End of An Era and Learning

I am no longer a Site Host on the marvellous writers’ site WriteWords. Stepping down from the role is something I’ve been thinking about, off and on, for a while, and this latest illness kind of made my mind up for me. The truth is that although I loved the job, loved helping people and all that it entailed, what I really needed (and need) to do was concentrate on my writing and workshops and on getting better.

So, I want to say a big Thank You to David, Anna, Richard and the rest of the team – I really appreciated the opportunity and loved doing what I did as a Host. Of course there were frustrating times, times when I think I got more flak than I deserved etc, but that’s par for the course. On the whole, I am thoroughly glad I did what I did.

Which brings me onto writing websites in general (in part because there’s been a discussion on their worth earlier today).

They, as long as they have good members, are, in my opinion, a wholly Good Thing. They allow writers of different genres and at different stages in their careers the chance to meet, albeit virtually. They allow writers to talk to people (let’s not forget what a lonely job it can be). They are a place where advice can be sought and given. They are a place where work can be workshopped, a place where writers, at any level, can learn. I think that’s the most important one; I don’t think writers ever, ever, ever stop learning.

Now, there are negative sides to sites like this, I ‘ll not pretend there aren’t. There are arguments and discussions and disagreements. Sometimes they’re not particularly civil. A few times they’ve been downright nasty. (Once, a member who, while in one particular discussion with me, decided to try to prove his point by criticising the way I looked. Well, what a well thought out writing related point that was! I notice he’s recently rejoined as well. I’ve not forgotten, T.) There were others as well, but I’ll not go into them here. My point is that in pretty much every case, issues were resolved and people agreed to disagree. And most of the time, I learned something from it. I’m sure others did too.

Actually, while I’m rambling on about this, I’ll mention the most frustrating thing I’ve encountered on writing sites. It’s this: people asking (sometimes begging) for your help – sometimes on a writing related issue, sometimes on actual work – getting it (something which can take the helper quite a bit of time) and then not bothering to acknowledge it, or say thanks. Oh yes, that’s annoying. And rude.

But enough of the negative – mostly writing sites, and WriteWords in particular, are a hoot. WriteWords is, in my opinion, the best writing site out there. It’s fantastic. Utterly. And helpful. I’ve made a lot of friends there and learned so much in the few years I’ve been a member. And there it is again, that learning thing.

So, writers or wannabe writers, I’d suggest you had a look.

***

And in other news, I’m back on the antibiotics for another week. Hmph. Blah. Hobble.

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Nik Perring is a short story writer, author, teacher of writing, and editor from the UK. His books include the widely celebrated Not So Perfect (Roastbooks, 2010), and A Book of Beautiful Words (2014). He co-wrote Freaks! (TFP/HarperCollins 2012), and A Book of Beautiful Trees is out in 2015.

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  1. I second all of that, I love WriteWords! I’ve dabbled in various other online writing forums, but none has been as uniformly helpful, supportive and inspirational as WW. I hope you’ll still be in there, if not in a very official capacity!

  2. Nik, you’ll be missed at WW for your always reasonable and generous guidance and advice. I agree with everything you say, including the rudeness of people who don’t bother to say thanks. I was another forum, not WW, and received a PM from a writer who opened with “I know you’re really busy but…” and went on to ask my advice on something. I took the time and trouble to provide a complete response – not a squeak of thanks, or even an acknowledgement. Bah!Sour grapes aside, I hope you make a full recovery soon and that you enjoy the extra time you’ll have for writing and other things.

  3. Hello friends!Tania, I agree completely. It’s the best of the bunch, isn’t it?Sarah, I think sadly that rudeness and self servingness is something that’s unavoidable in places that that. Doesn’t make it right – manners cost nothing after all. It really doesn’t take much to say thanks, does it? Goodness, I could grumble about that all day!And I’ll definitely be around the site for a good while yet. It’s a good place to be!Nik

  4. Yeh, i agree, i’ve learnt a hell of a lot from WW and, despite the few negative aspects, it is a million times better than writing in an uninformed vacuum.sorry to hear you are still hobbling.Casey x

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