name.
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LOL. Ahhh, e. You know I did that just to watch you get all edgy about the name. heh.
Well, also just as an acknowledgement that our group seems to be falling into tatters. :(
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Maybe it's the frequent meetings. If we took a week off a month, it might be good for us.
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I'll be there, no problems. If we need to take some time off that's all right, or we may need to recruit a few more members, since right now if one or two can't attend it hits our numbers pretty dang hard.
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Well, I did it!
Sort of. Can't get the wireless router to work, but at least the modem is working when I plug it in directly to my laptop. So that means I'll be there tonight! :)
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Okay, I'm confused. Am I submitting this week or is Shrain? Or are we taking a week off?
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We did shrain. Send me some manuscript love, boy!
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Ok, good. I'm not quite done, so I should be sending it out later tonight, and if I forget then early wednsday morning (like half an hour ago early)
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I still haven't seen the sub for this week.
We getting one???
~J
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/me pokes FMP with a ninja monkey
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Okay guys, I'm really sorry, but I just found out I have an art show that I have to go to for credit in art (go figure) so I won't be able to make it. If Robert would be willing to trade me weeks that would be great, but otherwise I'll have to wait till next week. I can send the sub now, or I can send it later and make it better since I'm not really all that happy with it now.
Anyway, I figure you guys are getting just as tired of me missing as I am, but things will quiet down in a couple of weeks when school gets out. So yeah, sorry again.
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Me submitting something this week isn't going to happen. Sorry. I'm busy organizing my life and my time to try to make sure that I can manage all my projects and writing and work without going crazy. We'll see how the rest of the month goes.
I dunno about everyone else, but I would prefer if we did away with the weekly meetings. Instead of getting together online, the person submitting just sends off his submission and everyone emails him their comments by the deadline. It would solve this whole time issue with people not showing up. Plus, writing meetings are feeling like a burden to me as I'll read the story, have a few comments to make that I could write up in an email in about 10 minutes and yet I have to come to the meeting and spend a good chunk of my non-work day listening to other's complaints & questions, everyone going off on tangents, the writer explaining parts of the story that haven't been written up yet, etc.
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the part about meetings is that you can get response to the feedback. That's what I need. There's a lot of things that someone brings up that I feel differently about, and the author needs those separate viewpoints.
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I agree with E. I already have several folks that give me email feed back on various pieces. The value for me of a writer's group is being able to get together and talk about just the things that Robert brought up. Questions, explanations, things that make me think, different viewpoints, possibilities for changes in the plot or plot twists. The immediate feedback and discussion is valuable in a way that just getting my marked up copy back isn't. Not that the marked up copy doesn't help, but it doesn't give me that interactive input.
Robert, it may be that this type of group doesn't work for what would be most helpful for you. You have seemed very frustrated with the time required and the nature of the discussion the last couple of sessions. I'm sure everyone in group would still be happy to help with your submissions in the way that is most helpful for you, but I think the group should continue to meet.
I would like to continue group meetings, though we may want to see if we can get a couple more people to fill out our ranks so that on the weeks when not everyone can attend the meeting is still effective. I know of a couple of people that I can talk to that were looking for a chance for inputs and would enjoy it and I'm sure others know folks too.
While getting our numbers up we could move to a 3 times a month or biweekly schedule if that is more helpful on a temporary basis.
Thoughts?
~J
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I have taken liberties with your meeting schedule (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm), and changed a few things around, including a once-a-month day off.
If you have issues, let me know.
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Just my 2 cents about meeting online...
Like Jena, I also have people who give me feedback via email, and I've found I get much better feddback from an online meeting with the writing group. It's helped my story tremendously, in ways that no one from emailed feedback has given me.
Plus, I also wanted to offer to attend on nights when you need an extra reviewer--when I can. I probably won't be submitting here (since I already do at the other group), but I could show up every once in a while. Especially since I already do when you review SE's story.
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Looks like I'm going to withdraw from the writing group. Although I'm still working on and off on my novel, my major writing project at the moment isn't the kind of thing I think anyone here is interested in (I've teamed up with a coder friend to translate a Chinese RPG about a girl who turns into a mermaid into English), and well, as Jena said, I've been getting really frustrated over how inefficient the writing group has felt to me lately, between meetings that either take forever or are cancelled. And unlike the rest of you, I feel like I get more productive feedback in emails than in drawn out meetings.
Sarah, if you want extra feedback, feel free to keep sending me submissions of your novel. I've rather enjoyed it so far and think it's got potential.
Best of luck to everyone.
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well Robert, we're sad to see you go, and the door's always open, but I think we understand. Feel free to email us (or me at least) if you want some email comments on something.
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Good luck Robert. I'm happy to be helpful in email land too.
~J
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Robert, sad to see ya leave, but that's fine if this isn't your cup of . . . hot chocolate. *ahem* And, sure, I'll send you more stuff when I am up for a session.
I would like to continue meeting and think it'd be great to recruit a few more folks. I like to be able to pursue certain questions as they surface. Email comments are fine for some things, though. Still, the interaction is more pro-actively useful to my writing process.
Nessa, you'd certainly be a welcome addition when you can make it. :)
So... who else can we entrap?
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I'm very sad I won't be able to make it this week, as I have a prior engagement :( But if SE wants to send me chapters I'll send comments.
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My wife, (just this morning, in fact) has announced that she scheduled some old friends to come over for dinner thursday. So *I* will probably not be there. Since I haven't sent my chapters yet, would anyone like to trade?
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Jena perhaps? :D
Hey, SE, how is your wife doing then? Sounds like she's doing pretty good if she's going to be fixing dinner for people.
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well, i'm going to be cooking. On the grill. everyone is bringing bits and pieces of it. so she doesn't have too much to do.
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Wish I had a gas grill! *sigh* I have plenty of space for it outside behind my apartment/house. Can't afford that on top of everything else I've had to buy though!
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My wife, (just this morning, in fact) has announced that she scheduled some old friends to come over for dinner thursday. So *I* will probably not be there. Since I haven't sent my chapters yet, would anyone like to trade?
Goody. I won't miss the meeting to go over your chapters.
And I thought I would note, in an odd concidence, that my husband also designated this Thursday as "BBQing with the neighbors" day, since we're moving in a few weeks, and we want to have a last hurrah with them.
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*chuckles* Grilling good.
I figure we can hit this one of two ways. I can send stuff out tonight. Or we can just skip E for the time being and stay on schedule with me next week, then Sarah then E. Depends on whether he's chomping at the bit with new stuff for us, or if the additional time would be welcome. :)
~J
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I'm chomping nothing but a grapefruit at this time.
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Hey, guess what, you know how I keep having stuff happen right before the meetings? Well this time I have a marching band rehearsal (the first one), don't worry though, they switch to mornings during the summer. But yeah, I'm pretty much booked for the next two weeks or so til school ends, so I guess you could call this a temporary withdrawal from the group.
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Well, I vote for skipping this week 'cuz I've got a big housewarming/double b-day bash to orchestrate. That means I have tons of last minute stuff to do, especially tonight!
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Hey, guess what, you know how I keep having stuff happen right before the meetings? Well this time I have a marching band rehearsal (the first one), don't worry though, they switch to mornings during the summer. But yeah, I'm pretty much booked for the next two weeks or so til school ends, so I guess you could call this a temporary withdrawal from the group.
You aren't scheduled until June 22. Is that enough time for you to re-group or do I need to push you back further?
Well, I vote for skipping this week 'cuz I've got a big housewarming/double b-day bash to orchestrate. That means I have tons of last minute stuff to do, especially tonight!
Done. The schedule is updated.
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It's enough time, I was just warning everyone not to expect me to show up for the rest of the month and posibally the first of June.
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So are you guys still planning on meeting Thursday? If so, it's SE's turn. Do you have chapters ready, yet?
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Far as I know it's SE's turn and I'm bouncing around waiting for his chapters. Mine are almost ready for next week.
SE?
~J
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yeah, about that. It's not here. It's... over there. Do you need more than a day to read a few pages? I mean, it's not like I've written a lot.
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I sent a story out. It's not the next chapters in the novel. It's a short story I'm prepping for the publisher rounds.
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Hey...
so I write crappy supernatural-ish short stories, any advice writer-type-people?
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My advice is to join the writing group. We desperatly need more members.
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Surely, Id love to, what does that entail? gimme the details and Im all in (forgive me for not reading 15ish pages of past posts haha, I skimmed though!)
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I sent a story out. It's not the next chapters in the novel. It's a short story I'm prepping for the publisher rounds.
I didn't get it. :(
Caiticlu - The writer's group meets 3 times a month, Thursdays at 7pm (MST) online, via MSN IM. They read one submission per meeting. You can submit a story for discussion after you've attended a couple of times and have proven that you'll stick around.
Here's a typical schedule:
http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm (Hint: This thread follows writing group 2.)
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Details are as follows:
We meet every Thursday at 7:00, except for the once a month break that we just implemented. (It falls on the first of June this time)
We need your e-mail, prefferably MSN or something compatible.
We switch off who is submitting every week.
So, yeah thats pretty much it, though I'm sure someone else could point out anything I may have missed.
EDIT: dang it Nessa, why'd you have to beat me to the punch!? Every time it happens, I never get to answer questions. Grrrr. ;)
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Cool, I can do that
Im not sure whats msn compatable, but I dont have msn.. I have hotmail, aol, and yahoo... I can get msn if need be...
Ill stick around :) Ill be in Scotland for a couple months, but I can do it from there Im sure.
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I meant a compatible IM, and besides, MSN and hotmail are almost the same thing, you just have to pay for one.
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ah, shows how much I know about that...
so my hotmail [email protected]
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Sounds great!
Tehee, SE misses everything, always posting at six in the morning. I, on the other hand, get the best of both worlds.
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i post at 8 am. It's not my fault you're in the wrong part of the country.
Caiticlu, I will add you to my mailing list tomorrow. I will send you a copy of my story tonight
Nessa, you didn't get it because you aren't an official member of Writing Group 2 (The Writing Group Which Must Not Be Named) and I thought you only wanted copies of the Ungrith rewrites. I'll forward this story to you now though.
more for Caiticlu:
To meet with us you *must* either install MSN Messenger (already on there somewhere if you have XP) or another messaging program that will accomodate them (like Trillian (http://www.trillian.cc). Your hotmail address/pass will log you into the MSN IM network, so you don't have to sign up for anything else. We'll meet tomorrow night at 9pm Easter, 6 Pacific, somewhere in between if you live in between them. I will eat ice cream and tell you all about it.
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Nessa, you didn't get it because you aren't an official member of Writing Group 2 (The Writing Group Which Must Not Be Named) and I thought you only wanted copies of the Ungrith rewrites. I'll forward this story to you now though.
Got it. Yeah, my husband works late tomorrow, so I'll have time. He won't be here to be annoyed that I'm attending a writing group not my own. I just thought I'd help you guys out with attendance until the group stabilizes a little.
And maybe, if you're all lucky, you'll get the second draft of my novel. Eventually.
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Im all set there, I have trillian :)
I wont be around tomorrow night at that time (I thought it was not going on tomorrow?) I have a previous engagement, but later in the evening (like 11 midnight) or another day.
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I thought it was not going on tomorrow.
The schedule was pretty clear, I thought. Don't confuse THIS group "Writer's Group 2" with "Abridge Speculists," which is the other group, which meets on Tuesdays and is on a temporary hiatus.
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Yeah, and about that name.... or lack thereof. We've gotta do something about that.
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I think it would be fun to have a fairly depressing name, and then be all happy and cheerful when new members show up. Why? Because its just so strange it's funny.
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Details are as follows:
We meet every Thursday at 7:00, except for the once a month break that we just implemented. (It falls on the first of June this time)
ah, I was going off of this... I will take another look at the schedule then
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I'm thinking we should call it Republicans for Voldemort. Because it's the Group That Should Not Be Named. and that's a funny T-shirt.
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But first you would have to make sure that everyone in the group was in fact republican.
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But first you would have to make sure that everyone in the group was in fact republican.
Im not... but that would be an amusing name...
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actually, the name can either mean "we're powerful" (we back the scary guy) or "republicans are evil"
it satisfies all points of view.
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so my email and me are not getting along right now, so I have a new address now, just because Im too frustrated with it to fix it at this point.
[email protected]
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Hmm. The Group that Shall Not Be Named. GSNBN. Sounds like a twisted call sign for a news group, not to mention the Voldemort reference. Na bad.
-
Reminder that group is back on this week. Thursday, 7:00 MST.
I should have my piece for reading out tonight. :)
More vampric goodness with the standard disclaimer.
~J
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Happy day! :D
-
warning ahead of time: I *may* not be attending on June 29. We'll be moving the day after, so it depends on how far ahead I get.
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Oh, did you find a place then, SE?
-
indeed we did.
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SE: Yay! You found a house! Does this mean you'll be too busy for the June 20th $ 27th AS meetings? If so, we can change them.
Jena: There's a 80% chance I can attend on Thursday, if you want me to contribute. But I need your story! I don't have it yet (if you did email it to me, re-send it because I've been in the process of moving and my email filter is persnickety).
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I'm positive the 20th is not a problem
the 27th I'm reasonably sure I can make
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Okey dokey. The 27th would be your turn (by the way) so if you can't do the 27th, then we'll just cancel it and shift dates. Jade probably won't be to either meeting in June.
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Nessa, Jena hasn't sent it yet. Darn her! But I'm sure she'll add you to the list.
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It's coming tonight. Since I can't send it from work and last night I fell asleep on the keyboard...classic QWERTY face and gave up. Sooo...once I get home I'll ship it out.
~J
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Okay. I sent the document yesterday so anyone that didn't get it please let me know.
Cya all tonight!
Thanks.
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Hey, all. I'm going to see about getting my submission out to you tonight. So watch for it. (Oh, um, the last thing you guys read was where Ivea killed Bedeau and had a little breakdown, right?)
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Hi guys, sorry I missed last week, our internet connection fizzled out on us and we had to talk to call our ISP to fix it. Jena, I'm really sorry, its not like I have anything against you or your story, fate just hates me.
Also, I won't be able to make it to this week because by the time it starts I'll be trudging my way across Wyoming and towards Martin's Cove for our stakes youth conference.
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I would like to join the writing group.
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I'll forward you Shrain's submission and all the earlier chapters so you can be caught up.
YEsterday I mentioned this to Shrain after lunch and I believe her words were "That would be awesome!"
The problem is, I think, that you don't use MSN, right? We'll have to either use AIM or convert you. Anything's fine in my book. I regularly use Y!IM, AIM, MSN, ICQ, and IRC, so I don't care what we use.
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I got MSN... its [email protected] but I dont have email through them... I dont need an 8th email account.
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well, it's not like I need my hotmail account. All we need is the MSN messenger log on. I'll send to another account.
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I've got two more folks that want to join the group as well. My co-author and another good friend. They both have copies of this week's sub. With new people on some of us doing ongoing pieces may want to send out the whole thing with the new stuff marked. :)
Good to get more folks.
~J
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Yessss!
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that sounded serpentine
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/me flicks out her tongue in glee.
(Those Parceltongue lessons are paying off!) ;D
Hey, Jeffe, SE said you might join our group?!
P.S. Nessa and Jena, I sent the first two chapters of my novel.
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I shall join said "group" if thou wouldst have me.
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Said group says, Score! :D Welcome, welcome, Jeffe.
Um, we should finally get around to naming "Said Group," I think....
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the ardent scribblers?
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heheh. You know, I kind of like the sound of it. Doesn't matter that I'd venture to say that most of us here writers type rather than scribble, 'cuz it's a cool name. That's what counts. ;)
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actually, yes, it's an even better name than Dirty Kobolds.
All in favor of being known as the Ardent Scribblers say "aye!"
Aye.
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It is a cool name, but may I point out that it has the same acronym as Abridge Speculists. So we won't be able to refer to either of them by a shortened name, to avoid confusion.
-
Are you whining? :D
AS and the Scribblers
scribblers is just as short as AS to say.
Or else we could say AS2
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Ok, ok. Sheesh. It was merely an observation.
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aye!
and you could always just say Scrib's
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Updated schedule. (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm)
Fastor will note that he's been booted from the lineup until he gets his act together.
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Awesome schedule work, Nessa. And thanks for coming last night. :)
-
so did you hate us Shrain?
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heh. Only slightly. ;) At times I had a hard time interpreting the bottom line to some feedback but with the help of Jena (who's great at distilling stuff) I feel a lot more confident in why certain things didn't work. Still, I find organization so tough in terms of when and what information I put in the story etc.
Honeslty, I was rather impressed that most of you had read a lot of the previous chapters and not just ch. 3. It really helped and it was enlightening to see how others reacted to my writing for the first time. Also, I got the impression that no one hated it, which is certainly encouraging too. ;) Thanks guys. (I'm always open to hear more praise, of course...)
-
I really like Ch2 and cant wait till its in place... your little girl is quite the misguided monster isn't she.
-
Ah, yes she is, poor thing. I remember when EUOL summed this chapter up (in an early version) by saying, "I loved the creepiness of her carrying around the piece of her dad's skull. Even scarier, though, is that he proposes and then she kills him!"
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well she's pretty much been warped into an evil evil little thing... oddly I saw the skull as the one redeeming quality she has a serious loyalty to family. And Im guessing who's family already. ;)
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oh ho! Well, well. Don't count your hunches 'til they're hatched. ;)
I too liked what the skull fragment represents in her character. It stands to work well throughout the novel as a good symbol (yet I'll be careful not to overplay it).
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what... I was talking about the "borrowed" horse. :P
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/me blinks in confusion.
Huh? You're guessing who's family... to the horse? lol. Hrm. I'm confused.
-
So, SE, we didn't rag on you too terribly about the lifejoining and wedding night, did we?
-
No, not at all
I'm kind of disappointed with my own lack of skill. But it mostly comes back to me not doing chapter 3 right.
Which, as I said, was a pain to write anyway, so I pretty much new it wasn't up to snuff. If I get that chapter setting their perspectives right, then your other complaints are nullified, I think, other than a few minor changes.
-
Ah, good good. Yeah, writing at night can sometimes just be more trouble than it's worth.
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Fastor will note that he's been booted from the lineup until he gets his act together.
I'd like to point out that I really had nothing to do with not sending my submission and missing the group. I had it all ready and was going to send it out Saturday night or Sunday morning after I got back from my trek.
The problems (that's right; plural) started when my mom came up to Wyoming and picked me up instead of having me go back with everyone else. We ended up camping (against my will) until Monday, and then as we were going home my mom sort of fell asleep at the wheel and ended up hitting a bunch of those orange barrel things before going off the road and ripping a huge whole in the gas tank.
We got the car towed to a repair shop in Cheyenne and were only planning to stay the night, but then when we called the next morning to check on it the mechanic ended up telling us that the guys that towed the car in hadn't left any papers so they hadn't known what the heck the car was doing there. Long story short it took until the next day for them to look at it, and when they did they told us what we already knew; there was a big hole in the gas tank.
From there we went to AAA to sort things out, and then spent half a day looking for the right replacement tank (it turns out that there aren't very many gas tanks for a '94 Grand Caravan all wheel drive). When we finally located one it was 350 miles away round trip in Colorado. So we went and got it in a rental, and then took it into a new repair shop (my mom doesn't like idiots) the next day.
So there you have it; I just got back nearly an hour ago and am on the computer because I feel to crappy to sleep. Nothing I could do about it; the whole week just sort of blew up all over my face.
-
Nothing I could do about it
Which is why you can be added back to the lineup when you can attend more often. We never said you couldn't come back.
-
Yes, that position is taken by those of me that hate our writings that are tried and eventually just lose hope on it and through it all onto a spit, without the apple!
-
(Um, could someone translate Gemm's comments for me?)
-
I was just thinking that.
Anyway, I see your point, and I've been mentally cringing everytime I miss so...Looks like I'm going to have to stop acting like an uncommiting teenager (for at least one day every week) from now on. What fun!
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due to computer issues I have to duck out this week folks, I need to get my baby repaired and that requires a quick shipment to california... Oh E... could you send any submissions to my g-mail acct for the next couple of weeks... its still maddrjeffe but @ gmail.com instead of Herbertlives...
anyhow Im off to snorkle...
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Snorkle! How can you snorkle at a time like this--when the life of your computer is in jeopardy! ;)
Well, we'll miss you. :( It's Jena's and K's turn and I'm sure they can send the submission to you rather than SE having to forward it.
Oh, that reminds me.
POKE-->Jena and Kristen
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I was being ironic, cause its been raining like crazy here in VA.
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eh. Rain. I can sympathize. :P Very unseasonally wet here in New England.
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No poking!!!! I sent it out last night. So Thibbit.
Let me know if ya didn't get the sub folks. :)
~J
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bad news.
Our phone is out, and therefore, also our Internet. Our belief is that they moved our connection to the new house 2 days early. But that doesn't really help.
Anyway, I will be more or less physically incapable of showing up tonight, or else I would. Sorry.
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I don't know if I will be able to come, either. My husband got a bunch of new computer parts in the mail this week, and I suspect our computer will be in various stages of completion over the next couple of days. (Right now, I can't even print out the submission!) But I do promise to read it and send comments.
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how about this proposal then... lets make this week our "week off" due to the holiday and poor showing and all and we can all come back strong next week! Does that sound good to anyone?
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Oh, well, I can make it tonight, but if Jeffe's idea is the correct one then thats fine with me.
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at leaves you, sarah, and Jena. You three can meet if you want.
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Ah, but you are forgetting K and maybe George. Jena said her co-author is coming and George might be able to make it. So... I'm okay one way or the other. Jena?
P.S. I *am* going to be rather busy tonight, I was just realizing since I'll be packing and doing laundry for my trip....
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Sounds like next week might be better all in all. I can wait, and would prefer to get a little more feedback from those that don't already know what's going on. Kris and I obviously know, since we're the ones writing it. :)
So if that works for everyone you've got the sub. I can add a bit and actually get them out of the house, heh...and we'll meet next week.
~J
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Updated Schedule (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm)
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I didnt think we were skipping Jenna,... just this week. Unless she wants to be skipped?
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Oops. You're right. It's fixed.
But you do realize, that's EUOL's reception on the 6th. Do you still want to do it that day? (In case any of you are going...)
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Well I think most of us live out of Utah... so thats likely...
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(un)likely, methinks. ;)
I know what I'll be sending them, though. hehe
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(Excuse the double post!)
Jeffe, I got your piece, thanks. I just wanted to let you guys know that I may be a little late to the meeting since I have this dinner to go to and it's kind of far away. I'm not sure how early I'll be able to get away, since I'm hitching a ride with someone. Naturally, I'll try to be there on time and bushy tailed!
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Thats Kool and the Gang Sarah,... I hope dinner is good.
Did everyone get my submission?
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I got it.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend. I have a hot date planned ;) However, I will send comments, if you want them (I'm assuming you do, so I'll email you later).
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I have nothing from you Jeffe. :(
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I can email my copy to you, if you like, SE.
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I see how it is, the first time I submit to a writing group ever and you bail :(
Well email is appreciated... :D
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Haha. Jeff, it's not you. Technically I'm not even a member of AS2 (notice I'm not scheduled). I'm a third-wheel, so to speak, who comes and goes as she pleases, who has no responsibility to stick around because she doesn't submit. I was helping out for a while there so submitters could have comments until AS2 suddenly got more members.
Perhaps, if y'all are lucky, you'll get draft 2 of my novel once AS1 gets through with it.
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actually, with AS2, it's more like an 8th wheel.
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Nah, because those other wheels are more like promised wheels, not actual wheels.
Anyhow, I'll be on time tonight, guys, becuase the dinner at my home teachers' place had to be cancelled. :(
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I am so confused, whats going on, where is everyone? Nothing is happening. If this persists then I'm just going to go hang out with my friends, because as much as I want to ask Jeffe some questions about his sub I don't want to waste my time waiting for everyone.
Sorry in advance if I sound cranky, I've had trouble sleeping lately and its really put me off center.
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We were all there, where were you? J'accuse!
Seriously just shoot me an E-mail at [email protected]
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I know you were there, and you know I found you guys.
An email for what?
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Chapter, away!
If anyone didn't get it, let me know. Thnx.
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got it... :D
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Got it, but since I'm leaving at 8 o'clock in the morning to go on a scout trip it doesn't do me any good. You can at least take comfort that I never (officially) said I would be there.
Note: I am fully aware that that last comment is likely to find me beaten and in a dumpster behind a 7-11.
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Nah, a 7-11 is too good for the likes of scum like you! Try the dumpster behind... the Dollar Store. Yeah, that's the one.
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frankly, i'd consider that a better fate. No food waste in the back of a Dollar Store. Less stinky. Less filthy.
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Got it and I plan to be there.
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I'm 95% certain that I will be there, unless I get a certain cell phone call. Im on duty this week so...
Anyhow, like I said 95% sure.
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frankly, i'd consider that a better fate. No food waste in the back of a Dollar Store. Less stinky. Less filthy.
oh! You're right! Rats! I need a place with... that's it! Rats. We'll go with the trash bin outside of a KFC or Burger King. Plenty stinky and a favorite with rodents. ;)
Hope you can make it Jeffe!
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You want Jeffe at the meeting tomorrow? or at FMP's beating?
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Why, both of course! Coastie's are good at smack downs, I hear. Besides, then Jeffe'll be so worn out he won't bag on my chapter. ;)
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I have a lawyer and I'm not afraid to use it if you try to beat me (I fully expect to be beaten harder for sueing the participants of said beating). And if e is coming all the way out here just to beat me that puts to mind the question of why he would come out here to beat a helpless fourteen year old but not for one of his friend's weddings.
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pfft.
You think *i* was going to personally sully my hands with contact? What do you think I have ninja monkeys for anyway?
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or we could just beat the lawyer,... after all thats not even a crime. ;)
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Totally! After all, even FMP calls his lawyer an "it."
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Emails:
Kris: agent4221 destination gmail
George: george destination mcewan dot cc
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Hey, Nessa, forget my little query in that email about if you were attending our group this week. I forgot we're skipping this one! :P
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Okay, so, I'm wondering when the earliest time I can expect George's submission is. I know I'm a week early and all, but I'm trying to find things to take up my time until my new computer gets here.
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you could write articles for TWG.
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nowaythattakesmoreeffortthantypingthis.
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Cant come tonight...
sorry in advance.
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AS2 isn't scheduled (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm) for tonight, anyway, so you're not missing anything.
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Don't you feel lucky.
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hrm *scratches chin* is there still room in this here writing group? I had thrown in a comment some time ago but then I had a few rather live changing events (moving! :P) and then err I moved again..? And um.. yeah...
-
The groups are starting to even out, I think. HOwever, I'm pretty sure Abridged Speculists still has fewer members. As a member of both, I'd prefer to have you in that one.
-
When tracking #s for the groups, here's the low-down:
Abridge Speculists (AS1)
SE
Nessa
kaykeelolo
Buck
guitarbabe (currently not attending/submitting)
Ardent Scribblers (AS2)
Shrain
SE
JenaRey
Jeffe
NeuronScream
Nessa (doesn't submit)
So, yeah, I agree with SE. The groups are evening out. AS1 could use more people, and AS2 is getting close to critical mass--too many more people and it will be too crowded and won't get through the story rotation very fast. But I suspect which you attend has more to do with what day is better for you. AS1 meets on Wednesdays (7pm MST) and AS2 meets on Thursdays (7pm MST).
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Both times & days are fine with me, so I can def. join the AS1 if that's the preferred.
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OK. This Wednesday we're reviewing kaykeelolo's submission. Email me and I can forward it to you. You can begin submitting after you've attended two meetings (and contributed...you're not allowed to sit around, you have to be an active member to participate). We use IM. My email address on my profile is the MSN IM I use.
For future reference, discuess AS1 issues in the Abridge Speculists (http://www.timewastersguide.com/boards/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=writing_group;action=display;num=1101266640;start=330) thread.
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George and this week's submission.
I just heard from George. The dishwasher at their home EXPLODED. Ruined kitchen floor, ruined walls below kitchen, collapsed basement ceiling below kitchen...
Needless to say George is upto his neck in trying to put their home back together/insurance, etc, and can't pull things together for a sub this week.
I also won't be around on Thursday until late because I've been pulled into teaching a class last minute.
I do think if anyone has something ready to be looked at we should have group anyway, since we've already skipped a week. George says to go ahead and just skip him until he finishes with the home repairs that are necessary now.
~J
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Exploding dishwasher. I guess that new NitroClean Dishwashing powder was a bad idea then....
Seriously, that's sucky. I don't really have something ready and it's already Tue. Anyone else? I could use the time to write, though, if we don't meet.
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When tracking #s for the groups, here's the low-down:
Ardent Scribblers (AS2)
Shrain
SE
JenaRey
Jeffe
NeuronScream
Nessa (doesn't submit)
Hey, woah, I'm still a member of AS2, I just got booted from the lineup for missing too much.
On the other hand I do have a short (a page and a half) piece that introduces a world I'm using for my current progect. I could submit it, and since it's short it shouldn't strain the time constraints too much, if that's all right with everyone.
-
we were listing regular attenders, FMP
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Good point, I'm trying to work on that.
-
do. or do not. there is no try
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So is tonight canceled?
We can submit a few chapters of my revisions. Just for fun. We don't have to add me as a regular to the lineup. I could use comments on my revisions.
-
Nobody's biting. So we're just postponing until next week?
-
that's what it sounds like to me
-
So who submits next week? Is NeuronScream going to be able to do it?
-
George is out of commission for a while. During the repairs he managed to slice his thumb open down to the tendon, so he is Mister Gauze thumb for two more weeks. He does want to submit eventually, but has to be able to type again normally before it's gonna happen. Who's next on the list? I think we'll just need to move forward until he's back.
~J
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SE is next. I'll update the schedule.
-
During the repairs he managed to slice his thumb open down to the tendon, so he is Mister Gauze thumb for two more weeks. Â
Oh no!! Eek! My dad practically tore his finger off a few months ago. *shudder*
So... SE, where's your chapter?? ;D
-
you have two choices:
I can send out the article that's supposed to run on Friday
Or I can send nothing
Sorry, I've spent most of Friday to the present nauseous and blah, so I ahven't done anything else.
-
Or, we can do mine! Â ;D
Otherwise, Jena is next.
-
Personally, my vote is for Nessa. Just because this writing group is more for workshopping chapters of novels rather than articles, albeit SE's article would no doubt be the bestest article ever. ;)
-
actually, we've stated that all genres are acceptable
and since the article is, officially, fiction, it is appropriate.
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We did? Hum. Okay, well, that's fine if everyone else is up for it... I guess I'm just honestly more enthused at the prosepct of reading something of Nessa's for the first time, since you aren't able to give us more of Aldessa-the-reluctant-newlywed.
*sigh* I'm grumpy today for a multitude of reasons, so pardon my unenthusasticness today. :P
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that's because you haven't been on MSN for us to torment
-
Please, please? I've gone through multiple revisions with the first chapters and am anxious to see if it's coming together like it should....that my rewrites are working.
-
Are you guys going to make a decision here? It's already Wednesday!
-
just send it, nothing else is going out, and if someoen doesn't want to read it they dont' have to show up.
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OK, here it comes.
-
Heh...this works for me. :) Getting the Nessa stuff good, speaking of I did get it and have begun reading.
So SE you up next week or are we skipping to me? I'm just trying to make sure I'm ready for whichever week comes my direction.
-
let's go ahead and skip to jena.
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Skip to my Lou, my darrrrrlin'
Well, I'm just glad someone made a decision. I was on the verge of decreeing that we divide the child writing group in half and give some time to both parents writers!
I'll be there. I'm looking at an apt that night but I should be back in plenty of time. :)
-
Consider this fair warning that I most likely will not be at the meeting tomorrow. Our computer's hard drive is on the wack and thinks that it is completely full, even when I delete unused programs and files. It can't even load web sites the right way anymore and I can see the code sometimes. Nor can it open word or half (all) of the other programs installed.
In fact the only reason I'm able to sign on and warn you guys is because I walked over to my cousins to use thiers. I'll let you guys know if I can fix it. As it is tomorrow is likely going to be spent trying to fix it, since thats the first time I will have the materials to do so.
-
I will most likely miss the next 2 or 3 sessions, I have Explosive loading supervisors school....
Yay ... boom!
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Hoooray! Jeffe is still alive!!
... but not for long?? You'd better not blow yerself up, Jeffe man.
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Rats. And I was looking forward to comments from Jeffe. Could you still email me some? Please?
Edit: I've also realized that this affects the schedule. I've updated it. If there's issues, let me know. I moved Shrain to August 24 and Jeffe to September 14.
-
I'll try... send me your manuscript and I'll see if I can get a minute of time to email comments...
the trick will be getting internet access...
:(
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I did email it to you, so if you didn't get it, let me know.
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hmmm never got it...
did you send it to [email protected]?
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No, to a yahoo account. I forwarded it to the gmail account. Thanks.
Edit: OOooops! I sent it to the wrong Jeff (42). Sorry about that.
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yeah... thats right girlfriend....!
-
So I'm shipping out to camp Stiener in the morning, which means I can't come this week unless you guys buy me a laptop and teach me how to hack the staff's internet connection there. Also my computer still can't open word and frankly I was amazed that it let me on the internet at all (the firewall was having trouble with creating the rules).
-
I'm going to have to bring up another problem: My wife is increasingly panicky as vacation approaches. As thursday is the night before vacation starts (though we have most of the day friday), She might freak out if I try to do writer's group. DOn't be surprised if I don't show up in the interests of preserving my marriage.
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baloney! You just wanna have a vacation from Writing Group... again. That or you really *are* telling the truth and I will finally accept your godhood for God don't lie.
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why haven't you accepted my godhood previously.
-
well, let me see....
If it doesn't quack like a duck and swim like a duck, then it's not a duck, right? So let's just say, my dear SE, that you've never quite quacked for me so you seemed more of an.... over-rated qwack than a deity.
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I see what the problems is. You don't know how to consistently spell "quack." Nor, apparently, do you know what a quack sounds like.
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No. I am merely bardic enough to coin my own vocabulary.
-
It's Jena's turn this week. So. Where's your submission?
-
poke-->Jena
I am hungry for more, I say, MORE! Â
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Jena says it will be sent out tonight.
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Jena gave herself qwerty face last night. DOH! I'm dowloading the submission to my work computer right now so I can send it out. Sorry about that folks. Family reunion been driving me nuts. 600 desserts to make in 3 days. :P If you haven't seen the sub by around 6 MST, poke me cause it means I have the wrong email addy.
~J
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Mmmm. Desserts! Chocolate... drippy syrup... sugar! Yum.
SOmehow, I don't think your story will taste quite as good. *sigh* At least it's got zero calories! ;)
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Mmmm. Deserts! Chocolate... drippy syrup... sugar! Yum.
SOmehow, I don't think your story will taste quite as good. *sigh* At least it's got zero calories! ;)
For an editor who likes to point out spelling mistakes, I find it odd you think that chocolate syrup can be found in the desert.
-
*snrk*
-
*thibbit* on both of you! My 's' key sticks is all.....
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So I have more free time than I once did and I've got the urge to finally get serious about this whole writing thing so if it's okay with everyone, I'd like to rejoin the group. Let me know if you need my email address again.
The prodigal son returns! Sorry for the smell, I'll be sure to take several baths before the next meeting. ;)
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Well I'm back, but with education week I may or may not be able to make it, but this is the week off isn't it?
EDIT: the reason I ask is my sister's friend (henceforth known as moron) wipped my computer because he thought he knew what to do to fix it better than me. So yeah, all of my favorites are gone.
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Faster: Actually, I believe it's next week (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm) that you guys have off.
Robert: It seems to be the consensus in the groups that since participation has stabilized and the rotations are quite big (5-6 weeks between submitting), there isn't room for 'new' members.
This doesn't mean, however, that you can't start your own group. If you want. I know Gemm expressed interest in the past, but couldn't join because of scheduling, and Fastor may not be able to finagle himself back into Ardent Scribblers again, due to his truancy--but perhaps he might do better in another group with a different schedule.
Just a thought.
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Yes, I have expressed interest. And yes, I am willing to accept fiction and prose as well. The poetry group doesn't need to be just that, I'm all for other types of work as well.
So, if there are any number of people who are actually interested in starting a new group post in the thread that I have created.
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Gemm and Robert, that sounds like a good plan to unite forces for a third group. :) Good luck!
As for my submission... it is coming! My brother was in town (yahoo!) and so I wasn't able to get to it. Plus, my workload is absolutely awful this week. However, after I run a few errands, I plan to edit some stuff a bit and then send it to everyone. I will try to keep it on the short side since it's late and all. Thanks!
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Good! I hope to be able to come Thursday, but no promises....
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/me hopes Nessa shows up at group.
So, uh, does anyone know when SE will drag himself back home from vacation?
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AS2 has been postponed until next week, when we'll go over Shrain's submission.
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I am back now.
Just tell me when I'm meeting for what.
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AS1: Nothing this week.
AS2: Meeting Thursday for Shrain's submission.
Then back to regularly scheduled (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm) meetings.
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Nessa, thanks for keeping the schedule all updated!
I'll actually be sending out my sub again because I forgot to put in the last section of that chapter. whoops!
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Ah, I see you just did. (Strangely enought right after I read this).
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it occurs to me that I keep forgetting that I need to get my wife from the airport thursday. The plane arrives at 7:30, so after baggage and drivign back from Baltimore, I could reasonably expect to be present by 9:30. But I promise nothing.
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:(
That's all I have to say about that.
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I'll figures something out and be there... 2100-2200 right?
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I'll figures something out and be there... 2100-2200 right?
/me takes a moment to calculate military time.
Uh, yep, that's right on. Should be good group, though we'll miss SE--unless the traffic gods and baggage claim gods are feeling particularly beneavolent. (Excuse me whilst I prepare the requisite sacrifices and incense....) ;)
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sorry... tropical storm fubar... coudn't make it due to flooding and mayhem. :D
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and if you couldn't guess, I didn't make it home in time. Airport at 7:23, picked up baggage at about 7:40, ish. Left airport at 8:24. Got dinner on the way home at 9:00ish. Got home about quarter after 10.
Oh, and Jeffe: SEND ME YOUR FRICKIN PHONE NUMBER
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sorry... tropical storm fubar... coudn't make it due to flooding and mayhem. :D
awww. Well, flooding and mayhem are always good excuses in my book. But, hey, what's with the smiley face! *harupmh* You enjoy natural disasters too well.
We missed you too, SE. Only three of us last night. Still, it was a good session. Better turn out next week me hopes!
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Are we cancelled this week? SE I've not seen a sub!!!
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Neither have I and forsooth Thursday is already upon us! What is the meaning of this, sir!?
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At writing group last night he was dispairing that he wouldn't have anything ready for next week's AS1 meeting. I suspect he wasn't paying attention and doesn't have anything.
And seeing as how I'm not in charge of this group... eh. That's never stopped me.
It probably wouldn't hurt that if anyone had something short to submit this afternoon, there would be time to look over it before the meeting, but someone would need to take the initiative. I would submit my own chapters (since you recently went over chapters 1-3), but I won't be able to come tonight. I have rocks to shovel. Ye-hah.
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Well, Nessa, I guess you, Jena, and I are the only ones bemoaning the lack of a submission this night.... Alas and alack! So have your fun shoveling pebbles around. (Did you know I used to *sell* gravel? Boulders, flagstone, rock signs, etc. Working at a rock yard is tuff. I got to drive a forklift!)
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I sure hope this group isn't piddling out. Come on guys! And gals! Get your collective acts together and participate. Or care, at least. This includes you, too, SE. You could at least let us know what's going on.
As for rocks, they are all shoveled out. Some blockhead who owned the house before us used them as mulch. I also shoveled and pulled out the old pipes for the sprinklers, which I'm going to re-do. Ah the joys *cough* of gardening. All this prep-work just to plant a few things. Sheesh.
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Kris, George and I were all around last night, but no sub meant we didn't do much. George will have something ready for the 21st, and reports that the house now has carpet again and all is well...save for all the money gone.
I'm scheduled for 2 weeks from now and ready.
Jeffe? Are we gonna see something for next week? Or SE? If neither of you can, then I'll submit again next week and we'll rotate between Shrain, George, Nessa and I until ya'll are back inta the swing. I don't want this group to die!
~J
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I can for sure come next week (my husband is working overnight that night, so can't complain that I'm monopolizing the computer). So, if Jeffe can't submit, I can. And it's all ready to go and everything. ;D
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I *was* online thursday, incidentally. Anyone who wanted to berate me in person was free to do so. I spent most of the time talking to stacer about character concepts for D&D.
this because I'm not into my story. Also, don't know how to get back into it. Also, not sure how to plan the next one so this doesn't happen again.
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Yeah, but its more of a rewrite than anything else... Still I know where Im going from here so the criticism might inspire more from me. Ick life sucks sometimes ....
Anyhow look for it on monday
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yipppeeee! Only, uh, I can't be there....
/me refers everyone to Change of Venue query....
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Jeffe, I should be there tomorrow, but I didn't get the submission. :(
Can I come? Please?
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err... yeah hang on
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ok, check your e-mails... someone got it, if you didnt get it, get someone who got it to get it ... er ... for you.
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Got it. yay!
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Note the changed schedule (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm). Ardent Scribblers will now be meeting on Tuesdays.
If there are problems, let me know.
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Sweet. Thanks, Nessa. the schedule looks spiffy.
We'll miss ya, Jeffe. :'(
How did group go tonight? My class went rather well except for the fact that I still wasn't feeling so great.
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How do I join a writer's group?
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Writer's group went as well as could be expected. I think Jeffe got some helpful comments and we even ended a little early.
How do I join a writer's group?
edit: see http://www.timewastersguide.com/boards/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=writing_group;action=display;num=1158330933 for discussion on new members. Remember that you can always start a new one.
Briefly, the rules are:
-You must read and show up twice, giving good comments, before you are put onto the schedule
-Both groups meet using MSN Instant Messenger. It's the only thing that's worked consistently.
-You must be kind, but you must give comments that will help the writer improve: no "I liked it." or "i just didn't enjoy it"
That's about it. We distribute by email, and read the submission before the meeting. The author guides the discussion.
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Thank you for the information. Where on this site do I find this Writers group to sign up for. I have msn messenger.
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I would go to that new thread and express your interest.
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Ruby, as Nessa said in the other thread, we've not forgotten you, so hang in there.
Right now, I'm not even sure if we're meeting or not tomorrow night (despite Nessa's updated schedule).
poke--> -->Jena
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Yes, we're meeting. I'll get the sub out this afternoon. I've worked 272 hours in the last 3 weeks so I got a little behind, but dangit I want the input.
:)
~J
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/me looks around for the sun.
Is it afternoon yet? ;D
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I won't be able to come :( but now that I'm fully invested in Jena/Kris's story, you must still send me the submission and I'll email comments.
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Hrm. Nessa, that reminds me... weren't you going to send me some comments? I think it was the week that you were in D.C. and you said sometime or other that you had some notes to send. Pardon me whilst I pout...
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:-[
Oops. You're right. I completely spaced it. I've been so busy with stuff lately that I've hardly been on the computer. I will earnestly try to do that this week.
Edit: I've reviewed it and emailed you comments.
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Yep, you have indeed. Thanks. I'll read the rewrite of your ch. soon (i.e., once my blasted homework is outta the way).
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Hey, Ruby, do you want to come to group next week? See if you like it?
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George is out of town, but will send commentary on tonight's piece. Kris won't be attending for a while. I'm hoping to be there, but will depend on work. :)
Cya all tonight.
~J
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SE and Nessa can't make it either, apparently. SE's internet is messed up and I guess Nessa has some church stuff. So that leaves... you and me, Jena, plus maybe Jeffe and perhaps Fastor?
EDIT: "one is the loneliest number that you'll ever see..." :'(
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I missed you, dangit. I got home at 7:15 but you were already off line. Sorry. So try Shrain again next week? We don't have anyone else on the schedule. Call this our week off.
~J
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I had a serious migrane, so I bailed.
/me is sheepish.
Bah!
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Awww. :( Is that why you called the other day (but left no mssg)? I would've answered but I was busy feedin' the missionaries. :D Anyway, a migraine buys you a free pass, I'd say. I hope you make it this week, though!
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I thought we had moved Jeff to speculists? Because scribblers is on Tuesdays and early in the week was bad for him? If Jeff would rather go to scribblers, that's fine, but then I need to change the schedule (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm).
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You had, but I still got the sub, so I thought Id sit in. ;)
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So we back on schedule for next week? E is next?
And George is apparently catching cosmic karma as his house had been flooded again. Apparently one 10 year old child knocking a rag into a sink and leaving the water on all night will destroy walls and ceilings. He's going to do his best to still be there next week but wanted me to let folks know.
I will be there. Kris may or may not at this point, I'll know for sure a bit later.
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As far as I know we're on schedule. It depends on whether SE has something for next week.
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Oh, poor George!! That's horrible. :(
SE, do you have something? If not, I wonder if I might do some revision and addition and submit that ch again. Or I could submit the next one...
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Ok. There's issues.
It seems that the number of submission producing members is dropping off. SE has to bow out for a little while and attendance in both groups have been less than stellar.
The people who have most consistent submissions/attendance are:
Nessa
Shrain
Jena/Kris
Hannah
I say we have our own group, and whoever else wants to join needs to come for at least two meetings and plan on having a submission ready once a month. Otherwise, me being the schedule-goddess, I keep you off the schedule for submissions.
I don't mean to offend anyone, but the groups have been suffering this frustration for a while now and it's time to nip it in the bud. There are some of us who seriously want to get our stuff reviewed and this is frustrating our efforts.
I need feedback ASAP.
By the way, SE isn't submitting for Scribbers tomorrow. George and then Jena then Shrain. Who can submit?
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I know George has a piece done. He finished it a couple weeks ago to make sure he was ready. Even with a flooded house we should be able to critique it. I'll poke him and get it sent out today.
I'll be ready for next week, but tomorrow is my birthday so I don't have to be critiqued. :P Tomorrow I'm perfect...then it goes away.
~J
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Tomorrow's your BIRTHDAY?! Sweet! Go, Jena!
And, yes, George has something ready. He sent it to me, but I don't think anyone else got it.
As for booting out the slackers, I am all for it. The inconsistency has been quite the pain. :P
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Ok, George is on the list, too. So five people, as long as Hannah wants to do it. (And to Hannah: you'll like Jena and Shrain...so don't be worried about that.)
I would prefer to have us meet on Wednesdays. If that's OK with the rest of you.
George: You can email me the submission, too? I'm not sure if I can come (church activities and etc) but I'll try. I can send comments if you'd like.
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Shifting to Wed is okey dokey with me.
Oh, and how about we rethink our group's name, eh? I'll let y'all in on a secret... I was never exactly wild about "Ardent Scribblers."
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the day changes for me are the hardest... thurs was such a better day for me to do writing group, early in the week its hard to get good computer access...
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Sarah can't do Thurdays, so we're for sure not doing that day.
Sarah: We can come up with a new name and begin a new thread with it as the title. This one is getting pretty long.
So, how did tonight's meeting go?
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Nessa- you are the schedule goddess.
I am interested in joining. Wednesdays work best for me right now. However, I am finding that being the boss at work doesn't mean you get more free time. I have to cover Wednesday nights if the people who are scheduled don't show up. This Wednesday night is one of those nights. So I can't make it tomorrow. I should be able to after this week. (I should be getting a pay raise for this, right?)
-Hannah the Horrible...Boss
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So, how did tonight's meeting go?
It, um, didn't.... Apparently, George's wife brought home free tickets to something, gave him "the look," and off they went! Can't blame him really. So we're supposed to email comments.
I've been deadling with some major academic drama, though. Sorry, George. I will do my best to write up some comments. Tonight, I am doing homework; tomorrow night is class. Friday night I have to do some grading. uck!
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Nessa- you are the schedule goddess.
I am interested in joining. Â Wednesdays work best for me right now.
Fabulous. So now we have:
Hannah (kaykeelolo)
Jena/Kris
Shrain
Nessa
George (Neuronscream)
And that sounds like a good enough group to me for the time being. I will work on the schedule for next week (it will either be Hannah or Jena? any volunteers?) and we're taking suggestions for a new group name.
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ok semi confession time, I have found it hard to get the motivation to come back because I had a bad experience a few weeks ago, where I felt like the submitter really didn't care what I had to say. Im sure its normal and all, but it got me down.
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When you have motivation then you can submit a request to be added to the group and we'll see what happens then.
Until then, keep writing! That way when you're ready you can have a bunch of stuff to submit.
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I can't go yet. I don't have enough to go on. I guess I could send outline stuff, but it wouldn't be ready until next week. Are we meeting this Wednesday?
-Hannah (Kaykeelolo)
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So are we moving group to Wed. then? I'm okay with that, though I'll have to record Lost. (Thank you, DVR!) I can't go this week either. I've had a nightmare week and I have papers to grade besides regular homework. Blah. But I *thought* that Jena was going next.
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I'm ready. Just need to send out a sub later today, and know whether we're meeting Tuesday or Wednesday.
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We're meeting Wednesay at 7pm (MST), and we'll go over Jena's (once she emails it to us  ;)).
At which time we'll discuss the group's new name.
Edit: Updated schedule (http://www.vanessakchristenson.com/writersgroup.htm).
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Wednesday. Jena. Got it. Or... well, I don't have the sub yet. But I've got the plan down.
/me puzzles over a name with what brain cells she has left after grading wretched freshman papers for a couple hours.
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I haven't got the submission yet, either. Y'all have mine as a backup in case Jena can't get hers out in time.
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Sub recv'd and printed, Jena! :)
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Got it. Yay! Will Kris be there?
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I'm not sure if she will or not. I'm gonna talk to her, but I hope so.
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I think last night's group went as well as could be expected. Although us commenters were all over the place. I hope we didn't confuse Jena/Kris.
Hannah is next. I sent out an email with a nice, long 'To Do' list. Hopefully everyone got it.
Edit:
Re: To do list item #3: Shrain won't be submitting for November 1, and won't be attending, either, so I'm going to just have the schedule skip that day.
Re: To do list item #1: here's a few ideas for the group name:
Prosaic Continum
Prosaic Spectrum
Prosaic Speculists (then the acronym would be P.S. which I think is funny)
Tale Spinners
Prose Spinners
Writing Minions
Spinning Minions (ok, i'm just kidding about this one, but I like the alliteration)
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Isn't anyone going to help create/choose a name? Really, you may not be happy with the one I decide on.
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/me blushes.
Sorry, Nessa. My brain is being split in so many directions. I've just not been able to apply my creativity to this--yet. So now, this very morning, I shall do my best to think of something.
Edit: Okay, here are my musings on possible names:
Ink Hounds
Quarrelsome Quillers
Quill & Query Consortium
Type & Gripe, Ink.
...more to come.
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Bwahahahahha. I love "Type & Gripe"!
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Just saving the best for last. ;) Yeah, that was my favorite too, with Quill & Query Consortium being the runner up.
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/me has a blonde moment.
I showed up tonight for group, wondering where everybody was. Heh. Then the fact dawned on me that we moved group to Wed. :P Dumb me.
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Um. I'm blonde. :P
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Oh, but I didn't mean "blonde" in terms of hair color. Nah. I'm talking about these now extinct little critters with straw-colored hair who kept getting lost in their own underground lairs. Oh, and they never remembered what day it was and so they forgot to go out and get groceries. Hence the extinction. A pity, really. They were such cute animals.
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Thank you for making the ads on this page turn to hair color ads.
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You are most welcome SE. I think your hair (what you have of it) could use a dose of color. ;)
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Gak! I completely forgot to address the group name again at tonight's meeting. Please, everyone submit a suggestion or vote so we can get this out of the way.
I thought tonight's meeting on Hannah's piece went well and she got a ton of comments (the Word file I have of the conversation is 17 pages long!). I'm just hoping she doesn't feel overwhelmed.
Next up: Mine on November 8th. SE, will you be able to come? I'll send out the submission the week of the meeting. If you can, read the remainder of the chapters I sent earlier. It will help to know the backstory when we comment on the chapters. Thanks!
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I don't work on Wednesday, but I expect to be drop dead exhausted by then. So... if I don't show up, don't call. I'll coment separately.
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Nessa, dear Nessa.... I'm pretty sick, and I don't know if I'll be able to read all your stuff before tomorrow night. I've got a take-home test to do before Thur, too. See, Gemm was kind enough to pass along his germs to me at "Twiggy" this weekend. On the plane, I totally conked out. This morning, I had to email my boss and stay home. I slept for a crazy long time--16 hours! :P
Oh how I wish I had signed up for that free flu shot at work last week. *whimper*
P.S. I put in my vote for Type & Gripe, Ink.
/me gets in bed and hopes to make it to work tomorrow.
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Good thing we're not going over my stuff until next week, then, huh?
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Baaaa.
I feel sheepish.
Okay, where did that dratted schedule go... Ah, that's right. We skipped this week because of me--my trip that is and heavy schedule. Again I say: baaaaa.
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*pats the Shrain* And this is about the third time we've reminded you that there's no group this week silly. :P
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Yes, Shrain, you get yourself better and don't worry your curly red head about writer's group this week. And then next week we can have you back in mind as well as in body. ;D
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heh. Um, I can make no guarantees about the status of my brain a day from now, let alone a week. In fact, this early picture of me about sums things up for me right now.
(http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6%3DzqH%3AxxqUD7qRUrKxzX7BHpUUKxgXP0l%3F87KR6xqpxQQ0Qx0nJxPPGxv8uOc5xQQQoalPleoaGoqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXP0l%7CRup6eae%7C/of=50,450,443)
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Neiana (David) was part of Abridged Speculists until recently, when he had to move and other sundry events that kept him away. He'll be joining the group occasionally to read/comment, but probably won't be submitting until the beginning of next year. We'll see how this goes. In the meantime, make sure that when I send out next week's email submission, that you include his IM in your list.
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Sure. What's his handle?
Psst... I made it to pg. 222, Nessa. woowoo. Another...100 pgs to go it looks like.
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This week's submission is in the mail. Let me know if you don't get it.
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Finished all the reading last night, I did. yeehaw!