If you don’t know what #amwriting is, lemme tell you: There’s this social networking site called Twitter (you knew that, right?) where you post Tweets (stuff) of 140 characters or FEWER (you knew it should be “fewer” and not “less”, right?). On Twitter, we use hashtags (or the pound sign or the number sign: #) to sort tweets into subjects. So, if you’re on Twitter and you want to see tweets about tinfoil hats, you search for #tinfoilhats and you get a list, updated even as you read, to show all the new tinfoil hat tweets as they’re posted.
Okay. So about two years ago, writer Johanna Harness started using a hashtag to talk about her writing progress, process and life. She would say things like, “Using sticky notes to organize thoughts on current WIP. #amwriting” Then other people would say things like, “Working on edits with seeds of new stories bouncing off my head. #amwriting” Before long, lots and lots and LOTS of us were using the #amwriting hashtag, and we’d follow each other and cheer each other on and … we’d formed a community.
Now Johanna has made the #amwriting community official, with its own web site and everything.You don’t have to be on Twitter to be part of the community. 🙂
Today, the community turns two, and Johanna is instigating a progressive blog party. Here’s my entry:
These emo birds ought to stop fighting
The yarn bomb. They think it’s exciting
To subjugate grammar.
Just hear them both stammer:
“I #am, you #am, we all #amwriting!”
P.S. — I got too previous and posted this early-early. Looks like the party hasn’t started as of 7:01 AM EDT. Please start at the beginning of the party at Johanna Harness’ blog and follow the trail from there.
Proceed, if you will, to the next stop on the progressive party: Girl Meets Word
WRITING PROMPT: Is your main character part of any community/communities? If not, why not?
MA
L.S. Taylor
August 3, 2011 at 3:07amWhee! *throws confetti*
Marian Allen
August 3, 2011 at 7:06amWhoooopie! ~pops the cork on a bottle of Chianti~ (Don’t like champagne.)
Johanna Harness
August 3, 2011 at 8:07amI put up a full list here: http://amwriting.org/archives/6020
Despite her best wishes for #amwriting, it’s unlikely JCRosen will be able to participate today. I hesitate to say she won’t participate though. She has amazed me so many times with what she’s able to do.
Marian Allen
August 3, 2011 at 9:11amAh! Thanks for the list, Johanna!
I got the emo birds at a party, where we put everything in the center of the room and drew numbers to choose what we wanted. As soon as I saw those birds, I knew they were mine! Nobody else knew what to make of them. lol! And I made that yarn bomb literally by hand: I canNOT knit, but I can finger-knit. 🙂
I’m so sorry JC is indisposed today. Sending good thoughts her way.
Johanna Harness
August 3, 2011 at 8:08amThe emo birds and the yarn bomb are priceless! I love them!
LK Gardner-Griffie
August 3, 2011 at 9:39amWoot!!!! *blows party horn*
Marian Allen
August 3, 2011 at 1:23pmLK – *toot toot brrrrraaaaaaaaackkkkkkk!~ Many obnoxious noise-maker noises in celebration!
STephen Tremp
August 3, 2011 at 10:42am#amwriting is a great group of people. I visit there a few times a week. I did not know they had their own Web site though. I’ll check it out.
Bob Sanchez
August 3, 2011 at 11:23amA birthday party for a hashtag? Dang! Hoo noo?
Marian Allen
August 3, 2011 at 1:24pmHeh! Bob, it’s amazing what people can build, 140 characters at a time! 🙂
Marian Allen
August 3, 2011 at 1:24pmOh, yes, Stephen–the #amwriting web site is made entirely of awesome!
john ross barnes
August 3, 2011 at 12:51pmYay #amwriting! Never underestimate the power of the human spirit, or a great community, and #amwriting provides great examples of both.
Marian Allen
August 3, 2011 at 1:25pmWell said, John! 🙂
Morgan Mandel
August 3, 2011 at 4:08pmOh, no. Something else I want to join!
Marian Allen
August 3, 2011 at 6:54pmMorgan, I highly recommend it! You don’t have to “be there” the whole time, just grab a look whenever you have time. And all you have to do to “join” is use the hashtag. 🙂
Helen Ginger
August 3, 2011 at 4:57pmI’ve been seeing that #amwriting on Twitter. Now I know what it means! Thank you.
Marian Allen
August 3, 2011 at 6:56pmYou’re welcome, Helen! It’s a community that grew by itself. 🙂
AlexJCavanaugh
August 4, 2011 at 7:24amI’m part of that site, but I always forget about it.
Marian Allen
August 4, 2011 at 9:02amAlex, check it out now and then! But the best part of #amwriting is that it isn’t just a site you need to check, it’s a community to which you belong, whether you hit the site or not. #amwriting is an oxymoron: an all-inclusive password to support and friendship. 🙂
Cara Lopez Lee
August 4, 2011 at 12:54pmThank you for making me realize that the #amwriting hashtag will open the portal to another world, Marian. I’ll be sure to use it more often. I also absolutely love the writing prompt question! I’m working on a historical novel, and you’ve reminded me to create more communities for my characters. The more connected they are to a complete world, the more real they will feel, I’m sure.
Marian Allen
August 4, 2011 at 2:20pmHi, Cara! Yes, our characters, unless they’re total loners, have some kind of network around them. I tend to let that distract me and then I have to simplify. 🙂
#Amwriting Birthday #Blogparty Wrap-Up
August 5, 2011 at 12:44pm[…] Marian Allen’s Fantasies, Mysteries, Comedies, Recipes: Marian offers us a limerick with this memorable last line: “I #am, you #am, we all #amwriting!” […]