This week: Communication on WDC Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Contests & Activities Newsletter by Dawn
As a chatter (from previous years) and scroll member, I do some talking on WDC but am always hoping to have more people around for a conversation. There are different communication methods on the site. As people often say, communication is important. |
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While writing is the main focus for the site (and reading) considering the name is Writing Dot Com. And yes, sometimes when I say that I hear in my head the voice of Peanut, one of the puppets from comedian Jeff Dunham. This is also a community for those interested in writing in some way or another, which means we often find ways to communicate with other people by using the site. I don't know about you, but I enjoy finding people to talk to about writing and other things in life. Since this is a community and not just a site with posting and reviewing as the only form of communication, there are a few different options for methods of communication.
Forums
When it comes to online places, this is one of the obvious options for talking to other people online. A forum can be used for so many different things too. We often see them used for contests, as an example, since it allows the ability to post prompts and for others to post entries or questions if they don't want to send an email to the owner. This method is also good for chatting about different topics as long as it isn't time sensitive. Hard to hold a back and forth conversation in a forum, but one can still chat over time and connect with other writers. There are a few different forums on the site set up just for random and different conversations. There are also going to be other forums with specific topics in mind. Some groups will have forums for group members to chat about different things. If you are in a group, I recommend checking out the items that are connected to the group and post when you can because it might be very helpful to communicate with other group members.
Scroll
Back in the old days, many moons ago, we have a chat function where people could go in order to hang out together at the same time even in different time zones and countries. While we don't have the chat rooms anymore, we do still have a place where people can talk. That place is called scroll. While not many people use it currently, we are always happy to see people adding to the conversations when they want to check it out. When on the site on a computer, the link is on the left below "gift points" and above "notebook" links. It is called "messenger" because you can also send individual messages, also known as IMs, to individuals when they are online if they allow that option. Someone can send me a message through that option whenever they want since I never sign off the site but I might take a while to respond. One thing to remember, if you are going to check out scroll/messenger and are new, the content rating for anything you post cannot exceed ASR. That means certain things can't be discussed at all. There is a link about the spot for typing what you want to say if there is uncertainty over what qualifies. If you've never used it, check out this option. We'll be happy for the company.
Blogs
Another place that can be useful for communication is the blog. While it's often a one-sided conversation, the owner of the blog writing about things in their life or whatever topic they want to use for posts. It could be very personal or it could be used for something else, including fiction writing. It might not be the most obvious, but the comments that can be done on a blog here can be a nice form of communication. I don't know about others, but I wouldn't mind comments on some blog posts. While it can help just to write things down and get them out of your head, it can also be nice when other people send a comment that could start an email conversation. There are some groups for people who have blogs but one can also find different blogs from a writer's page here on the site. Check some out and get to know other writers on the site when you get the chance.
These are just a few options for communication on WDC. There are more items that also could be used for communicating including In & Out items or even emails. Though at times it might come off as strange if you email random people on the site and I don't recommend just doing it at random often but that function is another communication option. I do like the occasional email myself and I'm sure some others wouldn't mind chatting through emails. Consider what you would enjoy too, since it's helpful if you like a particular method for holding a conversation. Have fun and write when you can, plus enjoy these other functions that help make this a community instead of just a site that holds written stuff. Which method will you try next?
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Where do you go for conversations and to communicate with other writers/readers here?
Last month, I discussed different contests on the site and how some might limit the content due to personal preferences. Here are a couple of comments sent in as feedback:
Comment by Allan Charles 🐾  :
This was a good newsletter. It’s important to remember that these aren’t nationwide contests we enter on WdC. They’re just friendly competition between members, and many members have beliefs and preferences that their contest’s rules reflect. It’s best to just move on if you don’t agree with the rules. But you can still use the idea that was sparked from the prompt and write a great story nonetheless.
- Thank you. That is very true as I've had someone years ago that entered my contest who said they didn't need to follow all of the rules because it wasn't like the contest offered money as a prize, which is something a national or other contest that isn't site focused. The contests here, even the site ones, are done by other members. Though other contests and even publishing is influenced by personal opinions too if you really think about it. Good idea to just move on if you don't agree with details of a contest.
Comment by 🐕GeminiGem🎁  :
I have seen contests that get my creative muse revved up, only to discover a rule that makes it impossible to enter the contest with the piece you come up with.
My advise? Write it anyway. Sure, it is nice to write an entry for a contest, but look at it this way...it got you excited to write something, why waste that? You might find another contest you could enter it in. If you don't, you still have some fresh writing to add to your portfolio. That isn't a bad thing, so I say "go for it."
- I like your advice. I do try to maybe write the story anyways if I get an idea though I really should focus on the dozen others that are already in progress. hehe
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Contests & Activities: February 26, 2025 Issue [#13002]
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