tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post579027035691105014..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: Growing a Bigger Heart: Writers GroupsBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-88058901114336162012011-11-02T10:10:02.823-07:002011-11-02T10:10:02.823-07:00I have been involved in a writer's group for o...I have been involved in a writer's group for over 2 years. It has given me direction and an education into how to write. At first poetry was my venue but now I am trying to write a fiction. The group is very friendly and give good advice. I can choose to accept their critque or not but it brings me insights into how I can write something of worth. We are expanding our group to 6 people and concerned that it may be too large. Three people are "drop-ins" but I value each person's sharing.Kathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-81605398947279202152011-11-02T06:03:51.701-07:002011-11-02T06:03:51.701-07:00Patti,
I started doing a once a year writers retr...Patti, <br />I started doing a once a year writers retreat as an extension of my writers conference. Our first retreat was such a wonderful experience - we all came from difference genres and experience but we came together in the spirit of love for the craft. It was a weekend to beat any writers group experience Ive ever had. Our next one is in May and I anticipate the same result. I will probably end up doing more than one a year as interest is growing. You should try it! <br />JanJan Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617976979678082323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-14240183191495797622011-11-01T07:29:00.045-07:002011-11-01T07:29:00.045-07:00Oh how I long for a writers' group! But I am s...Oh how I long for a writers' group! But I am so shy I am waiting for one to knock me over the head (talk about a hermit). I think, when I have a free moment I'll look up some guidelines for writers to follow in a group. Maybe this will inspire me. At least the longing is there.Henrietta Frankenseenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-92214333261510348982011-10-31T21:42:46.923-07:002011-10-31T21:42:46.923-07:00I'm going to sleep tonight with visions of Bon...I'm going to sleep tonight with visions of Bonnie with mini-marshmallows on her pointy teeth. <br /><br />Love it when that happens.Kathleen Popahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03682046279211463305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-86196433081032886282011-10-31T18:06:43.780-07:002011-10-31T18:06:43.780-07:00Don't give up, Megan! Pray, pray, pray! Our ch...Don't give up, Megan! Pray, pray, pray! Our church has small groups around interest areas, like quilting, hiking, gardening. They do their thing and study the word. We also have a writers group that I attend as I can. Maybe something like that?Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-54385564540389021772011-10-31T14:42:02.820-07:002011-10-31T14:42:02.820-07:00I'd love to be part of a critique group. It...I'd love to be part of a critique group. It's been one of my goals for this year, although so far to no avail. <br /><br />There are a couple of writer's groups that run in Hobart - the first time I tried to go to one nobody showed up except for me and another man looking for the same group...turned out they'd changed the time and date without updating their website or their listing with the Tas Writer's centre.<br /><br />The second group I went to was...interesting. I don't want to be negative or derogatory towards people's writing, but I'd say the group is geared towards hobbyists and people who are exploring writing for the first time. <br /><br />I'd love to be a part of an online one, but even that I've found hard to know how to join or where to go. <br />Does anybody have any tips on how to find a good online group? Thanks : )Megan Sayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15410068162701570057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-76203510842229225832011-10-31T11:59:21.700-07:002011-10-31T11:59:21.700-07:00Hi BK,
Yes, I do have guidelines with the time li...Hi BK, <br />Yes, I do have guidelines with the time limitations, but I haven't instituted the no comments till everyone is done critiquing thing. I know that would really help. Thanks for that suggestion. I know other groups that do that too. I'll give it a try.Jan Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617976979678082323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-66068039076821304172011-10-31T11:47:03.472-07:002011-10-31T11:47:03.472-07:00Thanks to all for chiming in. You're doing a g...Thanks to all for chiming in. You're doing a great job directing your answers to each other. That makes us a writers group, don't you think?<br /><br />I have a good friend who has once-a-month writers retreats at her house. Folks bring their laptops and a thermos of coffee and/or tea and scatter to write and then come back together to critique...and then more writing. I would really like to try this.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-88858095459428752222011-10-31T10:39:27.427-07:002011-10-31T10:39:27.427-07:00Oh, Bonnie...we'd have you. But you'd have...Oh, Bonnie...we'd have you. But you'd have to promise to put the mini marshmallows over your fangs.Susie Finkbeinerhttp://www.susiefinkbeiner.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-8439228068669871422011-10-31T10:36:45.352-07:002011-10-31T10:36:45.352-07:00My friend and I tried a crit group at a big box bo...My friend and I tried a crit group at a big box book store. There were about 25-30 people there. And they were out for blood. So we started our own. Our goal is to make each other the best writers we can be. <br /><br />We set up a start date and just invited our friends, who invited their friends. Location has been an issue for us. But, fortunately, I think we've found a good spot. It's so nice to be able to get together, share our art and a cup of coffee, and just be writers together. We have very little drama. And a good mix of genres and genders. <br /><br />They help make writing a little less lonely.Susie Finkbeinerhttp://www.susiefinkbeiner.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-88347036824078913572011-10-31T10:33:13.080-07:002011-10-31T10:33:13.080-07:00Alas, with these pointy teeth, I fear no group wou...Alas, with these pointy teeth, I fear no group would have me. :(Bonnie Grovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-20225803313681344302011-10-31T08:45:51.008-07:002011-10-31T08:45:51.008-07:00A timely post! Today I'm heading the rest of t...A timely post! Today I'm heading the rest of the way home from a weekend retreat with two of my online critique partners. We brainstormed our WIPs, laughed, played, ate fabulous food, all in a gorgeous central Oregon setting. What a bonding experience! Our only regret was that Sarah, our fourth member, wasn't able to join us.<br /><br />When I decided to try my hand at fiction, I prayed for 4 mths. for a critique group with at least one published novelist. God provided three. We're been critiquing online for over two years. <br /><br />Each of these ladies brings her unique strengths to critiquing my work. They are at different stages with deadlines, but we try to submit a chapter a week. I'm the slowest--a newbie inching her way through her manuscript.<br /><br />The fact that it's an online group hasn't been a problem for us, BK. But, I can see advantages to in-person groups, too.Judy Gannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05011682327930823519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-21506889087596579052011-10-31T07:44:14.565-07:002011-10-31T07:44:14.565-07:00Hey Jan, have you tried setting time limits for ea...Hey Jan, have you tried setting time limits for each piece? That way nobody who submits for a particular session gets ommitted. One of the things that helps with that is making sure the person receiving the critique does not interrupt until after everyone has given their feedback. Otherwise the receiver has a tendency to interrupt with questions and things can drag on indefinitely.<br /><br />When new members join our group I give them a copy of our Critique Guidelines.BKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14347297074791079439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-27699117195877855572011-10-31T07:37:54.548-07:002011-10-31T07:37:54.548-07:00Great post and Im so glad you are touting the bene...Great post and Im so glad you are touting the benefits of these groups. I am currently trying to rebuild my little group after taking a break. I initially started the group to help some church friends with their writing. Turns out none of the 10 of them were serious about learning a craft and all dropped out one by one. A whole new group has emerged and I sense that this bunch will grow in knowledge and in numbers. I long to have a group that will engage in all the things you talked about. <br />My problem is that as the leader of the group, I dont always get critiqued. Im the timekeeper, organizer and teacher, so my own writing is the first to go when we run out of time. I dont mind so much as long as they are learning and I learn by hearing all the comments. <br />I also have heard horror stories about some groups and my first priority is to nurture relationships and build trust. It's good when it's good!Jan Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617976979678082323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-91835958203436367172011-10-31T06:08:51.947-07:002011-10-31T06:08:51.947-07:00Good Morning, BK! Thanks for your input, especiall...Good Morning, BK! Thanks for your input, especially about the online groups. I've never tried one but was curious. I'm the only one writing on a regular basis in my group. I feel like I'm abusing them, although they promise I'm not.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-79334216536125149232011-10-31T05:31:10.348-07:002011-10-31T05:31:10.348-07:00My most faithful and true group is the in-person g...My most faithful and true group is the in-person group I formed back in 2004 because my area didn't have one. We're still going strong.<br /><br />I have also been part of 2-3 online crit groups. While I gained valuable advice during those times and remain in contact with some of those wonderful folks, I have found that online crit groups eventually disintegrate after a while without the physical presence of the others so I've made it a rule not to do online crit groups again (unless it's a one-time arrangement).<br /><br />I have heard nightmare stories about nastiness in crit groups but have never experienced it. The people I've participated with give fair and balanced assessments. Sure, it may be painful to hear some of the feedback sometimes but it is never mean-spirited and always worth considering (and often right on).<br /><br />Only negative to being part of a crit group? In my life, I just can't write regularly. I can go months (or even a year) before I have something to submit (like if I'm taking classes on web design and have to focus all my energy on that). So I often feel a lot of guilt because I don't regularly have something to submit. But someone else in the group always has something on the burner so it works out.<br /><br />Being part of a crit group also makes me more social. I'm 200% hermit by nature, so my crit group forces me to get out and about and act like a normal socializing adult. 8-)BKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14347297074791079439noreply@blogger.com