This is my 399th post on this blog. I wrote 101 posts on my previous blog, which means, technically, this is my 500th post. Fancy that. Take a moment to digest that information as you need.
Once you’re ready, especially if you’re one of the group who showed some interest in my Writing in Company post, take a look at my thoughts on it, and please, please share yours! I wrote up some notes yesterday, and I’m just going to spill them out for us all to make sense of as we may.
Name: I came up with a name that I’m pretty pleased with, although if anyone hates it and has a super fabulous suggestion, do tell: The Word Nerd Co-op. I want the word "co-op" in the name of the group as it is really important to me that we’re all reminded of the spirit of the whole thing: encouragement and cooperation. The word nerd part is a tip of the hat to what I’ve called myself for years…well, that and writing whore, but I’m not such a writing whore as I once was. Plus, I don’t like the sound of it as well!
Mission Statement: It occurred to me when the Tobacco Valley SnB split into two groups that part of the reason for animosity on the part of some members was my fault; I never articulated the vision I had for the group, and so when it expanded beyond what I saw as feasible in terms of that vision, and when the natural opportunity to split arose, there were disgruntled folks who later accused me of drama. If I had put a mission statement into place at the start (frankly, it never occurred to me; it was meant to be an intimate, informal gathering…why should I think I needed a mission statement?), I would not have had to expose myself to such criticism. In any case, I learned a lesson, and any group I start from here forward will have a mission statement. That may be developed and changed, but at least my vision will be clear to anyone choosing to join me.
My foray into mission statement writing then, goes sumthin’ like this: The mission of the Word Nerds Co-op is to provide an encouraging and supportive community for writers of all level and experience. Participants will be matched with a fellow nerd for support and accountability. Goals and rewards are strongly encouraged. Sharing trials and triumphs is welcomed.
It’s rough still, but at least there’s some sense of what this is meant to be about.
I’m still working on questionnaires for the initial round of participants, and I’m setting up a WordPress blog where we can all post for free. Here are a few tools for the Co-op that I’m imagining will be located on the blog:
- Links to each others’ Treadmill journals or writing blogs.
- Links to websites on craft, submissions, conferences, and writing programs.
- Craft book reading lists.
- Lit. mag lists (we should, after all, read the places we hope to be published!)
- Writing prompts.
- Goal pledge sheets.
- Prizes!!
Okay, now it’s your turn to give me some feedback. Names? What to include on the site? What else would be a useful tool?
I can’t wait to hear your ideas–let ’em rip!!
