How do I subscribe and unsubscribe?
Is the list moderated?
How do I post to the list?
Do I have to use my real name with the list or can I use a nickname?
What is acceptable and unacceptable to post to the list?
How often are writing exercises sent to the list?
Where I can I find copies of past writing exercises?
I'm receiving a huge amount of mail. What can I do about it?
Is "lurking" okay?
Do I have to participate in the writing exercises and in giving feedback.
I have a suggestion for a writing exercise. Can I submit it? Also, can I send
writing exercises to the list?
How does one go about posting writing for critiquing? Is it just sent to the
list?
One writing exercise has given me more than one idea. Can I write both and
send both to the group?
I don't want to write anything and send to the list, but I do have some
feedback suggestions for another writer. Can I still give feedback even though I haven't
submitted any writing?
What about sending things for feedback and not wanting to give other writer's
feedback?
I feel my critiquing skills aren't that good. Where can I learn more?
A list member has given me feedback on something I posted which I feel is
unfair. What should I do?
I'd like to print off a story or poem I read on the list and share it with a friend. Can I do that?
Is there any kind of advertising or promotion allowed on this list?
I have had something published! Can I share my accomplishment with the entire list?
I need information about a specific genre. Where can I find it?
I know of a very good writing book and/or web site that I think the rest of the group would like. Can I suggest it to the group? What if it is a fiction book?
I have a question that isn't answered here. How can I get that question answered?
How do I subscribe and unsubscribe?
You can subscribe to the list either at the eGroups web site, or by sending a blank email to:
forallwriters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscription can be accomplished three ways: do so under your "My Groups" section at
eGroups, at the ForAllWriters main page at eGroups, or by sending a blank email to: forallwriters-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Is the list moderated? If so, who are the moderators?
The list is not moderated in the sense that all messages and membership requests must be
approved. The list owner does read all messages are that posted to make sure discussions do
not escalate out of hand. In the event they do, and intervention is required, all necessary
measures will be taken to restore the discussion to a friendly environment. The list owner, Sara, is the primary manager. However, there are three other "silent managers" who also closely read every post and are consulted in the event discussions become heated. The "silent managers" exist to ensure no one, including the list owner, has the final say with the list.
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How do I post to the list?
Regardless of whether you subscribe via individual message or digest, you can post either at the eGroups site using the "post" feature or by sending your message to: ForAllWriters@yahoogroups.com
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Do I have to use my real name with the list or can I use a nickname?
Feel free to go by any name you are comfortable with. Many members use nicknames or pseudonyms.
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What is acceptable and unacceptable to post to the list?
Any form of writing can be posted to the list for feedback or just to be shared with the other members. However, explicit sexual content, vulgar language and discriminatory content would be considered inappropriate due to the fact the list is open to members of all ages. A separate list for those who write and wish to receive feedback on material inappropriate for ForAllWriters has been created: ForAllWriters2. If you would like to subscribe to ForAllWriters2, you may do so at the eGroups web site or by sending a blank email to: ForAllWriters2@yahoogroups.com. You can also contact the list manager for more information by sending an email to: ForAllWriters2-owner@yahoogroups.com.
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How often are writing exercises sent to the list?
Writing exercises are mailed on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays of each week. A writing exercise is also mailed every other Tuesday.
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Where can I find past writing exercises?
Past writing exercises can be found in one of two places: The group archives stored at the eGroups site and the group web site.
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I'm receiving a huge amount of mail. What can I do about it?
You have two choices: you can either set your subscription to digest format, or you can set your subscription to NO MAIL/WEB ONLY. In the former situation, you will receive all the daily messages in one email digest. In the latter, you will not receive any messages at all in your inbox. You will have to go to the ForAllWriters archives at eGroups to read them.
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Is "lurking" okay?
It is. There are times when you can learn more by listening than by speaking. However, to help maintain a lively discussion and active list, we do need good participants.
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Do I have to participate in the writing exercises and in giving feedback.
Absolutely not! You only need to participate in discussions or events you feel comfortable with. If you wish to work the exercises off list, feel free to.
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I have a suggestion for a writing exercise. Can I submit it? Also, can I send writing exercises to the list?
If you have ideas for writing exercises, feel free to send them to the list owner at this address. If you wish to make it a daily or weekly exercise, you may also host the exercise. If you would like to host the exercise, please state this in the email outlining your idea and further information regarding hosting the exercise will be forwarded to you.
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How do I go about posting writing for critiquing? Is it just sent to the
list?
If you have a short story, poem, song, novel chapter, or other piece of writing you would like constructive criticism on, place it into the body of an email and send it through to the list. Ask for feedback when you send it so the list members know you are needing feedback. If what you would like read is very long, please break it up into sections to send it through. It is important to note that all writing sent to the list is sent solely for educational purposes. It is for the purposes of finding strengths and weaknesses so the writing can be improved.
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One writing exercise has given me more than one idea. Can I write up
more than one story or poem and them to the group?
Sure! It is great if you can find more than one idea for each list of words, historical word or
quotation. If this is the case, feel free to post the results of your ideas.
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I don't want to write anything and send to the list, but I do have some
suggestions for another writer. Can I still give feedback even though I haven't submitted any
writing?
Yes! It is always a huge help for a writer to hear the strengths and weaknesses in their
work.
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What about sending things for feedback and not wanting to give other
writer's feedback?
For fairness sake, it is good to give as much as you receive. If you receive five feedback
comments, try to give at least one to someone else on their work.
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I feel my critiquing skills aren't that good. Where can I learn
more?
There are many good articles on the internet that will give you suggestions on how to give feedback to another writer. Some of them are:
"How to Critique Fiction" by Victory Crane
"Hardcore Critique Advice" by Amy Sterling Casil
"How to Deal with Critiquing" by Rich Hamper
The Nuts and Bolts of Critiquing
The Z-technique of Critique
Some very good information can also be found at the Critters Workshop.
You can find a list of web sites that offer information on critiquing here: Critiquing Resources
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A list member has given me feedback on something I posted and I feel it
is unfair. What should I do?
First, try to be open to every comment or criticism given for a piece of writing. The only way
to improve is to find faults and correct them. If, however, you feel someone has made
comments unfairly or harshly, please contact them off list regarding them. Please do not make it
a list discussion.
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I'd like to print off a story I read on the list and share it with a friend. Can
I do that?
All work sent to the group, whether it is a response to a writing exercise, or an excerpt from
a novel chapter, remains the SOLE property of its AUTHOR. Before making ANY sort of copy of
ANY writing posted to the list, please contact the author and request permission to do so.
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Is there any kind of advertising or promotion allowed on this list?
This list is about writing. Please refrain from advertising on this list. However, if you have a web site or mailing list that deals with writing you think the other list members would be interested in, feel free to send a message to the group letting us know about it. The bottom line is: if it deals with writing, please share it. If it doesn't, please do not promote it here.
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I have had something published! Can I share my accomplishment with the entire list?
By all means, please do! We are always happy to hear when a list member has achieved their goals. Feel free to share your successes with us!
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I need information about a specific genre. Where can I find it?
Here you can find a whole plethora of links for practically any writing genre or format: return to top
I know of a writing book or web site I think the rest of the group would like. Can I suggest it to the group? What if the book is a fiction?
Please do suggest the book or site! As writers, we are always looking for good books or web pages that will help us with our techniques and further our writing. Recommendations for excellent fiction books are also welcome.
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I have a question that isn't answered here. How can I get that question answered?
If you need information you cannot find here or on the web page, submit your question to the list owner at this address. You will receive an answer as soon as possible.
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