Hi all!!! Gear up for a long message here...
NB. (note well) First of all, I'm not trying to throw stones here. Please don't take the following message in a negative way:
At the end of NaNo I was so glad that many of us wanted to continue meetings. New friendships were burgeoning and writing buddies solidified.
Unfortunately, in the past while we have sort of degraded out of a pure writing group into something more chat-related. While I am at times part of this, a small group of us discussed the issue and decided we would try to quiet down a large portion of the time to allow writing to take place.
For some of us, the write-ins are the only time to get some PEACE and QUIET to do writing (sorry about the caps, just think of them as quietly emphasized). Myself included, especially during Script Frenzy while we have new members and serious work going on, we need to focus on that and be more mature about what is going on.
I hope this is coming off clearly. As I said, I have been part of the chatty-kathy group myself, but, understanding that this is primarily a writing meeting, let's really focus on writing and leave the conversation and general topics to the end.
If, for example, we have a meeting from 1-3 feel free to stay after three and have personal chat at that time.
OBVIOUSLY there will be moments where a question about writing comes up and this leads to laughter, but let's try to focus our discussions on the writing.
I am only speaking for myself here. I desperately want to keep our writing group going, but that being said, we need to focus a bit more, in my opinion, on the writing. We can always meet up in small groups at other times for personal visits.
I'm sorry if I sound like a hall monitor but my sincere intention is to keep the writing group going strong and to provide a place where good writing can take place.
Rhonda.
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wordcount widgets
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Apr 4, 2008 - 12 12
FROM GALE:
Here are the Group Norms that we agreed upon together at the LaLuna Write-In:
HammerWriMo Group Norms
1. We are a group of writers, and we aim first of all to support one another in our writing endeavours.
2. We commit to treating all members of the group with respect. Specifically, we refrain from put-downs of other members, and we respect their right to have their own beliefs, lifestyle, cultural preferences (music, literature, genre for writing, etc.).
3. We remain aware that we are an "all ages" group, and we do not introduce "adult" material or topics, either on line or in meetings.
4. We commit to participate positively, so that everyone present may have a safe, productive and pleasant time.
5. We aim to stay on topic during general discussions.
6. During writing exercises, we aim to refrain from chatting.
7. We take responsibility for clearly stating our preferences for locations of gatherings, social events, etc., and we do not expect anyone else to guess what would work for us.
8. We are free to discuss or reflect on our own NaNo experience with family and friends, but we refrain from discussing other members. We do not share other members' personal information, our assessment of other members’ successes, failures, group participation, etc.
9. We have the utmost respect for intellectual copyright and we understand that all excerpts, snippits and novel ideas (except for dares and suggestions to another writer) remain the property of their creators. Therefore we aim never to take direct words from anyone else.
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Gale . . . www.ThornesQuest.com . . . or . . . www.StringingWords.net
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Apr 4, 2008 - 12 42
I honestly think it is a great idea.
During the transition from nano to screnzy, I found it fine to just chat away because none of us has a particular goal. And, it wasn't as if we got NO writing done, just not tons.
But, now getting back into a writing challenge (SF) it makes sense to switch gears into the 'nano' spirit as use the write-ins as a means to get some actual writing done.
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Apr 25, 2008 - 07 09
So . . . are we having any other write-ins?
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Apr 25, 2008 - 11 10
I posted one for this weekend over at the Screnzy site - Saturday (tomorrow) at noon, infusions.
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Apr 26, 2008 - 06 54
Argh, I have a Sociology project due on Monday. Curses!
Where do you post the dates on Screnzy?
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Apr 26, 2008 - 08 00
Inside the 'Canada - Ontario' regional lounge.