New Room Idea for 2012!

Cathy C · Jan 30, 2012

Morning, ladies & gents!

My lovely co-mod Stacia and I have been talking about trying something very fun and interesting for the room this year. We've discovered that we get a lot of questions by PM from newbie members who don't feel comfortable posting questions about topics that are considered "basic." They feel like they'll be beat on. We all understand feeling shy in a new setting and especially because there are so many published authors in our room, the shyness is sort of amplified.

So, what we're thinking of is to create threads with common writing questions that are specific to romance (or at least happen more often in romance than other genres). Things like creating emotional tension, head-hopping, double arc plots (for romance subgenres) etc.

We could then add our contributions to the discussion and sticky it when we've talked everything out.

What do you guys think? Is that something you'd be interested in?

KimJo · Jan 30, 2012

I think that sounds like a great idea.

Filigree · Jan 30, 2012

As someone really new to romance writing, I'd be grateful to stick my toes in the kiddie pool. So much about this genre is different from SF&F, a genre I know well. Publisher and reader expectations, plot formulas, decoding covers, even the different sub-genres!

I'd hang out, certainly.

Ari Meermans · Jan 30, 2012

I like the idea. Yes.

romancewriter · Jan 30, 2012

Sounds great! I'm not new to romance but even us old timers might learn a thing or two.

Ann_Mayburn · Jan 30, 2012

Yes! There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Satori1977 · Jan 30, 2012

I like it, think it is a great idea!

Alison_Kale · Jan 30, 2012

Yeah, that sounds great! Definitely takes the risk of sounding silly away when it's a group thread.

Captcha · Jan 30, 2012

Does it make sense to have a whole separate room for that, or just to make this room more welcoming?

I'm a sort of intermediate writer, and I don't think I'd spend much time in a newbie room - I think I'm far enough to not need it, but not far enough to be able to contribute with authority. But some of the topics you mentioned sound like things I might like to hear opinions on...

san_remo_ave · Jan 30, 2012

Would be happy to participate in any way I can!

Alley1958 · Jan 30, 2012

Great idea!

Sarashay · Jan 30, 2012

I think this sounds pretty nifty.

shayla.mist · Jan 31, 2012

Captcha said:
Does it make sense to have a whole separate room for that, or just to make this room more welcoming?

I'm a sort of intermediate writer, and I don't think I'd spend much time in a newbie room - I think I'm far enough to not need it, but not far enough to be able to contribute with authority. But some of the topics you mentioned sound like things I might like to hear opinions on...

Ok, I'm sorry, but I absolutely had to comment on this! So far I've read "Shying away" and "Dark Horse" and they are on my favorites shelf. Your writing is awesome! And your characters are amazing! As an M/M aspiring author, I would be so grateful for some writing advice from authors like yourself. Of course, as long as you're willing to do it. You got yourself a big fan here and I bet I'm not the only one!

brainstorm77 · Jan 31, 2012

Do whatever works best. I can't see it being a bad thing.

elindsen · Jan 31, 2012

Horrible idea

just kidding. I love it. Even brushing up on the basics helps veterans. And newbies may have ideas or opinions that are fresh!

Nightmelody · Jan 31, 2012

Sounds good to me. In fact, I would probably use it!

amrose · Jan 31, 2012

I'm down, tho I feel bad that people are scared to start threads due to member shoot down

ladyleeona · Jan 31, 2012

I'd love to have something like that. Great idea, you two

Lil · Jan 31, 2012

Okay,I'm fairly new here, so I'll ask a dumb question. What's a room? The same thing as a thread?

Cathy C · Jan 31, 2012

Lil, Romance/Women's Fiction is the room. Where you just posted is a thread.

amrose, I don't think it's so much that we actually DO beat on people. That's not allowed here, of course. It's more that some newbies might come to AW after having been on more . . . aggressive places. Some are just a little gun-shy.

M.Charles · Jan 31, 2012

As a newbie, I think it would be great.

Ambri · Jan 31, 2012

I think it's a fantabulous idea.

Mark W. · Feb 1, 2012

I know I would read it and learn from it. I am not experienced enough to add to it however.

dolores haze · Feb 1, 2012

I think it's a great idea. I'd contribute as able.

AuburnAssassin · Feb 1, 2012

I think it's a good idea for the cautious types who are really afraid to jump in. I get a little queasy though when I see a newbie post something in the main room and another member posts a kind of eye-rolling "go to the newbie room!" Sometimes those newbie rooms can get reeeeeaaaallly long and even if you use the search engine it can be tough to sift through the results OR the market may have changed and a newb is wondering if the 2 yr old advice is still good or should she post the question in the main room.

I don't think anyone would intentionally be tactless like that but a newb is a tender beast, prone to skittishness.

So I guess I'm saying I think it's a great idea IF it's really well organized and indexed with links AND kept current.

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