Welcome to The Writers Bloc, the home base for theOtaku.com's beta-readers and a place for writers to come with questions and learn some new tricks and methods of storytelling, writing, or pretty much anything involving this mutt of a language we call Modern English.

Our Current Pool of Editors and Beta-Readers Includes:


If you have a story, essay, or any written work that you feel could use the assistance of a beta reader or editor, choose a beta-reader from the above list and PM them for availability.

As well, be sure to come visit every now and then to take part in writing workshops and discussions. And of course, if you have your own questions, don't be afraid to ask them here; we're neither teachers nor betters, but peers hoping to help.

The Weekly Schedule:

  • Monday: SomeGuy's Workshop (SomeGuy)
  • Tuesday: Rotating Guest Post (Various)
  • Wednesday: The Wednesday Word (SomeGuy)
  • Thursday: Beck's Workshop (NightBeck)
  • Friday: Updates and Open Questions (All)
  • Sunday: Becky's Writers' Block Busters (NightBeck)

So once again... welcome to The Bloc.

(Banner Design Courtesy of Red Tigress - thanks Red!)

Becky's Writers' Block Busters: Summer Edition

Hello hello hello, all! Want to get a jump-start on your summer writing? Then how about some prompts to get you going? Here are your standard reminders before we start the fun. Remember that these prompts are not specific questions to be an...

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Feature: 05/26/10 | By: NightBeck | 1 comment | Personal | Tags: nightbeck, prompts

Becky's Writers' Block Busters: Reboot!

Hello hello hello, everyone! It's been a while, huh? Well, since people have approached me about starting up the Block Busters again, I thought that, in the spirit of the new year, we'd give it a try. I mean, I'm sure a lot of us resolved ...

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Feature: 01/02/10 | By: NightBeck | 5 comments | Personal | Tags: nightbeck, prompts

Becky's Writers' Block Busters, Session Eighteen

Hey, guys! What do you say in the spirit of the new year, we get some prompts started in here again? For this week's prompts, let's all try to start something completely new. It doesn't have to be anything you continue in the future, but it...

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Feature: 01/04/09 | By: NightBeck | 6 comments | Personal | Tags: nightbeck, prompts

Halloween Writer's Jam: Calling All Betas!

Hey guys! I still suck at time management, but that's no reason why we can't get things done around here.

Have a submission in the works but think that it might have some issues? Not feeling confident in your characterization, plot, or grammar? Well, that's what the betas are here for. This is a post for anyone who wants another few pairs of eyes to look over their piece before the big day.

Here's how I think we can do it: if you have not yet submitted your piece as a Fan Words publication, describe it in a comment here, and if a beta feels they have expertise in that area, they can respond to your comment and volunteer. You can then work out the details via PM. That, or if you have a specific beta in mind, you can ask for them, though keep in mind that it's a busy time for everyone.

If your piece has already been published as Fan Words, that's even easier. Just post a link to the piece, and the betas can make their way over there to take a look at it.

(That said, I'm wondering if it's fair for the other judges and myself to give feedback before the competition, so I don't know if we should abstain from this exercise or not. SomeGuy? Any opinions?)

I hope that everyone is able to get some useful feedback!

Feature: 10/23/08 | By: NightBeck | 4 comments | Personal | Tags: halloween writer's jam, nightbeck

Becky's Writers' Block Busters, Session Seventeen

Hey guys! Since there hasn't been much of a turnout for prompt responses lately (my own fault as well), I'm just going to offer a few prompt for the people who are having trouble getting started with their Halloween entries:

1. Write a horror story in which a fairy tale figures prominently.

2. Write a horror story using lore from a foreign country.

3. "And then she turned around..."

Good luck! Be sure to take part in the Writers' Bloc collaborative scary story!

Feature: 10/19/08 | By: NightBeck | 0 comments | Personal | Tags: nightbeck, prompts