Interview with Pamela Rice Hahn, Editor-in-Chief, Blue Roses Bouquet; Founder of the Undernet IRC channel: #authors

 

Pam is both publisher, and chief editor of the Blue Roses Bouquet. She is the Channel Op and founder of the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) Channel on the Undernet: #Authors. The #Authors news group is at news:alt.irc.undernet.authors.

Pam has publishing credits in all areas: fiction, poetry, nonfiction articles, business, features, books, humor. She won the 1997 Midwest Writers Workshop Manny Award for Nonfiction for her personal essay, "You've Gotta Crawl Before You Can Walk." Master the Grill the Lazy Way and How to Use Microsoft Access 2000 are two Web sites for some of Pam's book titles, both co-authored with Keith Giddeon.

I met Pam by visiting the IRC chat room #Authors. (I've since become a volunteer editor for Blue Roses Bouquet, as well as a contributor.) I've found her comments on IRC chat to be instructive and informative.

A recent interview with Pam gave me the opportunity to ask a few questions, and share with you a few of her thoughts. The interview with Pam was conducted over IRC at #Authors. It has been left in its original format.

Robert Marcom - Moderator

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<--Begin Interview-->

Session Start: Fri Oct 29 13:31:00 1999

<Net Author> Pam, thank you for allowing us this interview. We are all interested in new opportunities to use the Internet in pursuit of ourwriting goals. Can you tell us about your chat channel?

<Pam> #Authors came about in March '97

<Pam> I was an op (Channel Operator) at another channel, along with some ofour other members.

<Pam> The other site had more X-rated conversation. Also a ban AGAINSTbanning anyone disruptive.

<Pam> Some of us didn't consider impolite behavior as a freedom of speech. Plus we prefer "innuendo and out the other" humor rather than blatant "throw him against the wall and stick my tongue down his throat" greetings.

<Pam> Call me a prude ;)

<Pam> However, the main reason we moved, was our purpose.

<Net Author> What was your original purpose for the group?

<Pam> "#Authors" is a place to provide encouragement and celebration for one another's successes.

<Pam> Plus I consider #Authors my "virtual water cooler" break.

<Net Author> Have you been pretty well satisfied with the participation at #Authors?

<Pam> I enjoy the friendships. I wish it were easier to predict when there would be others available to chat, but that's the nature of the beast. Writers don't keep regular hours ;)

<Net Author> What would you say the average writer should look for in #Authors?

<Pam> (laughs) A place to relax. But somewhere s/he can go for support, too.

<Net Author> A sense of community?

<Pam> Yes!

<Pam> We seldom do readings -- "paste" writings in channel

<Pam> pet peeve are those who join and immediately start dcc'ing copies of their work to others and expect a critique. ("dcc" is a method of transferring files across IRC. --Ed)

<Pam> When I first got on-line, I found it hard to say "no" ... I'd read/critique everything. Then it got to be all that I was doing. NOW I pretty much only read submissions for BRBqt (which I'm MONTHS behind ondoing!). Although I do have some on-line friends who critique my stuff and vice versa.

<Pam> we prefer not to help w/homework ;)

<Pam> or do Web searches for those too lazy to figure out how to do them ontheir own ;)

<Net Author> Yep. I saw one of those the other night.

<Pam> There are some of us who remain in channel while we work. So if nobody talks, the visitor isn't being purposely ignored (in most cases) ;)

<Net Author> What roles do the Web site and news channel play for your group?

<Pam> The Web site is primarily for new members. Gives them a chance to catch up and learn about regulars by reading the bio's, seeing "pics."

<Pam> It's also where we post author interviews (when we have time to do them)

<Pam> we've done special things on occasion:

<Pam> opened a special channel for a group critique of some writing

<Pam> informal classes or discussions

<Pam> but it's difficult to plan for that sort of thing. (*I* can't do it all. One learns quickly that there sometimes seems to be a lower percentage of people on-line who take such responsibilities seriously.)

<Pam> I think you can somewhat also tell that the reliable ones also know from deadlines. The unreliable ones are the "wannabe" writers.

<Pam> I believe those who do not take advantage of meeting others in this forum are missing out on a lot.

<Net Author> Sounds as though you are using the news group as a classroom for the most part.

<Pam> Yes.

<Net Author> do you require any particular participation?

<Pam> Just that people join the channel. Be patient. Eventually someone will talk.

<Pam> re <Net Author> The responsibilities Question--do we require any particular participation? No specific rule about participation. HOWEVER, not liking to dwell on negatives, I do want to point out that we will not abide anyone "dissing" another's genre or writing style. I say this often: it's the writer's vision, only my opinion ... when I critique something (which is seldom anymore).

<Net Author> What do you think the future of writers on the Internet is shaping up to be?

<Pam> Let me make this comment re future of writers on the Internet: as in real life, I've benefitted more by networking on the Internet than I have by actually getting assignments via any other on-line route (ad posted on writing site, etc.)

<Net Author> Thank you for sharing your exciting IRC channel with us. I've enjoyed your hospitality, and the many fine conversations with your chat members.

<Pam> You're very welcome, of course. I enjoyed it!

----End Interview

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If you would like to try IRC chat, Pam and her staff have made it quite easy. Go to <http://www.blueroses.com/authors/webchat.html>

Before you sign on, please read the IRC client instruction page: <http://www.blueroses.com/authors/joinus.html>