The Mookse and the Gripes discussion
General Non-Book Discussions
>
A Contest!
date
newest »
newest »
Here's a preliminary suggestion: "Forum for devoted and informed readers eager to engage in spirited and convivial discussions of late 20th and 21st century fiction, with particular focus on fiction recognized through UK, international, and other nation-specific prizes."I'm undecided about including "informed," since I don't want to sound exclusionary (see Tonymess' good-by post). My intent is to discourage the types of posts often seen on some LibraryThing and Goodreads groups, often limited to recapping plots or highly abbreviated comments to the effect that "I didn't like this novel because I didn't like the main character." Self-selection may naturally take care of this potential problem.
Mod
I see your point. I'd also like people to feel safe here and that they don't necessarily have to be anything other than interested.
I'll keep this going for a bit longer! That said, if people want to simply add to Dan's suggestion, we'll give Dan the prize but will appreciate any suggestions to adjust and polish.
Dan wrote: "My intent is to discourage the types of posts often seen on some LibraryThing and Goodreads groups, often limited to recapping plots or highly abbreviated comments to the effect that "I didn't like this novel because I didn't like the main character.""Word. These make me nuts.
In other news, how about adding "or to observe such discussions"? to the first sentence? Unless you actually have a participation requirement, and lots of groups do, it might be nice to expressly welcome lurkers and listeners.
I know that I joined with lurking in mind, and if we weren't now reading books from 1978, I might never have really started participating. But I got (and get) a lot out of the group nonetheless, not least other people's discussions of the shortlisted books, which function for me as a sorting tool. I think there's a real value in the group for people who don't necessarily post very often.
To cope with both suggestions and not make it longer, you could just remove the phrase "eager to engage in spirited and convival discussions"and probably also remove "and informed"
So,
"Forum for devoted readers of late 20th and 21st century fiction, with particular focus on fiction recognized through UK, international, and other nation-specific prizes"
Forum implies discussion so you don't have to say there will be discussion, or to describe the type of discussion, thus allowing those who are less "spirited".
I happily cede all editing to Trevor, Nicole, and Ang and their finely honed red pencils. I do think that it would be helpful to include a few words about M&G group character and expectations, no matter how loose and informal.
Mod
I agree with Ang's short and sweet tone, though, like Dan, I think some injection of the forum spirit is nice. I may leave in "spirited and convivial" in some way.
Mod
Yes, I agree with spirited and convival. You could just add a further sentence which says "Lurkers welcome".
Ang wrote: "Yes, I agree with spirited and convival. You could just add a further sentence which says "Lurkers welcome"."This sounds perfect to me; spirited and convivial sums up the best features of the discussions I've seen here.
Mod
Dan, I'll send you a list of books to choose from. They will all be unmarked, unread books in new condition! Thank you!
In essence this is a mission statement - a short statement that explains why the group exists. The best statements are short. There is always a temptation to add more words but that only serves to,dilute the point. If you want to see what I mean watch this short video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LJhG3HZ... I wouldn't add anything. I would take out two words that to mean don't add value - devoted and particular. The first makes it sound like a clique. The second is redundant since you already say focus. .
Mod
Forum for spirited and convivial discussion of 20th and 21st century fiction from around the world, with particular focus on fiction recognized in US, UK, international, and other nation-specific prizes.
Hm, I see lots of ideas in there but its very long
Mod
I'm still open to ideas and polish, and we may tweak it from time to time, but I will say that the contest is Dan's and I owe him a prize.
Friendly discussion of prize-worthy books
Trevor wrote: "I'm not really looking for a mission statement, though. We're not marketing the forum; we're trying to describe it. I'm not sure we can adequately do that in shorter form, and brevity isn't my cent..."I like it as is, and I think it's plenty short. In fact, it's one of the shortest group descriptions I've ever seen. It's one sentence long. And it's not one of those proustian nightmare sentences that go on for pages until you just want to put a fork in your own eye, it's a perfectly reasonable english sentence.
This will show that kids get off my lawn side that is getting bigger and bigger in recent years, but it does seem odd to suggest on a site ostensibly dedicated to people who love reading that something this short has too much text.
Mod
I liked the "lurkers welcome" bit too, as there are groups that will remove non participating members, for no reason I can fathom, and it sounds less formal than the rest.
I am with Karen on this - a novel is something you choose to read, albeit often based on a snappy line on the cover to hook you. If we want to encourage people to join in (and why else would you need to describe the forum?), the hook line needs to be short and eye-catching. Save the sub-clauses for once you have caught your reader.
Some things to keep in mind:
-The folders (i.e., this is not just for the Booker and not just for literature in translation, though obviously those both play a large role)
-The personality of the group. I feel we are pleasant and vigorous, but I'd love to hear more here.
That's really about it. The winner can select a few books from my overflowing library.
Feel free to post questions and comments here. I have no deadline. I guess a week or two or more if we need time. Post ideas here and feel free to modify and polish. This "contest" has been thrown together quickly, so also feel free to let me know of any holes in the process that I should address.
Thanks in advance! Please help!