Today’s word prompt is “nuclear family’. Come join us at 6am PST (2pm in the UK) for 15 minutes of writing inspired by the word.

Please feel free to add your dash piece to the comments section of this blog post below.

FAQs

I found #dailydash/#writersdash on Twitter, what is it?

The Writers’ Dash (#writersdash or #dailydash on Twitter) is a 15-minute free writing exercise held on Twitter, Facebook and Second Life^® every weekday. At 5:30am PST we share the word prompt on our social media channels; the live event begins in Second Life^® at 6am PST. Write whatever comes to you. Don’t fixate too heavily on what you are writing and disengage your inner editor – the key is for you to get the words on the page first; you can worry about editing later. If you are attending the live event in Second Life^® there will be an opportunity for you to show your work to the other participants after the 15 minutes are up.

Do I have to do the Writers’ Dash in Second Life^®?

No, you can do it at home, if you prefer. We share the prompt word at 5:30am PST on Twitter and Facebook and start the timer in Second Life^® at 6am PST.

How do I join the live event in Second Life^®?

You will first need to join Second Life^® through the Second Life^® website. Go to http://www.secondlife.com to start the process. It’s free to join.

Click on the JOIN NOW button and this will take you to the Registration screen. Here you simply fill in your personal details and choose a name and look for your avatar. Don’t worry too much about your avatar’s appearance as there will be plenty of opportunity to tweak it once you are inworld.

Once you have completed your Registration, you’ll be asked to download and install the Second Life^® viewer to your computer. You will then be taken to a screen that allows you to choose which community gateway to enter. This is important as we want you to go through as smooth a transition as possible. Please choose the Caledon (Victorian Steampunk) Community Gateway. Once you have chosen the gateway you will find yourself appearing inworld at the University of Oxbridge in Caledon. Now begins your brief induction.

Follow the signs and read the information boards as you come to them. There is also a brief Second Life^® tutorial provided on screen. Try and absorb as much information as possible but be mindful that you can always return to Caledon at a later date if there is something you feel you missed. At the very least try and understand the most important concepts such as how to move, how to talk and your camera controls.

Once you have completed the Orientation Tutorial you will need to find your way to Milk Wood. This is the sim that is home to  Virtual Writers, Inc. At the bottom of your screen you will see a search tab. Click on this and look for Milk Wood. Now the teleporting fun begins. Click on ‘Teleport’ and you will be moved from your present location to our welcome area. Make sure you save the landmark so that you can easily return there.

We look forward to meeting you at one of our various daily writing events. Don’t forget to click on one of the group joiners  so you can stay abreast of happenings in the writing community. You can also join Virtual Writers, Inc. through the search facility. Simply put Virtual Writers, Inc. under group search, click on the group name to bring up the profile screen. Then click ‘View Full Profile’ followed by ‘Join’.

What is Virtual Writers, Inc?

Virtual Writers, Inc. is an online writing community that furnishes both the professional and beginning writer with opportunities to meet other writers, share resources, learn about jobs, news and new writing markets, and showcase their work in a distinctive way. We are unique in that we have a fully functional 3d sim in Second Life® where daily writing events, such as word wars and dashes, author meet and greets, poetry open mics and book readings are held. We provide the writer with an exciting way to meet other writers in an inclusive and friendly environment.

Whether you are dashing in Second Life®, on Twitter or Facebook we welcome your dashes in the comments section below.