Welcome to The Writers Bloc, the home base for theOtaku.com's beta-readers and a place for writers to come with questions and learn some new tricks and methods of storytelling, writing, or pretty much anything involving this mutt of a language we call Modern English.

Our Current Pool of Editors and Beta-Readers Includes:


If you have a story, essay, or any written work that you feel could use the assistance of a beta reader or editor, choose a beta-reader from the above list and PM them for availability.

As well, be sure to come visit every now and then to take part in writing workshops and discussions. And of course, if you have your own questions, don't be afraid to ask them here; we're neither teachers nor betters, but peers hoping to help.

The Weekly Schedule:

  • Monday: SomeGuy's Workshop (SomeGuy)
  • Tuesday: Rotating Guest Post (Various)
  • Wednesday: The Wednesday Word (SomeGuy)
  • Thursday: Beck's Workshop (NightBeck)
  • Friday: Updates and Open Questions (All)
  • Sunday: Becky's Writers' Block Busters (NightBeck)

So once again... welcome to The Bloc.

(Banner Design Courtesy of Red Tigress - thanks Red!)

Avoiding Cliches (Imagine the accent mark, 'kay?)

I’m sure many of you have missed the sanctity of The Writers’ Bloc just as I have. That being said, well, it really explains why I’m Guest Posting now. It is Tuesday, after all, and I had this idea spring into my head,...

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Feature: 11/10/09 | Posted By: Wayward Warrior | 0 comments | Tags: cliches, fiction, workshop

Trip' Has A Question!

Haha, who remembers this place?

Anyway, got hit with a question the other day, figured this was as good a place as any to get started. Comes from our good friend AnimeArchAngel:

This is a bit random, but I just stumbled upon this World and figured I should ask a question. I'll try to word the question the best I can.

When starting a new piece of writing, how should you decide whether to write in first person or third person? I often write in third person, but then wonder whether the story would move along better in first.

Like I said, just a random question. :P

Thoughts, guys? Comment below, help a sista out.

And of course, if there are any other questions, we can keep making new posts!

Guide: 09/20/09 | Posted By: SomeGuy | 10 comments | Personal | Tags:

Making your point: How to write analytically correct

Hello Otakus, We covered how to start off a paper with a dynamic and pressing intro that compels your reader to continue reading. GREAT JOB! Now what? I think that the body paragraphs of any analytical paper are the easiest ...

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Guide: 03/11/09 | Posted By: Kaydirt | 0 comments | Tags:

Dynamic Intros: How to capture your reader's attention

Hello guys, Kaydirt here taking over for Someguy for what I hope to be a successful process of learning how to write. I don't really delve in to fic...

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Guide: 03/09/09 | Posted By: Kaydirt | 1 comment | Tags:

Updates and Open Questions

Ayup.

Goes without saying, life got busy and Becky and I have been hectic (me working nights more or less every night, her getting ready to go to Japan for a semester of school). But hey, there's always good reasons to bring it back out now and then, even if our schedule's shot to poop for now.

Whatever.

Meantime, Kaydirt is itching to write some entries here, so he's got some free reign for a while. Should be fun.

Meantime, just to get a fresh post out to get ready for times to come... as always, in case you need 'em:

  • Do you have a written work you'd like a beta-reader to look over? Comment below!
  • Do you have any specific writing questions you'd like to have answered? Comment below!
  • Can you answer any of those questions? Comment below!
  • You have a writing workshop idea and would like to do the upcoming week's Tuesday Guest Post? Comment below!

Don't be afraid of asking big questions, either. If a question would require more than just a comment answer, we can always use them as ideas for workshops over the next week.

Remember, none of us here are teachers, professors, or professionals (well... not just yet, anyway). We're all just members who love to write, hoping to help out other members and their own interests in writing.

Feature: 03/08/09 | Posted By: SomeGuy | 8 comments | Personal | Tags: