Group Focus: The Back Scratching Initiative

Jazzy Jinx

Next Conference: –-

Topic: –-

Exercise #5: –-

So a couple of the organizers and I were talking about it and there's a little thing we want to try out. You see, ~~Cuddles the Dark~~ ChesCa (a former monthly organizer) actually attends an IRL writing group on alternating days where the members of the group come together to peer review and discuss writing for tips and advice. I've been thinking about applying this dynamic here for a while now but only recently started discussing the act seriously.

To be clear though, this is not an effort attached to the monthly. Any writer or member is allowed to join in on the discussions and is free to attend or leave the groups as they should see fit. Most likely, we will be using Skype as our main method of communication, hosted by a group leader (probably a monthly organizer) on certain days and at certain times. Times could vary depending on schedules or time zones.

The members of the group can discuss anything from their current ideas, seeking advice to accomplish certain goals or ends or just straight up reviewing one another's works. Naturally, we ask you all to please be civil and try to respect one another's feelings. Assume that anything the discussion entails is from the perspective of a rough draft and that the writers involved have not made any irreversible mistakes. We are all capable of improvement.

6/28/13 Amendment:

Alright guys, so here's the rundown. I've been considering a lot of things lately about how I can make the conference more engaging and helpful so I've decided that what I'm going to do is give a lecture at the start of each conference on whatever the topic material is. I'm going to use sources and also give my own personal opinion on each matter which will then be opened up to discussion, whether in disputes, differing interpretation, own opinion or questions.

From there, we'll discuss it in multiple segments to everyone's satisfaction and then move on to the next part of the conference. In this case, it'll be the little exercises that we've been doing lately. So far, I've been just treating them as an off-handed inclusion but I'll make sure to give serious to semi-serious reviews on each person's exercise and concentrate the exercises more carefully, in order to target and challenge our writers' abilities. I also highly encourage peer review.

Then we'll move into a discussion of that month's member story. Discuss it for a bit and then do an interview of sorts with the author. We should attempt to discuss both that author's strengths and weaknesses. As usual, I encourage everyone to read the entirety of any said story but, if you're unable to, then please just read and review the first chapter.

–-

Exercises

! #1 - "I wasn't sure what to do"
! ChesCa
Hiroy
Jazzy Jinx
Kitsune Inferno
LaCaSiNa
Mumbling2
! #2 - Empathy vs Apathy
! ChesCa
Jazzy Jinx
Supernova122
! #3 - Pointing the Gun
! Kitsune Inferno
LaCaSiNa
! #4 - The Altercation

Wooden_Giraffe

I thought you hated Skype…

Jazzy Jinx

I do.

But I love you guys more.~

Wooden_Giraffe

Oh!

Well in that case it sounds like a wonderful idea.

Rogues' Gallery

That sounds like a nice initiative, but I don't have a Skype account. Or a Web-Camera.

Jazzy Jinx

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home

We don't need to see your face.~

gottalt3OP

It sounds fun. Count me in. :3

LaCaSiNa

This has the potential of being really useful and fun at the same time. I'll gladly participate if the timezones or my working hours ever give me the chance!

Dryish

Just stopping by to say that I lurk on Skype too. If only you're willing to have me, I could actually participate in this. Time zones might become a problem since I share the house with five other people, though.

Shuhan

Sounds like fun, count me in~

Jazzy Jinx

Alright, so the date of the first conference will be on July 26th and will be hosted by me. To accommodate different time zones, there will be two conferences in the day at the following times:

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM + Central Time
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM + Central Time

–-

Pretty clever, eh? If you're too lazy to see what time that translates to for you, feel free to tell me your location here and I'll figure out what time it is. Hopefully, the three-hour sessions and occurrence of them being in the morning and at night will give you an opportunity.

All members (writers, readers and regular folks) are allowed to participate. You're free to enter the session at any time and leave at any time. You do not need a reason to be there or to leave, this is a completely voluntary thing. Although you have this ability, though, there are a few guidelines that I would like for everyone to adhere to:

Don't interrupt discussion if you're coming in at a later time; naturally enter into it
Be mindful of people's feelings/be respectful and yada yada (should be self-explanatory)

–-

And that's really it. Basic etiquette doesn't seem like too much of a demand. If you're being irredeemably obnoxious, I'll boot you from the conversation.

What I'm thinking right now is that the first minutes of the session will be the icebreaker where we can all quickly get to know each other and have casual talk. From there, we can do a rotating address where members will speak about what it is that they're doing writing-related at the time. You can talk about your story, the writing process or concepts, favorite authors or books or movie writing or whatever. Whatever it is that you want us to discuss. We'll speak on it for a time and then move on to the next user.

The order will be alphabetically, by username. If you enter the discussion later, you default to the last slot regardless of alphabetical standing.

That should be all the major points. My Skype handle should be KennyT0723 (Kenny Thornton). Feel free to talk to me and ask questions or add me ahead of time or whatever. If you're paranoid about others knowing your full name then you may want to back out of this. Otherwise, I hope that plenty of people will show up and that we all have a good time.~

Wooden_Giraffe

Question: Audio or text?

Herodadotus

Hmm, I'm cool with this idea. I'll try to make one if not both of them.

Jazzy Jinx

@Wooden_Giraffe:

Question: Audio or text?

Whatever you want.~

@Herodadotus:

Hmm, I'm cool with this idea. I'll try to make one if not both of them.

Awesome. =)

LaCaSiNa

@Uncle:

Alright, so the date of the first conference will be on July 26th and will be hosted by me. To accommodate different time zones, there will be two conferences in the day at the following times:

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM + Central Time
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM + Central Time

Sorry for being a bother, but could you find out for me what time this converts to in Finland? (And if you need specifics the town is called Tampere.) I couldn't make out if the times you provided are west coast or east coast time. I believe the difference has an affect, since the US is so large it covers multiple timezones.

I don't know yet if I'm working on the 26th, since the work shift lists from the 22nd onwards haven't been done. If I am working however… I most likely won't make it to either of those slots. :/

Dryish

CDT (Central Daylight Time) is UTC -5 where we are +3. There's an eight hour difference so the first one would be 4PM-7PM for us and the latter 4AM-7AM.

~~… If my math is correct, that is.~~ Nope, that's most certainly how it is.

Jazzy Jinx · Jazzy Jinx ~~Why wouldn't the latter be 4:00 AM - 7:00 AM?~~ My mistake.~

~~Why wouldn't the latter be 4:00 AM - 7:00 AM?~~

My mistake.~

Dryish

~~Because I just woke up.~~

It's cool~ It was my mistake to begin with :I

LaCaSiNa

@Dryish:

CDT (Central Daylight Time) is UTC -5 where we are +3. There's an eight hour difference so the first one would be 4PM-7PM for us and the latter 4AM-7AM.

~~… If my math is correct, that is.~~ Nope, that's most certainly how it is.

Dryish to the rescue! Thanks for the information. I most definitely won't be able to attend the latter conference since it's during my sleep schedule. The earlier one is manageable IF I have a day off or am having a morning shift that lets me go at 5pm. We'll see.

Also I'm being a creep and I added Kenny to my Skype list ahead of time. Even if I don't make it on the 26th, I might be able to attend other conferences~

Keo2309

Oh, I'm definitely down for this. Let's see… I'm in Detroit so that's what time for me? 2 hours earlier?

Shuhan

So for us on the East coast it's 9AM-12PM and 9PM-12AM… very possible for me to attend the morning one~

Mumbling2

I intend to participate. Hopefully. I've had a lot going on the past two months (started working full-time, hunting for a new apartment, etc) which is why I've had few updates. More likely than not, I'll be able to join in.

So how will this work? Are we supposed to message you during the scheduled times when we want to join?

Thanks for organizing this Kenny!

EDIT: Err, I just realized that the 26th is a Thursday… Still, I'll try to make an effort to join in for a bit.

Jazzy Jinx

Yeah, just message me on Skype before or during the conference and I'll add you to the group.

ChesCa

I'll be there for the PM session no problem. :)

gottalt3OP

I'd love to participate, but I'll be on vacation and most likely won't have internet connection. :/
I hope I'll be there the next time. :3

LaCaSiNa

Oh wow I completely forgot that in last month's day off wishes I had written down July 24th to the 27th. And today I found out I'm allowed to have them! :D So FOR NOW it seems I'll be able to make it.

Jazzy Jinx

It'll be wonderful if we can all make it. =)

LaCaSiNa

Just popping by to announce that I will be able to join the conference. \o/

EDIT:
(The morning one, I mean. Though it's the evening for me. Forgot to specify that earlier.)

Wooden_Giraffe

Think I should be able to make the evening one.

Kitsune Inferno

As the panderings of fate would have it, I miiiiiight have to bow out of this, dependent primarily on the outcome and progression of an ongoing family emergency.

Jazzy Jinx

That's unfortunate. I hope things turn out okay for you.

For everyone else, remember that this thing is tomorrow, guys. I'm going to be on Skype at around 7:30 AM Central Time so if you want to be in the group a little bit earlier, message me beforehand (on Skype). Things won't really start beginning until 8:00 AM, though.

Kitsune Inferno

Hey, Kenny, can we do this again on July 2nd? I'm almost certainly not going to be here this time around due to circumstances, but I really really would like to have another go round at this, but I wonder if having it weekly would be problematic.

Jazzy Jinx

Do you mean… August 2nd?

And it's not like you aren't a monthly organizer or anything. You could host a conference yourself if you want to. Contrary to what Cuddles was having me believe, group chats on Skype are free.~

Kitsune Inferno

Scratch that. Everything's back to normal-ish.

Jazzy Jinx

By the way, I'm losing sleep for you guys.

You're welcome.

RPGJay

Do you mean…you're?

Making fun of you aside I might be online during that time.

Kitsune Inferno

Let's stay up all night and have a manly conversation.

Dryish

I will not attend if you're all high on sleep deprivation. /_\

LaCaSiNa

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it after all. Something other came up. :/

Jazzy Jinx

@Dryish:

I will not attend if you're all high on sleep deprivation. /_\

Then you will not attend.~ (Did not sleep at all.)

@LaCaSiNa:

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it after all. Something other came up. :/

This deeply saddens me.

–-

Alright, guys. I know I said I'd be on at around 7:30 AM but I was in the middle of a 3 hour gaming session and fuck everything else… Video games. But even though I'm late (technically on time), everything begins now. If you want in, message me and you'll be added to the group.

Kitsune Inferno

continues to knock on Kenny's door in the rain

Jazzy Jinx

Skype party has begun. So far, we have:

Dryish
Wooden_Giraffe
Shuhan
RPGJay
Kitsune Inferno
TheCrystalShip
Uncle Kenny (obviously)

–-

JOIN TODAY.

RPGJay

I greatly enjoy Dryish's voice.

Kitsune Inferno

EXCERPT:

Chapter 6: Fragments

Nukka woke up that morning with a start. The sun had probably only been up for an hour or so, but the sky had been particularly bleak outside of the hut. She scanned the village before catching a glimpse of Shila near the center of town. She ran to her gleefully, waving her arms about.
“Shila, it's today!” she yipped excitedly. “Today!”
Shila turned her head toward her sister and smiled. Her olive skin and black hair seemed to glow oddly in the glum that day. Though Nukka knew her glowing smile to be a front.
She may have only been a child, but even she understood the gravity of Shila's burden. Their mother and father, along with their Spirit Wolves, had died just the week before in the fire, and Shila still had to worry about taking care of her sister. But Nukka was turning five today, which meant she was no longer going to be a burden for Shila. She was finally growing up!
“Oh, good morning, Nukka!” Elder Ahnah greeted her warmly. “Your fifth birthday is upon us at last?”
“Yup, yup,” she chimed energetically. “When do I get to meet my Spirit Wolf?”
Nukka glanced at her sister, who appeared anxious, as expected. It had been two years ago that Shila got her Spirit Wolf, Siku, but it didn't change the fact that the two of them were extremely distant.
Shortly before receiving Siku, there had been an accident. When Shila turned five, she received a Spirit Wolf… but it had not been Siku. She was given a wolf linked to a boy turning five a few days later by mistake, and the wolf quickly rejected her. She had been attacked in frustration and the wolf was nearly put down for its assault, but Shila begged the villagers not to kill it. Still, once the mishap had been corrected and Shila received Siku, memories of the attack had no doubt scarred her, severing the possibility of a close relationship between them.
“Right now, actually,” Ahnah smiled. “Would you like to see her?”
“Oh, would I!” Nukka laughed jovially.
A couple of village men came forth with a large wolf beside them. Its gray-blue fur shimmered as a break in the clouds flooded the village with sunshine. She was beautiful by every definition of the word.
“Tikaani,” Nukka grinned as she put out her right hand, as if to shake.
“Tikaani?” Shila scowled. “That's a... bit of a lame name.”
“How so?” Nukka asked defensively as Tikaani inched towards her.
“Tikaani means wolf in the Old Language,” Shila explained, a little too pleased with herself. “It's like getting a pet dog and naming it Dog.”
“Well, I like it,” Nukka challenged stubbornly before jumping in surprise when she felt something cold and wet touch her outstretched hand. She turned back to see Tikaani had approached her. “Sorry, Tikaani,” she responded sweetly, stretching her hand out once more, which Tikaani met with her muzzle. Nukka responded by petting the magnificent beast, running her fingers through its majestic fur. My Spirit Wolf.

Tikaani woke up that morning with a start. The sun had probably only been up for an hour or so, but the sky had been particularly bleak outside of the cave. She scanned the forest before catching a glimpse of Immuyak near the little brook several feet away. She paced toward him gleefully, wagging her tail about.
She was puzzled about last night's dream, but paid it no mind. Today was to be a busy day, after all, especially if they wanted to get to Angelrouwak Lake as soon as possible. She had no time to dwell.
“Good morning, Tikaani!” Immuyak greeted once he caught sight of her, dashing forth, though before they could reach each other, Nukilik emerged from a nearby bush with a sour face.
“Good morning to you too, Nukilik!” Immuyak added gleefully.
Nukilik didn't respond as he dragged three rabbit carcasses from behind the bush.
“Oh good,” Immuyak shouted as he charged toward the male wolf. “You brought breakfast!”
Immuyak took to devouring a rabbit as Nukilik turned his attention towards Tikaani. His eyes were as cold as before. “You're going to eat too, aren't you? Or are you turning your muzzle up?”
Tikaani rolled her eyes as she followed Immuyak and sank her teeth into one of the rabbits. The taste of its blood electrified every taste bud on her tongue. The taste of its meat and flesh stirred every corner of her body to life. As her teeth tore through tendon and muscle, she felt her own muscles recharge with strength. Food had almost seemed a foreign concept to her, a distant memory of life on the other side. But now here it was before her, and suddenly, for the first time since her death, she felt alive.
“Be careful, Tikaani,” Immuyak laughed as he rushed to her side. “You're going to choke.”
She did shove quite a large amount of the rabbit into her mouth. She seemed to have overestimated just how much a wolf could eat at once…

“Be careful, Nukka!” Shila cried as she rushed to little Nukka's side. “Eat like that, and you'll choke.”
She did shove quite a lot of the roasted deer meat into her mouth. She seemed to have overestimated just how much food she could eat at once.
The campfire dimly burned as Nukka took the last bite of deer. Tikaani lounged across from the two girls, asleep as far as Nukka could tell. Siku had been out hunting on her own. Nukka turned to her sister, who seemed to be gnawing at her own chunk of meat.
“You're incredible, Shila,” Nukka smiled. “You're not even thirteen yet and you're already one of the best hunters in the village. You've gotta teach me to hunt like that!”
“Do I?” Shila grinned mischievously. “And why would I want to do that?”
“Because I'm your sister. You've gotta show me how to take care of myself. You're not always gonna be here for me.”
“That's nonsense,” Shila laughed, rubbing her little sister's head. “I will always be here for you.”

Jazzy Jinx

For people on the outside looking in, the authors of the group will be posting excerpts here so we can read and discuss them on Skype. But if you have any comments yourselves, you can post them here.~

RPGJay

You have an interesting interpretation of "short excerpt".

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

Author interviews are fun~

Dryish

[19:15:32] Kenny Thornton: Are you sure you're older than me, trapped?
[19:15:59] Kenny Thornton: I'm actually 37.
[19:16:11] Kenny Thornton: AP has provided me with more wank material than Brazzers.
[19:16:35] Kenny Thornton: TO THE CONFESSION SESSION!
[19:16:41] Kenny Thornton: People must know that I'm actually terrible.
[19:16:48] Kenny Thornton: And accept my terribleness with love and acceptance.

Jazzy Jinx

That's an act known as loud-capping.

And loud-capping isn't cool.

Dryish

I need to start doing more dramatic readings.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

Also, this needs to happen more often.

Shuhan

I agree wholeheartedly…

Just no more dings....