Archive:Monthly Write-a-Thon/May 7, 2008

What's a Write-a-Thon?

It's a bunch of people getting together on a wiki at a particular time to do a bunch of writing. It's like an online party! Heck no, it is an online party! It's also an excuse for infrequent wikiers to show up and party hardy; to exchange ideas with people we might not "meet" otherwise.

But hey, why not show up in between the write-ins, too!

When?

Write-a-Thons happen the first Wednesday of every month. The next Write-a-Thon is Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008. Save The Date! Put it on your calendar! Set yourself a reminder!

Any new article you create, and any edit you make to somebody else's Write-a-Thon article during that time period will count, though to be a bona fide partier, you have to write your new articles when it's that day in your part of the world.

Our first Write-a-Thon took place Wednesday, August 1, 2007 and was considered a roaring good time--we had about 30 partiers creating something like 50 articles, and editing lots.

What are the rules?

Rules? This is a party! There are no rules!

Well, OK, maybe there are a couple rules:

• We'll have a Write-a-Thon the first Wednesday of every month.
• To participate, you only have to do two things: (1) start a new article (even just a stub will qualify, if not too short - and please remember to include the subpages template!), and (2) make a substantive edit (not just a copyedit) to somebody else's new article. Then you can list your name here as a partier. Until then, sign in as a porch-sitter, party-crasher, or total party poop.

This month's Party Theme

Core Articles At least one edit to the Core Article list in your main area of interest, or, if the list is complete, at least one edit to a Core Article.
Bonus points for starting a new article!
Super bonus points for significantly editing or completing a Core Article list for a workgroup!!!

(You can also be inspired by some of the theme suggestions, below. Or propose one yourself--just scroll down. Or write about something that takes your fancy--or the first thing that comes into your head--JUST DO IT!)

Create an article, already!

Check it out: Start an article!

Now (this time anyway) easier than ever! Stubs are not only permitted they are encouraged!

The Partiers

• Aleta stumbles bleary-eyed into party room, finds evidence that people started early. Working on hobbies core article list in the corner. Going to wake up some lazy-a$$ Aussies. Be back soon--that's a promise! Aleta Curry 16:45, 1 April 2008 (CDT) It was awfully quiet in Aleta's little corner so she started singing to herself. Asked John who the fellow with the beard was. Aleta Curry 19:49, 1 April 2008 (CDT) I'm hungry, so helping myself to some of Todd's butter. Might as well grab some of Tom's wine while I'm at it. Need more sustenance.
• Tom sits at the kitchen table in his pyjamas sipping wine, then doffs his philosophical hat to Aleta and ticks Continental philosophy off the list.

Hi there, Tom! So glad you could drop by! [Looks around for libations--where's Derek???] Aleta Curry 19:49, 1 April 2008 (CDT)

Keen-as-mustard and jumped the gun

David Volk wrote about Susan Criss, a local judge in Galveston County, Texas, on Monday, because Wed. will be hectic. David E. Volk 13:17, 31 March 2008 (CDT)

Go, David, go! Aleta Curry 18:05, 31 March 2008 (CDT)

Have now read very interesting article. Anyone who advocates for children is a friend of mine! Tell Sue she's welcome at the chez Curry anytime! Aleta Curry 23:43, 31 March 2008 (CDT)

Porch sitters--article creators who didn't edit a new article

John came back aching from a hike in the wilds of western Japan, but managed to get some info up on Kyushu and Kumamoto before collapsing on the porch. John Stephenson 22:23, 31 March 2008 (CDT)\

Aleta fully intended to pass John some water, but was distracted by his beautiful photos. Planning to drag John off porch later. Aleta Curry 23:41, 31 March 2008 (CDT)

John, still in a stupor, hammered on the window for the water, then headed off to get some more snaps elsewhere. He spotted Jimmy Wales heading the other way. John Stephenson 08:41, 1 April 2008 (CDT)

Todd is kickin' it on the porch with his.. um, stick of butter? --Todd Coles 19:29, 1 April 2008 (CDT)

The total party poops

Go ahead, admit it!

Special Requests

Be sure to stop by CZ:Article of the Week and CZ:New Draft of the Week and nominate/vote for your favorite articles! --Todd Coles 20:28, 1 April 2008 (CDT)

Previous shindigs

• March 5, 2008
• February 6, 2008
• January 9,2008
• December 5, 2007
• November 7, 2007
• October 3, 2007
• September 5, 2007
• August 1, 2007

Official libations

• Inaugural - beer!
• September - champagne
• October - we were refurbishing the bar and only had coffee!
• November - made up for last month with more vodka than was good for us and plenty of rum.
• December - eggnog and wine
• January - Whisky and the Cocktail of the Month, a pharisee
• February - schnapps and the Cocktail of the Month, the caipirinha (considered the national drink of Brazil)
• March - port wine (which should probably live at port (wine), no? (Someone put that on their list, please....) and the Cocktail of the Month, a Dead Aunt

Write-a-Thon Theme Suggestions

Go ahead and propose one!

Great Men (and women too)

What do you say we get some biographies started. No matter what workgroup you belong to, there will be a Great Person for your group so this is one that everybody can work on. You might do a famous scientist, maybe an actor or actress, perhaps a national leader, or whatever takes your fancy. Derek Harkness 07:20, 31 March 2008 (CDT)

Ooh! Love this idea, moi! Aleta Curry 18:04, 31 March 2008 (CDT)

Future Theme Schedule

• June - The Olympics! (Need Olympic Rings here) (and a sub-theme for July and August too, I would think)
• July - Biographies! The Good, the bad, and the altogether ugly. Also: The Olympics, because I will well and truly have Olympic fever by then!
• August - Attractions - Someplace you always wanted to go/something you always wanted to see. And/or a local attraction--go ahead and plug something wonderful about your city, county or village. AND...you guessed it...The Olympics!!!

See also

• Larry Sanger, Why the Write-a-Thon worked, Citizendium Blog, August 9, 2007
• Weekly Wiki
• Article of the Week
• New Article of the Week

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