August 2020
Site Update
It's been August for a whole week. How's it going for ya?
We know most of you are quiet writers who like to keep to themselves, but we'd love to hear what's been going on in your life. How are you handling quarantine? What's your new normal? Or, if you're sick of talking about all of that, let us know a cool fact you've learned recently. Or share your favorite color. Honestly, just let us know whatever. We're here for it!
Now, onto the stuff!
Umbra Game Night & Book Club
Our lovely Global Moderator @ReireitheSmileFaerie has put together a poll and survey to gauge interest in a Game Night and Book Club for Umbra! Some of you have already participated and shared your thoughts; for that, thank you immensely. We are constantly looking for ways to engage with our excellent community (seriously, you all are stellar).
Rei and the rest of staff are incredibly excited for these potential community activities, so please dive in! For all of those who might have missed the initial announcement, this is the time to check out Rei's post and submit your input. Responses will continue to be accepted until 12AM PST tonight.
Click here to check out Rei's Game Night and Book Club post.
Monthly Writing Prompt
For all of our ambitious writers who love a fun challenge, our dear @Merra has decided to start up a Monthly Writing Prompt! Merra is a creative soul who's going to be bringing the writing challenges to us on the first Monday of every month.
This month's prompt: DRAGONS
Click here to check out Merra's post and set your muse on fire.
(Get it? 'Cause dragons?)
We will be celebrating all those who participate in our monthly writing prompts with a special medal and Writer's Spotlight, so be sure to submit!
August Events
Our July event participation was devastatingly low (thank you IMMENSELY to @lyriclyrandom who submitted a gorgeous poem!), but we're ready to come back at you with some new events for everyone to try.
For August, we currently have two events (in addition to the writing prompt) for you all the check out. @Practical has put together a creative challenge we think all you word-lovers will enjoy.
Click here for Prac's Three Line Poem event.
Secondly, I will be crafting a game for all of you trivia lovers out there. Once I'm finished setting up the post, I'll be sure to tag you all so you can participate! (Yeah, yeah, I'm late in posting, I know I'm a goblin forgive me please.)
Site Upgrade
I mentioned a couple months back that we are in the process of planning a site upgrade for Umbra. As you can imagine, this will take a significant amount of back-of-house work on my end. I am insanely excited for the prospect of upgrading the site and offering you all more options, more features, and hopefully more creative freedom for your posts.
As of right now, my goal is get the site upgraded in January 2021. During the upgrade period, Umbra will be offline to ensure a smooth transition from our current software (Xenforo 1.5) to Xenforo 2.whatever they're on right now.
The community will receive plenty of reminders so you all don't worry when you see Umbra offline. I intend to make the transition and Umbra's down period as quick as possible so you can all continue to write to your heart's content. As we get closer to the upgrade period, you will receive more information about my plans (assuming my brain hasn't melted yet).
If you have any questions about the planned upgrade, feel free to post below or send me a PM.
That's all I have for you now, Umbranites! Thank you all for continuing to be a part of the Umbra community. Please take care of yourselves during these weirdo wacky coconutty times and be sure to reach out if you need a little chitty chat.
"Whatever our struggles and triumphs, however we may suffer them, all too soon they bleed into a wash, just like watery ink on paper."
- Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden