July

Literature CR Update - July 2013
Literature DD Roundup July 2013
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: July

• When I Think About What it Means to be a Member of My [Lit] Community, I... was a nice discussion about..well exactly what it says about what it means to be a member of the community.
• Have you ever received a DD feature? A poll posted by thorns covering DD features.
• Decoding the Lit Community is a wonderful article that sort of "breaks down" the lit community so you can "break in"!
• Do you feel that the number of lit thumbs in a journal feature can take away from potential exposure to the writers featured? Does this decrease the value of being featured to you? asks CRLiterature.
• Astrikos compiled a nice list of Literature Tutorials and Resources
• A Note on Publishing Scams sparked a great discussion on, you guessed it, publishing scams.
• The [Lit] Deviant Who Inspires Me the Most Is...
• If you have ever suggested a literature DD (for someone other than yourself), what about the piece compelled you to suggest it? What made it unique?
• Artist's Toolbox: Sta.sh Writer - "One of the neat things about writing is that you can work from almost anywhere, and Sta.sh Writer, when used well, actually makes it easier."
• LadyAnder gives some good advice When In Search of A Writing Community
• Traditional publishing isn't 'The Man.' Really. It isn't.
• Publishing Scams was a big topic this month and DorianHarper posted a great article covering it.
• Worldbuilding: On Magic And Technology a short article covering how technology and magic fit into your story's world.
• JZLobo posted his Reflections on Flash Fic Month 2013
• Updated: Poetic Meter: A Complete Reference Manual
• Updated: An A-Z of Poetry Forms!
• Updated: Poetry Form Week Roundup

• Flash Fiction Month 2013 - Week One Challenges
• Flash Fiction Month 2013 - Week Two Challenges
• Flash Fiction Month 2013 - Week Three Challenges
• Flash Fiction Month 2013 - Week Four+ Challenges
• And finally the FFM Roundup and an August Announcement
• The Short VS. Long competition was the end of story planning week at projecteducate and here are the Short Vs. Long Winners! Also, the Dialectical Dessertism: The Contest Results were posted!
• the-haiku-club started their sign-ups for their 2013 August Haikuwrimo
• There was also the Devil's in the Details Competition.

• The story of a lifetime. A thread about this question: "Is there a story that you aspire to write, that you know will mark you forever, will be wholly unlike everything else you ever write - a story that will be the epitome of your achievements as a writer? The story of stories?"
• A deviant had An Interest in Screenwriting which resulted in a nice list of resources in the comments.
• Learning outside reading takes the topic of what lessons about writing you've learned outside of reading a book.
• An interesting discussion concerning Old drafts and if people keep them or delete them.
• What do you think of writers who base characters on themselves? Well what do you think? You can share in the comments!
• When getting feedback how much do you trust "someone with more experience when it comes to your writing problems"? The thread "you're not the boss of me! (or my writing)" covers that!
• Where could books go? Was a great discussion about how there might be "more dynamic works in response to new formats & modes of presentation".
• We all write for different reasons and the topic "Who are you writing for anyway?" got a good exchange going.

August

Literature News - August 2013
Literature DD Roundup- August 2013
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: August

• Celebrating Deviousness - August 2013 - PinkyMccoversong One of our very own litters!
• In the Seniority Announcements - August 2013 there were a few familiar faces such as SilverInkblot, DorianHarper, betwixtthepages, and ThornyEnglishRose.
• We welcomed three new volunteers to the lit community! inknalcohol, DorianHarper, and SingingFlames. That means there were two new Lit CV's and one Fan Fiction CV, respectively.
• Another Experiment! Literature Community Experiments: Your Journey Muahaha, we're all evil literature scientists. What. We are.
• Though not literature only theNew Journal Category Tree was an important change impacting where you put your Literature News.
• Excellent Advice - A Quote From Neil Gaiman Simple, but good advice.
• When collaborating across media, it's best when... literature inspires a visual? or when a visual inspires literature? Or maybe it's a bit of both.
• Reprobates Debate: Genre As neurotype-on-discord says "is it good to pick a genre for your writing?"
• The Top Reasons for Manuscript Rejection is a straightforward article that helps break down some of the reasons your manuscript might have been rejected. Or use this before you submit so you can get it right the first time!
• As with everything there are some things you just can't stand. That goes for lit too, here are some Literature Dealbreakers.
• Rest in Peace Seamus Heaney

• Some contests during this month were the Anthro Antics Literature Contest and dA turns 13: Delectably Devious Tales
• The The Epic Author-Off began its sign-ups!
• 'TwilightPoetess' DLD Suggestion Contest was just what is sounds like. A suggestion contest!
• A great forum challenge sprung up during August: The Ancient Egyptian Deity Short Story Challenge!

• Are you Reading, As A Writer? The topic delves further into that question.
• NEW LIT SENIORS. Because one mention of them isn't enough, we're so proud of all the Lit seniors!
• Publishing Scams A big topic this year, this forum helps bring some more light in order to help you stop from falling prey to these scams.
• Discipline. Do you have it?
• why the prose sucks at this site part 4 isn't as mean as it sounds, just a bit blunt, but that's what makes it great.
• I hate Strong Female Characters because female characters should be more than just strong.
• Constructive Criticism is helpful. Lets face it, but sometimes there is a fine line. This topic discusses further about what it is and some do's and don'ts.
• A nice little discussion about Reading and Writing.

September

Literature News - September 2013
Literature DD Roundup - September
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: September

• neurotype-on-discord wanted your thoughts: " When I see 'honest opinions wanted,' I..." and also on " When I want an honest opinion, I..."
• "SUGGEST A DD TODAY!" The CV's are always looking for suggestions. EVEN RIGHT NOW.
• Art History - Sign Up is still going on, they're really trying to get people involved!
• Do you know what a DD is? Because if you don't you should ask.
• Update on Me a journal from our Fan-Fiction CV, SingingFlames, about her plans.
• Artists Toolbox: Scrivener A nice little article about Scrivener, which is a software for writers.
• Round 1, THE EPIC AUTHOR OFF still going strong during September!
• "What do you read most on dA?" asks themagpiepoet
• Nichrysalis steps down as Literature CV! He still deserves lots of hugs.
• So we were Introducing TWO New Lit CVs so you can get to know them better and stuff.
• With her article, Trust me, I'm published, neurotype-on-discord "wanted to take a look at when you can and can't trust what someone is saying."
• inknalcohol isn't really that scary so he said to go ask him questions.
• Master raspil gives a link to 5 things blocking creativity [and more!]

• Remember that dA turned 13? Well here are the 13th Birthday: Contest Results
• DorianHarper started up a Lit. Anthology for Charity to help a local animal shelter that was destroyed in a fire.
• When October comes around you know it's time for the 5th Annual Poetry Screams Prompt Contest!
• Color Seekers: Let's Find Us Some Lit was a nice little project that asked deviants to find or write their own literature that focused on the color gold.
• BeccaJS hosted a writing challenge: How Far I've Come
• Learn2Crit-Lit hosted a great critique exercise: Literature Critique Challenge
• On Left Hander's Day there was a nifty contest, Left-Handedness ~ Think Differently.
• If you don't think of Memnalar when you think Halloween you might not know about his amazing 2013 All Hallow's Tales Contest. But you can't say that you don't know anymore. ;D
• Write a paradelle. Just do it. Do it now. Did you write one? Did you write one that very moment? No? Nothing is stopping you now.

• Story, first, then... everything else. Like characters. But what is it you do to develop the characters?
• Avoiding the rut of being around people who think "you're good because you think they're good".
• Fantasy Literature Clichés can be difficult to avoid. This topic talks about some of your most hated clichés.

October

Literature CR Update - October 2013
Literature DD Roundup - October 2013
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: October

• Fan-Fiction-Tastic News #1 started up by our Fa-Fiction CV!
• Nichrysalis constantly puts out thoughtful polls and this month was no exception: " What most frequently stops you from suggesting a DD when you consider suggesting a deviation for a DD?" and "What IMPROVEMENTS on existing features do you think could be done to enhance the experience when viewing a literature deviation? What nonexistent FEATURES would you like to have?"
• NaNo is Around the Corner is a pre National Novel Writing Month article.
• DorianHarper asked "How important are Literature DDs to you?" Well, you can tell me, I'm not a CV.
• Ways to Get Involved -- Suggesting DLDs and DDs. Both are great ways to get involved and to get to know people too! Double win!
• CRLiterature's poll: "Will you be participating in NaNoWriMo this year?" If you did feel free to tell me about it. Did you win? Make it halfway? Or were you like me and cheered all the crazies on?
• Type vs Typo - The Rocket Man Mash-up was a fabulous feature that paid tribute to Ray Bradbury.
• A Smattering of Lit News is an amazing journal that updates every so often with some intriguing lit news.
• projecteducate posted a few articles relating to literature: PE: Songwriting: The Basics, PE: Critiquing Poetry, and PE: Essentials of Writing a Critique
• There was a Meet 'N Greet Chat With the Lit CVs in October.
• I'm Not Doing NaNo and that is okay. Really, you don't need to do it.
• A nice little list of the current DLD admins and other DLD related things
• If you needed some cheering on during NaNo inknalcohol had you covered with his NaNoWriMo Support!

• ArtHistoryProject was still looking for people to signup for and write articles.
• The 'Epic Author Off changed and started accepting All Entries.
• LiliWrites held a Period Drama Contest and CRLiterature presented a Back To School Contest
• The FrankenTales WINNERS! were announced as well as a contest hosted by FuzzyHoser,  titled the "Keep It Colloquial" Contest. We can't forget the Fiendish Fan Fiction Contest either!

• Do you use a character reference sheet?
• Avoiding the circlejerkery, part 2 The second part on how to avoid that rut, but this time how to help your friends avoid it.
• There was a thread that asked you to list some of your Favorite Poems
• Is it tacky "to create languages based off of existing languages for a fantasy novel"? That's what this thread asks.
• Do you think it matters if... "an author intended to place symbols and deeper meanings in their book or story."
• What's your favorite part about creating a character? Well, what is it.

November

Literature CR Update - November 2013
Literature DD Roundup - November
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: November

• projecteducate hosted a Introducing Poetry Basics (Your help needed!) and put out  a call for help writing articles by deviants like you.
• Another updates to the All Entries Welcome: The 'Epic' Author-Off.
• The second edition of Fan-Fiction-Tastic News #2 with all fan-fictionytastic news.
• Let's Debate: Strong Female Characters because it's a hot topic.
• Message Center: friend or foe? Was a great article taking a look at how your message center can hurt or help you find a variety of pieces on dA.
• NaNoEdMo: A Month for Editing is in December, but it's sitting here in November because it was posted in November, silly.
• Nichrysalis "Does activity from individuals in the lit community equal the sense of community someone experiences?"
• Ever wondered what a good small publishing firm looks like? That article will answer your question.
• For Beginning Writers, raspil reminds you of some important writing lessons.
• SilverInkblot was putting together a list of your favorite pieces of literature for 2013!
• Giving Thanks to all the suggesters for DD's. Because they're important too. I mean it, you're important.
• About writing prompts.... (Comment please. You're writers, you love communicating ) Writers love communicating, it's true. Or writing. I can never remember which.
• projecteducate finally hosted their PE: Introducing Poetry Basics Week!! Below is a list of all the articles:
  
• The Music of Language: Prosody
• Choosing a Fixed Form for your Poem
• Specific Imagery: What Makes a Poem Good?
• Poetry Basics: Emotions
• Poetry Basics Week - Assonance and Consonance
• How To get Published
• Poetry Basics Week: Effective Imagery in Poetry
• Poetic Terms and Techniques
• Poetry Basics: Brevity

• The 5th Annual Poetry Screams Prompt Contest closed and the Keep It Colloquial - Contest Results are announced.
• A nifty little Forum Prompt (prose & poetry) poped up on the forum.
• If you're interested in getting published, well you'retoo late for the Flash Drive Alliterati :: Response Submissions, but don't despair they have submissions open for 2014.
• December Form Challenge 2013! Live it and Love it! Did you live it? Did you love it? The answer to both of those is yes because I'm lovingly forcing you to love it.
• Aero's Lit Contest - Winners! and the Fiendish Fan Fiction Contest Winners are revealed. Yay winners! Are you a winner? You're a winner.

• Ever wondered if Slenderman Folklore for the Internet Age? Then this is the topic for you. Creepy.
• Another self explanatory thread: Good friend, bad writer...
• What makes a writing guide effective? What qualities does it have? Does it like to take long walks on the beach or fast walks through the park?
• Pseudo-Official Quarterly Lit Forum Reality Check Thread: RP Edition in other words "what three factors do you see in your own work that might make me think it isn't publishable?"
• Do you have what it takes to finish what you start? Really do you now? How do you plan? What's your process? Answer all these!
• WHY AREN'T YOU READING (2013 edition) You can tell me why, I won't judge. Promise. I 'm bad at reading other people's work, on and off dA, too.
• Are we done with "poetry"? but before you asnwer that actually read the rest of the forum post. That part is the most important.
• What do you need to be a better writer "...and how do you know it's actually what you need?"
• Writing Accents? How do you do them? Do you even attempt to? What is the point of life?
• Famous Novelists on Symbolism Self explanatory.
• Sheesh, were the forums busy in November! Check out this one about Getting an Agent

December

Literature CR Update - December 2013
Literature DD Roundup - December
Monthly Literature Critique Thread: December

• So this one it's wholly lit, but it's still good advice. You should read it: Project Educate: Fight Artist's/Writer's Block
• Hey! What do you know here are some community updates from dev-lit
• Artists on Writers - No. 3, Pablo Neruda "But more importantly, a poet's inspiration comes from what they carry within themselves; their memories, relationships, their dreams, joy and grief. "
• Nichrysalis asks "Do you edit while you write? Does this help or hinder you?" I don't know about you, but I do that. :C
• Lit Twitter is back! Tweet, tweet!
• Fixed Forms are interesting, wouldn't you say? I also say they're difficult, but in jswebb's poll: "The villanelle is, by far, my favorite of all the fixed poetic forms. What's yours? Why is it your favorite?" he talks about favorites.
• Fan-Fiction-Tastic News #3
• Pssst, here's a guide to helping you find your place and participate within the community: Activity vs. Community
• YOU and the Community because the community loves you. If it was a sentient being of course. Don't be silly. ^{Be silly}
• the only G-damn character sheet you need is raspil at it again with sharing a good link for you to read. Trust her. She's good.
• If you're interested in Comments and Commenting check out the article then.
• you & our literature community asks a few questions regarding, gasp, shock, the Literature Community.
• NaNoEdMo: Self-Revision Tips #1 is self explanatory really. National Novel Editing Month for you crazy NaNoers, or non NaNoers.
• Seniority Announcements - December 2013 Say hello to some new lit seniors! ShadowedAcolyte, fyoot, and Same-side.

• CRITMAS IS COMING! YOU GUYS. YOU GUYS.
• LiliWrites's Birthday Contest Winners! are announced
• A nifty little Community Poem #1! is started by jswebb
• Suggesting DD's and DLD's is good for your health. What I'm an expert. Okay maybe not but betwixtthepagesstarted a DD and DLD Suggestion Contest
• Comments For Comments Contest For those who love giving and getting comments.
• Yay The Epic Author-Off: Results!
• Community Christmas Story was a wonderful little collaboration between deviants to create a nice Christmas story.
• CRITMAS IS STILL COMING This was to warn you even further because you should do twelve critiques.
• A Year of Writing: Let's Write about Pets because why not? Pets are rad.

• What is Your Participation Baseline? or What would you consider the minimum amount of activity by a deviant that would qualify him as a "literature community member"?
• When reading a story we all have little pet peeves and Another pet peeves thread! tackles that!
• Is a direct relationship between the number of main characters in a story and the quality of the character development? That is what the topic Number of Characters vs. Character Development hopes to discuss.
• What kind of workshops would you like to get involved in? Workshops are totally cool. Totally.
• Let's talk about synopses. How much detail should a synopsis have? Lots of words? Or little words. Maybe rotund words.
• you and your community is a great discussion on how people feel about the Literature Community and some things they like and/or dislike about it.
• Third person vs First person perspective Which one do you prefer?
• Tell me about your writing,What genre are you writing? What POV/narrative are you using? How far through are you? What problems are you having? What are you enjoying?

Feature / Interview Articles Posted in 2013

• Fantastic Feature Tuesday #53 is a feature every Tuesday! Yay features!
• 001. Wonderful Wednesday Feature is a restart of a feature article of the same name, but improved upon! Features 6 deviations and 1 deviant.
• The Bi-Weekly Flourish #7 features a single deviant.
• Friday Night Features CXXII is a multi-media feature but has literature first because literature is cool.
• Let's Talk Writing: Issue 21 is a feature of 5 deviants along with a short interview with each one.
• +WriterWatch (6) with shehrozeameen is an interview series with one deviant per article.
• Saturday Spotlight for December 28th, 2013 features one deviant as well as an interview with said deviant!
• Saturday Feature #13 features 9 great literature pieces.
• (19) handpicked: non-fiction is a series with 8 featured pieces focusing on a different topic each week.
• PoetryToTheMasses Weekly Feature 144 is a great little feature that has one poetry deviation and one non-dA poetry piece.
• Encouragement-Affirmation-Inspiration Feature #4 pairs a deviation with an inspirational quote sent in from other deviants.
• DLD to DD for December 24th, 2013 spotlights those deviants whose pieces have been featured as a DLD  that went on to be featured as a DD.
• Amazing Deviants (11) : WeirdandLovely features, oh you take all the fun out of everything, an amazing deviant!
• Adjusting The Antennae (Ep. 5) is an interview article taking a look at a single deviant.
• A Call to Conversation (28)--~ithaswhatitisnt is another fabulous interview series.
• The Indie Pen Dance - 9 - Jodi McClure I bet you always wanted to know about published deviants because that's what this article does, interviews an independently published deviant!
• The Ladies of Lit: Volume XXXVII features a total of four deviants, with one being the spotlight deviant, and includes a special critique chat session.
• Literary Compass - Vol. 15 points you into the direction of the novels or series you may find on dA. Features one deviant's novel or series.
• dAuthors Volume VII: Relativity is another article geared towards the novel and series writers. It features one deviant's series or novel.
• 30 Writers You Should Discover: Volume XVIII Is pretty self explanatory, but I love you so I'll tell you that it is a feature with 30 different writers. Thirty.
• Lit. Daily Pick Volume Volume 11: November 2013 features all the deviants featured on DorianHarper's front page.
• Poem Showcase - #2 features one pom along with a bit of what jswebb thought of the poem.

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Wow. Much long. Very word.

So there you go the rest of 2013's Literature News! Wasn't that fun?! Though if I put in any more news I'm fairly certain st.ash would kidnap me and never let me go. Anyways, I really do encourage you to get out there and participate. There is so much to see and do out there in our Literature Community, sometimes you have to look, but it is worth it.

Now what about 2014? I'm pretty sure I'll be posting this baby again so feel free to send me in things throughout the year and then send me pictures/gifs of someone doing some sort of derpy face so I can scrawl beneath it "LIT me explain u a thing" because who doesn't like derpy faces. I know I do. Oh yeah...