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What do you expect from a good writing platform?

Hello!

Currently, I’m coding a big project! An own writing platform. I didn’t like the other ones. So… Now I’m asking you what do you expect from a good writing platform?

This is what I planned so far:

- Sharing your stories;

- The normal social network stuff;

- A text-based RPG;

- Chat rooms;

- And so on


But what do YOU wish as an author? I mean, you’d be the user. So, why should I only do it for me, huh? The planning step. You know.


P.S.: It’ll be first in German because it’s my native language. Later in English.
 

CupofJoe

Myth Weaver
Pretty much what I find here.
For me, having a text RPG or chat rooms is unneeded, as I'd never use them.
A wiki on how to best deal with publishers [or whoever] might be nice, but I'm guessing that it would take a lot of moderating to keep relevant [and non-libelous if the information is at all negative].
 

Devor

Fiery Keeper of the Hat
Moderator
SO if we're talking wish list.... what I really wish a writing platform could do is integrate with Scribophile. The tools that Scribophile uses for editing and commenting on a story are almost top-notch, but then you're trapped in the Scribophile community, which may not be what you're looking for. If you pull those tools into a community platform designed for other purposes, that would be awesome.
 
"Pretty much what I find here." (CupofJoe)

Ditto.

Your list of examples seems to heavily favor casual community interaction, a social hangout sort of site: sharing stories, chatting, playing games (RPG). Nothing wrong with that, although I do wonder whether you intend to create a platform designed mostly to foster casual fun time? Would it be mostly a place to hang out, or would it be more geared to helping individual writers improve their craft and get published (or self publish off-site)? The types of features you include might depend on the focus; unless, you want to do it all.
 
This is the only writing platform I have ever joined because it's heavy on the actual writing posts, advice, opportunities and light on the rest. If it's going to be a writing/writers platform, put your energy into that up front. Make it the draw.

While I'd love to spend a little time chatting or in a text rpg, I simply do not have the time in my day. When I have been asked over the years what the single most important thing is that helped me become a full time artist (maker of things), people expect me to say social media, networking, promotion, wholesale, or some other such thing. It's like they think the development of the actual work/craft/skill is secondary somehow.

In truth, the one thing that mattered the most to me reaching that goal was that I spent all my free time, every day, working on the craft and skills and ideas that have allowed me to draw attention to my work and sell it. Also, I reworked my entire life to fit that desire: Cut expenses, moved to a cheaper part of my state, no dining out, no happy hours, no cable tv or big cell phone plan, even no car for a few years. And I did away with 90+ % of the social interaction and outside activities I had once taken part in to fill that so called "free time". Time is not infinite for us, so where we choose to put that precious commodity is very important in regards to the results we hope to see. I'm not criticizing anyone who goes a different route mind you, I'm just saying, when you want to accomplish something or become something, the best way to reach it, and to sustain it, is through the hard work that will make you better at the actual thing. So when I added a writing practice on top of that full time gig, well, it left little for anything else at all.

One other thing. I suppose it also depends on the demographic/age group you hope to draw. I could NEVER have had the discipline to do what I do now, to focus and work at something creative each day while maintaining a near-monastic schedule and lifestyle (seclusion wise) when I was in my 20's. Some young people do, obviously, but my experience is that most do not and they might be drawn to, or even prefer, a sight with a few of the bells and whistles and added distractions that keep them returning for another reason. :)

Here, I'm most excited about writing. So I'm drawn to the idea of open story submissions, flash fiction, writing prompts and collaborative storytelling threads. Mostly the input and the variety of discussion threads. It does seem as though the tendency is that a few writers get very into these and others, especially on a well established site, I believe, feel too self conscious to join in, so you have to hammer home that it's not about who is best or who has been around, but about becoming better as a writer. Finding new ways to get people involved and keeping it fresh as it grows.

Best of luck with the project!
 
"Pretty much what I find here." (CupofJoe)

Ditto.

Your list of examples seems to heavily favor casual community interaction, a social hangout sort of site: sharing stories, chatting, playing games (RPG). Nothing wrong with that, although I do wonder whether you intend to create a platform designed mostly to foster casual fun time? Would it be mostly a place to hang out, or would it be more geared to helping individual writers improve their craft and get published (or self publish off-site)? The types of features you include might depend on the focus; unless, you want to do it all.

The idea is: It’s mainly for writing and sharing stories. But for a strong community, we have this RPG feature. It’s also for motivation!
 

Firefly

Troubadour
The main reason I wanted to be in a community like this to begin with (and the reason I stay) is that I really wanted a place where I could have in-depth conversations on craft with people who knew what I was talking about and actually cared.

The reason I liked Mythic scribes in particular are:

-The size. It's big enough to always have conversations going on, but still small enough that I feel like I can get to know the people who regularly post.

-The no swearing/no sexually explicit language policy. As a Christian, this was really appealing to me. I wish people were better about actually following it, but it could be a lot worse.

-The fact that it's fantasy specific.

Not sure how useful this will be since I'm also not sure I'm really part of your target audience, but I thought I'd chime in anyway.
 
Firefly Of course, my platform wouldn’t be full of trolls and machos. But I wanna make it author beginner-friendly. If there is a problem, I'll try solving them. So, anyone can be happy! However, the size is a thing I can't always guarantee. Maybe it becomes only a hype, maybe not. But I'll do my best.
 

pmmg

Myth Weaver
I find this a tough question, because of the nature of there being good and bad in kind of everything. I like MS because I see thoughtful posts and thoughtful discussions. It lets me keep in touch with the craft but much more at my own pace. But I do wish the site offered more in the way of people posting their work. I know people here mostly in a cursory fashion, and I feel I would I would like to now more about them and their work, but that does not seem to be the character of the site. I do feel that is missing from the community.... But... if it was there, it would change things and perhaps turn the site more into a workshop, and maybe even more drama. and a different character.

Having been around writers sites for a long time (I was a Mod on Scrbophile and on another Fantasy site for a while actually...), I've seen them in many different flavors. I don't need special tools, just a good community. The community kind of makes itself, and when its good, the whole site is worth keeping.

My personal taste would lead me to one that is in the PG13 range of conversation (while I do not really shy away from more edgy stuff, I don't like to see it as a staple of my day.) A good community of people asking good questions, and looking to give thoughtful answers. Competent writers, and occasionally showing off what we can do. I do enjoy helping others, and so feedback on works is something I do occasionally enjoy, but it also becomes a lot of work and I don't have time for it.

RPG's and Chat rooms are not useful to me, but could be for others, Games do build community, but they also hi-jack the boards, so its a balancing act.

Great tools for posting and commenting on works, I would never disparage, but scribophile is pretty top notch at that, and I still wandered away from them. I don't really need them.
 
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