 Contests & Activities: October 09, 2024 Issue [#12779] |
This week: Reading Activities and Groups Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Contests & Activities Newsletter by Dawn
A little ramble that looks at the reader side instead of writing. Some thoughts on the options for groups or possible activities in the future along with some other web site options. |
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"Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: They feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping along with, the absurdity of life, instead of being squashed by it over and over again. It's like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea. You can't stop the raging storm, but singing can change the hearts and spirits of the people who are together on that ship." – Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
An important part of the learning process for writing is to read. There are a number of authors and famous quotes that center around the promotion of reading, whether someone is a writer or not. Many of us were probably a reader before we were a writer even. I know that when I was younger, like the pre-teen years, I would read while doing many other tasks. I would read when walking around the house. I would read when I should be going to bed. I would even read while eating dinner and watching tv. Reading opened up many worlds to me including that of my own imagination and I probably won't be on this site today if it hadn't been for the years of reading. I was also lucky that my parents, in particular my stepdad, supported the reading habit.
So, while I do love contests and am getting ready for the epic writing challenge that is National Novel Writing Month, I think today is a good day to consider some options for reading activities. There are a couple of active groups, some inactive groups and places to talk about books on the site. WDC isn't the only place so there are some other sites I'm going to promote too.
Years ago, I had a group and an item for readers. My group was a little too generic, which I think was part of the problem. It is called Writers Reading and allowed for any genre. Sounds like a good idea but there is less of a chance for people to connect if things are too broad. Having thought about the options over the years, I do feel that having specific genre focused groups is a better option. I've also had an In&Out that provided a place for people to post what they have read. I like that option but feel like there isn't enough character counts allowed in order to give any information on the book, so a forum might be the better choice there when wanting to recommend books or talk about what you think over something that you read.
Aside from WDC, there are a couple of options that can help in the world of reading.
Goodreads
What I like about Goodreads is that it helps me keep track of the books that I have read. It's easy to forget after time goes by and harder to remember all of the different authors that I have enjoyed over the years. I even put in some of the books that I read back when I was a teenager. You can also follow authors and join groups. There are some events and lists get created that can help suggest possible books you might enjoy reading. And there is a yearly challenge where you pick a reading goal. Once you put how many books you want to read, each time you finish one on the site, it keeps track and tells you how far along you are towards that goal. This year, I have a goal of 224 books. The books also don't have to be novel length, just have to be listed on the site in order to count. Since I've been reading or listening to romance/erotica novels, I am already at 191 and that doesn't even count the books that I have re-read. So, it's a helpful sight when it comes to reading.
Facebook
For those of you who spend some time on Facebook, it can be a good option for finding groups that focus on reading. It can also be used for creating personal groups for beta readers, but that is a different topic. One of the best things I have done with the site is to join a few book groups that focus on genres that I happen to write and ones that I enjoy reading. Thanks to the groups, I've been able to find books to read and have found different authors too. It also helps, as a writer, to see the types of books people are requesting because really, there is a reader for almost any type of story. It is encouraging to see that there are readers out there who might want to check out one of my books once I have something out there. But the reading part is big. Granted, I can't always find the books recommended on the library web site that I use, but still it's helpful. I enjoy seeing the posts and letting people know about books that I have enjoyed.
Don't forget the library. That is a great place to support and a way to get books to read, whether you go in person or use an app to get books on your phone. Whatever method you enjoy, use it to find things to read. And check out some unplublished stuff on here when you have the time too. Let's read!
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Do you take part in any reading groups or events?
Last time, I wrote about the topic of contests and some of the challenges that come with running them long term for years on end. Here are some comments sent over the topic:
Comment by Mary Ann MCPhedran  :
Thank you for sharing your newsletter with me. I haven't been successful with contests but entered one this month and won 10,000 gfp. I'm slowly working down the list of activities.
- Congrats!
Comment by Beholden  :
How do you handle running a contest long term? My answer has to be that I don't. My only experience of running one comes from keeping one going for an owner who needs a break. That was enough to persuade me never to start one of my own. It's far too much like hard work. And it leads me to ask you a question in return. Why on earth do people do it? Why take on something so onerous and what possible benefit do you get from it?
- Understandable. It is a challenge but I know as a manager, anyone who takes a few rounds is very much appreciated.
Comment by Mummified_Mike  :
I'm a little late to the "Earn A Badge" party, but am currently thinking about an entry into "The Weekly Quickie Contest" . How's that for a coincidence?
- ooo Quite the coincidence. 
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