Westside Writers
Jan. 6th, 2011 07:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
novapsycheEven though I didn't feel well yesterday morning, by the time the evening rolled around, I remembered that the Westside Writer's Group would meet later that night, so I decided to brave the cold.
I couldn't tell you the last time I went to a writing discussion group. It's been ages. All last year I kept telling myself I'd make it to Sweetwaters for their monthly open mic, but I never did. So, even though attending writing groups was not on my resolutions list, going out last night felt like keeping a promise to myself.
The group is small--I've never seen more than five people there at a time. Last night was no different, just four of us altogether. The host was running late & so was another attendee, so much of the evening was spent with socializing & small talk. One of the women (I've only seen one man attend this particular group once in the past), a staple, is in the midst of publishing her first book, so we talked at length about the publishing business & looked over her choices for a cover.
The host called attention to the fact that the bookstore was closing early, so we turned our attention to critiquing. Of four people, the soon-to-be-published author & I were the only ones who had brought anything to read. I mentioned how I could never divine how I always ended up nominated to go first.
I brought out "Last October", as the piece has made several rounds in the submissions game but has come back each time. I had one encouraging rejection note, so with the hope that the piece had promise, I read it for the women at the group. They gave quite a bit of feedback, more than I thought it might elicit. I kept trying to turn the group over to the next piece, but the others kept saying they had more to say! So I let them, despite not wanting to be the focal point of attention.
At last they wrapped up their comments, for all of which I thanked them repeatedly. We turned our attention to a chapter of the soon-published author's new book. We had just listened to her read all eight pages when one of the clerks came by to tell us they were closing up shop. We hurriedly gave very superficial feedback--the things we liked--then packed up & headed out.
I plan to go back next month. I'd like to reestablish myself at Westside, since I'm on that side of town now. Also, attending might spur me to write more.
I couldn't tell you the last time I went to a writing discussion group. It's been ages. All last year I kept telling myself I'd make it to Sweetwaters for their monthly open mic, but I never did. So, even though attending writing groups was not on my resolutions list, going out last night felt like keeping a promise to myself.
The group is small--I've never seen more than five people there at a time. Last night was no different, just four of us altogether. The host was running late & so was another attendee, so much of the evening was spent with socializing & small talk. One of the women (I've only seen one man attend this particular group once in the past), a staple, is in the midst of publishing her first book, so we talked at length about the publishing business & looked over her choices for a cover.
The host called attention to the fact that the bookstore was closing early, so we turned our attention to critiquing. Of four people, the soon-to-be-published author & I were the only ones who had brought anything to read. I mentioned how I could never divine how I always ended up nominated to go first.
I brought out "Last October", as the piece has made several rounds in the submissions game but has come back each time. I had one encouraging rejection note, so with the hope that the piece had promise, I read it for the women at the group. They gave quite a bit of feedback, more than I thought it might elicit. I kept trying to turn the group over to the next piece, but the others kept saying they had more to say! So I let them, despite not wanting to be the focal point of attention.
At last they wrapped up their comments, for all of which I thanked them repeatedly. We turned our attention to a chapter of the soon-published author's new book. We had just listened to her read all eight pages when one of the clerks came by to tell us they were closing up shop. We hurriedly gave very superficial feedback--the things we liked--then packed up & headed out.
I plan to go back next month. I'd like to reestablish myself at Westside, since I'm on that side of town now. Also, attending might spur me to write more.