No doubt you noticed a new look! When I started Wednesday Writers Group two weeks ago, I also set up a forum for writers. Unfortunately, the set-up was not what I wanted; I found it difficult to navigate and interact. I figured if I was having problems, no doubt others were as well.
So, for the past two weeks I have tried various options, testing other software, trying to tweak things so it is a little more user-friendly and banging my head on the keyboard in frustration quite a bit.
I finally reached out for help and asked Dave Farmer if he had some time. Luckily, he had this weekend free and together we worked out an entire new set-up! I believe it is much more user-friendly and I am thrilled with the new look of the site.
Unfortunately, any comment(s) on the previous forum threads was lost. That means fresh introductions, sorry! For current members, if you have problems signing in, please send me an email and I will reset your password.
Tomorrow (Monday, February 13, 2012), I will post a full introduction to the new features. Until then, the basics are simple — there is a new Forum tab that will bring you to the easy to see list of forums. Under the various forums are Topics for everyone to get involved. Members can create new Topics but can not create new Forums. If anyone would like a new Forum, please send an email and if I like the idea I will create a new Forum.
Anyone can read the forums but comments are allowed by members only. As for profiles — when you are logged in, if you click on your name you can easily add/change information, biography, password, etc.
Those are the basics. Again, tomorrow will be a full post outlining all the new goodies!
I have been neglectful, in a way, this week. I’ve been so busy working on the site, fixing up the forums, etc., that I haven’t Tweeted, I haven’t written, etc., and I think my neglect shows since there are only two submissions to Sunday Picture Press! Now that everything is cleaned up and ready, I will be more active again so I expect to see others involved as well.
A Self-Portrait by In Your Time
From Sight by Filling a Hole
My contribution this week is Why I Write
Don’t forget to read, comment and spread the joy of all the great writers and their fantastic stories! Let me know if I missed someone.
THE VISUAL PROMPTS:
Remember: Please include a credit to the original artist. If you prefer the ‘clean’ look of the photo without a caption, please include a note somewhere on your post giving credit. Thank you!
Visual Prompt 1 -- Title Unknown, Diane Arbus
Visual Prompt 2 -- Title Unknown, Diane Arbus
Visual Prompt 3 -- Title Unknown, Diane Arbus
Visual Prompt 4 -- Title Unknown, Vivian Maier
THE TWIST
I have a confession to make — I am a closet romantic. No, no, I don’t mean the trashy-romance-novel-type romantic but the old-fashioned type that secretly likes flowers sent just because, the kind that believes in soul-mates… that sweet, old-fashioned idea of romance. I like the idea of being wooed, not just the falling in bed, über sexual attraction type of romance depicted in many movies.
Originally I was going to forgo a twist this week, felt a little burnt out with all the website changes, but then I went back to look at some photos used for earlier Sunday Picture Press prompts and found the first one by Diane Arbus, the couple kissing on the dark street. I also realized this Tuesday is Valentine’s day, so, my secret inner romantic decided, what the hell, time to make public and have a romance twist this week!
Oh, yeah, I see eyes rolling for some of you, but, come on, admit it, romance, the real old-fashioned kind of romance, is sweet and gives goose-bumps. But, if you are really anti-romance, go ahead, write your anti-romance twist! If you want to write the über-sexual-falling-in-bed romance, go ahead, I’m not a prude! Be daring, be bold, be sweet and romantic, show me your idea of romance (or anti-romance). I dare you!
THE RULES (FEEL FREE TO BREAK THEM):
The rules are simple: Write between 50 to 1,500 words based on the photo of your choice. Title, genre, and type (e.g. story, very short story, dialogue only, poem, lyrics, etc.) are your choice just indicate which visual prompt you chose (if you want to include the photo in your post, just click photo, then copy the link). No deadline unless you would like a link to appear on the weekly post with the new photos — then you must complete it before 3 pm ET (GMT -5) on the Sunday following this post. If you want to share your piece after the deadline just leave a comment for others to follow. There are plenty of fantastic word prompts, theme prompts, and other challenges out there, so if a photo helps with one of those, feel free to combine and have fun! If you don’t have a blog but want to join just use the contact form to see what we can work out.
As always, everything is optional, it is all about having fun and being inspired.
16 comments
3 pings
MyWordsWhisper
February 19, 2012 at 3:22 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Here is my attempt this week for SPP. Thanks, Marita. Your prompts are always GREAT!
http://mywordswhisper.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/shadow/
IndigoSpider
February 20, 2012 at 3:24 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Char, I’m always scanning images all week… great way to combine ‘surfing’ with ‘work’
Billie Jo Woods
February 19, 2012 at 9:57 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Took me the full week but her is my contribution.
http://usaukwoods.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/in-love-with-life/
IndigoSpider
February 20, 2012 at 3:18 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I took a while to write mine this week also and it still isn’t finished (cheater that I am, posting ‘part 2′ later this week). I am off to check it out now, finally!
mellifluousmurmurs
February 18, 2012 at 4:16 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Another attempt to write based on a picture prompt!
http://mellifluousmurmurs.wordpress.com/2012/02/18/the-lingering-scent/
IndigoSpider
February 20, 2012 at 3:13 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yay! Thanks for joining again this week. Off to read it now…
knot2share
February 17, 2012 at 6:37 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My little story……..not sure how much justice my 100 words manage to provide. Anyway, it was an attempt.
http://knot2share.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/at-the-cinema/
Thank you!
PS: And oh! The facelift here is too good!
IndigoSpider
February 20, 2012 at 3:10 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Glad you like the new look
Going to check out your story now, can’t wait to read it!
Dave
February 14, 2012 at 10:19 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Okay then, here it is, my romantic story. Not sure if it worked as well I had hoped so let me know what you think!
http://davefarmersblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/unbreakable/
IndigoSpider
February 14, 2012 at 7:19 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Dave! Off to check it out now…
Neel
February 14, 2012 at 5:07 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great pix indigo…thanks!
Here’s my take: http://neelthemuse.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/last-dance/
Love the new look of your site as well….so sophisticated!!!
IndigoSpider
February 14, 2012 at 7:15 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks Neel, looking forward to reading your story, thanks for joining in this week
Amy-Lynn
February 13, 2012 at 6:07 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
As you’ve written, romantic love is indeed sweet.
Here are some further thoughts about it on my blog at
http://flandrumhill.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/love-stones-and-symmetry/
IndigoSpider
February 13, 2012 at 10:29 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I never realized you were the Amy from Flandrum Hill! I love your blog, subscribed a couple years ago. You take beautiful photos and always have such lovely essays to go with them. I read this piece and, as always, just lovely.
Dave
February 12, 2012 at 4:16 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m not rolling my eyes! I am very much a romantic at heart, and believe in that deep rooted love conquers all kind of stuff. I have an excellent idea for a short piece just right for Valentines Day!
IndigoSpider
February 12, 2012 at 6:18 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yay! At least there is another romantic out there
Shadow « My Words Whisper
February 19, 2012 at 2:37 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] you to Indigo Spider for Sunday Picture Press and the picture prompts this week. I decided to go sappy and romantic with this one. But, I [...]
In love with life… | Out of the Woods
February 19, 2012 at 9:56 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] was written for Indigo Spider’s Sunday Picture Press. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]
Love Is Free « Filling a Hole
February 12, 2012 at 9:41 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] Sunday Picture Press [...]