tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post5914702013771092806..comments2023-12-09T00:33:24.572-08:00Comments on Novel Matters: Recipe for the Perfect Writers GroupBonnie Grovehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11377519561074174038noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-39926145445192532762011-11-03T13:50:16.352-07:002011-11-03T13:50:16.352-07:00Debbie, I do almost as much baking as writing - so...Debbie, I do almost as much baking as writing - so I appreciate a well written, easy to follow recipe. My favorites have a clearly stated objective. The best include comments on the objective's development. My favorite? Mango Banana Bread!Jack G Hardyhttp://www.jackghardy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-59601126169317059842011-11-03T04:34:59.705-07:002011-11-03T04:34:59.705-07:00Yes. That does make sense, Debbie. That might be s...Yes. That does make sense, Debbie. That might be something we do in our group in the future. Thanks for that tip!Susie Finkbeinerhttp://www.susiefinkbeiner.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-74450367161854383832011-11-02T21:59:27.980-07:002011-11-02T21:59:27.980-07:00There is a disadvantage to having the author read ...There is a disadvantage to having the author read her own work aloud. She puts the inflection where she wants it and emphasizes words that are crucial to the story. A reader wouldn't necessarily do that. It might be a better idea for someone other than the author to read the passage to see if the meaning still comes through. Does that make sense? The words have to stand on their own without help from the author.Debbie Fuller Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174333267329587740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-47382091288783069952011-11-02T17:18:16.799-07:002011-11-02T17:18:16.799-07:00Most definitely submitted in advance (2 weeks befo...Most definitely submitted in advance (2 weeks before meeting) with a 20 pg max submission limit (we're a small group). I don't process info well audibly (nor do most of the writers I know locally). I've heard of other groups reading their work aloud and I'm sure there's probably benefits to doing it that way, but I want to be able to sit and absorb a work ahead of time and scribble my notes.BKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14347297074791079439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-12360410064252904622011-11-02T15:31:38.943-07:002011-11-02T15:31:38.943-07:00Debbie, they each bring a portion of their WIP, no...Debbie, they each bring a portion of their WIP, no more than 1500 words and read it while the others follow along with their copy. It's handed back to them with our scribbles after we take turns critiquing. I had never thought of doing it ahead of time. Dont know if my group is ready for that. Sometimes I feel like a kindergarten teacher trying to get the class ready for first grade! I do love it though.Jan Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617976979678082323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-55022970266278919022011-11-02T15:12:42.321-07:002011-11-02T15:12:42.321-07:00Debbie, you're such a teacher and tender heart...Debbie, you're such a teacher and tender heart, so wise. Thanks for sharing your recipe. This going into my writing groups file.Patti Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07575415697841348226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-36871984613151745572011-11-02T08:25:17.534-07:002011-11-02T08:25:17.534-07:00My group reads them aloud. Most of us are so busy ...My group reads them aloud. Most of us are so busy with our own wips that we wouldn't really have time to review them ahead of time. Besides, there's just something about hearing the words aloud while looking at the words that helps me edit/critique more effectively. Does that make sense?Susie Finkbeinerhttp://www.susiefinkbeiner.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-39614523243534489542011-11-02T07:46:18.886-07:002011-11-02T07:46:18.886-07:00BK and Jan, great to 'see' you this mornin...BK and Jan, great to 'see' you this morning. Do your groups submit portions of their WIPs in advance so that you critique on your own time, or do members read aloud the sections during the meeting? I've seen it done both ways and both have advantages.Debbie Fuller Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174333267329587740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-70588813711353689592011-11-02T05:57:50.376-07:002011-11-02T05:57:50.376-07:00Great recipe Debbie. As I posted before, I have st...Great recipe Debbie. As I posted before, I have struggled a bit in leading my group. I like things organized and in order so I think I just need to make the vision and guidelines more clear. I am rebuilding the group since the "hit and run" writers as BK called them all left. Now I am down to the more serious writers and I just need to reel them in and make this thing solid. <br />Thanks<br />JanJan Clinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16617976979678082323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6360410252358941163.post-59504142237814985342011-11-02T05:40:02.164-07:002011-11-02T05:40:02.164-07:00Sounds like a good list. I have found that in our ...Sounds like a good list. I have found that in our group, while a member may initially be super-sensitive to feedback, they do learn how to handle it if they're serious about pursuing their writing.<br /><br />Another thing I thought of while reading these posts this week: making it a hard and fast rule that the group is not for "hit and run" writers--those writers who selfishly show up only to have their work critiqued and when it's done they disappear. These groups seem to work best when the group believes they're in this journey together.BKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14347297074791079439noreply@blogger.com