A new initiative has been launched on Daily Kos to provide a platform for writers to share their ongoing fiction projects. The “Fiction Works in Progress” diary invites authors to showcase microfiction, serialized stories, and excerpts from larger works. This weekly community diary aims to foster collaboration and support among writers, allowing them to present their creative endeavors to an engaged audience.
Each week, writers are encouraged to contribute chapters or excerpts as comments in the Fiction Works in Progress diaries. To help readers easily navigate the content, contributors should highlight the title of their work using the designated header format. This enables readers to track specific projects from week to week, promoting an ongoing dialogue around each work.
For those seeking constructive feedback, authors can indicate their desire for responses in bold. Readers are urged to provide actionable advice, focusing on how to improve rather than merely offering praise. An approach that emphasizes sincerity and helpfulness can enhance the experience for everyone involved. Writers are reminded to ensure they are comfortable receiving feedback before requesting it.
Daily Kos encourages a positive atmosphere where writers can share their progress and engage in constructive discourse. This initiative is collaborative, with writers taking turns as diarists and contributing to the ongoing series.
To participate, authors need to follow a specific process. They begin by copying the boilerplate text from previous entries into their drafts. Next, contributors must tag their drafts appropriately to ensure visibility, including series tags such as FictionWIP and relevant group tags like R&BL and FreeWriters. Once their drafts are ready, writers publish them, generating a unique URL for their entries.
This initiative also serves as a reminder of the importance of copyright considerations. Many publishers and agents may be reluctant to accept manuscripts that have been publicly available online due to concerns over copyright infringement. Writers planning to submit their work for professional publication are advised to consider these factors when sharing their material online.
The launch of the Fiction Works in Progress diary represents an exciting opportunity for writers within the Daily Kos community. By participating, authors can not only showcase their work but also connect with fellow writers, exchange ideas, and develop their craft in a supportive environment. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen the creative community, fostering growth and inspiration among its members.
