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!)

The use of Foreign Words in English Fanfiction.

Hey, folks. Ace here. I happened to be in chat while SomeGuy was trying to find this week's guest poster. I had a fun idea, so here I am. I'm gonna tell you ladies and fellas how to use foreign words correctly and appropriately. Pay attention, now...

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SomeGuy's Workshop, Session Eleven

There are no really mechanical-like things that seem to be an issue these current days. So I'm just gonna writing-blog today. Again. Are You Really Trying To Help Me?...

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Becky's Writers' Block Busters, Session Nine

First of all, guys, I'm so sorry that I haven't gotten around to reading your prompt responses from last week. Lots of unexpected insanity lately, both good and bad, but it's on my list of things to do. In any case, CoLor Me EviL, Magnus Lensherr,...

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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 Seven

Sorry, guys, tonight's post is going to have to be a cop-out one. Unexpectedly busy week, really tired, etc.

So I'm going to open up the floor to you guys: when you write a story, do you write in chronological order, or do you write whatever scene occurs to you first?

Personally, I mostly write chronologically. If I write outside the timeline, it's an unrelated practice scene that won't be in the actual story. I use the scenes I'm looking forward to as motivation to get through the arduous exposition and description.

So how about you?