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Hey! Look at us, we made it to newsletter #100!!! Woohoo! |
  Writers' Circle Newsletter #100 Extravaganza! Issue #100: November 11, 2003 Wow! We've made it to one hundred newsletters! I'd like to take a moment and thank the members of the Writers' Circle, The Writers' Circle Newsletter Recipients, the newsletter team and group who pulled together to make this 100th newsletter: *~* Judie *~*  , ElaineElaine  , Starr* Rathburn , Reannon , Holly Jahangiri and Red Writing Hood <3  Who Are the People of Writers’ Circle? We are young and old; male and female; professional, clerical, and stay-at-home. Most of us are parents; a few of us are even grandparents. Our children range from toddlers to adults. We mostly live in the U.S.A., though a few of us are international – in England or Australia. Some of us are poets, others story writers, still others write articles, and many of us write all three. Many of us are teachers of one sort or another. You’ll find us writing on the official Writing.Com newsletters and, of course, in this Writers’ Circle Newsletter. What brings this diverse group of individuals together is our hankering to write. Sometimes we do more talking about writing, than writing; but such is the temptation of the writer’s life. I’ve heard it said that of all the arts, writing is one of the ones most prone to self-doubt. Just because we’ve been successful before in communicating with others outside of our own imagination, does not mean we will be successful the next time we sit down to write. It helps to complain, rant, and encourage one another in a group, because everything one writer will face, it is more than likely, so will another. Are we the most likely individuals to be published on Writing.Com? Not exactly. I’ve observed that those that become seriously interested in paid publication are more likely to withdraw altogether from Writing.Com, such as our founder Kit Tunstall, or to cut back on activity and use Writing.Com for exactly what it is for – a test vehicle for seeing where one’s works need to be revised and honed. However, I suspect that most of our members will find publication avenues. Many of us already have at such places as Bewrite and Lula. Others venture elsewhere. I myself am little by little teaching myself the business of publication – which is a different approach than just writing for oneself. Whatever differences you find in the individuals of our group, I think you will find our commonality in our desire to communicate – to write and teach. Many of us are introverts, and yet, through the avenue of the written word, we seek out others – to share our dreams and to let it be known that it is okay to be human -- and to hurt and to feel great passions. We the people of Writers’ Circle want you to hear the music behind our words and to join in this song of humanity. ElaineElaine (To read back issues of the Writers’ Circle Newsletter, see "WC Newsletter Back Issues"  .) Next week’s newsletter will be brought to you by a plate of tasty gumbo and the truly talented esprit .Next, Reannon talks to Kit Tunstall, the Adorable Mrs. herself, founder of the Writers' Circle and our first real success story. REANNON: How did the WC become the first Writing.com group? KIT: I believe the Storymaster chose the WC to be the beta testers of the group feature because we had already established a successful group in the short time we had existed. A day or so later, he released the feature site-wide, but we were the first. REANNON: Why did you start the WC in the first place? KIT: W.com had gotten too big, and reviews were so random - Some might be helpful, and others left me scratching my head with puzzlement. I knew a small group of writers who were as dedicated to succeeding in publishing as I was. It made sense to combine our resources so we would have a place to get accurate, helpful reviews and support. REANNON: What were your goals for us? KIT: I wanted to see every member of the Writers' Circle become published, and be paid well to do it. REANNON: And for yourself, when you started the group? KIT: I wanted a core group of great writers I could rely on for honesty, support, and companionship. I also wanted to improve my writing and get paid to write. REANNON: So, did the WC help you achieve those goals? KIT: Yes, definitely. Several members were instrumental in editing my first few published novels, and I could always count on the group for support if I was having a bad day or questioning my abilities. REANNON: How did you select people to invite in the first place? KIT: They were friends I had met through W.com during the year (or more) I had been a member; people whose writing I respected, and who I knew I could count on for honest, yet tactful, reviews. REANNON: What was the most useful part of the WC for you personally? KIT: The reviewing, in the beginning. Unfortunately, the group kind of strayed from that, but the members were always there for questions, advice, or emergency editing. REANNON: Did you imagine it would become such a hit? KIT: No, not really. I assumed it would consist of the first 15 or 20 invited, and it wouldn't be a blip on anyone's radar. I never expected it to evolve to a sought-after writing group, with a membership process, rules, etc. REANNON: Of what aspect of the group or group accomplishment are you most proud? KIT: How everyone works together for common goals, such as an anthology project that was in the works when I left, or the way members stepped in to help run the WC when my time became curtailed. REANNON: You ABANDONED US... I mean, you left to pursue other opportunities some time ago. How's it been going? What are you up to? KIT: Writing full-time, getting paid lots of money to do it, and loving it. I have eight books to write for next year, one in the works right now, and three to edit. I'm also exploring other options besides romance/romantica. After 12 books, I'm a little burned out, but I still have contracts to fulfill. Oh, well. These are the problems I desperately wanted a couple of years ago, so I'm not going to complain too much. REANNON: Anything you'd like to say to the WC, on this anniversary occasion? KIT: Happy anniversary, everyone--past and present members.... I miss everyone so much! Love ya, guys (and girls). You can see what Kit's been up to by visiting her web site at http://www.kittunstall.com! Before you check out our featured works, check out this multi-interview of some of our members!
Featured Work From Our Members:
History of the Writers circle The Writers's Circle was begun in 2001, a kind of test-group before the feature went site-wide. Begun by Kit Tunstall (www.kittunstall.com), now a successful published author, WC started out as a forum where certain authors were invited to share reviews and just have fun. The original criteria for joining was having intermediate to advanced writing skills, the ability to give helpful reviews and accurate critique, and the willingness to participate in group activities and projects. WC Today Today WC is a much larger, much more complex group, but it has stayed true to Kit's original vision of creating a circle of writers devoted to helping each other get even better at writing, and eventually to have all members published. Featured Work From Non-Members:
Writing Prompt: This weeks prompt is brought to you by: Starr* Rathburn tick, tick. Time's flying by, and you haven't yet... Please post YOUR response in the "Invalid Item" Recommended Reading, Groups and Forums:
You are invited to submit suggestions to the Writers' Circle editors. To submit an item for consideration in the WC newsletter:
All comments about this and any WC newsletter are welcome! Tell your friends about our newsletter! They can sign up through this link. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends.
Issue #100 11/10/2003 Edited by: Red Writing Hood <3 , ElaineElaine , Reannon  , Holly Jahangiri , *~* Judie *~* , AND Starr* Rathburn |
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