September 2010 Newsletter Is Posted!

[dawn_felagund]

Our September newsletter is posted here!

In site news, we have a wrap-up of our birthday celebration so far. We've also added a new section to our Site Etiquette and Terms of Service for authors who want to archive large collections of older work with us. And, as we started last month, there is a list of all of the stories added, updated, and completed during the month of August.

Oshun has authored an excellent biography about Aegnor for the Character of the Month. Although a minor character, Aegnor has a fascinating textual history, and as always, Oshun presents ideas that get the plotrabbits nibbling!

We have a new challenge this month, Season of Change, for writing that looks at how characters perceive the different seasons in their lives. Finally, there is news from other groups in Around the World and Web.

Many thanks to Oshun, Rhapsody, and Angelica for their work on this issue of the newsletter! :)

Comments

[dawn_felagund]

Thanks for the feedback, Eli! I'm glad you like the new addition. It was something the other mods and I have discussed pretty thoroughly for probably at least a year now. (We're like Ents--we never do anything in haste! :) It was a tough call because we respect and welcome both uses of the archive and want the system to work for all of our members. We don't want anyone to feel unappreciated or unwelcome. The ideal scenario would let members backdate their own work--we can hope for that in version 4 of eFiction, perhaps! :)

[independence1776]

I meant to say this last month, but thank you for putting a list of new and updated stories in the newsletter. I know it means work, but it's truly helpful. (And now I despair I'm ever going to catch up completely, but it's my own fault.)

[dawn_felagund]

Rhapsody is the fearless list-maker--I'm sure she'll be glad too that her efforts are appreciated! :) We thought it might be a nice addition since, presumably, most people don't make it to the site every day like we mods do! So it's a good way to make sure you don't overlook something you would have wanted to read. I'm glad that you like it! :)

[nelyo-russandol.livejournal.com]

The list is great, because the "Recent Stories" box is not big enough. Are you planning to keep it as a monthly feature?

[dawn_felagund]

Yes, it will be in every month's newsletter from now on (especially now that we know that someone will actually use it! :)

Incidentally, we expanded the Most Recent box too, from five stories to seven, since the archive has been more active than usual lately. In case that's still not enough, the Most Recent page has everything added/updated within the last week, and clicking on Titles and choosing the "Most Recent" drop-down will list all of the stories on the archive in order that they were posted/updated.

[nelyo-russandol.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Dawn! One day I might actually learn to navigate my way in there... :o)

[dawn_felagund]

No problem! :) I'll likely write a section for the next newsletter as well for how to find and get updates on recently added stories. It's an issue I tend to overlook since my moderatorly duties take me to the site every day (if I'm lucky--ten times a day is more like it! :), so I see what's been updated constantly and tend to forget the perspective of someone who visits weekly or less. But the new newsletter column is, in part, to deal with that. :)

[independence1776]

I meant the "you" to be a general you. I don't expect you personally to be the one doing everthing. Oh, English, being nonspecific… :P

It really is helpful.

[dawn_felagund]

I know ... but then our silly language makes it look like I'm taking credit for an effort in no way mine! Aiyiyi ... English indeed. We need an plural "you" like the "ustedes" in Spanish. And one that's not "y'all." ;) (We also need a decent neuter singular, but that's a different issue!)

[independence1776]

Most of the things I want to change about the English language is the pronoun system: inclusives and exclusives versus general and specific, and the first person nueter, and I could go on. :P