Authors wanting to test their work on live audiences now have a very active venue on the Cookie Island sim. The Written Word area for writers is a place devoted to assisting writers in the extent of their endeavors. Not only does the area provide relaxation and community relationship, but it also offers services, such as classes and tutoring. Within this writer’s community sits a simple stage on the ocean with modest seating for an audience owned by the Written Word Writer’s Circle. This sub-group was formed to assist budding and veteran writers in their talent growth through audience testing, critique, presentation practice, and e-publishing assistance.

Persephone Pheonix delivering her piece for the Circle Slam competition.

Photo by Sifriya Devin.

Each Wednesday, the Writer’s Circle group meets to read their latest work to fellow writers and faithful followers. These open mic sessions are structured to allow expression of all forms of literature as the writers feel inspired. With this freeform element, audiences are treated to beautiful examples of writing, from poetry to prose, devoted to all manner of subjects.
According to one of the organizer, Jilly Kidd, the writers don’t focus as much on critique as they do “encouragement” or helpful suggestions. Many of the writers use the venue to practice their real life delivery techniques on an audience that is, perhaps, a bit less intimidating. One of the authors, Skylar Smythe, practices her delivery as preparation for “real life poetry reads in Toronto”. Some of the authors also enjoy presenting pieces of work they may not normally include in their real life repertoire, such as poetry or erotica. Another regular author at the Writer’s Circle events, Tristan Meriman, noted that he enjoys delivering pieces in languages other than his “native tongue”.

Tristan Meriman & Khoisan Fisher, winners of the Tuesday night Circle Slam competition.

Photo by Sifriya Devin

At a recent Tuesday event, during the Autumn Writers Exhibition, the open mic format was continued but with the addition of a Circle Slam contest for L$2000 Lindens. Not only were the writing examples extremely moving, but the experience of listening to the writers read their works in their native accents really demonstrated the international aspect of SL. This type of experience also adds to the interpretation of the work since the reader no longer relies on their own inner voice while reading, but instead, listens to the voice and inflection of the author, creating a much more intimate and accurate rendition of the piece.
To supplement the benefits provided by this in-world venue, the Writer’s Circle also has its own website which allows the writers to post their works in downloadable form. If the writer feels there is enough interest, the group will also assist in e-publishing for profit.
One of the most unique aspects of this in-world approach to writing exposure is the publishing of works under avatar pseudonyms. There are participating authors who already publish outside of Second Life under their real name and therefore make their real name known in conjunction with their avatar identity. However, most of the avatars that participate in this Writer’s Circle, publish only under their avatar name. When many authors look forward to the day they become recognized professionally, it was surprising to see this high level of anonymity. Another writer regular, Leonardo Zimring, explained that identity in SL can introduce complications that make connecting real life and SL complicated and even dangerous on rare occasions. He also noted that while he does publish under his real name in real life, the poetry that he publishes there “is not exactly what [is] publish[ed] in SL. So it is difficult to connect the two”. Obviously, this is another great example of the creative and professional possibilities within Second Life.

The Written Word on Cookie Island:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cookie/58/121/24

The Writer's Circle on the Waterstage:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cookie/9/245/21

The Writer's Circle Website:
http://www.writtenword.org.uk/writtenword.htm