The Cif community challenges its writers – and can change their minds | Seth Freedman

Georgina Henry's kind but firm encouragement to go below the line on my pieces has transformed my life as well as my idealsFor a wide-eyed, wannabe writer, being cast into the Cif lions' den induced fear and pride in equal measure. The chance to contribute to such a paradigm-shifting project was one any budding journalist would jump at, but at the same time there was no hiding from the army of commenters ready to tear each and every article to shreds in the threads below. And since I was writing about the most incendiary topic under the Cif sun, the venom and vitriol would start flying from the minute the publish button was pressed on each of my pieces.Despite alarmingly inauspicious beginnings – ending my debut BTL comment with a sneering "Whatever mate – I write, you read …" – it soon became apparent that the Cif process was a two-way street. The site's original editor, Georgina Henry, encouraged me to participate in the threads from day one, telling me firmly but kindly that venturing below the line was "more than good form – they expect it". To her and her burgeoning ranks of readers and commenters, writers' jobs had only just begun when their pieces were put up on the site; the real work took place in the lengthy and vociferous threads that followed.No sooner had I started joining in the debate I found – like so many others – that I just couldn't stop. The addictive nature of the Cif beast meant I always wanted to respond, forever craved the last word, couldn't help... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #earliest days #crude prototype

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The Cif community challenges its writers – and can change their minds | Seth Freedman

Georgina Henry's kind but firm encouragement to go below the line on my pieces has transformed my life as well as my idealsFor a wide-eyed, wannabe writer, being cast into the Cif lions' den induced fear and pride in equal measure. The chance to contribute to such a paradigm-shifting project was... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Climate science may change minds. Climate sadness can change hearts.

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[ The Washington Post | 2021-08-06 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Virginia Woolf’s novels once left me cold. A new book about ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ changed my mind.

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[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-29 23:20:28 UTC ]
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Autofiction is Cheating, and You Cannot Change My Mind

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Writers and publishers pen open letter to show solidarity with trans and non-binary community

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[ Literrary Hub | 2020-08-25 17:07:21 UTC ]
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Writers of the past turned suffering into literary masterpieces. They might help us understand how to meet the challenges of our day.

Authors have always tried to turn their sorrow and confusion into enduring monuments of beauty among the ruins. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2020-06-03 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Creating Literary Community for Writers Raising Children

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[ Literrary Hub | 2019-12-06 09:47:14 UTC ]
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For Some Horror Writers, Nothing Is Scarier Than a Changing Planet

While literary fiction often sidesteps the climate crisis, eco-horror is filling the breach. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2019-10-19 09:00:04 UTC ]
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Catherine Doyle | 'The Middle-Grade community is very supportive . . . I hope they don’t mind me sneaking in'

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[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Investing in culture can change lives, break boundaries and reinvigorate communities

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[ The Bookseller | 2018-01-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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