The New Writer's CREED 2015

A writer is not a lone solder, mucking it up among words, phrases, and paragraphs. No, a writer is never alone with his/her work. Each writer is only one thread in the tapestry of communication and creative escape our world desperately needs.
WE are community. 
Three years ago, when I released my first Writer's Rebel CREED, my intentions were simply to give myself a method of self-encouragement and accountability. Being a visual person, I needed to SEE it everyday. After creating it, I decided others might benefit from it too. 
The writing community shares a plethora of strengths and weaknesses. We experience similar creative frustrations that slowly gnaw away our motivation. One writer's grammar sense pales in comparison to another's. Creative ideas seem to ooze from some writer's brains, yet others struggle to come up with that next scene. Despite one's strengths and another's weakness, writers never pin those against each other. Instead, we lend our knowledge and experience out in hopes of aiding each other - a community of generosity.  
This year's creed shares similar messages from the last two, but I've added a few new elements I hope you'll be excited about.
1. Any writer who pledges the creed will be added to a Twitter list, which I will share with all creed members. Using hashtag #writercreed, members can share encouragement, good news, needs, and anything else with all members any time they want. There is no set date or time. My hope is that members will take advantage of this easy way to keep in touch and keep the creed alive throughout 2015. 
2. In conjunction with the hashtag #writercreed, members can also tweet #BR or #CP, indicating you are in need of a beta reader or critique partner.
3. I will also be choosing a writing quote at the beginning of each month for members to retweet on Twitter. If members don't have a Twitter account, feel free to share anything via Facebook using the hashtag. 
4. Finally - and my favorite (thanks Robyn) - in conjunction with our hashtag #writercreed, members can also request a #wordsprint - challenging any other member to write nonstop for at least an hour and then report back to each other. Yay! How fun and productive! This writing method is super worthy to produce lots of wordage from you. I've done these before, but they always seem to fade out. I wanted to create an easy way to organize it and keep word sprints alive. Hope you take advantage of it. I know I will. 
Here is this year's creed:

I would be honored for you to join me in committing to this CREED. 

• Simply add your name & Twitter tag (ex: mine is @SA_Larsen) to the linky list below. (Required)
• Add your blog/site link.
• Copy the CREED Badge and paste it on your site, encouraging others to join us. I've included a smaller size for your convenience. (Not required)

I will continue to share this post via social media outlets now and again, hoping to encourage others to join us. The commitment is virtually effortless, but the gains will surely be great. It's be wonderful if you'd share away too. 
This is my last post of 2014. It's been a tougher year for me and my family than in previous years. We've been presented by many challenges, most of which forced me to cut my already blogging time and posts in half. Most of those challenges I've yet to share with you, but do plan to in the near future. 

I look to 2015 with hope and a positive attitude that all is looking up. I wish you all the same. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives and for blessing me with you in mine.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday! Until the new year, Alleywalkers ...

A Writer's CREED for 2014

This is my official first post of 2014. I've had a fantastic break ~ spending time with family, baking, relaxing, and catching up on some reading. I also typed THE END on my three and a half month journey writing my middle grade novel, and I did it just under the wire - 12/31/2013. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and new year's break, and are as excited as I am to take 2014 by the horns.
But life is life and we can all use a little encouragement now and again. 
As I explained in this POST, for the past two years I've offered up a Writer's Rebel CREED with brief reminders and support for the writing life. Basically, I dubbed it Sheriisms. In December, I asked for your ideas on important focuses for writers and the writing life in general, instead of me simply coming up with my own. This is a unified writing community, so I felt that was a better way to go. As expected, you did not fail. 
Today's the day I reveal the top five suggestions plus two extra ones that pertain solely to our writing community--both were extremely popular among the suggestions I received.
Here's your official Writer's Rebel CREED 2014.

I would be honored for you to join me in committing to this CREED. All you have to do is add your name to the linky list below. There are two optional committments you can also make:

1. Copy the CREED Badge and paste it on your site, encouraging others to join us. I've included a smaller size for your convenience. Or you can copy and paste the larger image and size to you're liking.
2. Write one post a month somehow related to your journey in following the CREED. Choose a day and time to your liking. Just include the badge in your post, linking back to this post so others can join in. Share your post via Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or however!

Remember - neither of those are required, only suggested. Best of luck with the CREED and keep in touch! Last year we had 99 writers commit. Let's see if we can double that or even more, this year!