We had another great meeting on August 28th, with 25 intrepid ink-slingers sharing their work in critique groups. I think I can say that it is getting easier each time and many of us have gotten some great tips and encouragement from these sessions. I'm now looking forward to our first September meeting, when we'll be joined by the multiply-talented Owen Egerton. Remember, we meet on the second and fourth Saturdays each month. Upcoming meetings are September 11, September 25, October 9, October 23.
I mentioned some sites at the meeting, a couple of which were suggested by Jo Virgil when she spoke:
The Mayborn Conference is an annual three-day conference "created to enhance the quality of nonfiction writing, encourage innovation, and create a community of factual storytellers who maintain an unflinching faith in the narrative craft." If you're interested in writing literary nonfiction, you might think about attending next year's conference.
Jo also mentioned the Writers League of Texas, located right here in Austin. Their website offers many resources for writers as well as their regular meetings, workshops, seminars and contests. Check it out; there's something there which you can use.
Want a challenge? November is National Novel Writing Month. Willing participants can sign up to write a work of fiction at least 50,000 words long in the 30 days of November. Poke around their website and see what you think. I'm considering doing this, mainly because I frequently need to be forced to write, and this would be good for me. I'd like some company, though, so please let me know if you want to try this. No, I don't even have an idea yet, but I've got two months to come up with that. I rather like the idea of writing a novel I didn't intend to write!
On another topic, Kathy Sargent presented the idea of forming a book club, in which a group would read the same book and meet regularly to discuss it. If you're interested, shoot Kathy an email.
Finally, please feel free to use the comment box below to add links you've found, questions or comments you have, even samples of your writing! I've been very pleased to hear from many of you how SCRIBE is helping you. Keep writing!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Scribe meeting this Saturday, August 28th!
It's time once again for the scribes of Riverbend to get together. Since this will be a fourth Saturday, our meeting will include dividing into four small groups and hearing what others are writing, sharing our own writing, and discussing and critiquing the works we bring. It's a helpful exercise which will also make you feel encouraged and not alone in what can sometimes be a lonely pursuit—writing. As always, the meeting begins at 10:30am in Quad 4. I hope to see many of you and I encourage you to bring along other potential writers. We are an open group and we'd love to continue to grow.
If you missed our meeting on August 14th, here are the guidelines for critique/workshop meetings which Jo Virgil shared with us. Please keep these in mind when you come to share and listen this week.
Ten Commandments of Critiquing:
1. Comment on the text, not the author.
2. Speak from your own perspective.
3. Be willing to give honest feedback.
4. Remember that a writer’s work and the conversations about it in group are private.
5. Start with a positive comment, end with a positive comment.
6. Honor the writer’s own voice—don’t try to re-write.
7. Consider the writer’s goals in asking for a critique.
8. Be specific with suggestions, but avoid being nitpicky.
9. Make your critique concise and leave time for others’ comments.
10. Keep a sense of humor.
Ten Commandments of Being Critiqued:
1. Be open-minded to the comments.
2. Don’t argue or defend your work—in fact, just don’t talk except to ask for clarification.
3. Be willing to receive honest feedback.
4. Identify what you are looking for in the critique.
5. Leave your ego at home.
6. Keep a sense of humor.
7. Listen to the praise, not just the criticism.
8. Pay special attention to comments that you hear frequently, and take notes.
9. Remind yourself of the purpose of the critique.
10. Treat feedback like a gift from your mother-in-law: If you like it, use it with pride. If you don’t, quietly toss it aside after she’s gone.
If you missed our meeting on August 14th, here are the guidelines for critique/workshop meetings which Jo Virgil shared with us. Please keep these in mind when you come to share and listen this week.
Ten Commandments of Critiquing:
1. Comment on the text, not the author.
2. Speak from your own perspective.
3. Be willing to give honest feedback.
4. Remember that a writer’s work and the conversations about it in group are private.
5. Start with a positive comment, end with a positive comment.
6. Honor the writer’s own voice—don’t try to re-write.
7. Consider the writer’s goals in asking for a critique.
8. Be specific with suggestions, but avoid being nitpicky.
9. Make your critique concise and leave time for others’ comments.
10. Keep a sense of humor.
Ten Commandments of Being Critiqued:
1. Be open-minded to the comments.
2. Don’t argue or defend your work—in fact, just don’t talk except to ask for clarification.
3. Be willing to receive honest feedback.
4. Identify what you are looking for in the critique.
5. Leave your ego at home.
6. Keep a sense of humor.
7. Listen to the praise, not just the criticism.
8. Pay special attention to comments that you hear frequently, and take notes.
9. Remind yourself of the purpose of the critique.
10. Treat feedback like a gift from your mother-in-law: If you like it, use it with pride. If you don’t, quietly toss it aside after she’s gone.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
SCRIBE meeting this Saturday, August 14th!
Don't miss our first August meeting this Saturday, when our special guest will be Jo Virgil, from the Writers League of Texas. Jo has expertise in the area of workshop/critique groups and will share much useful information and advice with us. Remember, our meetings are the second and fourth Saturdays each month, at 10:30am in Quad 4.
We held our first workshop meeting on July 24th. Twenty-two brave souls showed up to make their first tentative steps toward sharing their writing with the world. We divided into four groups and the experience was great! Here are some comments from those who attended:
As you can see, there's no reason to be afraid of our fourth-Saturday sessions; they're all about encouragement and constructive feedback...oh, and fellowship with our fellow writers!
Please make a concerted effort to attend SCRIBE meetings. As a new group struggling to find its identity, every person is important and has much to offer the group. I hope to see you this Saturday!
We held our first workshop meeting on July 24th. Twenty-two brave souls showed up to make their first tentative steps toward sharing their writing with the world. We divided into four groups and the experience was great! Here are some comments from those who attended:
"Our first workshop meeting was a positive time for me. Henceforth, my little tape recorder will travel with me to record the ideas that the workshop session triggers...The Scribe group is a gift from Riverbend offering us an educational, inspirational and motivational environment."
"I really enjoyed this reading session and, to be candid, much more than I thought I would...I was in a great group, everyone was very encouraging, it was a non-threatening environment, and I was sitting with some very talented writers to boot."
"My first feelings of intimidation turned to appreciation as each shared from their writing and welcomed feedback. I not only learned from our critique of other's writings, but how I can improve my writing from the feedback given to me from the group."
"It was a terrific session. I was fortunate enough to be in the smartest and best looking circle of writers (they let me stay anyway). The diversity of writing ranged from poetry to technical, fiction, and essay. Everyone was both supportive and helpful... Some of us brought completed work and others brought work in progress. It was both a low pressure and very enjoyable experience."
As you can see, there's no reason to be afraid of our fourth-Saturday sessions; they're all about encouragement and constructive feedback...oh, and fellowship with our fellow writers!
Please make a concerted effort to attend SCRIBE meetings. As a new group struggling to find its identity, every person is important and has much to offer the group. I hope to see you this Saturday!
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