Basics - Post from Aiken

Here's something that I think will help all of us, whether we read or write.

1. DO post--at least once a week, if you can, even if it's just to say, "Hey, nothing came to me this week or today." Even if you don't post, if you come here, read a bit, and begin THINKING, you may decide to post or write in a notebook or on a different blog or type away on your word processor or find some of your old stuff that you kept. Just reading and knowing other people are writing is one of the greatest ways to "prime the pump" for me. I find it very inspirational & begin to feel I need to do something. It's a great intellectual stimulant. So . . . for the sake of my 3-second, goldfish memory and to help me stave off Alzheimer's, please . . . post.

2. If you don't post, just leave a comment. If you don't want to leave a serious comment, if you could just let us know that you read, we'd appreciate it. "Kilroy was here" will work just fine.

3. WRITERS: At the beginning of the post, if you would tell us what it is we're reading--whether it's a short story start or a potential chapter or just a random writing, it would help us in our mindset when we read. We could provide better feedback, I think.

4. WRITERS: If there is an element of the work you want us to pay particular attention to, please tell us. If you're having trouble phrasing or want to know if something is effective or if an element is working . . . ask. Then we'll know what it is we're supposed to pay attention to.

I am DELIGHTED to read your works here! Keep in mind what my day-to-day reading consists of and you surely know why I prefer your, mine and ours.

I hope to be sending you a couple of interesting links in this up-coming week, and hope to be reading more of everyone's work. And, oh, yeah, I'll (gulp!) post mine as well.

In the meantime . . . may your ink cartridges flow clearly and never smear; may the muse of imagination spring when you're awake, and may you find a shady spot to sip some southern sweet tea.