![TheWritersBlock.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmeMcCftJKikF9gCJgRUzSN1ThWGEjqQJd23u8JmhV1hxi/TheWritersBlock.jpg) ^{[Source](http://cdn.alleywatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/The-Culture-of-Writing-Things-Down-Photo.jpg)} It's been almost two weeks since our last update and things have been very busy at The Block. ## The Numbers Our membership now stands at an incredible 678. The member list is pruned weekly to remove members who have joined and not interacted for the past 30 days, so most of that number are regulars who use our editing services, brainstorming room, workshops and other channels. ## New Channels **Character immersion** is an interesting new channel where writers can delve into their characters, living and breathing their worlds. The channel is to be used as a tool to explore your characters more fully. **Book Club** is a new addition that gives members the opportunity to read the same book and to write a story from a writing prompt *based* on the book - although not fan-fiction. Writers explore the book as an author, seeing what techniques are used, story arcs and such that they can use in their own work. The plan is to spend a month at a time on a particular book. ## Promotions The ever awesome @shadowspub has joined our moderation team. Our second moderator promotion is @anikekirsten. @nobyeni has been promoted to editor, for the awesome work she does in the Dutch channel and in general editing. @therosepatch has joined our hosts team, welcoming new members and showing them the ropes. ## Muxxybot is Live! ![MuxxybotHeader2.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTfYnimgdaJHJfi4PxWANBXLxjAYdrdfQuw6rzVPG1BWY/MuxxybotHeader2.png) Our resident mad scientist @jasonbu has been tinkering away in his lab for a while, creating a chat bot based on Muxxybot. The bot is now operational and stalking The Writers' Block. He pulls new users into the **Welcome Center** and alerts our hosts in **General** that we have a new arrival. Muxxybot messages new arrivals, telling them about The Block and our rules. The hosts then go to greet the new people, excusing Muxxybot's rudeness - he really doesn't like humans - where they see if The Block offers them what they are looking for. They do a great job of introducing our rules to them and guiding them where they fit - our server, MinnowSupport or elsewhere that may be more suitable. This new system has kept general chat less crazy and busy. Muxxybot also patrols the server, deleting dropped links and admonishing perpetrators. ## Accolades Our members continue to shine across Steem in different curation trails and projects. As a community we are extremely proud that their work has been workshopped at The Block. ## Contests Our inaugural Poetry Contest wrapped up a few days ago and we were very happy to have received no less than 35 entries! The [second contest](https://steemit.com/poetry/@thewritersblock/the-writers-block-poetry-contest-1-results) is running right now and we are very pleased that @anomadsoul continues adding to the prize pot for these. https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmPCR66E76ZVdmsfaE7nJ3WwZAP6FBw1HLud3eat8oTK8k/image.png ^{Courtesy of @azbeen} @GMuxx's latest Art Prompt Writing contest is into its second week. Writers are tasked with writing a story using the piece of artwork shown above as a prompt. Check the post [here](https://steemit.com/contest/@gmuxx/htym9-art-prompt-writing-contest-8). This closes at midnight UTC on the 1st February. There is a prize pot of 35 Steem and the SBD payout from the announcement post up for grabs. ## A New Sheriff in Town Plagiarism is a curse on this platform, with some users seeking an easy way to earn crypto. Muxxybot is based at The Writers' Block and we have employed the services of a talented young member who checks each and every nomination that the curation team put forward. He also checks the blogs of prospective new members for anything that would raise concerns. As a community, The Writers' Block takes the notion of only putting out quality **original** work onto the blockchain seriously. ## Thanks @GMuxx's poor health continues to affect him and this week @rhondak has been busy fixing plumbing at her animal sanctuary @tarc. Despite neither of us being present much, The Block has still run like clockwork. This is purely down to the awesome team of moderators, editors and hosts who have all stepped up and made our community like a second family. For that, both @Gmuxx and @RhondaK want to thank each and every one who helps, greets, edits, moderates and makes The Block the incredible community it has become. ## @GMuxx
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Are you a writer or keen to learn? Do you wish to join a community of like-minded individuals who can help hone your writing skills in the fields of fiction, non-fiction, technical, poetry, or songwriting? Join us at The Writers' Block by clicking the logo below.