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Introduction

I have always followed the advice of philosopher J. H. Marx1 by never joining a club or group that would allow someone like me to be a member. Because of this, I have aggressively not joined any number of groups for as long as I can remember.

However, even when you choose not to join, you can find yourself in a group. Such as by writing fiction; that puts you squarely in the group of people who can probably use the help of others.2

Writers need sets of eyes they don’t own, because there comes a point when their own words have become so familiar they can longer see them clearly. If those borrowed eyes are also encased in a being who is willing to take the time to make comments and render an opinion on the words, so much the better. Seven-fold delights can occur when a reader is willing to engage in a discussion of all the details embodied in the words.

Best, when the relationship is reciprocal.

Even in the absence of exchanging words, writers can help each other.

That’s pretty much the idea behind this site. If you are a writer and you need some help, maybe you’ll find it here, or maybe you’ll find something or someone to point you in the right direction of where to find what you need.

Some Details

I really like the IndieWeb and the idea of reclaiming the community spirit of the early web. So many interesting and innovative people, so many ideas and perspectives, so much diversity. So many so willing to offer help. Sites that have clearly taken hours and hours of work, yet are offered up for free, or for very little, or maybe with a reasonable request to pay what you can afford/what you think it’s worth.

For me, I find myself in the lucky position of being comfortably able to afford my lifestyle, hence, the name of this site. There is nothing for sale, no advertising, no buy-me-a-coffee links, no if-you-find-this-useful patronage asks. Also, no data collection, no SEO, and no information being collected and nothing is tracked. Unless a visitor interacts with me through the Contact form, I have no idea they have been here.

I doubt I’ll ever offer anything like a newsletter. You also won’t find daily blog entries and topical essays, although I do plan on making a companion site where I talk a bit about writing.

Someday … (sigh).

Links

I have always found maintaining a links page is a royal pain, so I'm trying something different: a Raindrop.io account (free) with a shared links page, one where users can collaborate, if they wish. In addition to writing-related links, expect an emphasis on IndieWeb and smaller sites (small is good, among other things), because we all get to choose our future, and I want mine to be filled with good, helpful, kind, wonderful, creative, people—which is what you find on the IndieWeb.

Discussion

I some plans and ideas, so I've written a page or two where I go over some of what I think I think about how writers can help each other. A lot of it deals with critique partners, writing groups, and other aspects of writing. The nuts and bolts, if you will, of helping and receiving help. You can find that discussion here.

  1. Julius Henry Marx, aka Groucho.↩︎

  2. There may be writers who do not need anyone else to read their words before releasing them into the wild; the likelihood of this being the best idea is small. It is possible, I will admit, and that choice always remains with the writer.

    But, oh my! Typos!
    Will no one think of the typos?↩