This week: Commitment Online and the Struggles Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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For Authors Newsletter by Dawn
Today is a ramble about making online commitments and understand when things come up for other people for our digital community. |
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WDC as an online community has a plethora of options for ways to participate. There are many contests to enter, groups seeking members and even some really fun activities that cover a variety of topics. Right now many writers are taking part in a big writing challenge where we have to write an entry for a contest/challenge every single week and do one review. The goal is to succeed in this task at least 24 times within 12 months and there are rewards for accomplishing particular tasks. With around 30 people taking part, that is a big activity here on the site but there is always the chance someone will drop out or miss certain weeks because a year is a major time commitment, whether considering online factors or not.
Then there are shorter activities like the class that I have helped teach, which only takes up 6 weeks of time. Students have an assignment and a review task each week, with some leeway taking into consideration struggles they might face. I even am/was a student too, which involved turning in a couple of assignments late due to personal and online commitment reasons. Things come up and happen even for those of us that run activities. But first, let's consider the task of getting involved.
For Participants:
Making the commitment, taking the first step by putting your hat into the ring, that is the easy part. There are many things I would like to do, for example, or that seem like a good idea. Some activities do come with a fee, so that's something to take into consideration when trying to decide if you want to take part or not. This may or may not be refundable. That will also depend on the circumstance surrounding the reason for leaving or not finishing whatever the commitment entailed, but when looking at the starting point, consider if the fee is worth losing if things don't work out.
Then comes the time to take part in whatever activity or challenge you have chosen. Each one has different requirements for how much work needs done or what is exactly involved. For some activities, there will be a sign up period before anything starts. However, for ongoing activities or groups, you can start taking part as soon as you make the commitment to join. Review groups will have some recommendations and standards set in place or even links on where to get started. Other groups might have an activity or a special forum that you will want to bookmark so that you don't lose sight. In fact, if you join any activity, I recommend favoriting the item used for it so that you don't forget. Click on the plus mark and organize them in whatever way works best and that way, when there are updates, you will be able to see that on your lists of favorites.
If something does come up and you're either struggling or not able to finish a commitment... that is okay. Most of us will understand if things change and you need to back out. However, I do recommend emailing the person who is charge of the activity or group if you need to step back. For some groups, it's okay to just be dormant for a while. I haven't done much for Angel Army in years and I've been a member since not long before I joined. When it comes to other activities that require certain things done at a certain time, giving a quick email and a vague explanation is a courteous thing to do. The communication will be appreciated.
For Judges and Activity Creators:
Making the decision to run a big activity can be tough because you always wonder whether or not people will even want to take part. If it's something you want to do, then it's worth giving a try and seeing how things go. So, you make the decision to create a group or run an activity... good. That is the easy part (much like deciding to take part). You do the steps in order to create whatever needs used to make it work, whether it's a group item, forum plus whatever additional stuff will help people along the way. Then you go about the advertising and getting people to notice so that someone starts to take part. While we have to worry about whether other people will get involved or not, there is an additional commitment factor for the person running the activity or group. You are making a big commitment as the host to keep things going for whatever time frame you have listed (or while it's available on the site, which could be years).
Activities are fun and I try to take part when I can because different members here on the site have some really great ideas. However, not every idea, group or activity works out. While there are times when people flake out in entering contests or drop out of classes/actvities, the same could even be said for the host. Before making the commitment, consider what it will take in order to keep things running. However, like with participants, you do have a life offline and are human (as far as we know). If something does come up... that is okay. Like with the participants, I recommend communication because that will help avoid disappointment or negative experiences if an activity or event doesn't work out. Emails are a good option or even a forum post keeping people up to date on situations. Again, you can be vague. We don't need every detail of your medical situation (unless you want to share all in a blog) but we can understand if you say some personal things are going on and there might be delays or set backs. If you let people know at least a little, it will help in the long run even if an activity is closed in the end.
Making a commitment online is easy. Doing the actual work is the challenge. Make sure to communicate, do the best you can and have fun. We like seeing activities and participation here on the site. This is a community and in order for things to work online, we all have to make commitments, whether it's to others or even ourselves. Like making the commitment to write something today. We should do that. |
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How do you balance online commitments with other things going on in your life?
The last time that I was the editor for this newsletter, last month, I discussed writing goals. While I didn't succeed in my own goals last month, it's a topic that many writers can relate. Here are some comments sent in from that one:
Comment by brom21  :
"I try to hold to the typical goal of writing everyday. But, sometimes I just don't feel like writing. I suppose this is comparable to writer's block. The thing is that I do not struggle with writer's block. Simply put me in front of a screen and my imagination runs wild! Something I should put back into practice is write just ten minutes a day-then ten turns to twenty and so on. One goal I have achieved is to publish a book as I will soon be releasing it. lol. Thanks for the NL!"
- Thank you. It is great that you have achieved one of your goals and still focus on trying to write often. Congratulations on the upcoming release.
Comment by s :
"I achieved my final writing goal when Lightning Print accepted a novel to be my first published book...
Now I would like to make a living as a writer, but that's not so much a goal as a dream."
- Congrats on the publication with your first book. It's okay to have goals and to have dreams. We can reach for them all.
Comment by Patata Aterrdora en NM  :
"This was a very good news letter! I think I needed reminders on what goals should be and the importance of deadlines. Not sure how to celebrate success but the information here was helpful."
- I am glad this was helpful. Deadlines are an important factor and can help get things accomplished. How you celebrate... that is a good question. Might be something to consider in the near future for another topic.
Comment by Damon Nomad  :
"If you seek to be traditionally published then celebrate rejections. Set a goal for how many rejections you will get and along the way a few acceptances will probably come along."
- That is a good idea too, for those seeking that type of publication. Rejections are a part of the process and they mean you are taking steps forward in the traditional sense. Thank you for the comment.
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For Authors: July 03, 2024 Issue [#12625]
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