Update 5th June

Hello.

The level critique so far on this workshop has been a bit low. We like to encourage critique because it benefits both the writer and the person giving critique. Considering how many people participated in this workshop, I would have thought more of you guys would be looking at each others' work.

The deadline for this workshop is tomorrow night where we will close pending the groups takeover. Please make the most of this opportunity.

Thank you.

P.S. Also our subscription has expired.

Update 28th May

An ABUNDANCE of entries for this workshop. We've got some excellent pieces of work here, just waiting for your critique and thoughts. You've got a week to check these out and at the end of the workshop, we'll be especially checking out peoples critique so use this opportunity to show off!


Poetry

There once was a -grumble- by *batousaijin (limericks)
s_duction by =AstarteKatz (lipogram)
soon by =Francine1991 (details)
wolves at the door by =Francine1991 (I, Me, Myself)
The Ecstasy of Gold by *Anavah (NonFiction Poetry)
The Great Divide by *Anavah (Groom your poem!)
One Morning by a Roadside Cafe by ~Elmara (Jazz)
Sepia Evening Cinema by ~Elmara (The Lady and the Rogue)




Prose

For King and Country by ~Writer-on-the-Wall (Flash Fiction)
Believe by ~Imperial-Obsession (Creative nonfiction)
Auribus Teneo Lupum by ~kato96 (What’s in a Name?)
Dialogue for a scene about fucking by ~wretchedteddy (Discovering Dialogue)
The Indivisible Image Machine by ~GrecianUrn (Magic Realism)
Inspectorings WW-TWYND by ~Fred-S-Kaed (Elementary)
T h e T h o r n w o o d by ~Imperial-Obsession (Twisted Stories)
Botanical Garden by =Lilith-Elina (Twisted Stories)
Blessed Flowers- revised by =Lilith-Elina (great revision expedition)
Ever Dream by ~mirageode (Existentialism)



`Beccalicious’s Workshop: The Workshop you never did!


Before we update to the new groups system, we thought this would be a perfect time to look back and reflect on the group of ~Writers-Workshop from twisted stories all the way to limericks, we’ve had a diverse amount of workshops, spanning different genres, styles and themes. Our workshops have been a mixture of fun and education, something we want to continue with in the future.

Often we get comments from our members who have missed a workshop that they found interesting. This is now your chance to delve into the past and do those workshops you missed.

Below is a list of links to every workshop journal that we have ever hosted to help you decide what you would like to do.

Twisted Stories by `GunShyMartyr
Ekphrasis by `PoeticWar
Jazz by ^StJoan

Discovering Dialogue by `GeneratingHype
Lipograms by ~TheHungerArtist
What’s in a Name? by `Beccalicious

Magic realism by `apocathary
NonFiction Poetry by *EveningDownpour
I, Me, Myself by `lovetodeviate

Brevity is the wit of Soul by `conorschild
Tanka by `MSJames
Humerus isn’t a Bone by `Jon-Law

The Great Revision Expedition: prose by `Beccalicious
Groom your Poem by `lovetodeviate
metamorphosis by ~Writers-Workshop

Childrens Prose by *ThornyEnglishRose
Break a Line by `PinkyMcCoversong
The Lady and the Rogue by ^LadyLincoln

Call of the Wild by *batousaijin
Found Poetry by `Laurence55
Sound devices by ^SparrowSong

Flash Fiction by `SRSmith
Senryu by `jade-pandora
The Writer is always right by `BerylAlexandros

Exiltentialism by `GaioumonBatou
Punctuating with Purpose by ~LaMonaca
It’s Elementary by `poprocksandcharlotte

Creative Nonfiction by =Negated
Another Perspective by =TheObviousChild
New beginings by `Beccalicious

The Tale as truth by *wordworks
Simply the sonnet by =fense
Fan Fiction by ^ArtisticAunJuli

Seeing is Believing by *Queen-of-Marigold
In the Details by ^fllnthblnk
More Details by ~Writers-Workshop

Netting the Vignette by `Amberlouie
Limericks by `GaioumonBatou

Try to take time to consider what workshop you would like to try, or even try again if you don’t feel you made the best stab at it last time. We will accept more than one entry for this workshop, but please don’t submit more than three different workshops .


How to Submit

After submitting your entry as a new deviation or scrap, send us a note with a link to your piece. Include the subject line "MISSED" in your note. We also need for you to state which workshop you have used and whether you are submitting prose or poetry.

The deadline is midnight May 27th 2009, giving you three weeks instead of the usual 10 days. All times are set for GMT. `Beccalicious will respond to the entries on June 6th, 2009, which gives a whole week dedicated to critique.

Proofread your work before you send it in so that grammatical and spelling errors are minimal. And most of all have fun with it!



Workshop Piece DD’d

Congratulations to :devastarekatz: who recieved a Daily deviation for her workshop submission to `Amberlouie’s vignette workshop! Go make sur eyou congratulate her on what was a beautifully written piece:

:thumb119163951:


~Writers-Workshop and Groups

If you haven’t heard of groups by now, you may have been sleeping under a very quiet rock. If you are one of these rock people check out #hq as it is the first launched group on deviantArt.

The new groups system will see some big changes for ~Writers-Workshop, and we are confident we will embrace it and reinvigorate how our group works. However to do this, after this current workshop is over, we will be taking a short break to construct the group to suit ours, and your needs.

During this shut off time, we would like to hear from your in our forum section. We would like to hear feedback, not only on future workshop ideas, but ideas and suggestions for the group as a whole. Please check our profile for more details.

We want to be able to be back in the position where we’re booked months ahead for workshops. Therefore please if you would like to host a workshop, please submit a proposal to us, because we are always interested in hearing what you guys have to offer. Remember, although a lot of our workshops have been technical and form based, we also like to see more genre and theme based workshops too, especially for free for all workshops.

Further news of our shut off time will be in our next newsletter along with the results of the current workshop.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the workshop! I'd like to apologize right off the bat for my comments being so minimal, but I figured it would be easiest to address the overall issues with everyone, rather than re-typing everything individually. The only real issue that most of you had with the limericks was the meter. There was a comment that ~starrsilver made about how her impressionwas that the meter should be "pretty close to anapestic trimeter and dimeter". In a few ways, the meter of a limerick can be a bit faked, certainly. Take this rather well known limerick, for example:

There WAS a young LAdy of NIger
Who SMILED as she RODE on a TIger;
They reTURNED from the RIDE
With the LAdy inSIDE,
And the SMILE on the FACE of the TIger.

Now, in this instance, the first two lines are in amphibrachic trimeter. This is pretty standard for limericks, and as such isn't a concern. The next two lines are in anapestic dimeter, which is common for the third and fourth lines of limericks as well. But check the fifth line. It looks like anapestic trimeter, save for that last unstressed syllable at the end. As far as looking at the meter goes, it is awkward. However, when reading it aloud, it flows quite nicely.

Therein lies the issue. It's not entirely on, but it is close, save for that final syllable. As such, it is a bit easy to fake, but it's still a good idea to go for the correct meter, as it's easier to work with than just making things up.

That said, there were a lot of interesting takes on the limerick for this workshop, and I'd like to particularly note =BobSmith006's incredibly twisted but amusing anti-limerick (it's the second one). I also got a good kick out of *Queen-of-Marigold's limerick, as well as ~starrsilver's limericks (and the title, too, gotta love Batman references).

Thank you again to everyone who took part, I'll try to leave more feedback for everyone as soon as I can.

Update 1st May

I apologise for the slight delay we’re suffering with w-w at the moment! I’ve been a bit unwell and then my workplace decided to block dA, so I am a little behind.

We have some limericks that have been submitted for this workshop, so lets get stuck in and make the most of the new critique feature!

Limericks Workshop by =BobSmith006
Peru Shoes by ~Graphite325
Looney Limericks by ~Kitz-the-Kitsune
A study in Limerick by =KrystalIce
Goober Lear’s limericks by ~qpidity101
Another limerick by *Queen-of-Marigold
Holy limericks Batman by ~starrsilver



26 April 2009

Despite lots of interest, we don't actually have any entries for this workshop yet, so here is a friendly reminder! Remember you have till Wednesday midnight GMT to get them noted to us!


22 April 2009

`GaioumonBatou's Workshop: Limericks!


`GaioumonBatou has nothing to say about his ridiculous username, or even much about himself for that matter. A second-year English Literature major, he's still got a long way to go on the road to learning, but he is happy about that as well. He currently attends university in southern California and on off-seasons lives at home with his family.

LIMERICKS!

Limericks are a short form of poetry, made to have a humorous edge to them. They are comprised of five lines with an AABBA rhyme scheme, so that the first, second, and fifth lines will rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines will rhyme, but not with the other three lines. The Wikipedia page is surprisingly helpful when it comes to information on the limerick, so give it a read if you've got the chance, particularly the "Form" section and the links on the two most common types of meter used in limericks. Often, limericks begin with "There once was a..." or "There was a...", but that's not entirely necessary. The main point is for them to get a laugh. They are often used as forms of satire as well, and one of my favorite examples of satirical limericks are Wendy Cope's Waste Land Limericks, which take jabs at T.S Eliot's poem, "The Waste Land". (Don't worry, you won't be expected to have read Eliot for this! I'm merely including a link as a reference to show the satire.)

THE TASK

Write a limerick or two. Or three. The more the better, honestly. That way we can properly gauge comprehension and success with the form. My main request is that you keep them all in one deviation, it'll make things a lot easier on me. Have fun, and bust out the wit!

How to Submit

After submitting your entry as a new deviation or scrap, send us a note with a link to your piece. Include the subject line "LIMERICK" in your note. The deadline is midnight April 29, 2009. All times are set for GMT. `GaioumonBatou will respond to the entries on May 3.

A note from *Writers-Workshop Please note that this is a POETRY workshop, meaning that we will accept poetry entries only. Proofread your work before you send it in so that grammatical and spelling errors are minimal. And most of all, have fun with it!

On Accepting Critique

Always thank the critic. This gratitude must be as sincere as possible, even if you did not like the critique given, because the critic has taken time to offer his/her opinion of the piece.
If you do not like the critique, it is not necessary to mention so. Simply thank the critic and move on. You can always ignore their suggestions, while not making a scene of it.
If you are unsure of what the critique means, feel free to ask the critic what s/he meant. Building rapport with your critic is one of the best ways to survive in a workshop and to learn. If you want examples, ask. Similarly, if you like the suggestions given, mention it. Critic's have feelings too.
In the unlikely case that a critic offers rude/sexist/racist/etc comments, feel free to contact *Writers-Workshop in a note and we will try to help you. A decision regarding the rudeness of the critique will be taken, and if we're not sure ourselves, we will consult with one of the GDs or anyone else high up on deviantART.

It would be fantastic if you also...

our news article!

`Amberlouie's Comments:

I was really impressed with the standard of writing that arose from ‘Netting the Vignette’. Especially the people who took up the challenging typo of composing a Vignette out of 50 words, kudos! What was striking was the multitude of perspectives and approaches, in particular:

two of hearts by ~brytning captured my attention, not only because it was exactly 50 words in length, but the metaphor of the cards/pyramid was constructed with much care. The story based on love wasn’t clichéd. It was just honest and I honed into the emotions carried through in such a small piece. Good things come in small packages with ~brytning’s piece.

I was pleasantly surprised by The Rose by =Lilith-Elina. The piece is wrought with heavy description which make “The Rose” feel almost magical. It is interesting to see two pieces touched on the theme of flora. Something as simplistic as a rose comes out well through the authors almost filmic descriptions.

To topple the impressed meter was ~Kitz-the-Kitsune’s piece, Windowsill Memories. This piece in the vignette style injects a focus as miniscule as the pot plant which then injects both a sense of loneliness, beauty and fragility. A very beautiful read.

Thank you for participating in the workshop, and I congratulate everyone who tried the vignette style. I truly loved reading each piece. Keep supporting *Writers-Workshop and in doing so experience more with your writing and potential!

--

Thanks for taking part, everyone! Look out for our news article and journal on limericks!

Update 16/04/09

This workshop is now CLOSED. We have eight delightful entries, plus three bonus 50 word stories at the bottom. As usual, we want to encourage critique, and now that there is a new subscriber feature for critique this would be a great opportunity to show us what you can do as a critic!

Healthy Eating by *msklystron
Granola by ~LunaticStar
The Rose by =Lilith-Elina
Windowsill Memories by ~Kitz-the-Kitsune
The Tide by ~Halatia
Highway Signs by *GrecianUrn
Mess and Margaret by ~brytning
Spring’s Caste by =AstarteKatz


Before the typing error of word limit was noticed, we had a few entries with only 50 word limits. Although they are now not part of the task, they are still worth having a read.

Two of Hearts by ~brytning
The Future is all we’ve got by ~humorous-asterisk
Truly Guilty by ~lighting-jolt



Update 15/04/09

After having 5 days off work, `Beccalicious thought today was Monday! Actually it is Wednesday and that means last call for submissions for this workshop! Please ensure your piece is in before Midnight GMT.

Thank you



Update 07/04/09

Please note! There was a typing error in our write up for this workshop and therefore please be aware the word count for this task is 500 words, and not 50 as originally stated. We apologise to anyone who may have already submitted.



`Amberlouie’s Workshop: Netting the Vignette


`Amberlouie is an Australian writer, critique and friendly crazy. She enjoys zine culture, stockings, Nam Le and smiling at strangers. Amber has been published in ReadThis, 150 words, and a collection of new writing.

Netting the Vignette

A vignette is not in your cupboard at home. It is a branch of short story writing. Close relative of Microfiction or Flash Fiction, a type of short story relying on word count.

The vignette is a snapshot, an insightful glimpse into a scene. It should give off a sharp impression of a character, notion or setting. Vignette lends itself well to poetry and theatre.

The style of writing does not conform to sequential format, but establishes structure through symbolic and linguistic connections to other vignettes or adjoining scenes. The form is precise, not in language, but in the images, emotion, and compacts its narrative to make it wholly meaningful.

Usually, a vignette has an aspect of the traditional narrative structures of a short story:

1. Introduction
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Denouncement

Vignette’s usually only focus on numbers 2, 3 or 4, because they are the strong points in a story. Surprisingly, there doesn’t need to be conflict in a Vignette. It’s a postcard; it should take its reader to the place you are writing about through your chosen symbol.

The best way to start a vignette is by using a object of significance, or a thought, etc.
For example: fruit, bicycle, shoes, the colour red. Be creative with your object, place, and make it a memorable moment.

Examples of Vignettes:

House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Liza Falzon’s 50 word fiction blog: [link]

Your task: Write a Vignette, approximately 500 words long, including an image or symbol as the crux of the story. The story must make sense, it must be lyrical. Choose from one of the above narrative structures, and make sure your Vignette follows the form. Make an impression, take me somewhere. Take me nowhere.

I look forward to your responses!


How to Submit

After submitting your entry as a new deviation or scrap, send us a note with a link to your piece. Include the subject line "VINGETTE" in your note. The deadline is midnight April 15th 2009. All times are set for GMT. `Amberlouie will respond to the entries on April 19th, 2009.

A note from *Writers-Workshop Please note that this is a PROSE workshop, meaning that we will accept prose entries only. Proofread your work before you send it in so that grammatical and spelling errors are minimal. And most of all, have fun with it!


Call for workshop hosts!

As always, we're looking for people to come along and host a workshop! Did you know that any member can partake in a workshop? If you have a good idea, then why not consider sending us in a proposal? We’re always willing to look at applications for workshops.


Chat rooms

We have discussed in the past about *Writers-Workshop and the use of chat rooms. Whilst we have currently concluded that at this moment in time we do not wish to host anything official on damn, we would like to draw your attention to a couple of the literature chatrooms available to you all. Some members of *Writers-Workshop already are involved in these chat rooms, but they are a place where you can seek critique or share ideas not only on your workshop submissions, but your other writing also. These rooms also connect you to the literature community, giving you opportunity to meet more people who share the same passions for writing.

#getLIT is the main official literature chatroom for damn, where there is a regular fluctuation of conversation and critique. It is a friendly and open room, and probably the most recommended for people new to damn.

#PoetRangers is a chat room for poets. they have regular set critique nights. This is a more mature level room, and the level of critique a little more blunt.

There are many other literature based chatrooms, and not every room is going to suit you. So shop around, you may find some really great people.



Dont forget to our News Article [link]