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!)

SomeGuy's Workshop, Session Thirteen

I'm a little excited, because I have workshop ideas the next many weeks! No more last-minute scrambling! Nyahaha... Since evidently everyone seems to think I'm good with writing action, I guess I'll spend time talking about that - specifical...

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Becky's Writers' Block Busters, Session Eleven

Happy Sunday, everyone! I got an assortment of wonderful responses last week from Shinmaru, CoLoR Me EviL, waywardwarrior, and Katana (twice)! Go read their pieces. You won't be disappointed! And here are your standard reminders before we s...

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Open Questions

As always, in case ya need to ask '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.

Beck's Writing Workshop, Session Ten

Hey everyone! Well, I'm finally ready to do that write-up on dialogue. I've been lacking coherency in most shapes and forms lately - curse you, Florida heat! I've always been told that dialogue is one of the stronger points in my writing (...

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The Wednesday Word: Penultimate

penultimate. adjective. The next to the last. This Wednesday Word is a suggestion by Adam, no less... Penultimate is such a great classic vocabulary word that actually means something very...

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