1000% IN, Ben - this is a great idea. Bells ON! ⭐💥⭐ Your insight into how writing has changed you is so personal and universal at the same time. Maybe we've had it wrong: maybe we shouldn't be trying to increase reading, but increase writing (better yet, BOTH.)
Nov 18, 2023·edited Nov 18, 2023Liked by Ben Wakeman
Dear Ben, what a wonderful collaborative writing project! Thank you for including me in the list of writers you would like to see participate. I am thinking about it and will let you know soon. December will be a very busy month for me at work in the first half and in the second half I will be on vacation. I need to check if I can schedule this in. To top it up, I'm an extremely slow writer.
No pressure at all Claudia. It would be wonderful to have your voice included in the collection but I totally understand the challenge of time. If it makes a difference, my suggestion of the story being 2K-3K words is not absolute. The story can be as long or short as it needs to be to convey the experience.
So funny, that didn’t even occur to me, but I guess this is a bit of a gift exchange. Hopefully it skews more Secret Santa than White Elephant! Though that might be fun too. Stealing is the highest form of flattery. Use the idea!
I know it's a tough time of year and folks might be too busy to take this on. My hope was that for those of us who are committed to posting weekly, this will give you a big head start on a post that you just have to write and not spend effort concepting.
This is a really fun idea, Ben! Thanks for thinking of me. I'm hoping to carve out the time to participate. I've bookmarked this and will return to it ASAP.
Brilliant idea. For those of us who just found you in 2024, can you tell us if this worked out like you thought it might? Can you say if you are inspired to go further with this?
Hi Georgia, it was a resounding success for everyone involved I think. We all learned so much not just from the stories we wrote, but all the ones we read. I do plan to host another round of SWDS in a couple of months. Follow me and I'm sure you'll see a post about it.
I discovered this miracle of a project two days after the deadline so I must watch from the sidelines. I love your simple but brilliant rules and can't wait to read both versions of all the stories.
Love this!!! I have just found you and just missed the deadline. Otherwise, I would be innnnnnn! Looking forward to the submissions and would love to jump in next time if you do it again. :)
Hey Jon - you're welcome to sign up as an alternate if you like. Given there are 50 folks, it's likely someone will change their mind between now and next Friday when the prompts are due. If that happens, you'll be the first in line.
I'm in, Ben. For the record, you had me BEFORE "Wishlist." But Wishlist didn't hurt your pitch. 😉💜
Aw. Thanks, Meg.
1000% IN, Ben - this is a great idea. Bells ON! ⭐💥⭐ Your insight into how writing has changed you is so personal and universal at the same time. Maybe we've had it wrong: maybe we shouldn't be trying to increase reading, but increase writing (better yet, BOTH.)
Awesome! I'm glad you're in Troy. This project just became official.
Dear Ben, what a wonderful collaborative writing project! Thank you for including me in the list of writers you would like to see participate. I am thinking about it and will let you know soon. December will be a very busy month for me at work in the first half and in the second half I will be on vacation. I need to check if I can schedule this in. To top it up, I'm an extremely slow writer.
No pressure at all Claudia. It would be wonderful to have your voice included in the collection but I totally understand the challenge of time. If it makes a difference, my suggestion of the story being 2K-3K words is not absolute. The story can be as long or short as it needs to be to convey the experience.
Thank you, Ben. I'm interested in writing in the first person. I haven't done that yet in my fiction.
Love the idea - the concept, the ethos, the delivery! I’m in 🙌🏽
Best “Christmas swap” I can imagine. Also I’m likely to steal this idea with students next year if you don’t mind. 😊
So funny, that didn’t even occur to me, but I guess this is a bit of a gift exchange. Hopefully it skews more Secret Santa than White Elephant! Though that might be fun too. Stealing is the highest form of flattery. Use the idea!
This is a great idea and project, Ben. Thanks for the honesty in the intro, too. I resonate with that.
I'm in, time permitting. December is going to be a little hectic for me, but I hope I can manage this.
I know it's a tough time of year and folks might be too busy to take this on. My hope was that for those of us who are committed to posting weekly, this will give you a big head start on a post that you just have to write and not spend effort concepting.
Totally. Should be good, and you're right, it's one weekly slot essentially already filled ... I'll just have to write the words 😅
I'm in! This sounds like fun. Thanks for hosting and creating a space for community!
Welcome, glad you’re here Petra!
This is a fantastic idea and I’ve signed up!
So glad you’re here, Amanda.
This is a really fun idea, Ben! Thanks for thinking of me. I'm hoping to carve out the time to participate. I've bookmarked this and will return to it ASAP.
Sounds good, Garrett. I hope you’ll be able to join us.
Morning Ben! Love this idea, I’m in. 🤝
So glad, Jill. Welcome!
Love the idea, Ben! Thanks for thinking of me. I’m in!
So glad you’re in Justin. It’s going to be fun.
You've twisted my arm 😏 Count me in.
Glad you’re here T. Can’t wait to see what your story will be.
Brilliant idea. For those of us who just found you in 2024, can you tell us if this worked out like you thought it might? Can you say if you are inspired to go further with this?
Hi Georgia, it was a resounding success for everyone involved I think. We all learned so much not just from the stories we wrote, but all the ones we read. I do plan to host another round of SWDS in a couple of months. Follow me and I'm sure you'll see a post about it.
I discovered this miracle of a project two days after the deadline so I must watch from the sidelines. I love your simple but brilliant rules and can't wait to read both versions of all the stories.
Hi Rachel, I've not sent out the final submission form yet, so if you'd like to participate. Send me an email at ben@benwakeman.com.
Love this!!! I have just found you and just missed the deadline. Otherwise, I would be innnnnnn! Looking forward to the submissions and would love to jump in next time if you do it again. :)
Hi Holly, I've not sent out the final submission form yet, so if you'd like to participate. Send me an email at ben@benwakeman.com.
Great idea. I look forward to reading what you all write.
hrmpt--i guess I'm unlucky number 51
Hey Jon - you're welcome to sign up as an alternate if you like. Given there are 50 folks, it's likely someone will change their mind between now and next Friday when the prompts are due. If that happens, you'll be the first in line.
Excellent. I'm in. Really interesting project concept. Thanks for your consideration!