Where do I start?
Typetrigger is a place to write and read. There isn’t only one way to do it and we invite you to explore and decide how you want to approach it. That said, this FAQ will introduce you to the functions of the app.
Writing
What’s a Trigger? What’s a response?
A trigger, in homage to Richard Hugo’s Triggering Town, is a short writing prompt to help get your juices flowing. You can use it as a jumping off point, quote it directly, or ignore it entirely, as suits your mood. We call the resulting post a response.
When do the triggers change?
Every six hours.
Have I seen this trigger before? Do triggers get reused?
Yep, triggers do occasionally get reused. Any time you see a trigger with the same text as another trigger, that’s the same trigger. All responses to this trigger — from any time it was used — will be displayed together.
I tyoped. I mean I made a typo. Can I fix it?
Nope. We’ve found that if we can edit something, we end up obsessing about it, and never know when to call it quits. Editing is fine, but Typetrigger is about getting the words out and moving on. It’s about writing in the moment, not writing something perfect.
I wrote something awful. Can’t I remove it?
No problem. Once a piece of writing is published, you can still change the privacy setting, add or remove it from your groups, or even delete it. You’ll find these options if you drill down to single post view. (If you’re on the website, click the permalink/chain icon.)
I deleted something. Can I get it back?
Nope. Take a deep breath and move on.
What’s the deal with visibility settings?
Visibility is set on a per-post basis. A default visibility level is kept in your account settings, and when you publish a response you have the option to override it.
There are three visibility levels:
- Public: Visible to anyone on the internet.
- Typetrigger Members: Only visible to logged-in members of Typetrigger.
- Private: No one can see it but you.
Note that private posts can still be added to & discussed in groups.
How do I use tags?
You are welcome to use tags (or not use them) however you wish! We have provided a few common genre tags that you can select from. You can also tag for more specific forms or themes. We are fans of tagging 300 when we write exactly to the word limit. Some community members tag for serialized stories or characters. All tags are searchable, making them an easy way to explore the community.
Can I share stuff from Typetrigger to other places?
It is easy to share a piece of writing or a collection from Typetrigger using the share icon. However, the visibility settings on a response determine who can see it. If you try to share a piece of your private writing via email, for example, the recipient won’t be able to view it. You can share the work of other Typetrigger writers, too, if their visibility is set to public. If a writer has their visibility set to community-only, the link to any piece of writing will only be viewable by logged-in members.
Reading and Community
How do I read on here?
There are several ways to approach reading on Typetrigger. All of the responses that writers here decide to share with the community will be found in the latest feed. This feed is refreshed chronologically, with the very latest writing at the top. Browsing through this feed, you will find every style and genre of writing. As you find pieces you like, you can follow those writers by visiting their profile page and adding them. All of their future work will now show up in your following feed. Curate the list of writers that you follow to create your unique reading experience.
How do I find writers who are putting out the kind of stuff I like?
We encourage everyone on Typetrigger to explore the range of writing that people share here. We are often surprised to find ourselves really enjoying stuff we wouldn’t have thought to look for. That said, searching by genre is an easy way to find writing that has been tagged. Whether you are wanting to find sci-fi or sonnets, romance or memoir, someone has been publishing it on Typetrigger.
Another great way to find writing you might enjoy is to look at who the writers you appreciate are following, as well as who follows them. Visit another member’s profile page and you will see both lists, which can be a fun place to start exploring. Check out the collections that people have created, too!
How do I use collections?
Collections are a great way to keep track of pieces of writing you really enjoy. They make it easy to revisit favorite works later and to share what you think is the best of Typetrigger with others. Create a variety of collections and name them so that other people will be interested to see what they contain! Each collection is easily shareable through the collection page.
How do I connect with other writers?
Share your appreciation with other writers by tapping the heart icon! They will be glad to know that someone is reading and might check out your work, too. Follow writers whose future work you want to see. Send direct messages to offer compliments. Invite other writers to a private group to get to know one another more through your writing process.
How do groups work?
Anyone can start a group through your groups page. To get started, create a name for your group and add other Typetrigger members. Once they are in the group, each member will see the option to add their trigger responses to the group page. You can add a response when you post or after the fact. You don’t have to share all of your writing to your group. You can belong to multiple groups and share different stuff with each.
In groups, comment on responses allows writers to give feedback or talk about the writing process with a trusted group of people, whether it’s just you and your best friend or a bigger group of people who find one another here on Typetrigger. Comments will only be viewable to group members from the group page.
You may leave a group at any time.
Where’d the comments go on my post?
We allow comments on posts, but only in the context of group discussion. For this reason, comments are only visible when viewing a post in the group where those comments were made. Comments from Group X will only be visible in Group X — they’ll be hidden when you look at that same post in a public feed or different group.
Challenges? Ideas?
I don’t like something I read!
Typetrigger is a place for all kinds of writers. Creative writing takes a lot of forms and we don’t expect that everyone has the same tastes. If something isn’t your favorite, just pass it by and focus on following writers you enjoy. That said, we do have a few ground rules. Typetrigger welcomes work of a variety of genres and styles, but not explicit adult content. We don’t tolerate harassment or other creepy behavior. Be kind and help us keep Typetrigger a supportive community.
I need to block or hide a user entirely.
What happens when I block a user?
When you block a user, they disappear from the app. You will no longer be able to see their posts, messages or user page, and they won’t see yours either. Note, however, that this does not apply to groups. If you share a group with a blocked user, you will see each other’s posts and comments, as well as messages to group threads.
How do I block or unblock a user?
You can block and unblock users in your Settings area.
I have a technical problem, can I contact someone?
Please send us an email to support@typetrigger.com. If you’re reporting a technical issue, please try to be as specific as possible so that we can recreate it. Make sure to tell us what platform you’re on (iOS, Android, or a particular web browser), and feel free to include screenshots if you think that will help. Please remember that we’re a tiny team, and it might take a while to work through such issues. But do know that your help in reporting them is super appreciated!
I have a suggestion or general question?
Awesome! We love getting feedback from our users. Please send it to info@typetrigger.com.
I have a great idea for a trigger.
We got you. There’s an option in the menu just for that!