Green Room - Week 7 - Day 4

[clauderainsrm]

 The vast majority of contestants haven't posted yet, which means I'll have a busy night tomorrow! (Note: That's the deadline to get in your entries, in case you've forgotten, tomorrow!) therealljidol.dreamwidth.org/1157031.html

If you haven't forgotten, but just like to wait until last minute, it's probably around the time that you should be looking at the prompt and writing an entry.  :) 

***

My lawyers have advised me to NOT imply that Idol has been endorsed by Taylor Swift. So I will not. Not that anyone thought she had, but maybe in the back of your mind you were wondering "Did Taylor Swift endorse this mini season of LJ Idol"? And the answer to that is, I can not speak to that at this time.  

***

In reading through previous Green Rooms it's interesting to see what a community hub we were in terms of topics that came up. It wasn't always just about the nature of writing, but news in general. I think a big part of the shift wasn't just the change in how social media is used/misused and how tense a lot of these conversations became but that there was a shift in who came into these spaces to talk. There simply wasn't as much of an interest in in-depth conversations anymore (not that they ever got TOO deep anyway. I always try to keep it lighthearted. There are never too many conversations about why René Descartes should have an Acme anvil dropped on his head. But maybe there *should* be....  ;) 

Every season, be it a full season, mini, exhibit, special event, etc has it's own vibe. It should be it's own thing that develops over the course of the time we have together. Having so many back to back though I think created a singular style. Not that it's always a bad thing. But it's definitely a "thing"...   much like the shifts in what people want out of Idol. (from the "we're just here to have some fun to those using it to further their writing career/gain skills and everything in between. I know of a couple who started out in the first camp who *have* ended up using it professionally! Which is great. 

I think the fact that at my old jobs, I was always able to get online and post/engage whereas with this one I can't do that. (they actually monitor) is also a factor. I'm hoping that people are too busy talking to each other to care about whatever I'm saying... 

***
What are YOU hoping to get out of this mini season, when it's all said and done? 

Comments

[pixiebelle]

I really just want to get back to writing for myself and finding my voice again. For years and years, I wrote shitty books for my client because she paid my bills, but as time went on, I really hated it. It shifted how I thought about writing. My focus was on “will this make money for my client?” and not “is this good writing? Am I proud of this?” I learned all about market research, writing to market, tropes that sold well, etc but in the process, I forgot how to enjoy writing. I lost my unique, often whimsical, voice and I miss it.

I’m happy that I wrote my first fiction piece this week. I feared I might be stuck in my client’s voice too much to do that, but I managed to do it and have fun at the same time. I’d like to keep working on that and hopefully get back to writing fiction like I did in the old days of Idol.

[muchtooarrogant]

That's why I love the random prompt aspect of Idol. I fully intended to write fiction this week, which admittedly is pretty much my default, but I couldn't make the prompt fit until I switched to nonfiction. For you though, it encouraged you to switch to fiction, which is very cool.

Dan

[pixiebelle]

I’ve been trying to write fiction for weeks. I have at least two fiction entries started that went nowhere - one I started three different ways to try and make it work. I could have went nonfiction this week too, but I feel like I’ve done enough depressing stuff and that’s where my mind went with this topic. I happened to have this story idea a few days prior when I thought of a cute opening line (that I didn’t actually use because it gave the twist away, but still, it inspired me). I just wasn’t sure how to start it. The topic gave me the perfect angle. It worked out well :)

[roina_arwen]

I love when a prompt works with that I want to write! I usually find a good opening line helps spur me on to write the rest of the entry, even if I have to change the opening a bit later.

[pixiebelle]

Yes! A good opening line really helps me get started. Without it, I even feel like I’m forcing it. Even if I change it later, it got me started and set the tone for the piece.

[clauderainsrm]

I fully own that this - and other comments/ideas I've been making are all part of me trying to assess where I am in life/where I've come from and what it all means. :)

[tonithegreat]

I feel like LJ and Dreamwidth by their very natures are good places to noodle around about ye old life assessment. Even in today's sort of weirdly abbreviated version/format, as opposed to all the extended yapping that I (we? were we all over sharing so blissfully?) used to do on LJ 15 years ago. I'm glad you encourage that. I'm not sure whether it is strategically awarded in terms of people posting it in actual Idol entries, but I want to use this competition to play more with that sort of posting, because I realized today that the writers I pay to read over on Substack write those kinds of musing pieces and I want to try my hand at some of that, I think.

[clauderainsrm]

There have been a couple conversations I've seen happening in other people's entries over the last few years, that have both reinforced the idea of having a "Legends" season as well as saying "maybe I don't need to"... they've been comments about people changing and reconnecting after years and major life changes. That's sort of what I would want out of a 20th anniversary celebration. To see the growth and changes from people who might not normally think "I should sign up" - but I've definitely seen a few folx who have come back on their own that highlighted just how meaningful those interactions are. So maybe just sending targeted personal invites would've be enough without it having to be labeled.

[muchtooarrogant]

Ultimately, what I want to get out of Idol is the push to write. Over the past few years, that push was missing from my life, I missed it, and even worse, I stopped writing. I love the challenge of not knowing what the next prompt will be, and I also enjoy researching topics I'm planning to write about.

That's my primary reason, but I'm also doing this for the feedback from fellow contestants. The rule I've established for myself this season is to not only write something every week, but also to read and comment on all the entries that are posted. My thinking is, if you want people to read and engage with your stuff, you have to read and engage with theirs. Honestly Gary, that's something I've never found in any other writing community, engagement from fellow members. There are plenty of places to post your writing online, but feedback, in my experience at least, is a rare commodity.

Dan

[bleodswean]

I agree with all of this! Idol does make one want to write and that's what's so great about reading the entries - they are written with enthusiasm and a sense of wanting to reach the audience in a meaningful way. It's very intentioned!

[muchtooarrogant]

"Very intentioned" is such a great way of putting it. :)

Dan

[pixiebelle]

I really love the community aspect of it, which is why I feel bad that I haven’t been commenting as much as I’d like. I hope to fix that soon.

[muchtooarrogant]

No worries, I'm certain that everyone in Idol realizes that real life happens, and as much as me don't like it at times, takes precedence over our socializing here. :)

Dan

[tonithegreat]

I am right there with with you on this! It really is the best when you comment on everyone! But I haven't made it happen once this season. Hopefully I can do it at least once before I am sent packing.

[muchtooarrogant]

Oh, I fully admit that it's a challenge. It's rewarding too though, and I freely admit that I wouldn't be able to keep track without Excel helping me track what I've read, what I haven't, and my vote for each entry. The mini aspect of this season is nice, as I'm certain I couldn't manage to keep up otherwise.

Dan

[roina_arwen]

Yes, exactly this. I make it a point to read all the entries every week, and I comment on almost all of them. I enjoy the commentary on my posts as well, and try to reply to all of them (and I'm funny in that whatever icon I use for my original post, I also use in my comment to the post itself to keep it all copacetic).

The only pay-to-play writing competition that I do is by NYCMidnight, because all entries are blind-judged (ie the writer's name is on the submission form, but not the entry itself) AND regardless of where you place or if you move to the next round, you'll get feedback from three separate judges on your entry - what they liked about it, and what they felt needed work. I very much appreciate the professional feedback, and while I don't always agree with ALL of their input, I do find it very helpful overall!

[muchtooarrogant]

Ah, thank you for the other writing community recommendation. That looks very interesting.

Dan

[roina_arwen]

It’s not a DW community (not that I know of, anyway)

This is their website:
https://www.nycmidnight.com/

[muchtooarrogant]

Ha, it never occurred to me it was on DW, I just Googled it. Thanks for the link though!

Dan

[chasing_silver]

Exactly this about the commenting. I have really tried to comment on everyone's work. I think it's important and it encourages people to want to do their best because they have people who are waiting to see more stellar work from them!

[muchtooarrogant]

Yes, and sometimes it's really a challenge to come up with meaningful feedback that hasn't already been said by other commenters. I've stopped looking at comments before I reply, and just try and pick out bits of the entry that I liked. LOL People probably get sick of me quoting their words back to them, but it's the easiest way of pointing out things I liked/identified with.

Dan

[chasing_silver]

Your comments are my favourite because of that!

[muchtooarrogant]

Thank you! :)

Dan

[swirlsofpurple]

I love getting quotes in the comments, that's always awesome.

I know, it's so hard to not feel like I'm repeating myself. I try to say different things, but often the nail has already been hit on the head.

[muchtooarrogant]

Just look at it this way, you're not being unoriginal, you're validating something important. (smile)

Dan

[swirlsofpurple]

Good point :)

[dadi]

This! It is avery special thing! And that is one of the main reasons why I haven't participated in this season, because I already knew I often wouldn't have had time to read and comment on the other entries and that is such an important part of the whole Idol experience!

[adoptedwriter]

I appreciate the writing accountability, the friendship(s), learning experiences and the fun. Oh, seems like a great time to share that I’m getting a poem published in The Ohio Bards anthology for poetry! It’s a poem I wrote for Idol years ago called The Mother Tree. Couldn’t tell ya the topic or which season but it was 2014 or earlier. (Maybe?). Anyway, thanks to Idol, I’m getting bragging rights and publication. Oh and a free book. So no financial gain but lots of good feelings!

[bleodswean]

Congrats!!! That's wonderful news!

[murielle]

Congratulations, P! Way to write! <3

[muchtooarrogant]

Congratulations!

Dan

[pixiebelle]

Congrats!!!

[tonithegreat]

Congrats! That is super awesome.

[roina_arwen]

Awesome! Congrats!

[chasing_silver]

Yay!!! Good work!

[dadi]

Wow! Kudos!

[swirlsofpurple]

Congratulations!

[xeena]

Yaaay congrats!

[murielle]

When all is said and done, I hope to have written a few more entries, grown a bit more as a writer, and not have had to throw in the towel early because my health fails.

It's been about two years since I idol-ed and I've missed it. I don't seem to write without it.

[roina_arwen]

Writing without Idol is just one big Open Topic, which (quite frankly) is my least favorite topic!

[murielle]

I get that.

Maybe it's my age, but the love/hate relationship I have with writing is deepening. I feel much less excitement and am much less satisfied with what I produce. Getting old. :-)

[roina_arwen]

I'm really hoping to take all my Aisling & Ember entries and coalesce them into one short story (in the 5000-8000 word range) that I can submit for publication. Hubby has so far had - or will soon have - 8 short stories published through Raconteur Press. I'm his First Reader and editor, so I do take some pride in helping him get published by doing slight finessing of his work, checking for typos, all that sort of thing.

I find it hard to write anything that long as a general rule, but being able to break it up into Idol-sized tidbits has really helped, and using the prompts to decide where to go next with it, too!

[swirlsofpurple]

I really think that story definitely deserves to be published, I hope all goes well with it.

[chasing_silver]

Really, I wanted to get back writing regularly. I had shuddered to a halt and seemed to have lost my vibe, and when you consider how much I wrote at one time (lots of articles weekly, creative stuff, book stuff) ... it makes me sad. This season has really forced me to take time no matter what to write, and it's made me healthier. <3 Thanks Gary! (And all the Idolers ... I missed so many of you guys!)

[swirlsofpurple]

I had many reasons why I wanted to take part in this mini season. The main one was getting a chance to write some horror fiction, which I hadn't done in ages- so I'm glad to have gotten the chance to write some already.

[halfshellvenus]

I was hoping to get back into writing (it had been 3 years), but I was also REALLY looking forward to the community and the chance to reconnect with my online friends.

The house fire took SO much out of me, both the fact of it and then all of the research and decision-making for the rebuild. I didn't feel like I had any bandwidth to be social until about 6-8 months ago. I mean, January 2024 was when I finally got out a late Christmas-type letter to far-flung family and friends that explained why we fell off the earth for two years.

So... I'm still swamped, and writing and reading DO take up some of the little free time I have. But I need some fun in my life again, and Idol always brings that (along with increased stress, but it's all part of the package). \o/

[tonithegreat]

I think all of us who do this are in it for the fun/stress relationship with writing that this kind of contest based community brings out. At the end of the day, the whole point is to write more, but also, we're driven to stay alive here! I'm glad you've been able to come back and I am very sorry about your house. The small brush we had with potential natural disaster of tornadoes passing by our house in May still shapes too much of my thinking, even though all we lost were trees. I cannot imagine the stress of dealing with the full aftermath of a house fire. We helped with the beginning stages of debris removal for some friends who ended up losing a house to a fire several years ago and it was just brutal. They let me take some plants from around the house, including some native poinsettias, and I thought I had lost all those little plants from my mad two summers of letting the yard be wild for Rog's brain surgery year and this last year, but I was working in the bed just outside our front windows this weekend and found some of those fire-house poinsettias that survived! It made me so happy. Anyway- long comment from me mostly because I want to say I'm glad you're here. Some of your thoughtful comments from past years are things that I still think about. I really enjoy being in this community with you!