Online Writing Camp?

Would anyone be interested in joining an online writing camp? Primarily teens, but I think I would also accept up to 2 adults. This would be for short stories or novels only — no poetry (not because I don’t like poetry, but because even though I write poetry periodically, I don’t feel like I’m good enough at it to help other people with it). I think we’d need at least 5 or more likely 10 people to make it worthwhile to do.

What I’m picturing is that each month will be focused on one person. They will send out/post a chapter or a short story and everyone will read it and comment (including me). The place would be some kind of secure forum or perhaps a Yahoo Group so that your work won’t be out in the public domain and only members could see it and comment on it. If we want to or find it necessary, we could also have a monthly chat to talk about it, though I think a Yahoo Groups type of thing might be sufficient.

Members would have to (of course) abide by certain rules, most of them just common sense and the type of stuff pretty much any critique group would follow (no stealing each other’s stuff, no posting each other’s work elsewhere, no personal attacks, no flame wars, etc.). Members should also keep in mind that you *will* receive constructive criticism (something you definitely need to be able to take as a writer). *Destructive* criticism will not be allowed.

Anyway, if you are interested, comment here or email me. If I don’t get enough people interested, then I won’t worry about it. I thought this might be something fun and I get so many questions about writing I thought it would also be useful. The camp would probably start up in June since I’m going to be busy writing until then. :-)

UPDATE: I’m going to leave “registration” open until May 9th and we’ll see where we are then with the number of people who are interested and find a home for it (I’m still thinking a closed Yahoo Group, but if anyone else has any ideas, let me know!)

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  1. Diana Dang

    I would love to join! =)) But I don’t think I am able to do any soon. I have commitments to doing my school work and reviews. >< But I would still like to be part of the group to see other peoples’ work! It’s a fun idea!

    • kimpauley

      Well, I don’t think we’d start up until June. And you could always be the “focus” person in a later month :-)

  2. Ari

    Count me in! I would love to do this. Do you know how long I have been looking for some where to have people comment on my writing. A very long time.

  3. Jenna

    I’m interested. Sign me up!

  4. Chelsea

    I would love to join! I’ve been looking for a sort of critique group for a while, and this sounds perfect. I also love helping others with their writing, & giving my opinion as an avid reader! Thanks for putting it together.

    • kimpauley

      Wonderful! Feel free to post up on blogs, etc. We need to get enough people to make it worthwhile. :)

  5. Tara

    I’d like to join. All of my friends say they like my writing, but that doesn’t really help me.

    • kimpauley

      Yep, while friends are great, they very seldom really tell you the truth (good or bad) about your writing. It’s easier to get real feedback from people you don’t know as well.

  6. kristin veiga

    I’m sooooo in!

  7. Sarah Arsenault

    I am writing a story righ now, and I am definetly interested in this .. So cool
    Love your bookl by the way :)

    • kimpauley

      Thanks, Sarah! I’ll put you on the list too!

  8. Amber

    I think that would be great.

    • kimpauley

      Great, Amber! Good to have you on board too. :)

  9. Sarah

    that sounds like fun!! im sooo in!!!
    ps i love your book and cant wait for the next one!!!

  10. Ashley

    Hi!!! I’d love to join the writing camp! A yahoo group is a good idea, my mom belongs to a homeschool group on there. Anyway, I can’t be the person of the month in August, because my family and I are going on a trip to visit family( and I get to spend my bff’s b-day with her!!!) Thanks for understanding and creating this club! Awesome idea!!
    Peace, Love, and Writing Camps,
    Ashley

    • kimpauley

      Great! I think we’re getting a really good group together!

  11. aanner

    Oh I’m definitely interested!! I love writing novels.

  12. Delilah

    I’d love to join as well but the summer would be the best time because I am swamped with school and exams! (I’m doing homework as I write this) This is an awesome idea Kim! Hope this works out!

    • kimpauley

      Sounds good, you could be either the June, July or August person if you have something ready.

  13. Felicity

    i wold love to join t writing camp it sounds like fun but i dont know it i’m very good at writing. lol but it sounds fun and amazing

    • kimpauley

      Well, that’s kind of the point — to get better! :-)

  14. taylor

    this sounds really cool. I would love for people to be able to comment on my story, i would totally register

  15. stephanie

    i would love to join if im not to late to sign up

  16. Moriah

    This actually sounds like a neat idea. The only problem is, i have issues writing my thoughts down. i always seem to want to change the story around, so i haven’t exactly gotten the details 100% yet… But having people read and comment on a chapter would be really helpful.

  17. Sahina

    Hope I’m not too late! I’d definitely be interested :D

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