Brandon
from KCMO is reading Made to BreakJanuary 14, 2013 - 2:53pm
Yeah, to add to what Jeff said, more badges would be fucking swell.
I know it'd probaby be a pain in the ass what with the need to verify things and what not, but something along the lines of an author badge (needs cool moniker) for those with books out or have published X amount of stories. Basically, something that illustrates such-and-such is taking it to the next level.
Laramore Black
from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8January 15, 2013 - 12:27am
Yeah, to add to what Jeff said, more badges would be fucking swell.
I know it'd probaby be a pain in the ass what with the need to verify things and what not, but something along the lines of an author badge (needs cool moniker) for those with books out or have published X amount of stories. Basically, something that illustrates such-and-such is taking it to the next level.
THIS would be really cool.
Stuff like: First paid story. Novel published. Novella published. 5 online publications. 10 - 50 online publications. Then 100. (etc.)
You could probably get several forum members to volunteer the verification process. You could even mark them with fancy moderator badges that say 'badge master' or something.
Also, speaking of moderator badges like the 'admin', 'mod', and 'defender' ones. Something I think would be cool to earn and see around would be for people to earn something like one that says 'published alumni' (Could it also link to information about their latest novel or website?!!). Carriers being either the published authors from the beginning or forum members who become professionally published while hanging around here.
This would also help new members know who the hell to listen to. It's not so much of a problem from what I've seen around here now, but a problem I had when I first got here was simply sticking up for whoever said the easiest and most amateur of statements. Mostly because I was naive and a badge may not change that for anyone else.
It would help pinpoint who knows what they are talking about and add credibility.
Just some random ideas though.
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeJanuary 15, 2013 - 12:41am
What about a "wrote a billion-grossing movie" badge? That'd be cool. I mean, it'd be cool until like everybody had one, because they all helped write billion-grossing movies. It'd be cool for a while, and then it'd be like whatever, because you could just ask anybody for advice, and it'd all be coming from people who helped write all-time blockbuster movies, and when they disagreed about something, it'd be like, who should I listen to? because they all helped write mega-monster-all-time-buy-your-momma's-company-for-pennies-on-the-dime blockbuster movies.
But this is more of a literature site, so maybe no movie badges.
Laramore Black
from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8January 15, 2013 - 12:49am
I think as modern authors we all aim to step into Hollywood secretly.
Add JY's idea to mine, plus wouldn't it be cool if we ended up with multiple famous people on this forum someday? Just sayin'. =]
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedJanuary 15, 2013 - 5:43am
@Black - I just want to quit my regular job.
Chi
from Sydney, Australia is reading The back of the Milk CartonJanuary 15, 2013 - 4:13pm
@Kirk and @Bryan
I think the sliding scale would work with/without word count functionality. Sure, you can police it better with the word count functionality, but I think with the amount of people reviewing in the workshop, all you need is an extra field with a check box for "exceeds wordcount" which the reviewer/s can tick if the submissions are submitted into the wrong category. Perhaps the penalty to such submissions can be -3 points which will deter people from submitting to the wrong category.
Still, a sliding scale sounds like a grand idea, albeit it does sound like a hell of alot of work.
Thanks.
-Chi
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.January 15, 2013 - 4:40pm
Let me just say, I'm perfectly happy with the way it is now. But, I'd love the word count to be an optional catagory to fill in.
Admin
Kirk
from Pingree Grove, IL is reading The Book Of The New SunJanuary 16, 2013 - 2:25pm
Well you should have that this weekend, bryan.
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJanuary 16, 2013 - 5:54pm
First, thanks for the kind words, y'all. I've only been writing for FIVE YEARS, so keep that in mind. You can go from ZERO to HERO in that time, or less. Or whatever I am now.
@Jeff Richard Thomas and Gordon Highland and Nik Korpon barely if ever have used this particular workshop, though. They've been in it long enough and getting good publications that they have their trusted beta readers and the confidence to send stuff out without too many eyes on it.
BUT, I was a VERY active member of The Cult workshop, which predated this place. It essentially was the workshop you have now. And I used it a LOT. It was very valuable. But you're right, I have gotten to the point where I have very few Beta readers, if any readers at all. I may not know HOW good a story is, but I think I know if a story is worth keeping at all. And I never really know how "good" something is. I've had stories I LOVE take forever to get accepted, or lose in WAR, and I've had stories I thought were good but nothing special get snatched up in days (or hours) or by big name presses or magazines.
Definitely be a part of the workshop. Definitely read and critique, you'll learn a lot. Earn your points and post up work. It's not that hard, really. I mean, if you need 15 points to post, then read what, 3-4 stories? If I had more time I'd do more in the workshop here, I really wish I could be more involved, read and help more people's work.
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJanuary 16, 2013 - 6:36pm
I think Jeff was right that you guys just being around adds a lot and spreads the knowledge. And there's plenty of people in this version of the workshop that give reviews that are great editing plus you can actually learn new tricks from.
When did you get to the point where a workshop wasn't as vital to you sending out stories, Richard? It's interesting how everybody develops their productivity.
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJanuary 16, 2013 - 7:51pm
Well, @Ren, it's not that the workshop's don't provide value, i just find myself making those edits on the fly. I'd say sometime around last year, the Write Club where I workshopped Disintegration. For a long time I felt I had to run my stories by SOMEbody, and it was here, The Cult, or WC. And then something happened, a deadline, and I couldn't get any feedback, or maybe I found that people didn't have much negative to say, or I disagreed with the negative I DID hear, and BOOM. I stopped running things by people. I'd still do WC for sure, a novel is a whole different thing. At the end of WC and Disintegration I had maybe 4-6 people that gave me all of their feedback, postiive and negative. I took a few suggestions, but I pushed back on the rest. At that point is was kind of either believe in myself, and fight for my visions, or don't evolve. I think landing an agent helped me to feel like I was on the right track, too. That reassurance.
Also, don't forget that in addition to the Cult, WC and LR, I've taken SIX online classes (Craig Clevenger, Monica Drake, Max Barry, CC again, Jack Ketchum and Stephen Graham Jones). Every step of the way I honed my skills under their direction. AND THEN, I got my MFA, so that was another 3 years of schooling, studying with a Pulitzer nominated author. And he RAPED my work, my lord, tore it apart. Really humbled me, tore me down, but then built me back up.
And yet, as you've all seen, I still FIGHT to win my WAR battles, very few of them are "blow outs." It just goes to show that there is a BUTTLOAD of talent here at LR. Find your voices, and believe in yourselves. Seriously. :-)
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedJanuary 18, 2013 - 2:51am
How about some reviews, nothing on that front in months.
Also love to see some columns on best book you've never heard of, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, YA, and noir/mystery (those might better separate I don't know).
Admin
Kirk
from Pingree Grove, IL is reading The Book Of The New SunJanuary 18, 2013 - 10:14am
Dwayne, we sadly ended up killing reviews for several reasons. First, they take a lot of effort and second an extremely low number of people seemed to have any interest in actually reading them (like so few it was discouraging).
Those are two really big red-checks when deciding where to allocate your resources on the web.
Laramore Black
from Joplin, Missouri is reading Mario Kart 8January 18, 2013 - 11:13am
This may be weird and/or implausible, but you could always find a way to let users connect their Goodreads accounts to the site. Then make a feed of recent reviews from forum users, would promote work as well as make reviews completely user generated.
I don't know where'd you put such a thing though.
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.January 18, 2013 - 11:19am
How about posters of me in the "Shop" section. I know people would be clamoring for that.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 18, 2013 - 11:21am
How about posters of me in the "Shop" section.
I'd be interested in LR member trading cards.
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.January 18, 2013 - 11:23am
Would it be like Magic the Gathering?
What about Pogs? Could we do Pogs?
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 18, 2013 - 11:27am
More like baseball cards.
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.January 18, 2013 - 11:33am
So, I couldn't tap two Utah's to cast R.MOON at Johnny's Averydoll?
sean of the dead
from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed AyresJanuary 18, 2013 - 11:34am
I'd like to see WAR wins & losses included on the backs, as well as Thunderdome winning percentage. Also, i hope they come with wretched bubble gum.
I'll trade you my Richard Thomas rookie card for your OtisTheBulldog all-star card...
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 18, 2013 - 11:41am
I've got like 5 Richard Thomas cards. I was looking for a MattAttack card, but I heard they quit making them.
Class Director
Rob
from New York City is reading at a fast enough pace it would be cumbersome to update thisJanuary 18, 2013 - 11:55am
My name is Rob. For those of you who don't know me, I'm the site's class director. There was some discussion at the beginning of the thread about the classes, and though it's since veered from that, I wanted to weigh in:
Someone brought up the point of making just the class material available for a lower price. We've had discussions related to this, but we have to balance a couple of things:
It can't take away from the workshop
It's got to be valuable (so, something more than just a couple of lectures pasted into a Word doc)
There's additional work involved anyway, because the lectures and assignments are tailored for an interactive workshop setting
Essentially, there's a sweet spot in there where everybody wins. We haven't found it yet, but we'll let you know when/if we do.
As for affordability on the classes: We've introduced classes at lower price points, like Suzy Vitello's dialogue workshop and Taylor Houston's grammar workshop from last month, Patrick Wensink's class that just kicked off, and Bree Ogden's upcoming query class. So, we're definitely looking for ways to introduce more options.
We're trying different things and experimenting a bit, and we're open to ideas and input. Now that I'm in and settled and our slate is locked down for the next two months, this is actually a really good time for a chat.
So if you have any questions, fire away. And if you've got something you want to ask me about on the QT, then e-mail me at rob@litreactor.com, or hit me with a PM.
Jack Campbell Jr.
from Lawrence, KS is reading American Rust by Phillipp MeyerJanuary 18, 2013 - 1:09pm
I hope to actually join the workshop at some point, but I'm not sure it is feasible until I finish my Master's degree. I don't get to produce as much work during the semesters as I would like, and don't really have time to critique anything other than the stuff I have to read for class. That being said, I've heard overwhelmingly good things about the workshop and the classes, so they have to be doing something correctly.
Really, I've always learned more about writing by critiquing other people's work than having my own critiqued. I come at it from a much more neutral position and can see flaws that will also appear in my on writing. Workshopping is as much about learning to read as it is learning to write.
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedJanuary 18, 2013 - 3:12pm
@Kirk - Understandable. Maybe some links off site to book reviews?
fport
from Canada is reading The World Until Yesterday - Jared DiamondJanuary 19, 2013 - 9:24am
@Dwayne, maybe you could just start your own conversation about books.
I've heard that's the way it is done here.
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedJanuary 19, 2013 - 5:13am
@fport - I was referring more to a steady, reliably updated link from one of the staff who I'm guess put more time into such things. Like a "this week's link to a review." Threads are random, and if you haven't noticed in our several off topic debates, likely to go off topic.
Devon Robbins
from Utah is reading The Least Of My Scars by Stephen Graham JonesJanuary 19, 2013 - 7:33am
Richard Thomas does book reviews at The Nervous Breakdown. They are good reviews and he has a pile of them over there.
fport
from Canada is reading The World Until Yesterday - Jared DiamondJanuary 19, 2013 - 9:23am
@Dwayne, oh so now it's my fault.
Hey Devon, that a great link, reference for Dwayne and it saves him hijacking someone else's thread or actually starting his own.
fport
from Canada is reading The World Until Yesterday - Jared DiamondJanuary 19, 2013 - 9:30am
I've got my own request here, speed. I don't mean to complain but, hell yes, it's a complaint, the site seems really slow for posting. Is this temporary due to some debug code while development is underway or is the server showing its age?
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJanuary 20, 2013 - 9:56am
thanks, devon.
yeah, we just don't seem to get the reaction here for book reviews and interviews that we should. not sure why. it's a real shame.
Ben Freeman
from Charlottesville, Virginia is reading everything I canJanuary 20, 2013 - 2:50pm
For what it's worth, I've always enjoyed the interviews I've read on here and would love for there to be more of them in general.
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedJanuary 20, 2013 - 2:57pm
Fport, not sure why me asking for a link from them upsets you, but I'm not asking you to read it. So let it go.
fport
from Canada is reading The World Until Yesterday - Jared DiamondJanuary 20, 2013 - 3:31pm
Dwayne, son, look, not everything is about you. I made the post about the link to demonstrate my new found ability to add links to words as an example for the newbies who stumble over this, as the ultimate way to suggest places to people without dropping URL's all over the message base. It's not just a an angry red word it's an embedded link, I directed people to 'The Nervous Breakdown' and by people, I mean you and of course anyone who follows this thread and has difficulty at times remembering to look things up later.
As an aside, as we have not yet formalized an actual relationship and you've been more than kind to me while letting little of your frustration show, I thought I would reciprocate with some eye gouging, nose banging, tough guy banter at random moments for your blood pressure to assure you that you are still alive. Obviously this is coming off as whining instead of male bonding camaraderie. For that, I apologise Dwayne.
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedJanuary 20, 2013 - 3:59pm
Things that have my name in the them tend to be about me. High correlation.
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.January 21, 2013 - 11:29am
Things that don't have your name in them are about me.
R.Moon
from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's DigestJanuary 21, 2013 - 1:09pm
I think it's neat that fport's post starts with 'Dwayne' and ends with 'Dwayne'.
While this post has the name 'Dwayne' in it, it's actually not about Dwayne. That's neat, too.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 21, 2013 - 1:45pm
"While this post has the name 'Dwayne' in it, it's actually not about Dwayne. That's neat, too."
That is neat. I also think it's neat that it is about Howie.
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJanuary 21, 2013 - 1:56pm
The interviews are so great though. Freaking George Saunders I mean seriously?
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedJanuary 21, 2013 - 2:09pm
This reminds me of a something that happened to me. I walked by two black ladies who said my name a few times. I stopped and asked if they were talking to me. They looked at me oddly and I told them my name is Dwayne, I was pretty sure I heard them say it. They looked at me like I'd slapped someone and informed me that it was the one my right's name. I said I was sorry, wasn't aware it was a female name as well. I thought that was fairly reasonable. As I walked away they said sort racist things.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 21, 2013 - 2:35pm
If you didn't know them, why would you assume they were talking about or to you?
R.Moon
from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's DigestJanuary 21, 2013 - 2:59pm
The answer to your question, Doll.
Things that have my name in the them tend to be about me. High correlation.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 21, 2013 - 3:28pm
Wow. And people say that I'm conceited...
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.January 21, 2013 - 3:40pm
Averydoll is so conceited. At least, that's what I hear.
Dwayne
from Cincinnati, Ohio (suburbs) is reading books that rotate to often to keep this updatedJanuary 21, 2013 - 4:18pm
Not to be mean, but it isn't as common Jessica. Except for a Dwayne I worked with, I think maybe 3 times I've heard someone say my name and it wasn't in reference to me. And even if it was a jerk move, which it wasn't, if the shoe had been on the other foot I wouldn't have been cool to refer to a black woman who said something awkward as the n word.
Ben Freeman
from Charlottesville, Virginia is reading everything I canJanuary 21, 2013 - 6:29pm
My neighbor's have a dog named Ben. So I'm sitting there minding my business and outside I hear "Ben! Come here now!" "Ben! Get inside!" freaked me out for a while til I realized I shared a name with a dog.
Renfield
from Hell is reading 20th Century GhostsJanuary 22, 2013 - 7:37am
Whenever I read Dracula I always get weirded out.
fport
from Canada is reading The World Until Yesterday - Jared DiamondJanuary 22, 2013 - 8:13pm
Soon keeping an eye on someone will mean something different.
jyh
from VA is reading whatever he feels likeJanuary 22, 2013 - 11:24pm
Life will be weird after I'm dead.
Jonathan Riley
from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland January 22, 2013 - 11:26pm
^ I just lol'd so hard.
Carly Berg
from USA is reading Story Prompts That Work by Carly Berg is now available at AmazonJanuary 27, 2013 - 6:21pm
I know it'd probaby be a pain in the ass what with the need to verify things and what not, but something along the lines of an author badge (needs cool moniker) for those with books out or have published X amount of stories. Basically, something that illustrates such-and-such is taking it to the next level.
.
This would also help new members know who the hell to listen to. It's not so much of a problem from what I've seen around here now, but a problem I had when I first got here was simply sticking up for whoever said the easiest and most amateur of statements. Mostly because I was naive and a badge may not change that for anyone else.
It would help pinpoint who knows what they are talking about and add credibility.
***
I agree with the above. All advice and opinions aren't equal. It would be nice if there were various badges of success in the field rather than just things like how many posts someone had made, so people could better sort out who they'd want to listen to.
Yeah, to add to what Jeff said, more badges would be fucking swell.
I know it'd probaby be a pain in the ass what with the need to verify things and what not, but something along the lines of an author badge (needs cool moniker) for those with books out or have published X amount of stories. Basically, something that illustrates such-and-such is taking it to the next level.
THIS would be really cool.
Stuff like: First paid story. Novel published. Novella published. 5 online publications. 10 - 50 online publications. Then 100. (etc.)
You could probably get several forum members to volunteer the verification process. You could even mark them with fancy moderator badges that say 'badge master' or something.
Also, speaking of moderator badges like the 'admin', 'mod', and 'defender' ones. Something I think would be cool to earn and see around would be for people to earn something like one that says 'published alumni' (Could it also link to information about their latest novel or website?!!). Carriers being either the published authors from the beginning or forum members who become professionally published while hanging around here.
This would also help new members know who the hell to listen to. It's not so much of a problem from what I've seen around here now, but a problem I had when I first got here was simply sticking up for whoever said the easiest and most amateur of statements. Mostly because I was naive and a badge may not change that for anyone else.
It would help pinpoint who knows what they are talking about and add credibility.
Just some random ideas though.
What about a "wrote a billion-grossing movie" badge? That'd be cool. I mean, it'd be cool until like everybody had one, because they all helped write billion-grossing movies. It'd be cool for a while, and then it'd be like whatever, because you could just ask anybody for advice, and it'd all be coming from people who helped write all-time blockbuster movies, and when they disagreed about something, it'd be like, who should I listen to? because they all helped write mega-monster-all-time-buy-your-momma's-company-for-pennies-on-the-dime blockbuster movies.
But this is more of a literature site, so maybe no movie badges.
I think as modern authors we all aim to step into Hollywood secretly.
Add JY's idea to mine, plus wouldn't it be cool if we ended up with multiple famous people on this forum someday? Just sayin'. =]
@Black - I just want to quit my regular job.
@Kirk and @Bryan
I think the sliding scale would work with/without word count functionality. Sure, you can police it better with the word count functionality, but I think with the amount of people reviewing in the workshop, all you need is an extra field with a check box for "exceeds wordcount" which the reviewer/s can tick if the submissions are submitted into the wrong category. Perhaps the penalty to such submissions can be -3 points which will deter people from submitting to the wrong category.
Still, a sliding scale sounds like a grand idea, albeit it does sound like a hell of alot of work.
Thanks.
-Chi
Let me just say, I'm perfectly happy with the way it is now. But, I'd love the word count to be an optional catagory to fill in.
Well you should have that this weekend, bryan.
First, thanks for the kind words, y'all. I've only been writing for FIVE YEARS, so keep that in mind. You can go from ZERO to HERO in that time, or less. Or whatever I am now.
BUT, I was a VERY active member of The Cult workshop, which predated this place. It essentially was the workshop you have now. And I used it a LOT. It was very valuable. But you're right, I have gotten to the point where I have very few Beta readers, if any readers at all. I may not know HOW good a story is, but I think I know if a story is worth keeping at all. And I never really know how "good" something is. I've had stories I LOVE take forever to get accepted, or lose in WAR, and I've had stories I thought were good but nothing special get snatched up in days (or hours) or by big name presses or magazines.
Definitely be a part of the workshop. Definitely read and critique, you'll learn a lot. Earn your points and post up work. It's not that hard, really. I mean, if you need 15 points to post, then read what, 3-4 stories? If I had more time I'd do more in the workshop here, I really wish I could be more involved, read and help more people's work.
I think Jeff was right that you guys just being around adds a lot and spreads the knowledge. And there's plenty of people in this version of the workshop that give reviews that are great editing plus you can actually learn new tricks from.
When did you get to the point where a workshop wasn't as vital to you sending out stories, Richard? It's interesting how everybody develops their productivity.
Well, @Ren, it's not that the workshop's don't provide value, i just find myself making those edits on the fly. I'd say sometime around last year, the Write Club where I workshopped Disintegration. For a long time I felt I had to run my stories by SOMEbody, and it was here, The Cult, or WC. And then something happened, a deadline, and I couldn't get any feedback, or maybe I found that people didn't have much negative to say, or I disagreed with the negative I DID hear, and BOOM. I stopped running things by people. I'd still do WC for sure, a novel is a whole different thing. At the end of WC and Disintegration I had maybe 4-6 people that gave me all of their feedback, postiive and negative. I took a few suggestions, but I pushed back on the rest. At that point is was kind of either believe in myself, and fight for my visions, or don't evolve. I think landing an agent helped me to feel like I was on the right track, too. That reassurance.
Also, don't forget that in addition to the Cult, WC and LR, I've taken SIX online classes (Craig Clevenger, Monica Drake, Max Barry, CC again, Jack Ketchum and Stephen Graham Jones). Every step of the way I honed my skills under their direction. AND THEN, I got my MFA, so that was another 3 years of schooling, studying with a Pulitzer nominated author. And he RAPED my work, my lord, tore it apart. Really humbled me, tore me down, but then built me back up.
And yet, as you've all seen, I still FIGHT to win my WAR battles, very few of them are "blow outs." It just goes to show that there is a BUTTLOAD of talent here at LR. Find your voices, and believe in yourselves. Seriously. :-)
How about some reviews, nothing on that front in months.
Also love to see some columns on best book you've never heard of, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, YA, and noir/mystery (those might better separate I don't know).
Dwayne, we sadly ended up killing reviews for several reasons. First, they take a lot of effort and second an extremely low number of people seemed to have any interest in actually reading them (like so few it was discouraging).
Those are two really big red-checks when deciding where to allocate your resources on the web.
This may be weird and/or implausible, but you could always find a way to let users connect their Goodreads accounts to the site. Then make a feed of recent reviews from forum users, would promote work as well as make reviews completely user generated.
I don't know where'd you put such a thing though.
How about posters of me in the "Shop" section. I know people would be clamoring for that.
I'd be interested in LR member trading cards.
Would it be like Magic the Gathering?
What about Pogs? Could we do Pogs?
More like baseball cards.
So, I couldn't tap two Utah's to cast R.MOON at Johnny's Averydoll?
I'd like to see WAR wins & losses included on the backs, as well as Thunderdome winning percentage. Also, i hope they come with wretched bubble gum.
I'll trade you my Richard Thomas rookie card for your OtisTheBulldog all-star card...
I've got like 5 Richard Thomas cards. I was looking for a MattAttack card, but I heard they quit making them.
My name is Rob. For those of you who don't know me, I'm the site's class director. There was some discussion at the beginning of the thread about the classes, and though it's since veered from that, I wanted to weigh in:
Someone brought up the point of making just the class material available for a lower price. We've had discussions related to this, but we have to balance a couple of things:
Essentially, there's a sweet spot in there where everybody wins. We haven't found it yet, but we'll let you know when/if we do.
As for affordability on the classes: We've introduced classes at lower price points, like Suzy Vitello's dialogue workshop and Taylor Houston's grammar workshop from last month, Patrick Wensink's class that just kicked off, and Bree Ogden's upcoming query class. So, we're definitely looking for ways to introduce more options.
We're trying different things and experimenting a bit, and we're open to ideas and input. Now that I'm in and settled and our slate is locked down for the next two months, this is actually a really good time for a chat.
So if you have any questions, fire away. And if you've got something you want to ask me about on the QT, then e-mail me at rob@litreactor.com, or hit me with a PM.
I hope to actually join the workshop at some point, but I'm not sure it is feasible until I finish my Master's degree. I don't get to produce as much work during the semesters as I would like, and don't really have time to critique anything other than the stuff I have to read for class. That being said, I've heard overwhelmingly good things about the workshop and the classes, so they have to be doing something correctly.
Really, I've always learned more about writing by critiquing other people's work than having my own critiqued. I come at it from a much more neutral position and can see flaws that will also appear in my on writing. Workshopping is as much about learning to read as it is learning to write.
@Kirk - Understandable. Maybe some links off site to book reviews?
@Dwayne, maybe you could just start your own conversation about books.
I've heard that's the way it is done here.
@fport - I was referring more to a steady, reliably updated link from one of the staff who I'm guess put more time into such things. Like a "this week's link to a review." Threads are random, and if you haven't noticed in our several off topic debates, likely to go off topic.
Richard Thomas does book reviews at The Nervous Breakdown. They are good reviews and he has a pile of them over there.
@Dwayne, oh so now it's my fault.
Hey Devon, that a great
link, reference for Dwayne and it saves him hijacking someone else's thread or actually starting his own.I've got my own request here, speed. I don't mean to complain but, hell yes, it's a complaint, the site seems really slow for posting. Is this temporary due to some debug code while development is underway or is the server showing its age?
thanks, devon.
yeah, we just don't seem to get the reaction here for book reviews and interviews that we should. not sure why. it's a real shame.
For what it's worth, I've always enjoyed the interviews I've read on here and would love for there to be more of them in general.
Fport, not sure why me asking for a link from them upsets you, but I'm not asking you to read it. So let it go.
Dwayne, son, look, not everything is about you. I made the post about the link to demonstrate my new found ability to add links to words as an example for the newbies who stumble over this, as the ultimate way to suggest places to people without dropping URL's all over the message base. It's not just a an angry red word it's an embedded link, I directed people to 'The Nervous Breakdown' and by people, I mean you and of course anyone who follows this thread and has difficulty at times remembering to look things up later.
As an aside, as we have not yet formalized an actual relationship and you've been more than kind to me while letting little of your frustration show, I thought I would reciprocate with some eye gouging, nose banging, tough guy banter at random moments for your blood pressure to assure you that you are still alive. Obviously this is coming off as whining instead of male bonding camaraderie. For that, I apologise Dwayne.
Things that have my name in the them tend to be about me. High correlation.
Things that don't have your name in them are about me.
I think it's neat that fport's post starts with 'Dwayne' and ends with 'Dwayne'.
While this post has the name 'Dwayne' in it, it's actually not about Dwayne. That's neat, too.
"While this post has the name 'Dwayne' in it, it's actually not about Dwayne. That's neat, too."
That is neat. I also think it's neat that it is about Howie.
The interviews are so great though. Freaking George Saunders I mean seriously?
This reminds me of a something that happened to me. I walked by two black ladies who said my name a few times. I stopped and asked if they were talking to me. They looked at me oddly and I told them my name is Dwayne, I was pretty sure I heard them say it. They looked at me like I'd slapped someone and informed me that it was the one my right's name. I said I was sorry, wasn't aware it was a female name as well. I thought that was fairly reasonable. As I walked away they said sort racist things.
If you didn't know them, why would you assume they were talking about or to you?
The answer to your question, Doll.
Wow. And people say that I'm conceited...
Averydoll is so conceited. At least, that's what I hear.
Not to be mean, but it isn't as common Jessica. Except for a Dwayne I worked with, I think maybe 3 times I've heard someone say my name and it wasn't in reference to me. And even if it was a jerk move, which it wasn't, if the shoe had been on the other foot I wouldn't have been cool to refer to a black woman who said something awkward as the n word.
My neighbor's have a dog named Ben. So I'm sitting there minding my business and outside I hear "Ben! Come here now!" "Ben! Get inside!" freaked me out for a while til I realized I shared a name with a dog.
Whenever I read Dracula I always get weirded out.
Soon keeping an eye on someone will mean something different.
Life will be weird after I'm dead.
^ I just lol'd so hard.