Last Friday when I said I had an idea, I didn’t mean to be such a tease. I was just excited and couldn’t keep my mouth shut. But, I can’t keep this a secret anyway, because I desperately need your help. You can skip right down to The Idea if you’re not interested in the background stuff.
The Evolution of the Idea
The idea started on Thursday night when I decided that I really wanted to start a podcast. I’ve been an avid podcast listener for years, and I’ve always wanted one of my own, but I’d never felt quite so inspired to actually do it. So, then I was thinking about what I could podcast about and with who.
I decided that I wanted to podcast about writing, and I really wanted to podcast with some of my fellow writing-dedicated bloggers. The problem was that I didn’t know how to podcast and I didn’t know if anyone would be interested in participating.
I spent some time on Friday trying to figure out how to podcast (I think I have it about half figured out now), but then it occurred to me that I really wanted to do something much broader than that, so that more people could participate.
I thought then of a group blog that could feature regular posts and possibly also video and (hopefully at some point) a podcast.
The Idea
I want to start a writing community for twenty-somethings that would revolve around a group blog. The point would be to encourage each other to write. We would do this mostly by talking about writing. I don’t imagine this blog being a How To Write kind of deal, but more about sharing ideas and holding each other accountable. It might include guest blogs or round table-like discussions via threaded comments. I hope it will also include other kinds of media. The question of what we would do is something I need your help with.
I want to do this not because I don’t think there’s anything like it already on the internet, but because I’m interested in more of a small group atmosphere and, well, I really like you all and trust your insight. I find I stay most motivated to write when I keep it at the front of my brain and get my ideas–about story, style, etc.–out there.
My original intent was that this would focus mostly on fiction, novel-length writing. But, I think it could be much broader than that. I know that I’m interested in all kinds of writing, so I think anything could be up for discussion.
So, I’m cool with leading things, especially at the start, but I don’t want to do this by myself. I’d like to encourage participation at all levels, but I’d really love if some of you would co-lead this with me. And, this is why I’m throwing the idea out there even though I’m not sure exactly where it will go. If no one is intersted, then I’ll probably put it on the back burner.
What I Need From You
1. If you are really interested and might consider co-leading this with me, please let me know. Also know that you’ll have my undying love. But, don’t worry, you’re not committing your life. You can always back out, and I don’t anticipate this taking over your life. But, I’d like your insight on the planning moving forward.
2. If you are intersted in possibly contributing at some point, but don’t want to be involved in the planning, please let me know.
3. If you are not interested, but you’ve already read this far, make it worth your while, and let me know if you have any ideas about things we might do on the blog or any feedback on the idea at all.
4. If you need me to clarify anything, please let me know.
5. If you’re interested in the idea and think your readers might be as well, spread the word on your blog.
I really want this to be collaborative, so please let me know what you think and if you are even midly interested in the idea. You can leave a comment here or email me at writetoreach [at] gmail [dot] com.
A final note: The only qualification for participating in this project is that you must be willing to talk about writing. This isn’t about how much formal training you have (I have very little myself) or how good you are or even how much time you spend writing. You only ever have to share as much as you want. What I’m saying is that there are many good reasons not to participate, but thinking you don’t have anything to say about writing is not one of them.
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey
Just read yor blog and i think that, that is a great idea and would deffinetly love to be involved and do some writting for it! iv left my email and my page so you can check out mine and see what my writting is like!
That sounds like a really fun idea. Unfortunately, I haven’t written since… oh.. 6th grade or so, so I won’t be participating, but it does sound awesome. Have fun!
So Ashley, let me just tell you how great of an idea I think this is. I have a pretty crazy schedule these days, but I’m totally wanting to be involved in this some how. I have actually written my own short novel (however bad or hopefully good it may be) and haven’t really shared it, or the process with anyone outside of my other half. So I think it would be fun. Just let me know what I can do!
Considering that I’ve barely written since NaNoWriMo, I wouldn’t say that I’m an active enough writer to really have much to contribute in terms of actually writing entries! Having said that, I am really interested in the idea, would love to read what other people have to say and would probably comment.
If you ever need help in terms of music for the podcast (intros, transitions, etc) then I can definitely help with that!
I know a few people that might be interested in this, so I’ll pass this link along to them. :)
This is such a great idea! I wouldn’t mind being involved at some point. Several weeks ago, I found a website with videos from moms. A question would be asked, and three moms would answer the question via video. (It’s pretty fun, even for us non-moms… http://www.momversation.com/) BUT we could do something similar and use writing as the topic instead. Like a once a week thing. Or monthly. A question about writing could be ask (how do you decide on characters names, what genre do you write and why, or something else) and a few writers could answer via video.
Just an idea (and I apologize for it being kind of all over the place…)
Ashley – I love this idea! I often wish that I still wrote as often as I did when I was a teenager, and something like this might be the inspiration that I need. I’d encourage you to leave the type of writing somewhat open….maybe having different people contribute for different types of writing. Personally, part of my job is technical writing (however boring that sounds), but I’d love some motivation to write more “how-to” articles/resources/etc. and maybe in the long run I’ll get inspired to write a book. :-) For my job, I write how-to materials for web content management and design and for my blog (College Grad Lessons I occasionally write how-to posts for recent college grads and twenty-somethings. If you’re interested in having someone write about non-fiction/instructional writing, I’d love to get involved in this project. Who knows, maybe I’ll become inspired to start writing fiction again too.
Ashley! This is an excellent idea. I’m totally down for helping you out any way. If you need a co-leader.
I have taken a few writing classes, but I have very little formal training, but so much to say about it. People write for so many different reasons. Ahh I have many ideas.
Email me! :)
I don’t consider myself a writer by any stretch of the imagination, but I’d be willing to contribute. I’ve been told I have a very unique writing style.
This sounds like a great idea!
I would love love love love love love love to help with this. My whole angle with writing is pedagogy and showing how anyone can write poetry & nonfiction. All they need is the small push to pull it along.
If you need anything from promotion or getting other writers on board, I can help out in any way.
This is a great idea Ashely! I would love to help out in some way though I am not sure where. I have no idea how to do a podcast and havent done much fiction writing in the past few years, mainly just blogging. Really, great idea.
Hey Ashley,
It sounds wonderful. I do enjoy collabs. My only main question is that would people be focused on talking about writing, talking about what they write, or actually do “writing” but in a non-text format. That being said, you’ve seen some of my videos. I love making videos and wouldn’t mind contributing via videos.
` John
Definitely yes! I’m not very experienced, but I’d love to be a part of a group that could keep me and my writing on track. I’d be interested in maybe having a weekly prompt that we could maybe share within the group for critique.
ashley, i think this is an amazing idea! while i’m fairly positive that i’m no where near qualified to help co-lead this project, i would looooove to participate. it would be great if it allowed for all kinds of writing (fiction, non-fiction, academic, poetry, etc.). i think this could be a great forum to use each other as sounding boards, and allow everyone to get feedback on their ideas/writing, or even to just exercise that writing muscle more than we do in our everyday lives! hopefully, this will be a fire under my butt and get me writing/sharing more! so please, please keep me updated with how things are going!
i’ll post this on my blog in case any of my readers are interested!
I like this idea a lot, and I think it will be great because of all that energy and enthusiasm you’ll be bringing! I would love to help and contribute, though I definitely won’t be contribute much about fiction writing, but non-fictiony/academic type writing? I could talk about that and writing in general. I can only talk about the stuff, boring stuff, hah.
(What’s this? A stuffy office meeting? Well, maybe it’s time for a little office magic.”)
But a great idea and I would love to help out and participate, so just let me know- count me in!
I love this idea! Sadly, I don’t think I can help plan anything since work is pretty much sucking up all of my time, but I definitely want to participate. Keep me posted :)
Cool idea! unfortunately I’m not much of a writer, but let me know if you need any photos to accompany all that writing! ;) good luck getting this up and running!
So very interested. I can’t seem to stop talking about writing lately.
I would LOVE to be a co-leader. I remember commenting something about a writing group when you wrote a different post about writing, and I’m so excited that you are taking initiative. Like I said, I’d be interested in helping out however possible. You have my e-mail address, and I check it obsessively. I’m really excited about this!
I’m in! Awesome idea.
Co-Leading would be something I’d be more than willing to do. And also, contributions of any kind.
Jut let me know what i can do, or what you need, and I’m on it :)
Brilliant idea! Absolutely count me in one wanting to participate. :)
Count me in! I’m an idea guy. Send it… or set up a GoogleDoc and let those interested start brainstorming…
I should be up for this – I’m a wee bit busy at the moment, but I should hopefully become more time-productive! :0)
Hey Ashley,
I would love to participate, plan, whatever you need. Writing is awesome.
Sounds like a marvelous idea!
This sounds awesome!!! I’m excited. Let me know if you need any help or content. Or just need ideas or whatever. I’m in!!
This is a fabulous idea and I’d love to contribute/participate. I just subscribed to your blog and will watch closely for more updates, but definitely contact me if you need help!
ps- I already love you for being a fellow Thesis user :)
This is an amazing idea. As a writer at heart, I think it’s so important to connect with fellow writers for inspiration, motivation, healthy discussions, etc. I would love to be a part of this project if there is still room. My e-mail is noted above. I hope to hear from you soon :)!
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