Since April 7, 1999, Writerspark has been a favorite gathering place where dedicated writers play with words and build their craft. The name "Writerspark " itself is a play on words: Writers Park, a place for writers to play; Writer Spark, the ignition source for inspiration.  

First and foremost we have fun with words. Daily writing exercises challenge members to grow these exercise "seeds" into stories and poems, with an eye toward concise composition.  

No. Although it would be nice to have everyone do all of the exercises, we understand that time doesn’t always allow us to indulge out Muse. Pick exercises that spark you; leave the rest for later. Do them in order, or do them in any order you like. Then post them to the list.  

All exercises and other communications are posted to writerspark@yahoogroups.com.  

Yes. Our Web site, though Spartan in design, is located at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/writerspark/

Each writer retains all rights to their work – always!   

Writerspark is meant only for dedicated writers who are willing to participate. 

Yes – although we hope not.  Flaming, personal attacks, consistent  failure to post are among the very few reasons we may have to remove a member from the list – that goes for private e-mail abuses of other members, as well.  

I do. My name is Bill Weiss, and I can be reached either through the list or via my private email address: oneadem@mchsi.com.

Absolutely! -- We encourage it. Simply post your idea to me at oneadem@mchsi.com, and I will consider it for a future exercise.

NOTE: Contributed exercises posted to the list become the property of Writerspark. There’s just no practical way to separate them, since we now have more than 2,000 exercises available.  

Yes. Critiques must be "concrete" in nature. No "I like it" or "nice story" crits – Say what you liked (or didn’t) and why.  Unless specifically invited, grammar and spelling comments should be kept to a minimum.

• To critique a piece, simply key your critique into a reply email for the piece you are commenting upon. Keep the subject line as is.

  Members are asked to crititique "at least" in balance with what they submit. This is only fair.

Yes, but only those who regularly participate in our Writerspark Exercises will be allowed to post personal subs. Personal submissions should be no longer than 2,000 well-crafted words . This is not a dumping ground for hastily-scrawled splashes of random thoughts.

While crits of longer pieces are not required, if you post longer works it is only fair that you take the time to crit others' submissions.

To submit a non-exercise-related piece, simply send your work to the Writerspark list using subject line "Sub: title/your name."

 

Can we discuss anything we want on Writerspark?

Although we prefer daily exchanges to be strictly writing-related, when used judiciously we have no problem with congra, good luck and sympathy messages when appropriate. However, the bulk of our posts should be related to exercises or writing. We do allow general posts on weekends; we call this General Discussion Weekend (how clever).

 

What is "General Discussion" Weekend?

General Discussion Weekend runs from Friday evening through Sunday evening, and is a time for posts about any subject.

We prefer such discussion threads to begin with the word "DISCUSION" in the subject line, followed by the subject. This helps members who do not wish to participate recognize the message as a discussion. I urge everyone to participate in these open forums from time to time, as they can be not only informative but help to build a sense of community.

 

Cheat Sheet for Posting Conventions

Original exercise ---- Exercise #xxxx

Reply to exercise --- Re: Exercise #xxxx/yourname
Crit -------------------- Re: Exercise #xxxx/original author's name

Submission ---------- SUB: Title/yourname

Crit of submission -- Re: SUB: Title/Author's name.