Posted on 03/11/2024 5:22:36 PM PDT by Lazamataz
Hello everyone! I am forming a ping list/community here, on Free Republic, that is intended to support, encourage, and mentor upcoming writers and connect them with professionals.
Please contact me here and ask to be part of this community and its related ping list.
I’m interested. I have a novel on Amazon.
Guilds hark back to medieval times when craftsmen and merchants cooperated to advance their joint business.
And that's how I view Free Republic, a guild of American patriots who are professionals in many spheres of work and life.
And aside from reading perspective on topics of the day and making a few witty remarks, another treasure of FR is to hear the learned opinion of FReepers who are experts in countless walks of life -- and to interact with them.
So if the Writer's Guild can multiply the number of FReepers who share such expertise and wisdom, that's a very valuable contribution. And that might entail pairing writers with experts.
I can't think of a better example of FReeper writing than rlmorel's March 2023 vanity, A Day in the Life of a US Navy Plane Captain.
Most of us have seen the Top Gun and Maverick movies which glorify U.S. Navy pilots. But this story looks at naval aviation from the perspective of a Plane Captain, the guy responsible for the safety and performance of the plane a Top Gun is flying!
And besides Plane Captains carrying a huge responsibility on their shoulders, the story tells you what these guys think, what they worry about, what they are proud of, and also gives us the flavor of the after hours drinking experience with buddies.
It's a masterful work together with some great pics. Believe me, the fake news journalists at the New York Times and the rest of them can't produce a story of this quality because they are Intellectuals Yet Idiots.
And as the comments confirm, FReepers got excited about the vanity encouraging rlmorel to add a ton more perspective in the comments which expanded to 120 comments overall.
So I ask: how can the Writer's Guild drive more contributions like this?
My writing is generally composed in Ariel Font. Archaic fonts that are hard to read are disdained.
I try to write at least 300 words per day and just about any subject is OK
Nope. Just my mistake -- thought that might have been something you wrote...
I might be able to give some advice, as I was a paid newspaper/magazine editor for 35 years. I am retired now, but still do a little freelancing.
I’m rewriting the dictionary using only adverbs and adjectives.
How much?
He's a Foundational FReeper so he can take it, and he'd let me sign up even though I'm a terrible writer.
Not good enough. Rewrite the dictionary using only the words “and”, “the”, “is”, “but”, “for”, and “okay”.
Example:
Color: Is but okay and the for okay the and.
Untrue.
I cry every time.
Does cartoon fan fiction count???
ANY WORK OF CREATIVITY COUNTS. Books, short stories, political commentary, movie scripts, cartoons, etc.
The goal of this group is for the creative part of the Freeper community to help each other. As is apparent from this thread, that is a large community!
Creating anything of this nature is tough. Hard work to do it right.
We both believe the wealth of knowledge in the Freeper community should be shared with other Freepers.
The ask is simple: (1) create something and (2) share what you'd like feedback upon. Optional (3) is provide feedback - of course always in a respectful way. Note: Constructive criticism is helpful and frankly essential.
While Laz and I are working on something together, mostly let Laz take point. Thought this was worth me butting in though. The Free Republic Writers Guild is important. And this Guild was Laz's creation. It does matter.
Of particular interest (to me, at least) would be tips on how to get started writing fiction. I’ve read enough of it and have a couple of ideas for, if not a complete book or novel, at least maybe a TV series or show. All I’ve managed to do is jot down the basic ideas so far. I need a kick (somewhere) and good advice to go further. I just don’t have confidence in myself or my writing ability.
It's hard work.
Think I found this blurb instructive:
Stephen King's typical routine is to write for four hours straight every single day. Sure, he does take the odd day off, but for the most part he writes daily. It works for him.
Now you don't have to do four hours. But write something most days. It will come to you.
I've done it. Gotten to the point I can predict most lines characters are going to say on most TV shows. That said, Laz is FAR better at character development and dialog that me.
Again, it's hard work. But rewarding. Even if you don't get paid, you know you created something!
than me^*
Please put me on your list.
Yes, put me on the ping list.
What if it rhymes? Does that count?
And I don’t mean none o’ that hoitie-toitie, fine art, finishing school rhyming, either. I’m talking about down-to-earth, gutter scrapin’ wordplay like, “chance”, and “dance”, or “horizontal” and “periodontal”. Know what I mean? REAL rhymes for real people. Three chords and the truth kinda rhymin’. Accompanied by bouts of Tourette’s. And drinking binges. But no crying jags, man, that’s for them folkie types. 4/4 rhymes is where it’s at.
This comment meets with the (absolutely unnecessary) Laz Seal of Approval. 🤣😂
Count me in!
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