Writers’ Tag finds a great home at Slush Pile Reader

What is Writers’ Tag?

Writers’ Tag is a game played here at Slush Pile Reader in which individual writers collaborate to write a first draft manuscript. There are no preconceived characters or plot – they are developed as the story progresses – and there are no rules (and apparently no moral or ethical values beyond the policies of this site) to limit the scope of the story. You start by just starting. After that, each writer adds his/her entries to the story until we have a completed manuscript. That’s it. It sounds simple and it is simple – at least in theory.

The origin of Writers’ Tag lies rooted in a game known as Artists’ Tag. Predicated on the hypothetical that “Anyone who draws a dozen thumbnail sketches per day for six months will develop the skill-set required to be a professional artist”, in 1972 a handful of Fine Art majors at Key West Community College (of which I was one) began playing a game wherein we would start with a blank sheet of paper and a token object that was fairly easy to draw, say a cube or a star. The point of the game was to move the object around the page using various means. For example: Artist No.1 might draw a cannon and shoot the object to the upper corner of the page. Artist No. 2 might fly the object back across the page in a jet, where Artist No. 3 might parachute it back to the bottom of the page. It’s possible a spider could pick up the object from there and… you get the idea. The game would progress thusly until the page was full. There are no winners or losers – though some would argue there are only winners.

Everybody likes to watch artists create something where before there was nothing. It is an incredibly powerful learning experience to observe a master apply his/her trade – be they a musician showing you a new chord change or a painter with a more effective brush stroke. The same thing applies to writing. Every time one puts pen to paper it should be a learning experience for both reader and writer alike – and it should be fun. Enter: Slush Pile Reader.

After attempts to gain a foothold for Writers’ Tag at other sites – the results of which have ranged from so-so (owing to technical incompatibilities) to dismal failure (owing to administrative disinterest bordering on dissuasion) we found Slush Pile Reader. Here we’ve found a kindred spirit. The SPR Administration has been nothing but supportive of our efforts (Pascal and Johanna have actually joined in the writing) and it would take a better wordsmith than I to express our true gratitude and appreciation of their efforts — but I can tell you what’s happening now.

The two biggest challenges we’ve had are: 1.) Writers being tagged who simply don’t have the time, at that moment, to add their bit – or worse, have time to add to the story but no time to adequately absorb what’s already been written – and 2.) More than one writer writing at the same time, thereby tripping over each other.

These problems have been effectively overcome by what Daniel (The head tech dude here at Slush Pile Reader) et al have been coding for us. As of now there will be a Writers’ List to which writers may sign up to be part of a particular Tag. They’ve also added an electronic Token. Akin to the conch shell of Lord Of The Flies fame, whoever possesses the Token is responsible for adding the next entry. Those on the Writers’ List are eligible to grab the Token (thereby reserving the next entry) when they feel they have something to add to the story. So now, writers on the list for a particular Tag may grab the Token by simply clicking on it (when it’s available) then start writing. Writers’ Tag has also been given its own Heading and dedicated space on the Forum. A “Tag Master” will be assigned to each Writers’ Tag when it is started (this will also allow multiple concurrent games). The Tag Master will have Moderator’s edit capability in order to edit and update any post on their assigned Writers’ Tag thread. There are more enhancements in the planning stages too.

Why Writers’ Tag?

1. Writers’ Tag taps the creativity in each of us. You never know what scenario you’ll be faced with. To say it’s a challenge is to understate the fact. You’ll be amazed how much a single round will sharpen your writing skills – as you write your way out of the pan and into the fire. :^)

2. Writers’ Tag generates additional interest in the site. Lots of people check in just to see what’s happening with the latest Tag. You just never know what might happen next. Nobody knows – it’s not like you can Google it. As was recently observed: typically when you read a book, the rest has already been written. That’s not the case with Writers’ Tag. Not to mention, folks just naturally love serials.

3. Writers’ Tag is a vehicle for showcasing your writing style and skills. In short, if folks like your Writers’ Tag entries then there’s a good chance they’ll check out your MS. By the way, that would seem a fairly strong argument for putting some real thought into your Tags.

4. Most of all, Writers’ Tag is Fun! As the MS grows so too does the synergy of the writing group. I feel very close to the excellent writers with whom I’ve had the privilege of writing. I’ve learned a lot too and have recently had a go at things I never would have attempted in the past (I’d never written a “love scene” in my life until a couple weeks ago). So, it’s much more than just fun.

The actual nuts and bolts of the process are detailed under the Writers’ Tag Forum heading. Do yourself a favor and come check it out.

Eugene Saint