Writing Exercises: Finis

[Creole Ned]

I'm not going to go into a lot of detail here except to say that I don't feel these exercises are really working anymore and no longer feel it's worth my investment in time to keep doing them.

There are many other online writing groups out there so anyone who wishes to continue doing this sort of thing has plenty of choices.

I have enjoyed doing this and it had a good run. I think I've produced some of my best writing in these exercises and some that was...not my best. :) But that's what happens when you challenge yourself with both a deadline and a topic out of the blue and believe me, I did not choose every topic because I already had an idea or was in love with that particular exercise. I tried to be impartial!

The feedback I've gotten has been welcome and useful and in most cases confirmed the kinds of problems I would also see in my writing. It was nice reinforcement.

But as I said up top, I don't feel the exercises are clicking anymore. The number of submissions has declined and the feedback has similarly also fallen off.

I won't say I never plan on trying to resurrect this but currently have no plans to do so. I could be convinced to change my mind and keep going ahead with these, but you'd need to make an absolutely compelling case.

Thanks to everyone who has taken part.

[russellmz]

sorry to hear it is going away. i never got in as many i wanted (and i still have to give feedback on the stories from the second to last exercise).

but thank you for all your time and effort. the comments by everyone were very often helpful and helped me out and encouraged me to write more than if it was just me by myself.

[Kael]

Thanks for doing these Ned.

[Creole Ned]

Okay, in the great tradition of the Canadian compromise, I think I may have come up with a solution that works for me.

I take my inspiration from the Canadian Olympic hockey team. When they played the U.S. did they quit? No! They kept playing. And then lost.

Okay, bad example.

When the hydraulics failed to work on the Olympic flame thingie during the opening ceremonies, did Wayne Gretzky blow his top, throw his torch to the ground and stomp out of BC Place? No! He stood there patiently waiting with a smile on his face until something (gears, hamsters, God) prompted the hydraulics to (mostly) function and he lit that damn flame. Then he went out and lit the big cauldron at Coal Harbour, getting his ass soaked in the process, but he did it so all of Canada and the world could watch this inspiring eternal flame from behind its POW-like fence.

Anyway, here's what I'm doing:

Every month there will be an "exercise". I put it in quotes because it will not be dictated by me -- it can be whatever you want. Basically, just write a prose piece, short story or poem once a month. I'll be posting my efforts here and anyone is welcome to offer feedback. I won't expect it, but will as always appreciate it. I will also offer feedback on anything else posted.

I'll begin this next month with a thread titled March 2010 Exercise. By participating you'll have at least 10 completed works by the end of the year. That ain't bad. (November will be NaNoWriMo again.)