Just got back from a writing retreat. Wow. It was absolutely, possitively, fantabulous! Four days and three nights of writing.
Let me brag about my progress. Sub deadline is September 1, 2010. Word limit is 3,000. I chose to start a short from scratch rather than rewrite an existing. Day 1 = 1,996 words. Day 2 = 1,997 words. Day 3 = editing to less than 3,000 for a manuscript of 2,892 words. Yippee! Story still needs work, but hey. Yippee!
Now, the location. We rented a guest cottage from a nearby college situated on a mountaintop. The view inspiring, the facilities adequate, and places to write abundant. Though temps lingered in the mid 90's, the shade offered up a nice breeze everyday. The lobby for guest housing provided comfortable seating, small fridge, coffee, and microwave.
The library, while not as plush as the lobby, included chair with laptop tables attached to the arms and coffee house tables, for writer's who like to perch a tad higher.
We carted coolers for snacks and cold drinks and Panera Bread Bagels for breakfast, but for lunch we went to this fabulous little cafe. The chef trained in Chicago, Louisiana, and France. Thinking now of his presentation of Shrimp n' Grits, Pork Sliders, and Mac n' Cheese is making my mouth water.
If you've considered a writing retreat, by all means give it a try. There are affordable stays out there and / or close to home. Pull together a handful of writing friends and plan the essentials. It can be a memorable and productive writing experience.
If my group goes again, and I hope it does, I plan to attend. Meanwhile, I'm going to rewrite and sub my story by deadline. Until next time, happy writing.
Showing posts with label writing groups. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing groups. Show all posts
Writing Groups
My writing group meets this evening. So, I thought it would be a good time to post a few words about writing groups in general. When I joined my group, we were about fourteen people strong. Each member had a unique writing talent dissimilar to the others. It was a great group, a fun group.
Then, some of us wanted to do our own thing, and my writing group came together. We had high hopes and set some goals. Writing goals, publishing goals, bonding goals, conference goals. We held a successful open mic.
You might be thinking about joining a writing group. Well, here's a few things to consider before you make a commitment.
1) Diversity within the group is important, but so is commonality. Make a list of individual differences and common goals / interests. Make sure you can live with both lists.
2) Consider personalities. What are the chances yours will clash with a group member's? Is the group cliquish? Staying with a group, when you feel like an outsider, may not be worth the benefits your group provides.
3) Expect a leader to imerge. Desire it. Just make sure you're willing to follow whoever rises to the challenge.
4) Voice your opinion about the group's direction or lack of it. Keeping a group on track is challenging.
5) Keep your individual goals in sight and pursue those goals, which might differ from group goals. Don't forsake your goals to chase a group dream, unless you are 200% certain the dream will be a reality.
Group dynamics are important and the group's achievements will hinge on each member coming together as one. The writing and critiquing will fall into place.
There's a lot to consider before jumping into a writing group. Any questions?
Then, some of us wanted to do our own thing, and my writing group came together. We had high hopes and set some goals. Writing goals, publishing goals, bonding goals, conference goals. We held a successful open mic.
You might be thinking about joining a writing group. Well, here's a few things to consider before you make a commitment.
1) Diversity within the group is important, but so is commonality. Make a list of individual differences and common goals / interests. Make sure you can live with both lists.
2) Consider personalities. What are the chances yours will clash with a group member's? Is the group cliquish? Staying with a group, when you feel like an outsider, may not be worth the benefits your group provides.
3) Expect a leader to imerge. Desire it. Just make sure you're willing to follow whoever rises to the challenge.
4) Voice your opinion about the group's direction or lack of it. Keeping a group on track is challenging.
5) Keep your individual goals in sight and pursue those goals, which might differ from group goals. Don't forsake your goals to chase a group dream, unless you are 200% certain the dream will be a reality.
Group dynamics are important and the group's achievements will hinge on each member coming together as one. The writing and critiquing will fall into place.
There's a lot to consider before jumping into a writing group. Any questions?
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