Baby Killers

In an attempt to foster a bit more quality from internet writers some time ago, Wings and JeffScape started The Tenth Daughter of Memory, a quasi-competitive collection of would-be creatives (writers, poets, illustrators, photographers) who attempt to win by posting an entry related to the nominated topic or muse. The winning entry then has the privilege of picking the next topic.

The original intention was not to concentrate on writing alone although contributions have tended to to focus more on the written word.  As a result, a general expectation has arisen that contributors will receive honest critical feedback from their peers.

Not everyone is up for criticism but if you are, and you fancy some really constructive criticism you can now receive it at The Infanticide Exchange.

Here peers, published authors and professional readers and critics will help you kill your stories, your babies, because the ones that survive will be stronger.

Anyone who already reads Creative Infanticide will know the philosophy behind the term.

Anyone who wants to have honest feedback on their work is welcome to join the Infanticide Exchange. The blog is entirely private. It is invite only, does not show up on search engines, and will be a great place for those who want to be writers to receive honest, objective, feedback rather than the lovely but slightly over-flattering comments that tend to come via your blog. 

There are rules, naturally since Jeffscape initiated the thing . . .

1. Your identity  must be shared with everyone else on the blog. Nothing within The Infanticide Exchange is anonymous, and everyone gets to follow everyone else's career aspirations and progress.


2. Once you have put up a post, it cannot be removed. 

I'm sure there are others but I'm trying to keep he who intimidates with complicated rules at bay.

Seriously, I've spent 15 years in a former life as a commercial copywriter and magazine editor and never wrote a single word of fiction. Had anyone told me I'd be doing this creative business 12 months ago, I'd have laughed in their general direction and hurled a herring at them.

However, writing and having someone help you shape your words, force you outside your comfort zone, point you in directions unforseen, is very rewarding and very challenging. Some of the contributors are published, others are seeking to be. One  is a professional reader, editor and critical analyst, others are worthy peers. (Yes I do wonder what I'm doing in their company!)

It doesn't matter whether you're in the closet or a regular contributor to one of a myriad of creative blogs out there such as Magpie Tales or Theme Thursday this is the perfect opportunity to receive genuine constructive criticism and to hopefully improve and stretch your creative limits.

The Infanticide Exchange is up and running now, and the admins are Tom at Half-Moose with a Twist, Baino at Creative Infanticide, and JeffScape at Irreverent Irrelevance. Email one of us and we'll get you started.

 If you're willing to partake in a bit of baby-killing, that is. I've just sent one of mine to the slaughter!

Now excuse me. Just 5 days to lift off (with a weekend in between) and Clare has mislaid her Aussie passport so we're scrambling for a replacement since they won't let her back in the country on her British. GAH! And I thought creative writing was stressful.