The idea of Six Sentence Sunday (SSS) began with Sara Brookes. She posted six sentences from a work-in-progress (WIP) or published piece on her blog on the occasional Sunday to gain interest from readers. Another romance author friend thought it was a good idea and asked for details. When a couple more author friends showed interest, Sara decided to create a central location to post SSS links and make it easier for readers to find and also easy for those wanting to participate. The first SSS post was on February 28, 2010 with four participants and is continually increasing every week, with thirty-six links to check on the first Sunday of 2011.
Participating is easy. Pick any SIX sentences from your work from any genre, whether WIP or published (you don’t have to be published to participate) and post them on your blog on Sunday before 9 AM EST. To be linked to the Six Sunday blog, visit http://sixsunday.blogspot.com/ from Wednesday to Saturday and fill out the “linky tools list” with your information.
There are some rules and common courtesies to follow:
- · Remember, this is SIX Sentence Sunday. While the occasional extra sentence is fine, twelve sentences is not.
- · You are not required to link to other contributors, but a link back to the main Six Sunday blog would be nice.
- · Your SSS post is not to be used to display a new book cover, share reviews or other news, although you can share where to find the book your excerpt is from.
- · You don’t have to visit the other participating SSS blogs, BUT it is kind to do so and leave comments. (Subscribing to the blogs through Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs, or the RSS feed is also a nice gesture.)
Spreading the word and sharing the love for SSS on twitter can be done using the #sixsunday hashtag. You can also find SSS on twitter @6_Sunday. For more information on how to participate, visit the blog and click on some of the previous links to see how it’s done.
To get your upcoming or new release a promo spot on the SSS blog, you must contact Sara Brookes and be a regular contributor. Spots are assigned on a first come, first serve basis.
I began participating after an author friend of mine posted on the SSS blog; this Sunday will be my thirteenth SSS post. While I don’t have anything published to prove sales, I have bought several books from SSS participants after reading excerpts and made some great new writer friends.
I also find SSS to be a great writing exercise. If I can take the most boring group of six sentences from any of my WIPs and entice readers to want more, my book will be amazing, right? Well, I think I have a ways to go, but I’m sure you get the idea.
I found the six sentence sunday event by accident and decided to join in even though I was worried that I might not fit in. I'm loving it! Everyone is supportive and I've read some great things by the other writers involved. :)
ReplyDeleteGotta say, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would grow into what it has become. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes, too! Thanks for the great article, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Pippa and Sara! And Sara, thanks so much for starting Six Sentence Sunday! :)
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ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! The only thing I don't see in your wonderful, thorough article, Jessica, is how to contact Sara?
ReplyDeleteMy first SixSentenceSunday post was September 6 and I've loved every Sunday since! Awesome and astonishing how many participants now, and reading the various styles and voice is amazing.
ReplyDeleteAlso fun, how much some of the writing has changed! I am pretty conscious of writing tighter now!
SSS is terrific and just plain fun to do. I've read some great snippets from people and made some wonderful friends. I've also purchased books I would never have known about otherwise. The comments are always positive and helpful. Let's face it, we all could us a pat on the back sometimes and this is a great way to cheer your fellow writers on. I hope it keeps growing. The level of talent within the posts is awesome. KUDOS to you Sara for bringing it to life and thanks for the article, Jessica.
ReplyDeleteI think I started sometime in fall. I really like it to see all the different writing styles and previews of stories :-) I've even bought some books from it, too!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Jess! So proud of you. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jess! And I agree, Six Sunday has been the most amazing opportunity to meet great authors, read their work and learn more on how to tighten up writing in six sentences. Way to go Sara! I'm so glad to be a participant.
ReplyDeleteSix Sentence Sunday has been a fantastic find for me. :) I love looking through my various WIP to find what I want to grab. Even more than that, I love my Sunday morning ritual of a cup of good coffee and even better reading. :)
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love doing Six Sentence Sunday. Sara has done such a phenomenal job with it. Adding my own post each week is fun, but it really is awesome to see what everyone else is doing.
ReplyDeleteAnd the best part of all is when stories I have read pieces from get published. What a great thrill that is!
I joined SSS a couple of months ago and I love it! Every week I get to read snippets of amazing work from some very talented authors. A great big thanks to Sara for starting something so wonderful that all writers get to participate in, both published and yet-to-be published!
ReplyDeleteFabulous article Jessica. I'm going to take credit as the author who contacted Sara after she posted 6 very intriguing sentences one day. What an amazing concept. It's amazing what so few sentences can tell you about a story. Well done everyone!
ReplyDeleteSSS looks like such a fun and positive thing for writers -- motivation and inspiration all rolled into one. I plan to tune in this Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jessica, for letting all the Brigaders know about this great exercise...and welcome to the SFR Brigade!
And thanks to Sara, too, for coming up with such a great idea!
Great post Jess! I love six sunday. Really missed it on that two week break over Christmas!
ReplyDelete@Sandra Stixrude
ReplyDeleteSara's website is:
http://www.sarabrookes.net/
and her email and twitter accounts are listed on the main page.
@Laurie A. Green
Thanks for inviting me to post on SFR Brigade!
To everyone else, thanks so much for stopping by and showing your support. XO
Thanks, Jess - I did manage to figure it out. Shouldn't try new things before the second cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to getting a clip read on so many great authors. Think I managed to link in correctly.
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica
ReplyDeleteTerrific concept! I discovered six sentence sunday by you participating in the Indie Books Holiday Giveaway.
Best wishes for your continued success,
Donna McDine
Children’s Author
Write What Inspires You Blog
The Golden Pathway Story book Blog
Donna M. McDine’s Website
Don't have time to write and post your media releases? Contact: Dynamic Media Release Services
1/9/11 is my first SSS post and I'm so excited to be amongst inspiring creativity!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I'll have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great event!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI just came across this from an internet resource and think it is such a wonderful thing.
I participated in NaNoWriMo last November, but couldn't complete because of illness in the family.
Since I'm a nurse, I was designated to help, which I didn't mind.
I still haven't gotten back to the story, but this has given me such motivation. Good luck to all who are doing this. Sally