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!
I joined the Writer's League and have been to a meeting. As of right now (if I don't chicken out) I think I will also try to write a novel in November. Have a couple of glimmers of ideas, but they are way premature at this point.
ReplyDeleteBob Allen
you're a bold man going for 50K words in a month...!
ReplyDeleteby the way, I wonder if any of you other writers have checked out http://www.StoryFix.com ? Larry pushes out a couple of very helpful blog posts for writers each week.
I've started the Nanowrimo two times and two times I've not finished. Oh the shame...LOL!! I'm pretty well set on my path right now. I'm hoping my first manuscript will be complete by the time the Nano's over!!
ReplyDeleteLoved the critique group. If nothing else, helpful to get it out there in the universe.
dana
Great meeting. I feel better about my writing and I have been going through and updating my stories. Thanks to my group for the encouragement they gave.
ReplyDeleteMy group gave me some very good comments and had a lot of patience with my very l-o-n-g story. Next time I will double space and keep it much shorter. The honest opinions were very constructive.
ReplyDeleteIs there a specific topic that we are supposed to write about for Sept. 25th?
ReplyDelete