BrooWa...What???
What is BrooWaha?
Broowaha is space that you can claim as your own, along with your neighbors, to inform each other about what's going on in your city, life and mind.
Maybe you want to write about something light and interview an indy-band, review an art exhibit or the new coffee shop in town. We have sections for city and night life and culture for that. If you'd rather use Broowaha to fight the powers that be, in the politics, opinion and gossip sections you can point out the stupidity of local politicians or complain about the bureaucratic nightmare experience at your DMV.
This is a paper about the lives we live in cities around the world.
The Community Has Control
At Broowaha we have editors who screen stories to make sure nothing vulgar or offensive gets published, but our editors don't have control over where stories end up on the front page. That is determined solely by you. To the right of every story you'll notice you can rate stories based on its journalistic integrity. The higher your ratings, the more likely your story will stay on the front page. The voting system also recognizes individuals who contribute regularly to the community. As your stats build up so does your role in the newspaper.
The front page of this newspaper belongs to every member of Broowaha. If you don't like what you see, vote.
Write a story
Broowaha is about the lives of its community members - and anyone can join. We don't want you to re-write stories you read in the newspaper or saw on CNN last night. The best way to add value to the network is by sharing stories and moments from your life. That's how we can best inform each other. The mainstream media has its merits, but it can never really capture the lives we live, that's what Broowaha is for. Here are tips for writing a good Broowaha story. Whether you were an eye-witness to a newsworthy event or you have lessons to share from a life in the plastics industry, everyone has a story to share.
Getting Started
Once you've joined Broowaha, all the keys to publish on the site have been unlocked.
Join a Network: At Broowaha we have local editions. By joining a specific city your stories will be published on the full network and the local edition.
Visit the Newsroom: Chat live with other writers, see the most recent site activities and find tips for new stories.
Write a story: Here are some tips on what to consider when writing a story.
Messages: Send private messages to your favorite authors.
Friends: If you like a writer become friends with them by visiting their profile. Then you'll be updated whenever they write a new story.
Statistics: Get feedback on your stories and improve your clout in the community.
Profile: Let us know who you are.
Rate and comment on other stories: That's how you can effect what is on the front page.
Call for contributions: Members of Broowaha will all write stories on a single topic. The sum of our collective writing is greater than the parts.
What Makes a Story Good
There are no traditional editors here at Broowaha, so the range of what can be published is pretty broad. If you want your stories to become popular we have found the following tips and tricks help.
Think Locally: Join a Broowaha city and write content that serves the readers in that particular city. What's going on in your city right now? A storm, an election, a cultura event? People want to know what's going on around them from people in the know. That can be you!
Horse of a different color: If you are going to write about something that has already been covered in the news or on television, give it a unique angle. What's your specific take on it all? Do you have experience or views that add to the news?
A picture is worth: Photography always makes a story more appealing. Just make sure you don't steal the photos. Try and find artwork licensed under the creative commons here. If you have an original photo, that is even better.
Formatting: If it's easy to read, it's easy to rate.
Voice: Give the story your own voice. Funny, witty, angry. Stay true to yourself.