LIT me explain u a thing...about literature news
There is a lot of it.
Well hello 2014, my don't you look nice and new and fresh and just started. What do you mean 2014 is half over?! WHAT. WHEN. WELL, EXCUSE ME.
If you have not realized by now I'm a little crazy about news. I mean really, who gathers news spanning half a year and compiles it in one handy article? Me, that's who. Why? Because I love news, especially Lit news, and you. You beautiful, glorious creature; with that beating heart and ugh, your facial region just ugh, gorgeous. Oh right, I should stay on topic. [But you! How can I leave youuuu?!]
Anyways, this is the first part of the article series "LIT me explain u a thing" chronicling some of the things dA's Lit Community was up to in 2014!
Tell me when you're prepared, I'll hold your hand and we'll get through this article together.
Also, please this to spread it along because my sanity depends on it. No, really.
If you manage to make it through all of this I'll draw you something in muro, but you have to tell me what to draw.
January | February | March | April | May | June
January
Lit Community Relations:
Literature CR Update - January 2014
Literature DD Roundup - January 2014
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: January
News:
- A Smattering of Lit News is updated every so often and it a great way to skim through some of the most current news that is going on.
- 2014- A New Year for Writing
- "How do you feel about parentheses in literature?"
- Some advice: hemingway on writing
- Ever wonder what articles you should check out? Look no more because MotleyDreams has compiled a list of Literature Articles You Should Know
- BeccaJS steps down as Literature CV. You can still tell her how awesome she is. Also check out this awesome Thank You journal
- Fan-fiction-Tastic News 4
- How to get more views on your Literature
- "John Green speaks to dA (not really but you should read this anyways)" a great quote that any writer should read. Also some more quotes: quotes from Colette and another quote
- chromeantennae's poll: "How do line breaks play into the spacing and flow of your poetry?"
- WorldWar-Tori asks " Do you read books a second time?Well, I do sometimes, if the book is really good, what about you?
- English 101 Index: A Grammar Series is pretty self-explanatory, it helps you with grammar!
- How to publish your book, in a handy infographic! [Off dA Link]
- Nichrysalis's polls will get you thinking. Here are two of them: "How important is wordplay to you when writing a piece of literature? What's your favorite example of wordplay?" and "Have you ever seen an inappropriate lit deviation? What, if anything, did you do about it?"
- DorianHarper's Lit. Daily Pick Directory was an ambitious project hosted by DorianHarper where he featured a single lit piece every day. This was the review of all the pieces picked during the month of January.
- Results: Literature Community Chat Event
Project Educate - Prose Basics:
- Introducing Prose Basics
- PE Prose Basics: Hear Me My Audience!
- PE: ''Said'' and Effective Dialogue Tags
- Hook, Line, and Sinker: How to Start Your Story
- Passive Voice vs Active Voice
- PE Prose Basics: Pacing ( and Show vs. Tell)
- Readymades: Hallmarks of Lazy Writing
- Using Colloquialisms: Are you down with it?
- PE Prose Basics: Revise and Edit
- PE Prose Basics: Varying Sentences
- Making the Most of the Words You Use
- Prose Basics: What is Voice, Anyway?
- Formatting for the Interweb Era
- PE Prose Basics Wrap Up
Writing Contests and Projects:
- Critmas: The Results! Critmas may have been in December, but the results are just as important!
- Title Poetry Contest Ever heard of Title Poetry? Well now you have, click the link.
- Six by Six Collaboration Project was a collaboration project (shocker, I know) dealing with six word stories
- betwixtthepages' DD and DLD Suggestion Contest RESULTS
- Historical Flash Fiction Contest! Again, History is rad.
In the Lit Forum:
- The Big Fat Rejection Stack or "Which type of rejection do you prefer?" or "How do you handle each type of rejection?"
- Drawing the line "when certain aspects need to be explained in a logical sense, and when they don't."
- How do you pick pieces to critique?
- But I've been writing forever! tackles how length of time may or may not represent any kind of qualification.
- Which writing style do you prefer? "The typical 3rd person style, or the 'character by chapter' style?"
- Where have you recently submitted work for publication? 2014 Edition!
- Quotes to remember when starting your first book
- What makes a group/site/forum welcoming/desirable for writers?
- Lit. com participation challenge lists a few things you could do to stay involved in the lit community.
- Are you ready to give advice? You may not be, take a step back and read this thread, yo.
- Editing and Rewriting Woes is as it sounds. Really. Don't trust me? Go look. Go look.
- You & Magazines...that you subscribe to or read.
- Why are they going to read your work? Yes, you! Why? Tell me why, ain't nothing but a heartacheeeeee.
February
Lit Community Relations:
Literature CR Update - February 2014
Literature DD Roundup - February 2014
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: February
News:
- ALL THE EDUCATE! ALL OF IT. EDUCATE YOUR SELF ON LIT.
- Do you write Sci-Fi flash fiction? asks Memnalar I don't know about you but I love me some sci-fi.
- University of Central Lancashire (UK) has started a masters program in self-publishing: Quick, lets all hop on a plane and get our write on!
- how to create.. + more stuff because when raspil gives advice and sites they're no-nonsense and give you just what you need to better yourself. Oh yeah and lists lots of interesting writerly stuff that you should totally check out. Totally.
- What Is BeACritic? Because I bet you're curious.
- The Indie Pen Directory How handy! Now you have no excuse not to read all the past issues.
- How to give and apply feedback.
- How do you define creativity?
- Literature Dealbreakers or where neurotype-on-discord tells you some of the things that can make or break your piece of lit.
- Writerly Confessions: Words I still stare at for forever, never sure if I've used them properly. We all have those words. All of us. What are yours? Leave it in the comments and stare at it for all to say!
- Do you take the time to give feedback on the literature you read? Well, you should at least think about it, especially if they're asking for it.
- Explaining Fixed Form Poetry With An Example
- Fan-Fiction-Tastic News #6
- When you critique someone unsolicited, do you expect them to return the favor without being asked to? Well, what are your thoughts.
- Ambiguity in a Flash (article)
- Amtrak is thinking of doing a writer's residency, so you can write during a long train ride, with a discounted ticket: Isn't that cool?! If you don't think it's at least a little cool you are forgiven.
Writing Contests and Projects:
- AzizrianDaoXrak is hosting anAnti-Valentine Contest We can't all be in love all the time, I guess. Though I dispute that.
- Fill in the Blanks Contest Winners ____ you!
- (FFF) February Form Fiesta 2014! Aiiiiiiiii chihuahua!
- Literature Roadtrip Contest Winners Announced A great project, you should totally check it out.
- Structuring a story: Linear VS Non-linear Workshop
- Fifth Annual Poetry Screams Prompt Contest WINNERS A late result to a great contest. Totally worth your time to check out the entries.
- February Chat Tour Stop Stop. Collaborate and Listen!
In the Lit Forum:
- When do you edit your big project? Self explanatory.
- Twist endings can be crazy. Do you write them? Have a favorite one?
- What's your excuse, new writers? "1. Learn the fundamentals of writing before you even attempt a writing career. I cannot stress this enough, even if you feel that writing comes naturally to you."
- The World's Biggest Liar in which you were supposed to tell a literary lie.
- Representing ethnic minorities in your writing a discussion.
- Storytelling according to Pixar A must read.
- Can a robot be a poet? "My question is, is it really a poem? That is, does it count as art? Can a robot really have artistic intent? Or should a robot be seen as the artistic tool of the programmers? "
- protagonist - antagonist "Do you believe that one can exist without the other?"
- How do you like them chapters? Yeah, bby.
- Reading on the kindle... Pros? Cons? Comic Con?
- Favorite type of villain "that you like to read or write about?"
March
Lit Community Relations:
Literature CR Update - March 2014
March Literature DD Round Up
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: March
News:
- Send Us Your News To CRLiterature that is. Send your news there. Oh and to me if you want.
- Lit Groups in Need is important for you to read.
- Creating Convincing Characters A helpful article doing what it says.
- The Amtrak writer's residency is here! EXCITING.
- Nichrysalis asks "How do you self-promote your writing the most on deviantART?" and "How appropriate is it to use an image in a literature deviation you may or may not have permission for when your piece of writing is a response to the image itself (known as Ekphrastic Literature)?"
- Waywords: Moving Forward with Your Literature
- More Fantastical Tips & Tricks! We could always use more.
- saltwaterlungs posts two polls: "Poetry writers: What do you do with random lines you make up?" and " What defines poetry?"
- good writing vs talented writing Again. raspil knows what she's talking about.
- Do you feel less motivated to participate in dA Lit events/contests/prompts since you joined the site?
- Jane Austen: A Realistic Romance
- LionesseRampant' poll: "How explicit does writing have to be to make you uncomfortable?
- April Is Just Around The Corner Well, it was anyways. It's in the past now.
- Notes on Co-Writing is really just like what it sounds like. I don't even know why I write this out sometimes. I really don't.
Writing Contests and Projects:
- transmit lit winners + feature. was a great contest. you should look at the winners at least.
- 120 Seconds - Results! Another interesting contest challenging you to write something that would take you 120 seconds to read out loud.
- Amazing Alphabetic April (AAA) ! It's amazing, that's why it says amazing.
- Pictures from Words Contest Results! Pictures are cool, I guess. Like. Real cool.
- Tons of groups did projects and stuff, but I'd be here all day if I listed them. So pretend I did.
In the Lit Forum:
- What do you *need*? As a writer that is. Not as an astronaut. Otherwise you'd be in space, silly.
- Do you find... "...that as either an experienced writer, a hobbyist, or student (aren't we all just students, continually learning?) once you learn a new thing, mostly grammatical or a new word that it tends to reflect more often in your literature?"
- How to get rid of the "Air-Freshener Vampire"? "The Air Freshener Vampire is basically the voice of your parents, church mom, overly PC aunt, or anyone who doesn't want your work to be in anyway offensive or create a scandal. "
- "Reading takes too long" -- Not anymore! Learn to speed-read.
- on rules regarding prose "some rules exist for a reason, why break them?"
- To Poets: Why do you write poetry?
- Rejection and Acceptance Or "How do you handle rejection?"
- What Are Your Editing Tips? Everyone has a process, what is yours?
April
Lit Community Relations:
Literature CR Update - April 2014
Literature DD Roundup - April 2014
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: April
News:
- how do you feel about title poems? Do you like them? Hate them? Fell indifferent towards them?
- Fan-Fiction-Tastic News #7
- New Voices Wagon Project - Book Publication An interesting project!
- "Affect vs Effect. Do you know which one to use?" asked ezradeacon I always confuse them, even with the helpful hints. :c
- Prosetry... 0hgravity wanted your thoughts on it. Do you like prosetry? Dislike it?
- Youtube Channel for Writing a nice collection of useful writing resources on youtube!
- Who Reads dA Lit? A Mission and Who Reads dA Lit? Mission Update
- Originality Fetish because you don't need to be "original".
- What type of literature are you most interested in exploring further? Short fiction? Novels? Poetry? You should love yourself, you're beautiful.
- neurotype-on-discord asksWhat is the first big group/club you got involved in on dA? Mine was The-Literati
- Literary Bucket List "What are at least three things on your literary bucket list for 2014?"
- Outside Writing Resources #1 and Outside Writing Resources #2 Helpful off DA literary resources! I love the resource!
- Mattiello's poll: "Have you been published? Promote your work by leaving a link! Was a nice poll promoting published DA authors.
- Happy 450th Birthday William Shakespeare!
- "When you read, and it's not for school, what kind of books do you LEAST want to read?" asked PinkyMcCoversong
- LiliWrites' poll: "Does a piece of literature having a lot of favorites/comments/features/a DD make you less likely to leave a constructive comment or critique?" For me it doesn't, not if they request it and I have something meaningful to add that hasn't all ready been said before.
- "You prefer reading poems that...?" asks SurrealCachinnation was an intriguing poll surrounding poetry.
Writing Contests and Projects:
- Historical Flash Fiction Contest: Results Hiiiiiistory.
- Winners of Two Sentence Horror Stories A fun, little contest that really challenged those who participated.
- Mattiello hosted a mini NaPoWriMo Challenge
- Topsy Turvy Contest Winners A Fan-fiction contest.
- lacoterie hosted a contest! Which means it was pretty rad because they have good prompts.
- Announcing the CRLiterature Book Club! It's totally cool. Totally. Have you joined? I did, but never finished the book. Sad face.
- Putting the Work back in Workshop! Because you have to work in order to get better.
- The More Things Change: Results But the results of this contest did not change.
In the Lit Forum:
- What makes your writing special? Is it your special eyes? Look, look with your special eyes.
- Story Bibles [Or reference documents]
- PUBLISHING MISCONCEPTIONS DEBUNKED! How Publishing Works 2014
- Just a thought and a question: "
Who likes traditionally structured or fixed form poetry?" - The P Word Publishing that is. What exactly do you thing "publishing" means?
- YOU WILL BE REJECTED everyone get rejected, but it's what you do with yourself after that counts. /end silly corny stuff
- Stop, collaborate and listen: "Do you generally work with (swap ideas, beta read, argue with... all interaction) peers, superiors, inferiors, etc? What do you do, or avoid, sharing with others?"
- If you don't have time to read, you don't have time to write. ARE YOU READING? YES? GOOD. NO? YOU BETTER.
- What do you call this poetry?
- Write a SF novel in 7 easy steps.... Because lets face it we all want to write sci-fi deep, deep down.
- What do you want?! Asks some questions pertaining to the literature community.
May
Lit Community Relations:
Literature CR Update - May 2014
Literature DD Round-Up May 2014
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: May
News:
- CRLiterature is nowAccepting Favourites! They are, you should see if you can find anything good to submit.
- Tips for a Successful Group is exactly what it sounds like. Don't believe me? ASK THE DISHES. Points if you get that reference.
- LiliWrites wanted to know "What is the most useful feedback you've received on your art or writing here on dA?", "Have you ever collaborated with another writer/artist? ”, What cliche(s) do you often catch yourself using in your writing?,
- Fan-Fiction-Tastic News #8 and Fan-Fiction-Tastic News #9
- #WeNeedDiverseBooks
- Chuck knows YOU'RE the problem because the only thing standing in your way is you. Also, next level book reporting
- What's with that poll? Where neurotype-on-discord looks at poetry and the feel of "reading fragments of—perhaps variations on—the same giant poem."
- welcome to cahoodaloodaling Online magazine you should check out. You're cool, right? Yeah, so check it out.
- Writer Resources and More
- Outside Writing Resources #3, Outside DA Resources #4, Outside Writing Resources #5 andOutside DA Resources #6
- Go give ShadowedAcolyte a nice warm welcome as he isnow a Literature CV! Oh yeah and me too I guess. Or something. Whatevs. I AM SILENTLY STILL SQUEALING.
- We're back to four CVs! Count em: neurotype-on-discord, inknalcohol, ShadowedAcolyte, and HugQueen.
- Happenings in the Lit Community from Medoriko
- How to get more views on your Literature
- Fan Fiction Has a New Home
- CRLiterature Book Club Kickoff: June 2014! and #CRLiterature Book Club Schedule
- introverted-ghost posted a thoughtful poll "When writing, what topics upset you?"
- The E-Literature Catalog - Electronic Literature A great article that "aims to showcase three exemplary works of literature of a certain theme that are available online".
- Writers Beware of Horror Novel Reviews because sometimes you get jipped.
- " Have you ever received payment for your writing (whether creative work or not)? If so, show/tell us where!" It's cool if you did, cool if you didn't. Basically, you're cool.
- Three Worlds Fairytale Contest Winners andThree Worlds Fairytale Contest Commentary
- Jeez Louise was May busy. Did you get through all right? You're great. Good for you! Sparkle on, my lovely. <3
- 'Who Reads dA Lit' survey is closed"
- "Lit Contests: What stops you from participating? [Please leave a comment]" and " Lit Contests: Why do you participate in writing contests? [Please leave a comment.]"
- Tips: How to get started with the lit community! A must read if you're new or wanting to get more involved.
- Let's Talk Writing: List of Interviewees Yay, interviewees!
- This is Mah Other Pimp Stick! has been updated.
Writing Contests and Projects:
- 30-Day Prompt-Play Contest! a contest spanning....wow much surprise, 30 days that has to do with script writing!
- May Workshop: The Metamorphosis Because you are a little butterfly. ♥
- Seven Days of Sci-Fi, Seven Days of Sci-Fi - DAY TWO, Seven Days of Sci-Fi - AFTER the END YAY SCI-FI.
- DeviantART: A Critical Community (Part 1) and DeviantART: A Critical Community (Part 2)
- Two Thousand Words 2014! A great project that brings together all kinds of artists.
- R.I.P Maya Angelou The Triumph Project
- Sign up here for Flash Fiction Month 2014 ITS IN JULY BUT WHATEVER.
- Themed Fan Fiction Contest WINNERS Woohoo, winner, winner.
In the Lit Forum:
- ITS GONNA BE MAY.
- Can you tell when... "Your writing is stale?"
- What are some of your secret weapons to completing your stories? We all have different methods, so really. Tell me your secretsssss.
- What would make you stop writing? Life usually stops me from writing, becaus eI don't make any time for it.
- A discussion on the literary communities online
- Stress - "How do you convey different stresses in your writing? There's a point where italicization gets old, what do you do then?"
- Are you a writer? Then you'd better also be a READER
- Short story + novel a discussion on turning a shrot story into a novel.
- Writing lyrics is not the same as writing music. "Agree? Disagree? Strongly agree with a fist full of polish sausage?"
- What do you know about submitting? To groups on DA that is.
- Kindle Worlds part 2 : "Officially sanctioned fanfiction as a thing, thoughts? Is Amazon really shifting publishing, or is it just forcing a new niche - not so much competing directly?"
- Writing for writing's sake
- Does it Flow? WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!?!
- How long have you been writing prose, poetry, etc?
- Is Amazon making itself a Publishing Monopoly? Probably.
- Editor - "When you are your own editor: How do you transition from writing to editing? When you are working with someone else: How passive/active are you, re: proposed changes, etc?"
June
Lit Community Relations:
Literature CR Update - June 2014
Literature DD Roundup - June 2014
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: June
News:
- Writer Resources and More and more. AND MORE. What more could you want?!
- Happenings in the Lit Community (i.e. things you should TOTALLY be involved in)
- How to Write Helpful Critiques/ Feedback You know, it would be helpful if you wanted to leave feedback and stuff, right?
- "What one person in your life would you want to pass on all of your writing experience to and why?" from Nichrysalis. Surely there is someone who you'd want to share your knowledge with. Who would it be?
- " They've discovered more Pablo Neruda poems!" Isn't that cool?
- Artists on Writers - No. 4, Maya Angelou
- VertigoArt's poll: Is the hybrid amalgamation known as prosetry a valid form of expression? What are your thoughts and opinions?
- July is going to be the best month ever. It is. You know why? FFM. FLASH. FICTION. MONTH. EEEEEEEEE.
- introverted-ghost wanted to know "What makes a writer, in your opinion?"
- PE Community Week: How To Be A Productive Writer and Why You Should Still Be Experimenting
- Even more useful links from raspil
- Literature Articles You Should Know You should, you should, you should. Why don't you know them? There isn't any excuse.
Writing Contests and Projects:
- Sign up for the Summer Fan Fiction 2014 workshop
- The Great Lit Crit Event! has some updates! Update 1 and Update 2
- #ProjectEducate Sign Ups I LOVE PE.SO MUCH HAPPY.
- June 2014 Book Club Mid-Month Discussion! Discuss the book! Learn the new thing! Be amazed!
- Studying the Senses - Results Because sometimes you need to feel with your other senses too.
- "Do you want to be part of the community song project "Ghosts of Yesterday"?" A collaborative project between writers.
- Call for Submissions to a off DA literary Magazine.
- Rondeaus in juillet
- Souljournalist Challenge|Week 4| Flashback A great on-going challenge that refreshes every month that takes up the entire month.
- Writers-Workshop's June Workshop: The Wit in TV Script! Writing scripts, scripts, scripts. Writing!
- Be A Critic: FosteredLiterature
In the Lit Forum:
- What is Creative Nonfiction? The person was looking for opinions on it and howit's different from non-fiction.
- How do you guys promote your writing? Twitter? TV commercials? Sky Writing?
- Let's talk professionalism. Read all the questions.
- Writing Children?
- Novel writing: planning: more or less? "What are your preferences when it comes to planning and laying out the story? "
- What habits/practices are unique to writers? - "A thread in which you come up with answers to the title question, and I do my best to refute them."
- Do you have the guts to kill of your main character? I mean they may be your baby, but sometimes you gotta do what the plot tells you to do.
- Novels or short stories? Which do you prefer?
- Writing when the needle is on red or when you're tired.
- High Concept vs Low Concept
Feature / Interview Articles Posted
Most Recent:
- Being Historical with doughboycafe because history is totally radical.
- Impromptu Feature Time
- FritoB
- Daily Lit Deviants of February 2014
- Published Deviants
- Welcome to the Literature Edition of Undiscovered Weekly
- Spudtacular! (14) with saltwaterlungs
- Interview with AlloenDreams
- Being Real with Poesdaughter
- Amazing Deviants: HugQueen (20)
- Word Wednesday: ten na cious [tuh ney shu s]
- Technical Tuesday I-02: Pesky Commas in Prose 1
- Reader's Top Picks for my Twentieth Edition* of 30 Writers You Should Discover:
- Pure Excellence (2)
- S-U Monthly Interview with dtb84
- Feature # 14
- Interview with mara-skywalker
- Motivational Monday: Found Fiction Writing Prompt
- Undiscovered Weekly: Literature
- Unappreciated Works Feature #17
- June Features on Profile Page/Good dA Hooks
- Monumental Literature Tuesday's
- A Call to Conversation :: littleblueraccoon
- Spudtacular! (15) with Edges-to-Everything
- Group Feature: LiteraryFanFiction
- Friday Fours Fave Features
- Devious Medals `39
- Getting to Know: CrimsonWolf1
- Alphabet Feature (2)
- Interview With Your New Lit CVs
- GDD Interviews: Neurotype on Literature
- Best of Followers Feature: Day 3
- Literary Series Feature
- Spotlights on... #14
- SadisticIceCream's Publishing Resources List
- +WriterWatch (12) with C-A-Harland
- Love dA Lit Loves You: Vol. 5
- June DD Double Feature
- June Literary Almanac Monthly: Volume Three
- The Ladies of Lit: Volume XLIII
- The Indie Pen Dance - 10 - Noree Cosper
- WayWords (8)
- Adjusting The Antennae (Ep. 11)
- Encouragement-Affirmation-Inspiration Feature #11
- dA Weekly Issue 13 - House-of-Playwrights
- (20) handpicked: 0hgravity
- Saturday Spotlight for May 31st, 2014
- Let's Talk Writing: Issue 24
- 'Best of'. 2nd Edition: Best of Haiku/Eastern
- wednesday recs
- The Ink Stained Quill Vol. III
Phew, you made it, I told you that we'd get through this together. ♥ There was tons more things going on, don't give me that look there was, trust me. However, if I try to put much more news-y goodness into an article sta.sh will...lets say sta.sh would want to speak to my family in a dungeon-like setting about me. As I've said before, there are plenty of things for you to do to get involved in the Lit Community, so I encourage and challenge you to get out there and participate.
Now what about the other half of the year? Feel free to send me things you find throughout July and into December or pictures/gifs of silly things because I like silly things and so does this article. Does it need more silly gifs? That is all up to you. Oh yeah.