In this news article: Results of our in house Workshop on Details| `Amberlouie’s workshop: Netting the Vignette| On Accepting Critique |Chat rooms! | Call for Workshop Hosts | First time you've heard of *Writers-Workshop? This section is for you.

Results of our in house Workshop on Details

To analyse yourself critically can be a difficult task. There is a conflict between modesty and confidence, understanding your personal strengths and weaknesses and of course how to work on those. As a writer it is an important step for improvement in your work.

Critique is an essential part of a growing writer. We cannot always rely on another person to do this for us, no matter how many new systems and encouragements are implemented into the process. Sometimes taking a step back away from your writing, and analysing not just the piece in front of you, but your style, your eye for detail and understanding where you are with your writing can be just as must, if not more beneficial than someone else telling you how to improve your work. In fact the experience can reinvigorate old passions or encourage you to challenge yourself in more ways than you could think.

*Writers-Workshop is essentially a place for challenge, one where we have such a variety of different forms, genres and themes to help you exercise your creative mind, you are actually exercising yourself and learning new aspects of your writing as you go along. We enjoy being able to offer that to our members and know by the levels of participation there is enjoyment from you also.

This workshop was a chance for you to take your writing and view it in a new perspective; A chance for you to question yourself and re-question yourself. You were able to not only reflect once, but through discussion given a chance to seek more understanding of yourself as a writer. This self-evaluation has hopefully given you some new ideas and refreshed your mind into how and why you write.

If you didn’t take part in this fortnight’s task, we would like to encourage you perhaps in your own time to partake in a form of self evaluation of yourself as a writer and your work.

We don’t have any top picks for this results entry, simply because we feel this isn’t the kind of workshop that warrants it. What we would like to do is thank everyone who got involved in the discussions of these because the level of discussion was high and interesting.


`Amberlouie’s Workshop: Netting the Vignette


`Amberlouie is an Australian writer, critique and friendly crazy. She enjoys zine culture, stockings, Nam Le and smiling at strangers. Amber has been published in ReadThis, 150 words, and a collection of new writing.

Netting the Vignette

A vignette is not in your cupboard at home. It is a branch of short story writing. Close relative of Microfiction or Flash Fiction, a type of short story relying on word count.

The vignette is a snapshot, an insightful glimpse into a scene. It should give off a sharp impression of a character, notion or setting. Vignette lends itself well to poetry and theatre.

The style of writing does not conform to sequential format, but establishes structure through symbolic and linguistic connections to other vignettes or adjoining scenes. The form is precise, not in language, but in the images, emotion, and compacts its narrative to make it wholly meaningful.

Usually, a vignette has an aspect of the traditional narrative structures of a short story:

1. Introduction
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
4. Falling Action
5. Denouncement

Vignette’s usually only focus on numbers 2, 3 or 4, because they are the strong points in a story. Surprisingly, there doesn’t need to be conflict in a Vignette. It’s a postcard; it should take its reader to the place you are writing about through your chosen symbol.

The best way to start a vignette is by using a object of significance, or a thought, etc.
For example: fruit, bicycle, shoes, the colour red. Be creative with your object, place, and make it a memorable moment.

Examples of Vignettes:

House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Liza Falzon’s 50 word fiction blog: [link]

Your task: Write a Vignette, approximately 50 words long, including an image or symbol as the crux of the story. The story must make sense, it must be lyrical. Choose from one of the above narrative structures, and make sure your Vignette follows the form. Make an impression, take me somewhere. Take me nowhere.

I look forward to your responses!


How to Submit

After submitting your entry as a new deviation or scrap, send us a note with a link to your piece. Include the subject line "VINGETTE" in your note. The deadline is midnight April 15th 2009. All times are set for GMT. `Amberlouie will respond to the entries on April 19th, 2009.

A note from *Writers-Workshop Please note that this is a PROSE workshop, meaning that we will accept prose entries only. Proofread your work before you send it in so that grammatical and spelling errors are minimal. And most of all, have fun with it!


Call for workshop hosts!

As always, we're looking for people to come along and host a workshop! Did you know that any member can partake in a workshop? If you have a good idea, then why not consider sending us in a proposal? We’re always willing to look at applications for workshops.


Chat rooms

We have discussed in the past about *Writers-Workshop and the use of chat rooms. Whilst we have currently concluded that at this moment in time we do not wish to host anything official on damn, we would like to draw your attention to a couple of the literature chatrooms available to you all. Some members of *Writers-Workshop already are involved in these chat rooms, but they are a place where you can seek critique or share ideas not only on your workshop submissions, but your other writing also. These rooms also connect you to the literature community, giving you opportunity to meet more people who share the same passions for writing.

#getLIT is the main official literature chatroom for damn, where there is a regular fluctuation of conversation and critique. It is a friendly and open room, and probably the most recommended for people new to damn.

#PoetRangers is a chat room for poets. they have regular set critique nights. This is a more mature level room, and the level of critique a little more blunt.

There are many other literature based chatrooms, and not every room is going to suit you. So shop around, you may find some really great people.


First time you've heard of *Writers-Workshop? This section is for you.

*Writers-Workshop is a literature community that focuses on the development of a writer. We intend to provide a non-competitive workshop environment on dA, as well as to push good, polished writing over winning prizes or "networking".

Workshops will be conducted every fortnight; prose, poetry and free-for-all sessions will be rotated. For more information, read our: FAQ section or note us with queries.

We have been working on a list of resources for our writers: Resources for Writers which we think is worth going through. We are open to suggestions as well.

Our Diary has a list of upcoming workshops. We are booked till April!

You can host a Workshop too.

Look out for next workshop hosted by *TheKingofFall!

Staff