If you've been on YWS for a little bit, you've probably heard of WriterFeed Pads (WFP) by now! Maybe you haven't had time to explore it, or have some confusion as to what it is. Using WFP for write-ins, poetry-jams, and collaborative writing is a great way to meet other users and get to know people and their writing a little bit more than you're able to just by reading works or following the People Tab, as you can share immediate feedback and chat with each other. In fact, you might say a huge portion of our community activity happens over in WFP - so it's something you may want to check out to get all you can out of your YWS experience. This article should have all you need to know for the basics to get you started with WFP!
What is WriterFeed Pad (WFP)?
WFP stands for WriterFeed Pad, and it's a place to write, collaborate, and chat with other people online.
To open your own WFP, click "Me" on the top bar of your YWS screen, then choose "WriterFeed Pad". From there you log in just as you typically would on YWS - and can select "Create a new pad" to get started. The default settings on pads are set to private (under the "Security" header) but the fun really begins when you allow other people to jump into the pad to write alongside you by setting it to public (again under the "Security" heading).
To join another person's WFP, just click on the link that they've shared! You should be taken to a screen that looks something like the image below.
Once there, you can change your name and color by clicking on the name at the top right. On the bottom right is the chatbox. Type a message there and hit enter to send it and chat with other people! The large box on the left is the main area of the WFP. It's typically used when you have to write more, or to store things that you don't want to get lost in the fast-moving chat. You'll want to save your writing somewhere else when you're done (like a Word document or a Google Doc) so that you don't lose it if you lose track of the pad. Note that if you set a password in WFP and lose the password, it cannot be recovered.
How to host a Write-In
Any person on the site can host a write-in or attend write-ins; you don't have to be a mod to host or join. If you'd like to host a write-in, where you invite others to join in a WriterFeed Pad that you are opening / hosting - follow the directions below!
1) Open a Pad, click "Security" and select "Public"
2) Share the link to the pad on your wall, letting people know you're hosting a write-in (and any information you'd like them to know - like how long you'll be there, what you're working on etc).
3) Share the pad link to the I'm Writing, Come Join Me! thread (which is a great place to subscribe to if you want to know when others are hosting write-ins too!)
4) Specify any important details you want users to know at the top of your pad (ie. if you have a discussion question, writing prompt, agenda, or specific rules for using the pad)
Some Specific Tools on WFP
Time Slider
On the off chance that you or someone else accidentally deletes some writing from the main section of the pad, you can recover it using the Time Slider. The Time Slider button is to the top right, above your name, and clicking on it will open it in another tab. You can click at various places on the blue bar at the top to see the pad at any point in the past.
Saved Revisions
You might see some yellow stars on the bar. Those indicate saved revisions! If you've just written an important paragraph, or if you want to "bookmark" the pad at this moment in time, you can create a revision by clicking on "Saved revisions" (next to the "Time Slider" button in the pad) and then clicking "Save now."
Import <> Export
Want to save your work? Click the import and export button, and then you can choose how you'd like to save the pad (ie. as a word document, PDF, etc). You can also use this function to bring an already saved file into the WFP.
Pad Options
You can turn on and off the Authorship Colors and Line Numbers at this tab. Just note that it will affect everyone's screen. This option can be turned on and off by check-marking the box. However, if you click the button that looks like rainbow with a line through it, it will remove the colors from the document and it cannot be undone.
Security
A pad must be set to "Public" if you want other users to be able to access it with a link. Under the security tab, you can also set a password for extra protection, but please note that if you forget the password there is no way to recover it, so you will want to keep it noted somewhere in a safe place.
What's a "Poetry Jam?"
It's like a write-in where anyone who wants to jumps into a WriterFeed Pad and writes poems - often guided by the same prompt at the top of the pad. Sometimes they're planned in advance and advertised around the site, sometimes they're spontaneous. They appear more often during NaPo (National Poetry Writing Month, in April) and are usually shared in the Poetry Jam Club. Anyone can host one.
Rules for Writer Feed Pads
In WFP, all YWS Rules apply. Some things especially relevant to WFP are listed below.
Content Ratings / Mature Content - If your writing in a pad includes mature material, it needs to be rated appropriately at the top of your writing, just like if you were posting it in the publishing center. When in doubt, add a rating &/or content warning. Also the Chat Section of a pad should be kept family friendly. Please note that sexual roleplaying on WFP as with all parts of the site is strictly prohibited.
Impersonation - While in pads, you can change your name to something other than your own username, but you should not use this to deceive other users by impersonating others for an extended period of time, and if the person asks you to stop, you need to stop.
Harassment / Personal Information - As with elsewhere on the site, you are not allowed to harass users or ask for personal information. If you see any instances of this, please report to a moderator.
Respect Moderator Instructions - As a carry-over rule from the YWS Chatroom, respect all requests / warnings given by Moderators. Moderators are trying to ensure that WFP is safe and fun, and occasionally will re-direct conversations or behavior that is seen as threatening the safety or well-being of those present, or breaking site rules.
Etiquette in Writer Feed Pads
The following aren't "rules" - but do help keep WFP organized and friendly!
1) While positive comments are usually welcomed, don't critique people's writing in pads without permission - you might be stumbling upon the first stages of a first-draft, that might not be ready for that yet!
2) If you are not the pad owner, don't delete other peoples' writing.
3) Do not click the "Cancel Color" button (looks like a rainbow circle with a line through it) it takes away all authorship colors for everyone's screen, and can not be undone.