| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 2:59:45 PM
Hi gals!
I wonder if there were any other writers around? I'm working on a Christian fiction novel and it would sure be neat to have an online "writer's group", to kick ideas around and discuss the merits of various verbs. Etc. 
I'm a mom (often too busy) of young homeschoolers so find myself just hustle-hustle-hustling doing what needs to be done, while my characters hang out in my head having conversations. If I'm lucky I'm able to grab a pen or pencil or broken-off crayon and make notes... if not I find that a few days have gone by with nothing written down, and I'd like to feel more accountable!
So thought I would check! Iron sharpens Iron, it would be neat to have something like that going on here!
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Apr 08 2011 : 07:20:46 AM
Kristina - we'd love to have you join our group! We're just sort of getting started; Holly set up a Wiki page too which is pretty neat, a great "working" format. We've started a travelling story, and a couple of us have posted work we'd like suggestions on. Please feel invited!
Others too, if you are interested in joining the group - come on over! With it being a private group we can feel safe in posting our current projects, and those of us in the group are all writers.
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Apr 08 2011 : 07:14:56 AM
I write, but have not published a book. I participated in the NaNoWriMo last November. I have had articles published in magazines, and on-line. My goal was to get busy this year, but family illnesses and emergencies prevented me. I do belong to a local area writer's group, but have not done anything with it this year yet.
Farmgirl #800
http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| Shi-anne |
Posted - Apr 06 2011 : 11:28:54 AM
In the Across the Fence Forum, I started a thread about the women who have influenced our lives. So far there are only about eight postings, but very interesting.....just saying, what an awesome way to (help) develop "characters" in a story, when we can draw on the rich experience of others.
http://theprairiemaid.blogspot.com/
Farmgirls don't have hot flashes ~ They have power surges! |
| Shi-anne |
Posted - Mar 31 2011 : 12:08:06 PM
Okay, I just requested to join the yahoo group. Just letting ya know!
Thanks,
Cheryl
http://theprairiemaid.blogspot.com/
Farmgirls don't have hot flashes ~ They have power surges! |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 07:21:30 AM
Great!!!
If any other Farmgirl writers want to join, just pop over there and do so!
We want to keep this thread of messages active; the only reason we're adding the "other" website group is because there are limits here on what we can do, privacy settings with our work in progress, etc. I know we're all totally loyal to MaryJanes!!! And just so everyone knows, there is no money made or anything like that with a yahoogroup, it's a free service.
Looking forward to getting started with this critique group, I think it will really help us!!
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| Lady Woodworker |
Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 06:20:24 AM
Hi TJ,
I just joined. It was easy once I had your simple directions.
Thanks!
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Mar 20 2011 : 12:21:13 PM
TJ, just joined!
God's and Farmgirl's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal.
The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. |
| embchicken |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 9:49:46 PM
Just went over and signed up!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi
embchicken.blogspot.com |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 3:35:15 PM
Fiddle, websites!!! Pffbbt on 'em all.
OK go to yahoogroups.com and where it says search, try this - writesisters. There is only one other group (which didn't show up on my first search!) called THE Write Sisters... ours is just writesisters, one word, no the. If you use spaces between the letters, 9 gazillion groups come up. Wild!
Our group says "MaryJane's Farmgirl Sisters of the pen! We're a critique group created for the purpose of sharpening each other's skills, offering support, and having fun!"
Let me know...
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| Lady Woodworker |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 2:09:59 PM
Hmmm...
I went to yahoogroups.org and learned that there a whole bunch of other groups called Write Sisters
and I can't seem to find ours.
Maybe after a few of you (who are less computer-challenged than I am) find it, it will go up the list and become easier to find.
Thanks for setting this up TJ,
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 1:37:52 PM
Okay, it's set up! Go to yahoogroups.org and search for Write Sisters. You'll have to send a request to join it - this way we keep out the weirdo spammers who join every new list to post junk. Just let me know you're from MaryJanes! You'll have to set up a (free) yahoo account, but that's pretty easy. I've got a few other yg's and they work pretty well; we can save work to a file in there and look at each other's stuff that way.
This will be great! Can't wait to read what you guys are writing!!
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| Annika |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 1:18:57 PM
I have always written stories and poetry =) In the last year I have decided to throw all of my creative mojo at getting all of my notes and research up-dated and organized. The one that I'm working on now is a near-future spy thriller. I have a lot of energy with this story and it inspires me, so I'm going to write it!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Palouse Prairie Girls Chapter
http://palouseprairiegirls.blogspot.com/
http://prairiegirlsjournal.blogspot.com/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| TJinMT |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 1:01:52 PM
Karen - great ideas!! I like them too. Keeping this thread going will give us a place to be in contact with other Farmgirls, and the yahoogroup will let us keep our work under construction also under wraps.
I'll set up a yahoogroup and post another note here with the title; we can go from there.
I'm not at all possessive of this - anyone who would like to help moderate, or do the moderation, is more than welcome!!!!
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| embchicken |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 12:51:37 PM
Karen~ I like your ideas!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi
embchicken.blogspot.com |
| Lady Woodworker |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 09:30:49 AM
Personally, I think it would be best if we had a private place for work to be shown (yahoo site if necessary) but I see no reason why we couldn't also have a supplemental thread right here, in addition to that. Would having two locations be too complex?
As far as where to begin, may I suggest that we simply share exercises and techniques? That is something we could do right on this thread and, in time, it could become a great resource for all Farmgirl Sisters who want to improve their writing, whether or not they want to join the writers' group.
I know that we will be all over the place in skill levels and production capabilities (for example--no way can I promise 10 pages per week right now, but I think it's great that others can).
I think this could gain momentum organically and without a lot of pressure if just a few people have some work that they'd like to offer for the group read. Those who have work--great--those of us who don't--can be readers.
These are just suggestions. I am not trying to moderate the group in any way.
Best,
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 07:28:12 AM
Sorry I've been offline, my PC crashed! $200 and a new hard drive later... ugh...
So apparently they aren't making any new henhouses due to server space issues... so we'll have to look at alternatives. We can either do just a thread on here (like this one), or set something up off the MJF system, like a yahoo group?? The benefits to doing a thread are that we stay on this system... a drawback to that is that our work would be out there for the whole Farmgirl world (gulp) to read. I guess I was thinking more of a one-on-one type of critique?? But that might just be my own feeling. What do ya'll think??
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| embchicken |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 3:38:23 PM
I do like the idea of getting some feedback from the others in the henhouse. Suggestions are great and as far as I'm concerned - more brains - bigger brainstorming!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi
embchicken.blogspot.com |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 2:30:33 PM
Hey again!
I sent the request in; hopefully that will work out... the Henhouse is sort of like a chapter. You have to ask to join a particular Henhouse by sending in a request email... our threads are kept separate so the farmgirl world at large doesn't have access. It will just sort of keep things neater I think.
How should we run it? Where is everyone with their writing? Do we want to post chapters or writings that we have questions on, or would like (gentle) critique for? (pardon my poor grammar, I'm just thinking out loud...) Shall we have a writing buddy to keep us accountable (10 pages per day! or per week?!), that sort of thing? Having never done anything like this I'm a little at a loss. But we can write the rules as we go - or have no rules at all - whatever works for everyone.
Personally I'd like to be able to send a scene to someone who was familiar with my genre (Christian fiction) and ask for a critique. Suggestions, brainstorming, things like that. And have some accountability as well, as far as trying to meet a certain number of pages a week. That kind of thing.
How about you guys??? What do you want from the Write Sisters?
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| HollyG |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 08:57:00 AM
Thanks for the instructions. I just subscribed. Never realized what these buttons would do! I can't wait to get in the hen house! I'm so excited!
HollyG
Farmgirl #2513
www.mydeepwoodslife.com |
| embchicken |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 4:40:23 PM
Sounds great! Thank you so much!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 3:38:38 PM
The Write Sisters it is then - I'll send in the request as soon as I finish typing this - if you guys do the "subscribe to topic" thing below your new reply, it'll let you know via your regular email when someone responds to this thread, so you don't have to keep checking. I finally figured that one out!!
So once the Powers That Be (Brian?) sets up our new henhouse, I'll let you guys know via this thread and we can take it from there. Sound good?? I'm excited, hope ya'll are!!
Hope to write back soon!
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
| embchicken |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 3:20:51 PM
Really like the Write Sisters - can't wait!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi |
| Lady Woodworker |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 3:16:51 PM
I agree with Holly.
Afraid I don't know anything about a Henhouse. Is that sort of like a chapter?
I've been around here a few months but still feel pretty new here.
Looking forward to the writers group!
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
| HollyG |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 08:28:18 AM
I like The Write Sisters, but I don't care what we call it, as long as we just do it! I've checked this post a thousand times waiting for "instructions." I'm even planning on setting some time aside on my Spring Break from school to get some thoughts down on paper and organized. Maybe we'll be up and running by then and I can be held "accountable" by my Sisters!
HollyG
Farmgirl #2513
www.mydeepwoodslife.com |
| TJinMT |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 07:16:19 AM
Well, it sounds like we should give a Henhouse a try, and see where we take it!
So... here's a writing assignment! What do ya'll think we should name it???
A Pen in our Pocket?
Right Writers?
Scribes on the Side?
The Write Stuff?
The Write Sisters?
(ooh I kinda like that last one... but then I'm an aviation nerd too!)
Your thoughts???
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give." ~Thomas S. Monson |
