The Writers’ HQ Community Manifesto
At Writers’ HQ, we understand the importance of community for both your writerly development and wellbeing. Because contrary to popular belief, writing is a team sport.
That’s why we’re so proud to have the best writing community this side of the internet.
But what makes the WHQ community the best? Well, you. Quite literally you.
You glorious writing beasts, who join as members and support one another’s writing journeys, on the forum and in the Facebook Group, on social media and across the whole internet as well as IRL.
And we are here to help you every step of the way.
Writers’ HQ stands for all writers everywhere. We know that all stories – your stories – are important and deserve to be told. And we’re going to get there – together.
Teamwork makes the dream work
No writer is an island, really and truly. Writing is a collaborative endeavour. Whether you talk your writing through with one good friend or as many trustworthy, knowledgeable people as you can get your hands on, your writing will reap the benefits.
And in turn, talking about other people’s work will – bonus! – improve your own writing.
With the WHQ community, you’ve got a ready-made team of cheerleaders supporting you every step of the way. You’ve also got a whole bunch of writer pals who get it, ready to offer commiserations and words of encouragement when things don’t quite go to plan.
It’s a win-win-win situation.
There is no right way to be a writer
At Writers’ HQ, we are proud to call ourselves the scruffy nerf herders of the writing world, and we reject the gatekeeping so frequently associated with the literary community.
We provide a writerly home for all those who haven’t yet found their place in the writing world.
The WHQ community has no entry requirements because our core ethos is that there is no one right way to be a writer.
Our community is a ragtag and diverse bunch, coming from all walks of life and with a wide range of writing experience. And stories are what unite us.
We’ve got everyone from total newbs, to writers returning after a break, to casual dipping-their-toes-in writers, flash fiction-ers, academics, memoir writers, prolific novelists, and award-winning, published authors.
It doesn’t matter who you are: we’re here to drink tea and swear at the internet together while writing some badass stories. Because, ultimately, your stories matter and we’re here to help you tell them.
There is no such thing as bad language
We’re not here to correct each other’s grammar, spelling, or punctuation – unless you’ve been specifically invited to provide critique about those things. And if swearing makes you uncomfortable, then Writers’ HQ is not the right place for you.
Writers’ HQ celebrates all language, no matter how many mistakes you make, no matter how much you bastardise it, no matter what dialect you speak, no matter how much you swear, and no matter what obstacles or challenges you face.
As writers, we just care about telling stories and think every person – no matter what background or ability – should have a platform to tell it. And a community cheering them along every step of the way.
Don’t be a dick
When we say everyone is welcome, we really mean it. But we don’t allow prejudice, discrimination, or close-minded, deliberately argumentative nonsense to ruin the community for others.
At Writers’ HQ, we treat our members with respect, and in turn the community members do the same for one another. That means no hate speech, and we have a zero tolerance approach to this. Be nice or gtfo. Thx.
We are here for all your writerly discussions and we know that sometimes that’ll involve a difference of opinion. It’s okay to disagree but we ask that you please remember to be kind.
When in doubt, see Wheaton’s Law: Don’t Be A Dick.
Fun is everything
Sure, writers are an angst riddled lot but there is no reason to make your writing a chore just for the sake of it.
Writing doesn’t have to be a super serious soul-sapping experience. When it all gets too much and you feel like throwing in the towel, the Writers’ HQ community is here to remind you that we do this because we love it. And when in doubt, GIFs and memes and bum jokes make everything better. Yay fun!
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Ready to dive right into the WHQ community?
Sign up for freebie or Gold Star membership here, then head over to our private community forum and get stuck in!
Wanna know more about our bad language policy? You can read the whole WHQ Manifesto On Bad Language here >>
You can also read the whole article by Alex Clark about why Writing Is A Team Sport here >>
