GYWO 2024

[rynling]

I just signed up for Get Your Words Out 2024 (and you can too)! I fucking love this community, I really do.

For 2024, I volunteered to contribute posts here on Dreamwidth. If the mods accept my pitches, this is what I'd like to write about:

(1) What makes human writing distinguishable from ChatGPT. I've been gnashing my teeth about this for the past four months, and I think I have some insights. Hopefully. This isn't "advice," exactly, but it's interesting to consider.

(2) How to handle rejection. I've gotten rejected a lot this year, and I mean a lot. It still hurts more than I'd like it to, but I've developed a number of concrete, practical strategies for not letting it destroy me.

(3) How to commission an artist. I was recently surprised to learn that many people are nervous about doing this, or they don't know how to find the right fit for a project. I struggle with these concerns too, but I commission a lot of artists anyway. It would be nice to help other writers feel comfortable doing the same.

And maybe?

(4) How to do numbers on AO3. I recently saw a well-meaning post on Tumblr that contained extremely misleading advice about "how to become a popular fandom writer," and... I'm not saying it's easy, but it's not actually that complicated. Honestly, I think anyone can do numbers on AO3 if they follow some simple rules and put in the work.

Comments

[raisedbymoogles]

okay I signed up for gywo /)_(\ ugh my stomach's in knots, i only signed up for the baby-tier challenge but i'm still so nervous

[rynling]

Good for you!! The mods are very chill and forgiving, so there's only enough pressure to keep things going. I actually crapped out on my first (or second?) year of the challenge, but the mods made it very easy to get back in the saddle. If nothing else, having someone to check in with once a month helped me develop better habits and start taking myself more seriously as a writer. I hope you also get good things from the community in the coming year!

[lassarina]

Heck yeah GYWO! I'm stepping back from content-y posts because I think I've said all I've got to say there, but still doing the periodic sharing posts.

[rynling]

I took a break last year. It was the same thing - I said all I had to say. It was really nice to be able to sit back and listen to other people while I recharged for a bit.

I really appreciate the work you do for that comm, by the way! I'm going to try to share more this year.

[lassarina]

awww, thank you! I never share on my own damn share posts, lol, I should practice doing that this year.