Where did August go?

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking about doing the August calendar (which I never completed), and here it is time for a September calendar.  I will get that one up this week because we have a new slate of activity to anticipate.
PicFic will be back, which is always one of our top challenges as far as inspiration and participation.  I hope we'll have a bumper crop of stories for the new season.
We've talked about new challenges, old challenges and favorite challenges, but I'd like to hear again from all of you as to which ones you enjoy the most, any you'd like to see again or even suggestions for something new and different.
I'd also like to throw something out, especially for those of you who read, maybe even put yourself in the lurking category, and wonder if you could write a story for MFU... See, I knew you were there ;)
If you feel brave enough to come forward and comment, let me know if you'd be interested in a First Story Challenge; it would be for those of you who want to write that first story but have not had the confidence or nerve (whatever), to post anything.  We're here to help, and we'll round up a beta for you if you need one, encourage you and then offer some positive critiquing.
There is a community here on LJ that specializes in writing help, the mfuwss or Man from UNCLE Writer's Survival School. The platform is designed to help writers, offer critiques and let you have the benefit of the experience and knowledge of other writers.  I've been there, and received an eye opening critique from st_crispins that was immediately helpful to me.
I would say post in both places, but we'll get to that if we have some response to the idea of this challenge.
August is almost out the door, I hope you have plans to be here in September.

Comments

[hypatia-66.livejournal.com]

The challenges are nearly all irresistible - the weekly Short Affair, for example, forces you to write something, even if nothing gets posted; the Episode Challenges are great because they're both a reminder of the spirit of the original and an opportunity to improve on what was sometimes pretty poor stuff. The Once upon a Time one is a real challenge to write something a bit longer - great stuff.

The ones I don't personally respond to so well are the PicFics (no idea why - I've nothing against pictures), and the festival ones - HODOWE, for instance means nothing to me, as a Brit - I don't think we do festivals much, or maybe it's just me. However, I'm improving on what has been hitherto total indifference to Halloween (and even Christmas) under that stimulus.

So, every challenge is a spur to the imagination; the more the merrier. Didn't we think of a "Get out of this one" challenge some time ago?

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

First of all, I appreciate your support for the community through your stories and input. We strive to find ways of keeping the MFU flame hot, but it doesn’t matter if the stories aren’t written.
If you go back into the archives you can see how the prompts for challenges like HODOWE and PicFic were interpreted, not literally but in the spirit of the prompt. As in all of the challenges it’s what does inspire us, so please feel free to offer topics for one. It’s how we like it here.

Great idea

[leethet.livejournal.com]

If you feel brave enough to come forward and comment, let me know if you'd be interested in a First Story Challenge; it would be for those of you who want to write that first story but have not had the confidence or nerve (whatever), to post anything. We're here to help, and we'll round up a beta for you if you need one, encourage you and then offer some positive critiquing.



This is a really nice idea and I would like to encourage it. I would even say "don't worry if it's not finished" because the whole point is to encourage nervous writers to just do it.

EDIT TO ADD: Even post anonymously, if they're scared to attach their name to it?

RE: Great idea

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Good to have you on board, and anonymity is definitely allowed 😎

Re: Great idea

[leethet.livejournal.com]

I might be the most critical reader/editor in the universe, but that doesn't mean I want new writers to be scared. We were all new once. The best writers in the world were new once. I'd hate to think someone wanted to write or share a story but felt scared to do it. A new writer Safe House, as it were, is a really good idea.


I promise to be gentle. :-)

For me....

RE: Re: Great idea

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

I am hopeful that the timid will come out and give this a try. I know my first story was the result of reading lots of fan fiction until I finally said to myself, 'I think I can do this'.
Thanks again for such a positive reaction to this idea.

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