Writer's Guild creative writing projects

[Doctor Setebos]

Here is everything you need to know to become involved in the CoG Writer's Guild.

Google Group
We do all of our coordinating of large-scale group projects in our Google Group. If you want to get in on a project (we're currently planning to do a couple every year), then the best thing to do is to go to the group and request an invite. Please be sure to include your current CoG username in the text of the request so we know who we're approving for access.
http://groups.google.com/group/cog-writers-guild

Sentence Starters
#1 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=566): 150 words freestyle - posted 10/05/08 by Doctor Setebos
#2 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=734): 200 words: SCIFI theme - posted 10/07/08 by Doctor Setebos
#3 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=807): 250 words: DETECTIVE theme - posted 10/09/08 by Doctor Setebos
#4 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=931): 300 words: DECLAN character - posted 10/10/08 by Doctor Setebos
#5 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=1135): 250 words: RENAISSANCE period - posted 10/14/08 by Doctor Setebos
#6 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=1457): 300 words: COLD, DARK, RAINY NIGHT setting - posted 10/20/08 by Doctor Setebos
#7 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=3699): 200 words: freestyle - posted 12/17/08 by Doctor Setebos
#8 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=4295): 400 words: WAR setting - posted 1/6/09 by Doctor Setebos
#9 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=5422): 300 words: FANTASY theme - posted 2/3/09 by Doctor Setebos
#10 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=22460): alienation/isolation - posted 4/23/2011 by VerseD
#11 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=22542): four travelers - posted 4/29/2011 by VerseD
#12 (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=22642): the dance floor - posted 5/7/2011 by VerseD

[DangerousDaze]

If you're interested in contributing to any of the CoG writing projects then make sure you sign up to the CoG Writer's Guild Social Group (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/group.php?groupid=3)!

[Khrymsyn]

Can I suggest that we space these out a hair more?

I'm good with 2 or 3 in a week, but 4 in a week? Yowza. =)

[shunoshi]

Can I suggest that we space these out a hair more?

I'm good with 2 or 3 in a week, but 4 in a week? Yowza. =)

I like this pace. Gives me something to write every day. Not saying that I can't just write every day anyhow, but the direction helps. ;)

[Doctor Setebos]

Can I suggest that we space these out a hair more?

I'm good with 2 or 3 in a week, but 4 in a week? Yowza. =)You decide how often to participate. Feel free to only bother with two or three any given week. Skip ones you aren't particularly interested in. They aren't going to go anywhere and new ones will continually be popping up for those interested in variety and continuing writing challenges. You can always go back to an old one if you feel the itch to tackle it.

Just because they're there doesn't mean you have to write something for them. ;)

[Kielaran]

Between this and trying to do my blog posts daily, it actually feels somewhat hectic, though I actually like it. Now if I can only catch up with the sentence starters :p

[pronounconnoun]

If you're interested in contributing to any of the CoG writing projects then make sure you sign up to the CoG Writer's Guild Social Group!

Hi, I'm new here and I can't join the group. Is it possible to participate still?

[Kielaran]

Hi, I'm new here and I can't join the group. Is it possible to participate still?

You may need a certain number of post to join a group. As for joining in, the sentence starters in the OP are a great way to start. Like some of the posts above say, this month may be slower due to NaNoWriMo, but hopefully when November ends, then we can get back into it.

[Kojak]

Hmm I always wanted to write but I don't know if I can. Its not something that I have not done since primary school. Maybe I should sign up and try though I would probably feel pretty foolish.

I shall see how it goes.

[Mr. Murphy]

Hmm I always wanted to write but I don't know if I can. Its not something that I have not done since primary school. Maybe I should sign up and try though I would probably feel pretty foolish.

I shall see how it goes.

Yeah man, just give it a shot. Nobody's gonna judge you, and it's kinda fun. People seem to only give criticism when you ask them to.

[Kielaran]

Yeah man, just give it a shot. Nobody's gonna judge you, and it's kinda fun. People seem to only give criticism when you ask them to.

Aye. It's a very friends environment around here.

[Arphahat]

Hmm I always wanted to write but I don't know if I can. Its not something that I have not done since primary school. Maybe I should sign up and try though I would probably feel pretty foolish.

I shall see how it goes.

Writing is a skill you can develop. Imagine the worst case scenario: you write something and other people "trash" it. As all our criticism should be constructive, you can address the issues that are found in your first draft and suddenly, your writing is better.

Don't be afraid. I promise, the worst that will happen is that you will improve your writing skills. :)

[Kojak]

Yeah thats true, well you can count me in then, I already posted something so I figure there is only one direction I can go in from here.

[Doctor Setebos]

I've updated the OP here with current information on getting involved in the CoG Writer's Guild.

[astranoir]

Not really sure this is the right place to post, but I've been trying to write again. I've made a little progress, and posted it on my blog (http://astranoir.com/?p=168).

[Hawkzombie]

This is something I'd love to see get started again.

[Mr. Murphy]

This is something I'd love to see get started again.

I have to agree.

Shortly after I became involved in discussing the writing process with you fellows almost two years ago my life unraveled a bit, and only recently have I begun to have the time and stability in my life to write again as a craft, instead of just as a spasm.

Recent projects I have been considering:

- Going out on the streets, attempting to make friends with random strangers, and keeping a blog/writing a series of articles about the act and it's follow-up. This could be an interesting local reporting project for just about any writer in a city.

- Speculative fiction involving technological advances (you know, stories that involve technology you come up with when you think 'I wonder what the world will be like for a teenager in 2020...')

- A graphic novel from the point of view of a man who encounters and exists among alien creatures who experience reality with an entirely different set of senses.

but right now my main goal has been to write for an hour a day without worrying about what it is. The thing is, if you want to get an hour of good writing done, you need to spend four hours of time on it...


Anyway. Any other creative writing projects or ideas?

[pronounconnoun]

but right now my main goal has been to write for an hour a day without worrying about what it is. The thing is, if you want to get an hour of good writing done, you need to spend four hours of time on it...


Anyway. Any other creative writing projects or ideas?

I was thinking of setting aside some time to write. After getting rejected from all the grad schools I applied to, I stopped writing entirely and I've not felt like myself lately. I was thinking a half hour to an hour a day and on weekends polishing up what can be salvaged from my ramblings.

The only project I have on the burner is a script for a neo-noir crime drama that I'm writing with my friend. I tend to stick to the non-traditional comedic side and my friend is more of a straight laced, true to the original type of person. Working with another writer is definitely something I suggest everyone try. It's hard, but you get to see where your weak points are and work on them as a team.

[shunoshi]

I'd love to do a collaborative work with everyone at some point. I've been waiting patiently for protagonize.com to add the ability to do private group collaborations for awhile now. I just emailed them today to see if it's doable. I think doing a sort of branching story would be a lot of fun. For instance, I write the first chapter of the story. This becomes the base. Then two people can write their own chapter 2. Then up to two more people can choose to write chapter 3 to follow up either of the chapter 2s written. So on, and so forth. I think the results would be phenomenal. :D

Of course....there would be a 128 chapter 8's....so things may get out of hand. lol

[OldeWolf]

I'd love to do a collaborative work with everyone at some point. I've been waiting patiently for protagonize.com to add the ability to do private group collaborations for awhile now. I just emailed them today to see if it's doable. I think doing a sort of branching story would be a lot of fun. For instance, I write the first chapter of the story. This becomes the base. Then two people can write their own chapter 2. Then up to two more people can choose to write chapter 3 to follow up either of the chapter 2s written. So on, and so forth. I think the results would be phenomenal. :D

Of course....there would be a 128 chapter 8's....so things may get out of hand. lol

Or just take turns for whoever dibs the next chapter.

[Mr. Murphy]

I love working collaboratively, but I'm terrible at schedules and deadlines and obligations. Trying to be better at it tho.

The only project I have on the burner is a script for a neo-noir crime drama that I'm writing with my friend. I tend to stick to the non-traditional comedic side and my friend is more of a straight laced, true to the original type of person. Working with another writer is definitely something I suggest everyone try. It's hard, but you get to see where your weak points are and work on them as a team.

Sounds cool, I am intrigued.

[Hawkzombie]

I'd be interested in some collaborative work, honestly...even if it's just swapping pages.

[National Kato]

Good times going back and reading some of these. I'd dropped off due to business, laziness, and what-have-you.

Although last night I had the urge to start brainstorming on a story idea to maybe turn into a light read for airport denizens and vacationeers. Might be good to start adding to a few of these older challenges to get the juices flowing again.

[National Kato]

Wasn't sure where to put this, but the Windows release of Scrivener has finally come to pass. No more beta updates! $40 buys you the full program.

[Spectre-7]

Wasn't sure where to put this, but the Windows release of Scrivener has finally come to pass. No more beta updates! $40 buys you the full program.

I suspect there's more than a handful of folks who'd want to know, so maybe a new thread in PC Hardware & Software?