To me, this becomes more interesting with a single topic everyone writes about, i.e. "Imagination". — hypericin

I agree. But the consensus was that people would participate more if the topic was left open. *shrugs*

It would be interesting to see how varied everyone's approach is, and how much richness there really is in the topic. — hypericin

Exactly this. From a wide spectrum of perspectives.

every writer deeply engages with the same topic, and only after everyone has written do they come together and discuss each other's take — hypericin

It is designed to be as interactive as the Literary Activity. The idea is to challenge ourselves, as you say, to dig deep. Or some will already be comfortable.

Similar to the Literary Activity, each author is initially anonymous. Readers respond to the writing. A discussion initially without the author. Waiting a week or so, depending on amount of entries, before guessing the author.

Authors can participate as readers in threads not their own.

Then, the authors join in their own discussion thread, responding to feedback. Also, engaging with other authors. It should be an exciting interaction, weaving questions, responses and trying to understand the meaning of the text.
Of mutual benefit in a positive engagement.

That's the idea...

I agree. But the consensus was that people would participate more if the topic was left open. *shrugs* — Amity

I'm fine with switching it up. I said my bit, but I'm not committed to it.

Perhaps with the guidelines we could also submit a poll for preferences? "Open topic/Single topic: Imagination"? Since that's the topic that's been proposed I think it'd be a good one, and makes it so we don't have to do two polls :D -- one poll with two clearly defined outcomes.

What do you think @Amity?

I read over the Literary Activity guidelines and I think I'd pretty much copy them verbatim with a changes in dates (and the topic of course), and maybe add in a mini-tutorial for pastebin for those that need the walk through.

Perhaps with the guidelines we could also submit a poll for preferences? — Moliere

It's an idea but not sure how it would work. Would it be anonymous?
If authors are identified, then that might give the game away. I think we should stick to the decision. People can either pick up the topic of 'Imagination' or do their own thing.

I read over the Literary Activity guidelines and I think I'd pretty much copy them verbatim with a changes in dates (and the topic of course), and maybe add in a mini-tutorial for pastebin for those that need the walk through. — Moliere

OK. :up:
So, does that mean we are having 2 extra threads? 1.Guess the Author 2. Favourites?

The jury is still out on the latter. Only about 50% of the authors participated. No readers.

I suggested a single 'Meet the Authors' thread . It would incorporate both. @Baden is mulling it over. It's all a bit experimental at this stage.

I've been wondering about the Favourites and the Guessing Game threads.

I get the impression that only a few are willing to list favourites and give reasons.
The 'Guess the Author' thread received a bit more attention.
They work OK-ish for a fiction activity where most authors/readers already know each other.
[Not sure that would work for the June event.]

Perhaps, a single thread where authors and readers leave their overall impressions?

Time line from the Lit Activity suggests that after about 17dys reading and feedback, people are keen to know about the authors. Perhaps this is when the list of authors could be posted in a separate thread?
A day or so, for speculation, before the reveal.

Do you think that this separate thread could incorporate both, evolving into a relaxed conversation?
If so, what would we call it ?

Brainstorming:

'Story Discussion'. 'The Author Encounter'. 'Writer/Reader Get Together'. 'Authors and Readers Unite'.
Finally, I got 'Meet the Authors'. Hmmm...

It's an idea but not sure how it would work. Would it be anonymous?
If authors are identified, then that might give the game away. I think we should stick to the decision. People can either pick up the topic of 'Imagination' or do their own thing. — Amity

I was thinking to use the poll option which the forum has and then going with whatever side gets more votes -- so option 1 is "Open topic" and option 2 is "Imagination", and whichever category gets more votes on the forum poll is the one we'd decide upon.

Or we can just stick to option 1. I'm just trying to be accommodating, and acknowledging that I'm not really sure which option would garner more participation, which seems to me the more important thing.

OK. :up:
So, does that mean we are having 2 extra threads? 1.Guess the Author 2. Favourites?

The jury is still out on the latter. Only about 50% of the authors participated. No readers.

I suggested a single 'Meet the Authors' thread . It would incorporate both. Baden is mulling it over. It's all a bit experimental at this stage. — Amity

A single thread incorporating both is good by me -- more crossover communication usually results in more participation.

So we'd have the announcement thread largely tailored from the literary activity's guidelines (with or without a poll -- either way), then the actual threads themselves posted on July 1st along with a "Discussion/Guess the author" overall thread, the way I'm thinking it.

Thoughts?

along with a "Discussion/Guess the author" overall thread, the way I'm thinking it. — Moliere

No. Not at the same time. It distracts from reading the entries.

In the Lit. Activity, guessing started about 17dys after the start.
That was the Goldilocks option. I prefer it to wait until the end.

Ahhh ok. Sure that's fine. So guidelines Feb 1, then essays June 1st, and discussion topic posted when? When' is "the end" ?

When' is "the end" ? — Moliere

Good question. The formal Lit Activity is unstickied about a month after the start. However, the stories are left open for comment...

Perhaps the last day in June. The 30th?
The discussion mid-way. The 15th?

Either is good by me. 15th or 30th. It sounded like you wanted it later?

the list of authors could be posted in a separate thread?
A day or so, for speculation, before the reveal.

So, the author list would go up on the 15th. When revealed, the authors can take part. Responding to feedback on their individual threads.

It sounded like you wanted it later? — Moliere

Yes, I did. However, it's important that the authors get time to respond.
The 15th, then.

:up:

Yay! :cool:

I was thinking to use the poll option which the forum has and then going with whatever side gets more votes -- so option 1 is "Open topic" and option 2 is "Imagination", and whichever category gets more votes on the forum poll is the one we'd decide upon. — Moliere

Ah, OK. And an option 3 for those who don't care either way?!

Sure! Tho I'd probably only count the ones who care enough since presumably the third optioners are fine with either outcome.

presumably the third optioners are fine with either outcome. — Moliere

Yes.

My willingness to write an essay is primarily dependent upon topic and deadlines. Please advise at your earliest convenience.

Thanks for showing an interest. :smile:

So far, the Guidelines will be posted by @Moliere on Feb1st. This will include the deadline for submissions as June 1st.

@Arne Edited:
Also, a poll to vote on the topic.
1. Open topic
2. Imagination
3. No preference

Topic: Open

Hope this helps you decide?

@Moliere

Reflecting further on this:

I think we should stick to the decision. People can either pick up the topic of 'Imagination' or do their own thing. — Amity

I think it is best not to complicate matters in the Guidelines.
Voting just prolongs the agony!

Having an Open Topic gives most leeway.

Okiedokie. Sounds good. It was just a thought I had to be accommodating. Then people can choose the topic that most interests them.

The difference being between a post and this is an essay, so I'd expect some kind of complete thought or argument. Whereas with a post I only expect enough of a topic to get a conversation going, I'd think that an essay actually completes a thought or presents a whole argument or tells a story or is in some sense a self-contained peice of writing meant to be presented as a whole for a reader.

Whereas a thread can do that, it's really just about having a conversation at all and needn't conclude or be self-contained and can wander more.

I'd think that an essay actually completes a thought or presents a whole argument or tells a story or is in some sense a self-contained peice of writing meant to be presented as a whole for a reader. — Moliere

Yes.

Whereas a thread can do that, it's really just about having a conversation at all and needn't conclude or be self-contained and can wander more. — Moliere

A typical discussion thread involves the author right from the get go.
This can affect the responses. The author also has to maintain the thread, responding directly, sometime immediately to other participants.

Here, the anonymous essay, article or philosophy writing is read and evaluated without bias. The focus is on the ideas and how well they are expressed. How they are understood or interpreted.

Feedback is given by readers and other authors.
A conversation takes place without input/interference by the author.
Until...The Reveal! :scream:

We could propose different topics, and then have a vote. — hypericin

OK by me, so long as we can avoid topics like 'Hume's response to Plato". That kind of topic may be of deep academic interest, but tends to leave us troglodytes cold.

Now that the fever dream of fiction has broken, I'm getting into the idea. I think I have a topic picked out already.

One of your own devising - no prompt?
Good. So have I. Even a couple of sentences floating around my head.
But I'm ready to give them up if most people prefer a common topic.

But I'm ready to give them up if most people prefer a common topic. — Vera Mont

You do you, Vera! The topic is of your own choice. Looking forward. :smile:

I'm getting into the idea. I think I have a topic picked out already. — hypericin

Fantastico! :cool: