Squills 4/25/2016 - 4/30/2016

Welcome to Squills, the official news bulletin of the Young Writers Society!

What will you find here? Tons of interesting news about YWS, including but not limited to: articles about writing, art, and the world of humanities; interviews with YWS members; shameless plugs; link round-ups; and opinionated columns.

And where will all of this come from? Take a look at our fantastic creative staff!

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Editor-in-Chief
megsug

General Editors
Gravity
Lavvie

Friendly Neighborhood Robot
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Literary Reporter
Available - PM SquillsBot if interested

Community Reporter
AliceAfternoon

Resources Reporter
PretzelStick

Storybook Reporter
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Quibbles Columnist
Lavvie

Link Cowgirl
megsug

Social Correspondent
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Associates of Pruno and Gruno
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Gravity

Code Master
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General Reporters
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Guest Contributor
Aley

1. Three Guests, Three Questions
2. FM Interview
3. New Arrivals
4. Weekly Roundup
5. Shameless Plugs
6. Subscribers

THREE GUESTS, THREE QUESTIONS
YWS COMMUNITYwritten by AliceAfternoon < PM: >

I joined Young Writers Society November 18, 2015 at 1:34 pm. I happened to stumbled upon the website looking for a place to share my novel. I didn't really know what I joined at the time and I kind of shook it off. A couple days later I came back on to YWS and I had all these notifications and I was confused, I didn't do anything yet except post the first chapter of my novel. Why would I be getting all these notifications? Turns out they were welcome messages from the lovely YWS community. I felt really excited and happy at the positivity and warm welcoming I got.

That's I wanted to write this article about the YWS community. I'm going to be interviewing three members from the community and ask them three questions about their YWS welcoming and things like that. Thank you to @heather, @Angrynoodles, and @cleverclogs for letting me interview them!





Cleverclogs: I found YWS after I wrote a short story that I wanted to share, but I was too shy to share it with people that I knew, like my family. I googled writers' forums on the internet looking for places to post where I would actually get feedback, when I came across YWS. I quickly made an account and posted my story, and after that, I was hooked.
This actually happened two years ago today! Today is my 2nd YWSiversary.



C: haha thanks!



C: I like that it's actually an active community. There are so many websites out there where you post things, but never get to hear what others think of it. As a result, you never actually improve. On YWS, everyone is active and dedicated to helping you with your work. They're also really welcoming, too. I remember being very flattered when people actually posted on my wall to welcome me to the site, because that sort of thing just doesn't happen in other places. I also like how I'm able to connect with like-minded people, because there aren't a lot of those in my area. For instance, there isn't an LGBT club or a Doctor Who club at my school, but the YWS clubs for these things make up for that and give me a chance to discuss things that are important to me.
It's also nice how you're able to get to know members and generally have fun. When everyone else at school gets on Instagram, I'm on YWS.



C: It's also nice how you're able to get to know members and generally have fun. When everyone else at school gets on Instagram, I'm on YWS.





C: Well, of course I'd like to thank @Nate and all the mods who make this site possible. I really appreciate all their hard work. I'd also like to give my friend @ChocolateCello a mention. She's become my YWS best friend through our shared gayness, love of Doctor Who, and many other things. I find myself just camping out on the site until I see her name pop up on chat. I chat with her whenever I can, and she's a big part of the reasons that I love YWS. Thank you, cello!
Of course, there are many other great YWSers, but I'd always feel like I'm leaving someone out if I kept going.





Angrynoodles: I found YWS when I was writing my novel. I was looking for a place where I could read work from other teenagers and young adults. So after googling a few times I found it. I was pretty excited because everyone here comes together for their mutual love for writing and reading.





A: I really enjoy the forums. I can find answers to nearly all my questions and if I can't, all I have to do is ask and someone will answer within a day or two.



A: Oh I know just the thing! A while back I found a long list of links to articles about many helpful tips for writing. The list was made by the one and only @BigBrother. Most of the articles were authored by @Snoink so thanks to both of them.
Link to the list if you wanna see it: Writing Tutorials Article Index



A: You're welcome anytime haha.





Heather: Well I was into writing for a while, and my mum thought my writing was good so she said I should join some young writers' society. I googled "young writers society" And guess what came up I joined enthusiastically and found everyone to be ridiculously friendly! XD



H: Well, I mainly like how there are lots of nice people around :3 I met my best friends here, married two wives ( @shiney1 and @lostthought ), befriended an elf ( @CarsonTheArson ), got myself a kitty ( @writerkitty ), and yesterday was lounging with a starfish ( @EverWinter ) :O That's cooler than the Arctic! So it's generally lots of fun ^_^



H: I'd like to thank @hudz96, @Skydreamer, @KatKage, @CarsonTheArson, and @lostthought for probably being some of the most influential people in my life ^_^ I know other great friends, but I will probably never forget these five ever. Not all of those friendships are continuing or ended well, but still . . . . It was fun while it lasted I'd also like to thank @Nate for making all these friendships possible ^_^

Well! That was super emotional and sentimental I wanted to take this time to thank everyone in the YWS community and I wanted to dedicate an article to you guys. Every work that I've read on here I am so honored to be able to read it. I know how hard and difficult it can be to share your work. I agree with what @Angrynoodles said the amount of time and work the mods put into the helpful articles really pays off and I'm so grateful to the awesome advice I've received. I don't know why but I've been in a really weird mood where I am realizing the things I'm grateful for I was going to take this time to thank all my amazing friends but I'm worried I'd miss one or two so I'm just going to say that they know who they are and that they are the most amazing, beautiful people ever! I don't think I'd be where I am in writing right now without YWS so thank you @Nate and all of the YWS community!

FEATURED MEMBER INTERVIEWwritten by AliceAfternoon < PM: >

Known for her storybooks, quality reviews and being a knight of the green room, @lizzybookclubqueen1 was chosen for this week's featured member! lizzybookclubqueen1 describes herself as your average teenager with some weird jobs. Those jobs include being a consulting detective, time traveler, and a member of a fellowship. She loves reading, writing and Trivia Crack. Here's the interview I had with her:



lizzybookclubqueen1: Sure.



L: I found the notification after a lengthy review so I wasn't really paying attention to it. I just saw that somebody had tagged me and o figured it was about Review Day. And then after reading the post, I just fell into denial. It took me awhile to figure out why I would be chosen.



L: It was exciting at first because all of these people are coming up and saying you deserved it and complimenting. It's very nice to have a positive feel about everything for a bit.



L: My only guess, once o really thought it through, would be the reviews. That is mostly what I do on the site, review and improve my reviews. And hang around chat at all hours of the day but mostly just review.



L: The feeling of accomplishment. It's just like everyone has now realized what you do on the site and it gives a sort of meaning. As soon as they announced it, it made me feel happier. It's just nice to know you're recognized in some way.



L: @Ellstar because he writes such very good reviews and stories. He always seems to be around helping people in some way.



L: Featured Member is just sort of one of those things that floats around in the back of my mind on YWS goals of impossible things. I admit I thought about it at one point but in recent months it never came up.



L: I can't come up with anything specific but the main thing is, always be nice to people. Never go around it wrote reviews or comments or forum posts or anything that are rude in some way. I know a lot of people around the site but that's probably because of I see someone in chat I don't recognize, I strike up a conversation. It's really the old thing that they tell us in Computer class. This is an online community so you have to react to it like a real community. Make friends, talk to people and have fun.



L: Probably Ellstar and TheSilverFox because they are pretty much the only people I talk to here. They put up with my madness and completely weird ideas for novels and poems and just go along with it. For that I am very happy.



L: Anytime. You have a nice day as well. And chosen one either sounds like Harry Potter or Luke Skywalker. I'll take that as a compliment.

Here's the link to lizzybookclubqueen1's wall , why don't you head on over there and congratulate her!

NEW ARRIVALSwritten by AliceAfternoon < PM: >

Let's all take a moment to welcome the new members to YWS!

@ReviewBuddy has already earned their first star! Head on over to their wall to congratulate them.

@AshleyDashley has given 11 reviews and has earned her first star! Check out her wall to welcome and congratulate her!

@PoeticCowboy has started writing and publishing work as well as reviewing. He has already earned his first star. Head over to his wall to congratulate him.

@TMWoods has earned their first star. Check out their wall to congratulate them.

@Chappiez has earned her first star and has been giving quality reviews. Head over to her wall to welcome and congratulate her.

@Kpfakeaccount has earned his first star. Head over to his wall to congratulate him!

This Week’s Round Up 4/24written by megsug < PM: >

Get advice. Give advice. Vent. Reflect. Repeat.


Don’t run away! @Elinor wrote an article years ago that @Mialynire resurrected. The article hits on a few hard truths. When someone leaves a critical review, it can be tempting to lash out or just leave the site, but Elinor argues that neither is a good option. Lashing out will probably keep people from reviewing you in the future, and leaving the site keeps you from any further improvement. Instead, she suggests:





Check out the entire article for good advice and logic.


@Zackymas loves thieves. He writes about them, and he wants to read more about them. He’s not picky about genre or setting. It can be fantasy or realistic. Modern day or historic. He just wants some suggestions. @Satira suggested:







The one thing Zackymas isn’t looking for is storylines like Mission Impossible. Suggest away!


@Meerkat is trying something new to inspire her next idea. She wants people to tell her what their most hated clichés are so she can avoid them. She wants to hear all of them no matter what, but since she’s mostly a fantasy writer, she would prefer clichés that can be related to fantasy. @Ellstar has a great pet peeve:







What cliché makes you dry heave?


@Meandbooks’ NaPo thread has been on fire this month! Her poems have a lot to do with growing up and childhood. My favorite poem is the one she’s entitled ‘18 Months:’







Read the whole thread for some awesome verses.

SHAMELESS PLUGS

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