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If You Could Give She Writes Superpowers, What Would You Do To Make It Fly?
Contributor
Written by
The Salonniere
May 2010
Contributor
Written by
The Salonniere
May 2010
Lately I have been engaging in a super-fun, super-stimulating exercise: imagining what She Writes would look like, and would be capable of doing, if I could give it superpowers. Or even just some of the regular old powers that modern technology makes possible these days, which are pretty darn super. She Writes is vibrant and powerful as-is, but it isn't what it would be if we'd had the resources to build it from scratch. The best superpower I could give She Writes, of course, would be the power to read the collective mind of this community. Because I am not envisioning my fantasy She Writes with the idea that it will remain a fantasy. I am envisioning it because I want to go out and raise the money we need to build the site that we, and you, want. My She Writes Superpower Project goes by another name: it's called a business plan. And while I have no idea if we will be successful in raising the money we need to turn fantasy in reality, I do know one thing: this is a magical and precious opportunity to dream and dream big, and I really hope you will dream along with me. So tell me: if YOU could build this network from scratch and make it do any one thing for women writers and readers, what would it be, super or otherwise? You name it, and don't be shy. We will do everything we can to make it fly.

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Comments
  • Probably a formalized mentoring/coaching service… similar to Girls Write Now…

  • Marjorie Robertson

    I agree with Miriam Ruff's comment (thanks, Miriam) about guidance on getting fiction published.

  • Lena Sledge

    Easier navigation. I don't visit the site as often as I would like because it's a hassle to navigate through. Difficult to keep up with friends recently made and I don't like constantly clicking on icons to see what someone is up to. I guess I'm so use to instant access like FB. Along with the half dozen of kids I have, a husband, trying to write without being interrupted; any time I spend on the internet needs to be efficient, quick and informative. The one thing I don't like is the pushing of services. I'll go to click on a blog and someone is selling editing services that are associated or appear to be associated with SheWrites, and the most unfortunate part is the blog has no real substance or information that I can use as a writer; no tips, advice or words of encouragement. For me there seems to be a disconnect in getting members to really connect and interact on a personal and professional level. The forums have the same questions posted time after time, some don't respond quickly, sometimes days go by before anyone replies, if you get a reply at all; it's like a ghost town.

    I love the premise of SheWrites. I love the potential. I'm just not convinced or perhaps maybe I just don't have the time to invest because the return on that investment seems low.

  • Miriam Ruff

    Ah, fiction, there's the rub. I've encountered any number of people who can give me advice on getting non-fiction published, but when it comes to my poems or stories, there's a complete lack of information. If anyone knows how to find the information, I would definitely like to hear it.

  • Amy Reynolds

    Hi All,
    Coming very late to the game here and don't have time to read through the multiple pages. Sorry!
    What I and several in my circle of writing friends would find most helpful is the opportunity to "meet" those in the position to help us build our writing careers. Specifically agents/editors. Right now I'm having no problem getting my non-fiction published regionally and am supporting myself with my writing. But my novel is still sitting here...
    Additionally, articles with truly helpful information on such things as "building platform" that old farts like me just don't get. Maybe those of us who've been there, done that, could have a spot to share that knowledge.

  • Miriam Ruff

    I think a videoconferencing platform would be an excellent idea --it's always good to be able to talk with other people in real time, and if we limit the number of participants per session, we could get some valuable information without the session getting out of hand.

  • Miriam Ruff

    What about using Skype (www.skype.com)? It's a free download for a free video call to anyone on the network. I've found it very useful in keeping in touch with my clients.

  • Sherry Christie

    @Miriam: Yes, I can do Skype. But I only have the free (one-to-one) version... can't do videoconferencing.

    Kami, could SheWrites set up an online conferencing service? I'm thinking of a webinar-type thing, where a critique group could teleconference while viewing a member's contribution that has been uploaded (which we would all have previously reviewed). I'm hazy on the technology that would be required.Is this pie in the sky?

  • Miriam Ruff

    I like the idea of critique groups, as long as we establish some guidelines about frequency of "meetings," the nature of the criticism, and the sharing of ideas and contacts. Are you using Skype (www.skype.com)? It's a great way to talk face-to-face with other writers and discuss the work -- I always like to have a voice and face to go along with the comments, as it makes it more personable.

  • Ramola D

    I'd love to be part of a group of writers who reviews each other's work online or elsewhere--not because we have to but because we want to: by posting synopses of our work and invoking writer/reader interest that way. It would also be terrific to connect directly with readers, as so many have proposed.

  • Miriam Ruff

    Absolutely. I've learned that networking is one of the most important things a writer can do both to improve their work and to market their product. Even though I live in Maryland, I hooked up at one point with the Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum, and the experience was highly productive. In addition to She Writes, you may want to join other writing networks that handle your specific genre -- one that comes to mind, especially since they held their annual conference last week, is the selfpublishing.com site.

  • Sherry Christie

    Another thought: I'd like to form an online critique group of historical novelists. I live in rural Maine and can't find enough committed fellow fictioneers to meet locally. Would matchmaking of this sort appeal to writers in other genres?

  • Sherry Christie

    I'd like to have a way to track all my agent queries that automatically reminds me to follow up at specific intervals -- e.g., 30 or 60 days. An application like this could also be used by freelance feature writers to keep track of their article queries by subject and by editor.

  • Wow -- as ever, I am so grateful, so inspired, and so overwhelmed, too! :) There is a lot to think about and so much to do. We will take all of these thoughtful suggestions and put them into our business plan. Next step -- find the money and resources to make them a reality! Stay tuned, and please, keep sharing your ideas with me.

  • Kathy Brunner

    I agree, that a group where agents/publishers would interact with the writers would be great. Also, agree that a readers/writers group would be wonderful...like an online place where book clubs could come and "talk" with writers and really connect.
    There is a ton of information on this site and to be honest, I am overwhelmed trying to get in touch with the authors I would like to "connect" with.
    One thing I would like to see is writers who want to connect and do more mentoring like the Girls Write Now in NY...I would love to do that here in GA.
    Author/Reader/Agent/Publicist collaboration for a "Podcast" or on line event would be great.
    Kami, you have done a phenomenal job. Thank you...Thank you!

  • I love the idea of thinking big, of a superpower of ideas. I for one would like something that doesn't replicate what people's own blogs are doing. I am interested in genuine discourse that includes larger social issues: how do we want to live, raise our children and grandchildren (I'm a young grandma with three grown children who has written about parenting and family issues for years). What with the economic pressures and the widespread sense of uncertainty and dislocation that we are collectively feeling, how do we view the family unit, our families. Does it affect how we parent? Or should it?

  • Eileen Flanagan

    This isn't world shaking, but I'd love to see an easy way for authors on tour to notify interested SheWrites members from a specific area. Right now we can post events, but I know I don't go coming through people's pages looking for their events. Perhaps those interested in hearing about SheWrites authors visiting their area could give their permission, and then those on tour could send notices to them when they are coming to town.

  • Zetta Brown

    Sometimes I feel like the red-headed/bastard stepchild because most of the focus seems to be on how to get the traditional, NYC megapublisher deal when there is actually a community of small/indie/ePresses in the industry. Some of them are run by women--whole or in part. I would like to see more about our achievements, goals, etc. and to show that while we may not be big, we're still capable of producing quality, professional-standard work.

  • Susan Sellers

    I live in Cambridge in the UK so for me any interaction has to be virtual. What attracted me to She Writes is that it's for writers who are already publishing. Most of us have agents and publishers (though of course, this is never set in stone), but now we face the next hurdle of getting our books noticed and read. I'm hoping a network like She Writes can help generate interest in our work at a time when booksellers seem to take fewer and fewer titles and print media reviews are dwindling. It's tough living as a writer and a network like this seems a great way to network and share experience, contacts and ideas. At least, that's what I'm hoping!

  • OOOH, I'd love to see access to agents/publishers who are willing to read your stuff. These days, unless you have a referral, it's difficult to get anyone to look at a manuscript.

  • Jane Galer

    This site is so multifaceted and interesting but I had to laugh how small the world got when you announced NYC events at your local pub. Sounds like fun, but hey, I'm not in NYC. It's tempting to become east coast centric, I know, but then why bother with the internet? Either be completely virtual, or figure out ways for the rest of us to benefit from the "in person" events. All of a sudden, I felt excluded. High school, anyone?
    The other important thing we all need is to realize this site isn't just about self promotion. It's about teaching and sharing and nurturing, the self promoting gets out of hand.

  • Mary Fanning

    it would be very super!!
    I think I would name her: She Connects because the site would be used to connect writers to readers!

  • GeorgiaWoodward

    I have been hunting and pecking actively for the last five years and it took me a lot of happenstance to find useful information that has helped me to know my genre, and find other like-minded writers in my niche.
    If this portal could be replete with information about resources for specific genres I think that would be so useful and timely. An example would be it has taken numerous trips to author talks and workshops that while there I just happened to meet someone who shared with me a resource I did not know about in the mystery genre.
    Good luck with your business plan. Also I agree about a book-swap page, and less emails everytime someone posts something.
    Georgia

  • Sarah O\'Leary

    I'm new to She Writes (as an active member - I actually joined several months ago) and I have to agree with other posters that the home page is a bit busy and overwhelming. It's hard to decide where to look. Also I can't figure out how to click onto my own page without going through the "Customize Your Page" link, so I'm if there's a quicker way to find out if I've received any comments (as opposed to messages). It's possible that all of this is just my ineptness with the technology of social networking...
    I live in a fairly rural area and I would love to see more active online networking, such as writers' groups. I have had a hard time finding a working writer's group here - and writing classes are few and far between. The writers I do know are too busy with kids and life to attend regular meetings. Would love to have ongoing support from other writers, including reading and critiquing each others' work. Could this site offer such networking? Much of the information seems to be geared to New Yorkers.
    Thanks so much Kami for putting this together. It is such a great tool for for writers of all levels, and so inspiring to see what so many fabulous women writers are up to!

  • Miriam Ruff

    I would be very interested in having "discussion groups," where small groups of authors get together and discuss/critique each others' work. This would allow for a great deal of important feedback during the writing process, and would hopefully allow more women to get their work into print.