The “Write On! Fiction Works in Progress” initiative on the digital platform Daily Kos has opened its doors to writers, providing a space for them to share microfiction, serialized stories, and excerpts from larger works. This community-driven diary is designed to encourage creativity and collaboration among writers, enabling them to receive feedback on their projects.
Each week, writers are invited to submit their chapters and excerpts as comments within the “Fiction Works in Progress” diaries. To facilitate ease of navigation, contributors are encouraged to highlight the title of their work using the designated header format. This practice allows readers to easily locate specific pieces from week to week. If a writer seeks constructive feedback, they should clearly indicate this request in bold, ensuring that readers understand the type of input desired.
Participants in this initiative are reminded to provide actionable feedback. Constructive criticism is crucial, as suggestions need to be specific and sincere. For instance, instead of stating, “this protagonist is terrible,” a more helpful comment would be, “I didn’t feel a connection to your protagonist.” This approach aims to foster a supportive environment where writers are comfortable receiving commentary, promoting growth and improvement in their craft.
A key aspect of this community effort is the cooperative nature of the diary. Writers take turns acting as diarists, ensuring a continuous flow of new content. As part of the process, diarists should begin their entries by copying the previous week’s boilerplate text into a blockquote in their draft. They must also apply the appropriate tags, such as “FictionWIP,” “Readers & Book Lovers,” and “FreeWriters,” to optimize visibility and accessibility for followers of those groups.
Once the scheduled time arrives, writers can publish their drafts, transforming them into full-fledged diaries accessible to the public. They are then encouraged to share the URL of their published diary in the comments section of the “Write On!” series to invite reblogs from the R&BL and FreeWriters groups. This step enhances exposure and promotes interaction within the writing community.
Writers are cautioned about the potential risks of sharing their manuscripts publicly. Many agents and publishers are reluctant to accept submissions that have been previously available online, citing concerns over copyright infringement. As such, those aiming for traditional publication should consider these implications before posting their work. Conversely, if a writer intends to self-publish or has no plans to submit their work elsewhere, the risk may be minimal.
This initiative continues to grow, providing a valuable platform for writers to connect, share, and refine their craft. By participating regularly in the “Write On! Fiction Works in Progress” series, contributors can engage with others and enhance their skills in a collaborative, constructive environment.
