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Questions and Feedback

Started by I Roll 304 at 09-26-2009 5:57 AM. Topic has 6 replies.
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   09-26-2009, 5:57 AM
I Roll 304

Joined on 09-26-2009
Posts 3
Writers Groups: Yea or Nay

For some reason, I feel compelled to be in a writer's group, although two previous attempts were disastrous.  I am a novelist (my mss is being shopped right now!!!) and working on the sequel, but both groups I've joined have seemed more about rationalizing the reasons folks couldn't write, rather than writing and sharing. 

 Any tips on how to choose a good writing group?  How to keep the group on task? 

And what about group hijackers?  You know, those folks who feel the group is there for therapy?  I don't know, maybe I'm just not a group person. 

I'm new to the forum and I appreciate any feedback.  Hey, maybe this is the group I've been looking for!

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   09-26-2009, 8:25 AM
JimNC

Joined on 07-20-2008
Huntersville, NC
Posts 42
Re: Writers Groups: Yea or Nay
If you click on the Writing Resources tab on the top-line menu, then Writing Groups, you'll see a list of writing group categories on the right. Or you can choose "select location from list" at the top. You don't mention the genre for your mss. Often national associations (Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, etc.) provide articles with suggestions on selecting a group and have lists of local groups on their web sites. You might also consider an online group. There are some good ones, but it may take some trial and error to find the correct one. I belong to Zoetrope.com and others. Hope this helps.
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   09-26-2009, 1:47 PM
Lounge Daddy


Joined on 04-06-2009
Grand Rapids, MI
Posts 20
Re: Writers Groups: Yea or Nay

Hey, I have been thinking of the same topic lately: writer's groups! Without a doubt, it's past time that I start thinking about joining up with one. Thank God, it's almost November. Here's why: November is National Novel Writing Month!

I am planning on being very involved in my local region during this year's NaNoWriMo. I have a rather rather region that met up pretty regularly last year. My hope is that I'll meet some great fellow writers in the area, to be friends with and meet with long after NaNoWriMo is over. 

Already I know of a few who frequent my local 24-hour coffee shop.

 

For anyone who isn't aware of what NaNoWriMo is, here's a great posting about it from the Daily Writing Tips blog.

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   09-26-2009, 2:35 PM
Craven

Joined on 03-26-2008
Posts 88
Re: Writers Groups: Yea or Nay

I feel your pain. It seems to be a common writing group dynamic that a certain number of members are blocked or have no intention to publish, and someone hijacks the meeting for personal issues. A group needs a strong leader who can keep the proceedings on focus and steer the meeting away from hijackers and back on topic.

If that person isn't running the meeting, then maybe you need to step up and take on that role.

As a last resort, within of every writing group is a core of dedicated writers who want to talk about craft and make their work better. I'll bet a lot of these people feel the same way you do. Talk to them privately about setting up another group. Smaller is often much better, especially if all the writers within that small group are dedicated and on the same page.

Good luck to you, let me know how this turns out, -Craven

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   09-28-2009, 5:51 PM
I Roll 304

Joined on 09-26-2009
Posts 3
Re: Writers Groups: Yea or Nay

Thanks for the commiseration.  I guess it's just human nature.  Nice to know it's not just me! I do agree with you, though, smaller is better.  I have a very dear friend who writes as well and she's usually the one I turn to for those "goat-eyed stare" moments that plague me when I'm really struggling with something.  I guess we'll just be a group of two!

 

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   09-28-2009, 5:53 PM
I Roll 304

Joined on 09-26-2009
Posts 3
Re: Writers Groups: Yea or Nay

I love NaNoWriMo!  I recommend it to anyone in any creative field who feels stuck or unsure or that they're just spinning their wheels.  Unfortunately, I live in a pretty small town and I've never been able to wrangle an actual group together, but I did it a few years ago (in August.  I just can't do anything the way I'm supposed to.)  All hyperbole aside, it was life changing.

 

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   09-28-2009, 9:28 PM
Craven

Joined on 03-26-2008
Posts 88
Re: Writers Groups: Yea or Nay

Anyone who can crank out "goat-eyed-stare" will have few problems as a writer. I've seen that look in the mirror more times than I'd like to admit. I look forward to reading your stuff someday.

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