Welcome to Smitheringtonville!

If you ever caught yourself thinking "Hey, I wish I could join a writing community that helps promote creativity and helps you learn from other writers of all different types," then this is the place for you.

Before you join, however, it's important that you understand that this community is only as strong as it's weakest member. We have a few rules and guidelines that help make this place a comfortable work environment and make sure that no one is discriminated against, that no one's work is vandalised, and that every enjoys themselves! Please read the following before you attempt to join the community.

How to Start a Poem

1. Once you've been added start a new Post with the first line (or lines) of your poem and any guidelines you'd like followed (you can make up rules - for example, if you want your poem to be a haiku).
2. You may also include the title at that time, or you can add the title at any time during the progression of the poem writing process.
3. Save all poems and writings in progress in Draft Form until they are finished by clicking 'Save as Draft'. Do not publish incomplete poems.
4. Your poem can be 'Finished' at any time by any of the members and will be Published at that time.
5. Once a poem is Published, please DO NOT change it.

8 Simple Rules to Dating My Teenage Daughter Writing a Poem:

1. All the poems can be written through the Edit Posts section of your Blogger account (if you would like to start a poem, read the rules above).
2. All poems that are in Draft form can be edited, and added to.
3. Only add lines to the end of the poems, or add words to the last line of the poem. Do not change something someone else has already written.
4. Add your first and last initial, followed by a dash before every line you write. If you add words to an existing line you can add your first and last initial at that point using parenthesis. (This is done so people can get a look at what each individual is writing and learn from other writers particular styles.)
5. Do not change Published poems. Once a poem or writing is Published that means it is complete.
6. You may also add to the title of the poem or writing, but the same above five rules apply. You do not have to initial the title.
7. Anyone can decide when a poem or writing is complete and Publish it by following the rules below.
8. You DO NOT have to add lines to every poem.

El Fin? Then Publish!

Any member can publish the poem at any time they decide that it is complete. Publishing can be done by following the guidelines below.

1. Underneath the poem, add a 'By' and list all the contributing authors' initials you find within the body of the poem or writing.
2. Delete all the initials throughout the poem or writing itself.
3. Update the date of the poem or writing by going to 'post options' in the Edit post screen.
4. Add a title to the poem or writing, if it does not already have one, and then it is ready to publish.

It's that easy. To summarize everything above, just remember these simple guidelines:

Please be courteous to the community and follow the above rules and guidelines.

DO NOT change the template of the blog.

DO NOT erase poems.

DO NOT remove members as admins.

You will be removed from the community if you are not respectful of others.

That's all. If you want to join:

• Send your name and email address to nshattell@gmail.com or leave a comment with your email address.
• You will be sent a request to join Smitheringtonville as a guest author as soon as I receive your email address.
• Once you accept the invitation I will change your status from 'guest' to 'admin' and you can begin writing!