So, so, so much happening this week - it seems the colder weather has brought with it an onslaught of creativity and festivity. As per usual, the Create Team will sum it all up right here, serving up the choicest cuts of news, events and writing ideas.

So, the

FORUMS are live ... www.vibewire.net/forum

The Creative forum is going to be treated as an online workshop; a place where writers can get tips, have their work critiqued, ask questions and learn about the theory behind creative writing. For more information on our forum, just click here ... http://www.vibewire.net/Members/LivH/forums-are-live/view A weekly topic will be posted to instigate general discussion, but users are encouraged to start their own topics and sub-topics as well. Currently, the concept of Character is being discussed - how important is the role of character in fiction? You'd be surprised how many scholars dismiss it ...

Of course, our forums have a rather large debut in ...

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E-FESTIVAL OF IDEAS 8-12th APRIL ... www.vibewire.net/efestival

... which kicks off offically tomorrow. To find out everything you need to know about this wonderful event go to ...

* www.vibewire.net/efestival for a broad look at all the discussion topics

* http://www.vibewire.net/Members/LivH/e-festival-of-ideas/view for a quick summation of your role and how to get involved

* http://www.vibewire.net/Members/LivH/the-creative-entrepreneurs-toolkit-a-how-to-guide-for-young-artists/view for a look at one of our two discussion topics - The Creative Entrepeneur's Toolkit, and why we need to be having this discussion

* http://www.vibewire.net/Members/LivH/2018-a-new-frontier-in-digital-arts/view for a look at our second discussion topic, 2018: A New Frontier in Digital Arts, and why we need to be having this discussion

E festival is in YOUR hands. So read up on the topics, acquaint yourself with the panelists, and hit them up with your questions ... only at www.vibewire.net/forum (see to the right of the page to find the topic you want to participate in).

Speaking of marvellous events, here is yet another to put in the diary ...

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smARTarts YOUTH ARTS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL ... www.smartarts.org.au

2pm - 8pm, Saturday 12th April, 2008

The theme for smARTarts Festival 2008 is SPACE. You too are invited to come and find your artistic SPACE, as Pine Street Creative Arts Centre & Peace Park opens up to become an artistic and musical haven, where you can get involved.
The afternoon will be abuzz with an eclectic mix of musical talent with live performances from Guava, Raise the Crazy, Lounge Act, Dead Kitten Parade and more! Come and learn a new craft in a free stencil-art workshop, or pick up a brush and leave your mark on the mural, or even pick up Rap Writing with indigenous MC JR. Young emerging designers & artists will have their wares on show at the Design-Art Markets. Get a taste of youth culture at the Zine Fair and other stalls, which will be manned by young creative’s. You can also attend the yourSPACE forum if you are keen to pick up creative career tips, with speakers including author Pauline Nguyen.
Alongside the entertainment, the ArtSPACE Exhibition will expose the work of contemporary local artists across a range of media from oil on canvas to mixed media, to photography, drawing & sculpture. smARTarts Youth Arts and Cultural Festival 2008 invites you to explore your creative SPACE!

When: Saturday, 12 April, 2008 from 2 – 8pm.
Where: Pine St. Creative Arts Centre, 64 Pine St. Chippendale
For more information, visit: www.pinestreet.com.au/Youthprogram and www.smartarts.org.au
 email: ctorrington@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au  or Ph: 02 9245 1503

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Of course, it isn't a new week without a new

WORD OF THE WEEK ...

Which is up and running in the subheading this week. You know the drill - set the clock, put the word on a post it and let it trigger a creative reaction. Keep it for yourself, or publish it for the world to see. The most important thing about writing is that you keep doing it. Treat the word of the week as homework. And have it on my desk by this afternoon ...

And speaking of writing, you can never have too many

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HELPFUL HINTS ...

... to point you in the right direction.

A common occurrence in the first draft, is that of over-writing. Writers tend to forget how much is implicit in their words, and thus underestimate their readers. Read back over your work, or ask a pair of fresh eyes to, and look at what really needs to be there and what doesn't. What can be left out?

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As usual, the Create Team has had a barrage of fantastic work come in this week - we are loving the appearance of the political rant in poetry, people forget the power of the written word to make social comments and, ultimately, changes. If you're poetically inclined, with something to say, don't feel limited to fiction. In the (profound) words of John Mayer ... say what you want to say. We continue to have new and exciting things in the works, in our quest to have Creative at Vibewire develop into one of the country's finest showcases and online workshops, so stay tuned for some changes in the next couple of weeks.

For now, it is goodbye from us, we'll see you over at the forums ...

The Create Team

create@vibewire.net