Thursday, March 17, 2011

Knots.

The New Writers' Meeting was tonight.

I wrote the last novel with the highly useful feedback and encouragement from a weekly writers' group. We met almost every week for the better part of three years, and helped each other work hard to get published. I miss it so much. We stopped meeting several months ago, and now the people who were involved either aren't available or aren't interested any longer.

But I can't allow that to keep me from trying to find new minds I can connect with, new writers who can give me feedback and offer work for me to critique as well. So I've gotten together with a friend and someone she knows who's into writing, and we're seeing if we can make this work.

I know I should put a lot about the Old Writers' Meetings out of my mind - new set of participants, new set of rules, right? But I still have much trepidation about getting into this. I don't know/trust these writers like I did my old partners, and I just don't know if we'll mesh well yet. I guess all there is to do is find out.

But in the meantime, I'm tied up in knots about it. I miss my old group, and I'm trying not to boss the new peeps around with my ideas about how things should be done. I don't want to step on toes, but I also don't want to waste my time (or theirs).

I'll keep you updated on this developing situation. Back to you, Burt.

4 comments:

Al said...

I've always been a bit of a loner when it comes to my writing. Not sharing until I had late drafts ready.
Something I've changed a little recently

Sophia said...

I hope you do keep us updated! As someone who hasn't been in a writing group before I wouldn't begrudge your guidance. Each group is different, yes, but it's good to have some ground rules so you all know what you want to get out of the experience and you have knowledge of what worked for another group. I think as long as you make it clear that you don't intend to steamroll their input you shouldn't worry about taking the lead, at least until you find a system that works for you.
- Sophia.

Arlee Bird said...

I've never tried being part of a group like this, but I do think it would be interesting to try. I'll be interested in hearing about how it turns out.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Unknown said...

I bet some will have to learn how to be in a writing group, but I hope with time they prove helpful!