Posted by Jim Erhardt on March 9, 2014 at 11:16 AM
Would anyone be interested in a members-only forum dedicated to the "art and technique" of writing?
I always hated writing in my school days - maybe it was because I couldn't (and still, can't) type to save my life. With the advent of word processing and the ability to fix endless typos without having to re-type an entire page, I slowly warmed up to the process.
While I've been writing reviews and how-to articles for NPN for a long time - and some occasional trade articles - I just recently ventured into writing fiction. Talk about the scary stuff coming out of my mind now....
Feel free to respond below if writing, sharing tips and advice and providing/receiving critique on writing is something that resonates with you.
Posted by Luke Ormand on March 9, 2014 at 11:31 AM
Posted by Jim DeWitt on March 10, 2014 at 11:57 AM
Critiquing writing is hard work (said the former English teacher), but yes. I think it's an interesting idea.
Posted by Roger Rouch on March 10, 2014 at 2:33 PM
Definitely. Might take some guidelines on length or fiction vs non-fiction, etc. I would probably prefer fiction as I tend have things dancing around in my cerebellum that could use an outlet, as well. It might additionally be fun to associate a photo or two with the writing?
Posted by Jim Erhardt on March 10, 2014 at 6:03 PM
Thanks to all for responding!
Do all of you have a way to host your own pdf or Word doc?
Honestly, I am on the fence with this idea. If the forum is created, I think it should be geared toward the support of NPN's mission of being for, and about, Nature Photography.
In regard to supporting our mission, the posts should center around submissions related to writing of trip reports, gear reviews, book reviews, science and technology, and articles about technical and esthetic issues.
I do firmly believe in, "You have the write to know."
--P
Posted by Jim Erhardt on March 15, 2014 at 2:02 PM
Preston, I understand your concern.
That said, limiting the development of writing skills to a very narrow band of subjects would greatly limit the forum's usefulness.
The forum would be minimally only viewable to NPN members. Another option is to make it a private forum, only viewable to those who wish to participate.
I'm still interested in hearing if there's enough interest to make it worthwhile.
I would be willing to help if time permits, Jim. I had an old school Engish Prof as a graduate advisor and he poured so much red ink on my papers that I became a member of the grammar police. So feel free to send some of your writing my way so I can bloody it up.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on March 20, 2014 at 7:04 PM
I'm putting it together this weekend.
It will be a private forum with its content not visible to the public or other members who have not requested to join it.
Stan, I'm sending you a link to a 20,000 word sci-fi/romance novella for you to wreak havoc on!
Discussion
12 repliesI always hated writing in my school days - maybe it was because I couldn't (and still, can't) type to save my life. With the advent of word processing and the ability to fix endless typos without having to re-type an entire page, I slowly warmed up to the process.
While I've been writing reviews and how-to articles for NPN for a long time - and some occasional trade articles - I just recently ventured into writing fiction. Talk about the scary stuff coming out of my mind now....
Feel free to respond below if writing, sharing tips and advice and providing/receiving critique on writing is something that resonates with you.
Do all of you have a way to host your own pdf or Word doc?
In regard to supporting our mission, the posts should center around submissions related to writing of trip reports, gear reviews, book reviews, science and technology, and articles about technical and esthetic issues.
I do firmly believe in, "You have the write to know."
--P
That said, limiting the development of writing skills to a very narrow band of subjects would greatly limit the forum's usefulness.
The forum would be minimally only viewable to NPN members. Another option is to make it a private forum, only viewable to those who wish to participate.
I'm still interested in hearing if there's enough interest to make it worthwhile.
If we move forward with this, I think it should be available to all 'premium' members.
--P
It will be a private forum with its content not visible to the public or other members who have not requested to join it.
Stan, I'm sending you a link to a 20,000 word sci-fi/romance novella for you to wreak havoc on!