For example, /r/writing has weekly critique and check-in threads, and /r/writingprompts does a theme-based writing contest every Thursday.
I’m no mod, by the way - I’m just interested to know what others would like to get from a writing community like ours, and I think it would be cool if we could start something which could bring this community together regularly.
Maybe something like a monthly prompt-basedwriting contest? On Reddit there’s a dedicated community for this (r/WritingPrompts) but it could be a fun addition here too.
Anything featuring writing prompts is something I like. I don’t write as often as I’d like, but that would be the most likely to grab me and, even when I don’t contribute, I like to save prompts I like to reference when I am in a writing mood.
I second the writing prompts idea, and would like to offer an additional idea which might be a little strange. I used to love this subreddit called “/r/worststory”. It was a place for writing prompts where the idea was to intentionally create a terribly written story.
I got a lot of fun out of that subreddit, especially when there was a collaborative story thread. The basic premise of the subreddit made it a lot less daunting to post and easier to work out silly but creative ideas for stories.
I love r/WritingPrompts - it’s both a great place to stretch your writing muscles when feeling uninspired by your current project, and a great way to find small authors who you otherwise wouldn’t.
Definitely agree with some sort of weekly/monthly critique thread. Constructive criticism is crucial to perfecting the craft.
Maybe a weekly thread for self-promos? That way those of us who have some form of self/web publish elsewhere going can promote our stories, but also avoid filling the forum with them.
I’d be interested in craft-related threads. For example, what descriptive techniques do you use or admire? My personal interest in self-promo within writing communities is low, as I think it makes more sense to promote to readers instead of other writers, but I suppose the beauty of weekly or monthly threads is they keep things organized so people can find what they want. Also, check-in or accountability threads would be fun. What did you get done this week?
A weekly or even fortnightly writing group thread would be HUGELY good. Not only on an individual level, but also on a community level.
I’ll echo the idea of “bad writing” being the goal. It’s easy for everyone to get caught up in the big issue of “Is this good enough?” Vs “Am I having fun?”
I might actually make this my own weekly thing. Give me a bit and I’ll make my own post on this.
Please do! I would love to participate.
Posted! Feel free to take a look :)
Just wanted to chime in and thank you for following through on this! It was a wonderful little reason to sit down and write, something I haven’t done in months. In love with the ethos of “bad writing”. Let’s just get some words out there!
No worries at all mate, I’m just trying to keep communities active and happy, and posting “bad” writing is just a reason. The saying is to write everyday, not to write well everyday.
