INTERVIEW WITH JILLI


THE ROUND ROBIN

By:   Scriptress & Jilli

"We are proud of the Writers Club Round Robin and it's creator and manager, Mark Jones, who does a terriffic job. Another example of a volunteer giving time, working for others, and using his webspace so that we might have the Round Robin.   Think of all this entails;   he writes the first paragraph of every Round Robin Story,   mails the right paragraph to each member in their specific group when it is their turn, and keeps track of where each story is at all times. He has to do some very ingenious record-keeping and be a master of organization to do all this I think.  Again, anyone can join the Round Robin.   There is a Link to Mark's webspace from several locations on our webpages, and they can go there and submit their name to join it. Most of us at the writers club belong to one of the Round Robin Groups. The idea is that a member receives an opening paragraph through e-mail, adds his/her paragraph, then returns it to Mark, whose nick is dopesick. Mark then sends it to the next person who adds a paragraph to it, and so on until the Robin has made a certain number of rounds (3) and the story is finished."

With a furrowed brow the lady asked, "So you're telling me that each person in turn can twist the story line any way they choose?"

"Yes, as long as they keep the story line going and coherent," said Jilli nodding her head. "That's where the manager of the Round Robin comes in."

"Yes, I read the published rules. There is a very short time limit for each member to write their addition. Isn't that so?"

"Yes, and to be truthful, Mark must have understood the two-day time limitation kept some from participating, he has expanded the time-limit to three days now. The rewards of the story moving along at a consistent and even pace is equally important. As a member of one of the Robins I can tell you it is hard to wait, even that short time, to see what the next member does with my contribution."

"So some members have been vocal about the time limitation?" The reporter leaned forward, her body language clearly saying that perhaps she was on to something. All might not be utopia.

"Some have, but we have over 70 people in our e-mail Round Robin, divided up into 7 groups of about ten people per group. Each participant is now given three days to write one paragraph, that means that it takes each groups story approximately thirty days to circulate to all members of the group one time. You wouldn't want to have to wait longer than that, I feel, to contribute your next paragraph in the story. And if we did not have some guidelines or rules about time limits, one person might hold up the groups paragraph for weeks or months. So I really don't feel it imposes a hardship on any writer, no matter how inexperienced, to add their one paragraph in the three-day time limit. That is a choice every writer must make, the choice of how to use their time and towards what endeavor to spend their energies, isn't it?" asked Jilli, tossing the question back.

"Hmm, yes, I suppose it is."

"However, once in awhile during an evening chat, a spontaneous round robin begins and ends on the channel. While each one in turn is writing their contribution the chatting continues uninterrupted. Hand-in-hand, as I said."

The reporter finished scribbling her last notes, rose and said, "Thank you for your hospitality. The chocolate was yummy."

Jilli followed her to the door. "When may I expect to see your article? And may I have permission to post it on our page?"

"The article is scheduled for our next issue. Check with our editor for permission to reprint it."

TO READ AND/OR JOIN THE WRITERS CLUB ROUND ROBIN"