Writers Rock!

2008-11-05 [Nocturnaliss]: Here's the thing, Moira: people wouldn't -have- to submit their wikis for public posting! I think what [Artsieladie] wanted to say, is that said wikis and suches could be submitted to the Council, but only for advertizing purposes - this means that the wikis remain the sole property of their owner, and remain run as the owner wishes.

I highly doubt the Council would have the time or the desire to start controlling everything. The point would be to allow exposure to people who are looking for it through an -official- way. At least, that's how I understood it.

2008-11-07 [Alexi Ice]: Hey guys ^^'

2008-11-09 [Artsieladie]: Yes, there are wikis to advertise private wikis and contests on, but I wonder really, how many members even know about these? Members won't use or view something they don't even know exists. I must add, though, that part of this is due to the fact that many simply do not read. Many members seldom visit Mainstreet, for instance, to actually take the time to give it a good looking over. I do think there is a lack of communication on more than one level and I highly doubt this can be totally rectified, regardless of what is put into place, but I also think, to strive to alleviate as much as possible, this lack of communication should always remain an open agenda.

I see no reason why both sides of the coin can't be feasible here. For those that want others to know about what they have to offer, then try to make other members more aware. For those that wish for their wikis and whatnot to remain secret or just between them and their friends, then these simply would not offer their stuff up for the general public to see. It's like, we can lead the horses to the water, but it's up to the horses themselves, if they wish to drink. Kinda'... In other words, provide, but leave it up to the individual what he/she wants to do with the provisions. :P

The Council has more than enough on its plate. Council would only need to be involved if it involves putting something on Mainstreet (I think). I know I suggested a box, but I've been thinking about this since. Even if we had a wiki-page for this reason for featured stories on Mainstreet. Then the link could be 'included' in the news box. It would be up to a group of 'reliable, consistent logginers' (now there's a word! lol), Elftowners to maintain the page and keep it up to date. In one or two news items in the beginning possibly could be added to the news a very brief description about it, to make people aware of its existence and purpose. After this, just the link could remain in the news' articles. It wouldn't be a small project, though. It would be something #1: that would be ongoing and #2: it would require possibly sub-divisions eventually and most likely archiving. I must say that it has been my experience in working with major and/or ongoing projects, people are enthusiastic at the beginning, but then most seem to fall by the wayside for various reasons and this usually leaves the tasks to be done by an individual or two and then these remaining people left to take care of things become overwhelmed by the huge responsibility that's then resting on their shoulders.

Before such an idea can be put before the Council, it must be well thought out/through, not only to show it's validity, but also that it is organised and run well or has the potential to be run well.

I wouldn't mind getting the ball rolling in the right direction, but I am sure it will be some time before enough even become aware of such a project's existence. This in and of itself will discourage many most likely. One of my mottos is "Nothing ventured, nothing gained". So even if it didn't fly, I wouldn't view it as a waste of time. One never knows unless they try. :)

....And I'm quite sure that many would see all that I have written here as too much writing, but this is our form of communicating on here after all..... and I am a writer! lol ;)

2008-11-09 [Artsieladie]: Hi, [Alexi Ice]! :D

2008-11-09 [Chrysilla]: Hey there :) I added the writing portfolio at the list, it's a part of the portfolio contest (10 weeks, 12 themes).

2008-11-09 [Nocturnaliss]: I'm personally one of those people who doesn't check out Mainstreet. The reason is that you can't get a good overview of what's going on, and have to scroll through a lot to get to everything. I usually only check the top of a page and then I'm off, and I imagine I'm not the only one doing so. There's a word in Dutch which conveys my feeling: 'overzichtelijk' - which roughly translates as 'being arranged in a clear and convenient way'. The first thing you see there are links to several other wikis, which are things that never, or seldom, change. For me, Mainstreet's like the hallway of a home: leads you to the other rooms, but has no importance in itself. That ought to change to attract potential readers.

I'd really like to help you out with this idea, [Artsieladie] (btw, can I call you by any nickname ? XD). I'm definitely interested in making Wikis more attainable for everyone, because it's obvious that what instances are in place right now to promote Wikis just aren't working. And it's a shame.

2008-11-09 [Paul Doyle]: I've been too distracted by real life to fully get caught up, of late. I had a 17-day paid vacation that sort of sucked, and I got the worst art/writing block that I have gotten since I started actively drawing in 2003. Only now am I starting to get out of the creative block. (Whoopie, I might have my Halloween 2008 picture done before Thanksgiving 2008! :P) As my creative energy returns to full speed, I'll be sure to get properly acquainted with this page. And yes, I certainly know [Nocturnaliss]---my longest-standing ET relation who helped me through an incredible amount of personal grief in mid-2003 (my mother's passing) and dammit, if it's true we are reincarnated, maybe in another life Issy and I could go dating xD

2008-11-09 [Paul Doyle]: And personally, I thought Writersco was horrendous, unless of course it's changed in the few years since I scrambled my account there and left permanently. In any event, I'd far prefer writing-related stuff to be here on Elftown. :)

2008-11-09 [Nocturnaliss]: Hey, I'm glad to have been able to help you back then, Paul <3 I remember it was a really hard time for you. Never realized I'm your longest-standing ET-relation, though... although I do clearly remember you giving me an LJ code way back when it was necesary in order to open an account, and that dates back to 2004. ... such a long time XD

Dunno about the dating part, though :P XD in another life, I'll probably still be hooked on the same person I am now. Unless we'd meet -before- I'd meet him. Hmm. What a weird thing to think about. XD

Anyway, I concur: let's have the fun writing-stuff here on Elftown ^^

2008-11-10 [Alexi Ice]: Lol. I am reading this WIKI but it may take me a second to check out all the links !

2008-11-12 [Nocturnaliss]: Don't worry, you're not the only one who'll need time to check everything out XD

2008-11-12 [Alexi Ice]: ^^

2009-03-05 [Artsieladie]: Hi everyone! :) I've been super busy as always and I just haven't had the time to get here. But... as I've stated before, I want the writers here on Elftown to use this wiki to the fullest of their advantage. I think I have left all of the pages 'freely editable'. If not tell me. I didn't set this up for anything other than for the writers here on Elftown, to promote themselves as writers and to bring in and mingle with other writers here, interact with one another, share ideas, and so forth. So if anyone has some good ideas, please don't hesitate to implement them.

Thanks, [Chrysilla]! Yes, please feel free to post links here. :D

[Nocturnaliss], any way you'd like to help, please go for it. I'll be very happy to see writers make use of this wiki to all writers' benefits. Thanks! :)

As far as Mainstreet, I know it seems huge, but to cover as many aspects of Elftown as possible and cover as many interests of folks as possible, it would be impossible to keep it small. If anyone has suggestions on how to improve on anything, the best way is to gather together, lay the ideas on the table, so they can be discussed. If anyone wants to talk about on how Mainstreet can improve and be more appealing to everyone, we can start discussing here: Can We Improve On Elftown's Mainstreet?. :P

If there were a feature on Mainstreet for 'prose' writers, similar to the poem slot, would this appeal to writers on Elftown? Obviously, an entire story can't be posted, because it would make Mainstreet even bigger, but an intro or brief summary of the written piece could be posted and with a link, of course to the written work. :)

2009-03-05 [Nocturnaliss]: I actually wonder how many people on this Wiki have already gone and read something by other members (I'll be honest: I haven't done so myself). Maybe having some incentive to do so might help to start things up, as reading takes a lot more time and energy than just going to look at pictures. Like, my first thought'd be some cool badges you get after reading a certain amount of stories (5, 10, more...), which could be proven by commenting on other writers' Wikis. I know not everyone'd be interested in just badges, but I for one would find that cool << and you might run into cool stuff in the process that'd keep you coming.

2009-03-05 [Artsieladie]: I'm afraid I'm guilty of the same. It's not because I don't want to, because I enjoy reading, and reading a fellow writer's works and getting to talk with them about them is even more rewarding, but the thing I lack is time. I have far too many things going on and tasks that I want and/or need to get done, so unfortunately, I have to prioritise and the result is that many of the things I want to do get pushed onto the back burner. :P

I agree about offering incentive and it's not always about the fact that people would be getting awards, but rather a visible accounting of what they have done and/or are doing. Eh, just an idea that popped in the ol' noggin' here, but I'm thinking something like "Star Readers". These readers could get a star added for every so many stories they have read? But ...just an idea. :)

2009-03-05 [Nocturnaliss]: I know what you mean. Time's always a huge obstacle when it comes to investing oneself in reading, which in itself takes a lot of time. So when you already have a lot of things waiting for you to get to them, finding that time gets hard <<

I like that idea :D Star Readers sounds so... mystical. ... and it's a lot easier to get going fast than badges or something << XD

2009-03-05 [Artsieladie]: *nods* Time.. I only wish there were 48 hours in a day, instead of only 24. :/

I think people that take the time to read others' works are stars, because there aren't all that many that will. Badges aren't all that difficult to make, once we decide what we be good to put on them. I wouldn't mind making badges (loves to make graphics). The stars can signify how many works have been read and there are always different colours that can be used, too. So with the use of a certain number of reads for each star and then use different coloured stars, we should be able to make badges that would show an accounting of many, many reads. ;P

2009-03-06 [Nocturnaliss]: I like your thoughts :3 I know I'd love for people to read my works, and that others feel exactly the same about their own work. But, again: incentive. Stars seem like a great idea ^^ it'd definitely be a good idea to have different colours depending on the type of work (poetry, entire short story, story fragments, etc...). As for badges, I imagine it'd be coolest if they have something to do with stars (naturally XD). I'm sure you'd be able to come up with something great :3

Also, I wonder if a seperate page to hold reading info and stars might be a good idea, and this I say because a House quickly gets filled up on images XD perhaps also mention what else you've read from other members ? That might be good to keep track once there are more members than there are now <<

2009-03-08 [Captain Rachel Black]: I'm likin' this XD (just thought I'd throw that out there)

2009-03-10 [Artsieladie]: Yes, I would, too, like people to read mine. Most of my written works are poetry, though, because of that ol' time factor. I've had a story, "The Magic Of The Unicorn" in the works for ions, it seems. Gosh, I don't think I'll ever get to it! <..< ,-_-, 

I've been playing around with a badge idea. I'll place what I've done so far on *Star Readers*. I'm not happy with the "Lectores" (Spanish for 'readers') text, yet, though. I think I'm going to close the eye for the drop shadow layer of and see if the text looks clearer. The trouble is, when you try to make something fancy and small, clarity is often compromised, but I'm usually a person that will try for all I can get in. I detest limitations. ;) I figure once I get the one set established, I can make a second set, so one can be for poetry readers and one for prose readers. So, please let me know what you all think. :)

I'm so glad that my idea is coming to fruition: Featured Story! Woot! :D

2009-03-10 [Nocturnaliss]: I hope you'll get to it! I know I'd be curious to read your story ^^ Unicorns are love <3

So far they're looking good, really. You're again putting in an insane amount of time and effort in o.o we need a 'Show your Love to [Artsieladie]'-day too. Seriously XD

Ooo featured story, that's... very interesting o.o I'm definitely gonna nominate something of mine if it's nominatable <<