We'd like your input!

Book Talks

moosie — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:06:44 GMT

I have been subscribing to the Writer for years now and let my Writer's Digest subscription lapse, as it is simply a self promotion and marketing engine. Your magazine delivers information about the craft and reaches into it's own archives to share other author's opinions on craft. Some things change, and some things don't. Believing that your reader exists is an essential truth. Please put together a series on the writer in public life--reading excerpts, attending book clubs and facilitating discussion, making speeches, presenting awards, receiving awards. This is part of the craft that is ignored, because an author's distinct personal views are full of teachable moments for the writer and the attendees. I have been in Toastmasters for the last 18 months, which has been valuable to me in ways I could not have anticipated. I am very earnest when I put together a 5-7 minute speech. Once I've looked at my speech assignment and decided which subject fills it's parameters, I ask the question why is this subject so important to me that I want to have someone listen to me about it. The process of forming the speech involves a rocking chair, a legal pad, and a timer. When I cut out every digression (I will never be a linear thinker) I ask one last question. How can I give something to the listener that they can use in their own life? I never write to be funny, but my description of my brothers being an "incidental irritation in my life" immediately brings a laugh no matter who I say it to. I'm told it's a witty remark. I still don't why. I simply write what I think is essential and let the listener decide. Please note: I did not use the word audience. It is a perilous concept for a wordsmith.

Help us make the forums better

JReich — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:39:02 GMT

In the coming weeks, we will be reorganizing The Writer forums in ways we hope will make them more accessible and relevant to Web site users. Two changes you will see soon:

1) The elimination of forums that have seen little or no activity in recent months
2) The relocation of some premium forums to the free area.

Beyond that, we would like to hear from you on what more we can do to improve the forums. What topics should we add? What else would you like to see? Please feel free to post your comments here; we’ll take every suggestion into consideration as we work to provide you with a livelier and more enjoyable discussion area.

Jeff Reich
Editor

what drives my writing

Bev — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:53:48 GMT

I write for myself. Writing helps me to solve personal problems that occured many years ago or today. It is a catharsis. I can change my history and play with what ifs all I want. I gain a better insight to the problem people in my life, past or present. I have fun with writing. Most of all, once everything is written, I enjoy editting. It is like talking to myself and really listening. I strive to be honest and acknowledge my role in the problem. zuraw37@aol.com

How to spice up a very boring forum

minnownj — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:53:57 GMT

I joined this forum six years ago. I didn't participate much then because I had dial-up service. "Talking" on a forum took up too much time because of the long download times between screens. Luckily, I now have FIOS, which is faster than the speed of light (okay, I exagerate, but compared to dial-up, it is really fast).

So now I'm back and absolutely bored by this forum. Where is everyone? On vacation? Or is everybody too busy writing (I am, but this forum is a great place to meet other writers and discuss various issues we face, so I make the time to visit. Hey, even writers have to take a break now and again).

I participate in other forums and they are lively, fun and informative. I've chatted with wonderful people on these other forums and have even met some of them personally. Why not here?

I think this forum is well organized and easy to use. Now if we could just figure out how to get people to participate. Perhaps Chuck Leddy could write a column in a future issue of The Writer that would get more people to participate. His columns are always great.

I'll keep checking back to see if anyone else is around and I won't give up on the forum. Why don't you all join me?

Need playwriting forum

writer_rob — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:42:25 GMT

Hello:

I would love to see some writing forums on playwriting. I see articles in your magazine on a wide variety of topics, but nothing for playwriting. And how about a contact personon your staff who is a playwriting expert to offer guidance and support to us struggling with the art of playwriting? Also, why isn't there a Playwriting course offered on your online writing classes? I'd love to take one if you ever offer it.

I love your magazine and will continue to subscribe

Thanks for reading this post.

Sincerely,
Rob McCabe--Storyteller/Writer/Performance Artist/Activist