So it's Tuesday and I totally blew the deadline I set for myself to post these by midnight Monday. I should have known better than to set myself up. But then the guilt got to me, so I guess it worked after all, just a day later than I said it would.

Here are the answers to the questionnaire. I thought they were more powerful lumped together and anonymous. Thanks to everyone who contributed your thoughts -- I'm looking forward to seeing you all again Thursday.

Best,
Stephanie

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What is the gift you are offering this workshop today?

My vulnerability
My thanks, commitment, and fearlessness
Me. Um…I want to try to be engaging and compassionate, mostly.
The experience of a black male trying to make a difference by expressing his thoughts and teaching through example
Pizza and my presence
I am not sure yet
Time listening, helps
Networking from the ground up
Writing of poems, short stories, novels
My time, my thoughts, commiseration, encouragement

What do you hope to take away from this workshop today?

Energy and the impetus to write more
Always kernels of truth, whether universal, for the speaker, or for me
I want to walk out a better, more motivated writer.
I would like to take the experience of as many different people as I can
Inspiration for creating and a stronger connection to the community at the InkTank Writers Salon
Hope to find someone to answer my one-page questionnaire
Help in writing
Visions of others
Open ideas to cultivate a hidden writing skill
Whatever I can – new ideas, different viewpoints, specifics about how others write/view writing

Where do you get your writing ideas?

Walking, reading, listening: overhead snippets of conversation
Mostly from combining stimuli. My emotions, people I meet, things I see
Hate to say it, but my brain is videogame/fantasy/horror saturated to the point of busting.
Dreams, the people I meet at the coffee shop, characters in my family
Personal experiences and observations
Real life stories
Life, strangers, people, God, family
At this time spiritual?
Work, home, other novels, poems, people
Everywhere -- anywhere

What stops you from writing?

I wish I knew. The inner critic telling me that everything I write is terrible – or too mean
Self loathing
Videogames. On a deeper level, fear of failure.
Having too many ideas
Fear of criticism and self-doubt
Dinner on the table
Knowing I have a lot to write, or a sad experience to come.
Feel bad, and being on the run.
Time
Lack of discipline, internal editor (that negative voice sometimes cruelly intruding)

What stops you from sharing your writing?

Fear of hurting anyone, revealing too much, not being understood
Nothing. I ask everybody.
See above. (Fear of failure)
Finding the correct forum to share it
Thinking it isn’t good enough
Not good enough
Unknown at this time
Nothing. I want to share with everyone
“It’s not ready”

How do you stop procrastinating?

Plant myself in front of the computer, give myself space
The desire has to build up. If I don’t write, it’s because I must not have anything important to say.
By writing. It’s simple. There is no trick.
Like Nike, just do it
Action without analysis
Never do…
Do exercises in writing
Think I’m lazy
Just start doing what I am supposed to do. Sometimes by self motivating or setting goals
Sit down and write. Make the time. Remember how important writing is to me.

What do you hope to get from a critique?

Detailed, useful feedback, what works and what doesn’t
Reaction to the relatability of the material/characters. A reality check.
Insight in every aspect of my writing: story, character, diction, everything.
The viewpoint of others, I tend to be a bit biased about my own work
Constructive technical corrections, alternative approaches to a piece, and support for continuing to keep writing even if the presented piece is trash
Learn
Ideas
Depends?
A direction in which I am supposed to go and stick to it.
Constructive criticism. Gentle (I hope) honest assessment

What do you fear from a critique?

Vague feedback, disinterest more than rejection, stuff like, “you write like an angel”
People saying things just to sound intelligent. Posing.
I think I fear rejection, but I don’t really. Rejection would just make me defend my writing, grow closer to my work.
I fear that the critique would not truly express what the critiquer wants to say
Indifference
I don’t
Opening up. Being exposed
Depends?
That I might not like some of the things coming out. However I know it is for my own good.
I try to be open to what’s said – and not be afraid of opinions – it’s my choice to accept or decline what’s offered

Where are your favorite places to write and why?

My study – music loud as I want, big window; bars and coffeeshops – casual outside stimuli
Kaldi’s. Cafes. I like people, noise, energy, smells, fear, emotions – life. I block it out but soak it in and feel it.
In a coffee shop, away from TVs, computers
Coffee Emporium, Cooper’s on Main, crowded places. I love people watching
My apartment – I’ve got everything set up just the way I like it/anywhere with a structured group – it’s energizing to all be writing together
In front of my computer; tools help…
Around water, bedroom, being by myself helps me to write and for my thoughts to flow
Quiet places mind wanders
My room, work, parks, beaches. I can see clearer and my mind is free. My stories come from these places.
Home at my desk/wherever I am when ideas/words/thoughts come to me

What would you like in a communal writing environment? (For instance: music or silence?)

Music – but what kind?
Music
Silence. Availability
I would like an atmosphere that is not inhibited with embarrassment and that thrives off the vitality of each member. Whether that calls for silence or music, either is fine.
Depends on my mood or what’s being written about. I’d like to try various ways: Heavy Metal music and flashing lights. Quiet or soft music with candlelight with incense, and any others.
Sometimes I will do either or.
Silence, but I can adjust
Music, if it is mind flowing. Otherwise silence for it helps me to think clearer.
Silence

Other comments:

Like churches have prayer requests, maybe we could have a writing/reading request of some sort.
No intros except for new people. It’s up to us to welcome them in.
I want to motivate. I want to be motivated.
Started writing Nov. 2005
I am intrigued by the talent that is here at InkTank and I am enjoying the flow of energy that is here.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to be in community with other writers.