Writers Workshop - Writers Forum

eggo · 04-16-2006, 10:17 AM

I've posted a few things in WW and noticed the low traffic throught that part of the forum. At first I attributed it to the newness of the section.

Then I read the blurb at the beginning,

Quote:

The Writer's Workshop is a members only forum for you to post items you would like to workshop with other writers. Guests and Search Engines will not have access. All posts will be deleted after 30 days.

Maybe people are getting the indcation that this is a member only group as oppose to one open for any WF member who wants to protect his/her work against future publication and still recieve open forum feedback.

I think changing the blurb to something a bit more inviting would get people to read more of my stuff and be better for me......

.....I mean be better for the forum.

Ruben · 04-16-2006, 12:43 PM

Hmhm, people tend to go to Fiction, Short Stories & Critiques much faster.

I actually never went to this part, before it was recommended to me.

EDIT: and another GREAT factor, is that it's totally at the bottom, shoved under 'Continued from Lit.org' and 'Nanowrimo 2005'. I'm sure that, if it was put under 'Short Stories', it would get a lot more attention.

Blackhawk_t · 04-18-2006, 02:16 PM

I think that people also may not care for the fact that their work will be deleted in 30 days. Just my opinion, but you never know. BTW Ruben, do you change your avatar hourly?

Ben · 04-18-2006, 10:49 PM

I think that's a good idea, Ruben. But why not go one step further and put it on the top of the list?

Selorian · 04-19-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackhawk_t

I think that people also may not care for the fact that their work will be deleted in 30 days. Just my opinion, but you never know. BTW Ruben, do you change your avatar hourly?

Why would they be against the removal of the work after 30 days?

The area is for people to workshop pieces they are working on to get feedback and suggestions to help polish them before submitting them somewhere. You wouldn't want to leave the piece up after you send it off.

Also, it is a workshop, not a place to display your work indefinitely. Copy the comments and suggestions you need before the 30 day limit and continue working on the remaining parts of your work.

As far as the suggestions mentioned, I believe they are worthy of being discussed by the staff. I'll bring them up and see what happens.

eggo · 04-19-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

As far as the suggestions mentioned, I believe they are worthy of being discussed by the staff. I'll bring them up and see what happens.

Thanks Selorian

Blackhawk_t · 04-20-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selorian72

You wouldn't want to leave the piece up after you send it off.

I'm not saying I don't agree with you, I'm just trying to give another theory as to why it doesn't fill up as fast.

Selorian · 04-20-2006, 11:21 AM

Granted, it could be.

Another may be that there's only a small number of people actually looking to ever submit the stories they're working on at the moment.

Another is they may not be aware that posting in the other forums on the board can rob them of first publication rights on their piece later on down the road.

Still some technicalities to iron out, but I believe these suggestions may be a go. Will post more when it's definite.

Selorian · 05-05-2006, 02:31 PM

Suggested changes have been implemented.

Ruben · 05-05-2006, 02:48 PM

Brilliant!

Thank you, and congratiulations on making this superb choice!

eggo · 05-06-2006, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Suggested changes have been implemented.

Well done. You guys out did yourselves

Thanks

Ilan Bouchard · 05-06-2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selorian72

Why would they be against the removal of the work after 30 days?

I personally like this feature best. I'm more likely to post in the WW section than any other simply because I know my work will be gone in a month.

Also: is it automated, or do the Mentors and Mods have to sludge through the last page and delete all the old work?

Selorian · 05-06-2006, 10:51 PM

Yes, that feature and the fact it's only available for viewing by members are the two features I like the best.

As for the 30 day deletion, we want to make it automated eventually. Right now, until we find the right vB hack, staff has to remove them manually.

Ilan Bouchard · 05-06-2006, 11:17 PM

Oh, that staff. Will it ever learn?

D2B · 05-23-2006, 11:47 AM

I agree with Selorian72...

I've been posting out in the open for years now. And now realize that all these missives can no longer be sold with first publication rights.

If people knew that they were giving their stuff away and destroying its publication value, I doubt they would continue to post on the short stories or fiction open forums.

Perhaps that's the most important message: "Warning - posting your material in other than the closed writing forum can damage your work's first publication rights."