[stylist] Reviving the List

[Vejas Vasiliauskas]

Hi Everyone.
I know, in one of my last emails, that I described how our 
Division still needs a lot of work.  I completely understand 
everyone's frustration.  But I think that, as a community, we can 
at least try to make this list grow again.
I joined Stylist in November 2011.  I had just turned 15, and am 
now 20.  When I joined, this list was extremely active.  I took a 
quick look at the archives today (apparently back then I had more 
time to post!) Topics of discussion included:
- Word of the Day (originally started by Brad Dunsé)
- Having a new prompt each month
- Short stories
- Different types of poems
- Excerpts from novels
- Discussing books we're reading
- Giving more book recommendations
- Some computer topics
Before I go on, I want to take the time to thank these, 
especially Chris and Bridgit, who read my writing in the "olden 
days." My writing used to be lacking in the form of structure to 
it but, as time went on, my writing became much more readable 
and, seemingly to many, enjoyable.
I think it is possible that we can start reviving the list with 
some of these topics.  I completely understand that most of us, 
including myself, are busier, but maybe if we all work together 
we can make something happen.
- Words of the Day.  I found these interesting, and I know when I 
took it over for awhile people found it interesting too.  I'd 
like to do it with someone...  maybe alternate weeks, if anyone 
is up for that? I know that times as a college student would 
become very busy for me and I will not always have the time some 
weeks.
- A prompt each month.  This was always enjoyable.  Maybe we 
could all take turns giving out prompts...  that way everyone has 
an equal say.  In order to do these prompts again, though, we all 
need to make the effort to both participate in the prompt and try 
to have a majority of people to critique the prompt.  More people 
(myself included) can work with experimenting with writing and 
reading different styles of writing.  I have a few ideas.
- Books: When I first joined the list, I would sometimes start 
threads about great books I was reading, which often spurred 
discussion.  There were also threads on "What are you reading 
right now?" Maybe, we could do this every once in a while.  It is 
just something that spurs good discussion and which I know many 
people will enjoy.
Finally, I think that we should try to make it a goal to maintain 
this list and not have the writers' division items be transferred 
over completely to the Facebook page.  I understand that many 
people enjoy social media.  (I personally don't-to me it gets too 
much scrolling through and people update so often that it's easy 
to miss a lot).  More to the point, though, I think that parents 
in general would be happier with younger students being on a 
protected Listserv than on social media.  I know that for me, as 
someone who just turned 15 when I joined, my parents were much 
more comfortable with me joining this monitored list, as opposed 
to a Facebook group that may not be as heavily checked.  Plus, 
being part of this list I would say I've gotten to "know" many of 
you through your frequent posts.
I really think we can make this work and hope you do too.  As I 
said earlier, I understand the frustration and the issues that we 
have, and everyone's feelings are valid (I feel the exact same), 
but I don't think that dwelling on them too much is really going 
to do us much good.
Have a great evening,
Vejas