workshop tonight, chattin'

[mckitterick]

We had our (possibly) last Lawrence SF Writing Workshop meeting this evening with Matthew C., who is moving out of town in almost exactly one month. 'Twas nice to see most of the crew again: Lane, Matthew, Betsy, Nate. Matthew wrote a neat Mars story that we critiqued after much talking.

Afterward we walked across the street to the Taproom for a pint or two, and Anthony joined us. We chatted about life and book series: Gor, The Destroyer, Doc Savage, anthologies; then role-playing games; then it was late and here I am.

G'night, y'all!
Chris

EDIT: Some notes in a reply, below, about running a writers' group.

Comments

[next-bold-move.livejournal.com]

What sort of structure does your writing group have? I've been trying (and failing) to get one arranged for a couple months now, so any organizational pointers you have would be helpful!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

That's a long discussion! A few pointers:

• Meet regularly. If you don't have work to discuss at the regular time, meet and discuss writing, exchange manuscripts, and so on.
• Make sure everyone turns in someone frequently, and that at least one person has something to review each meeting.
• Try to get at least one published writer involved.
• Each writer should have someone in the group from whom s/he can learn, but avoid putting someone in the "teacher" or "boss" position.
• Personalities are important: Don't invite people into your group that you wouldn't normally befriend, because it's tough to kick someone out without killing the group.
• Start small to avoid having to invite people whose work you don't respect (or whom you don't like), but you really need about four people to make it viable.
• Coffee shops are great for meetings.
• Some groups read their work aloud, others submit via email at least several days in advance, still others hand out printouts on the previous meeting.
• Unless it's a novel group, keep submissions short. Writers can exchange novels outside the group if they wish.
• Meeting times are one of the big obstacles. Discuss via group email when's best for the most people, then meet ASAP, and keep that same day/time if at all possible for consistency.

There's lots more that goes into a writing group, but I hope these help.

Best,
Chris

[theoneinblue.livejournal.com]

Whoa! Matt C. is moving? Where? Damn, I'm out of the loop! If it's for a job, tell him congrats for me...

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

He's off to Colorado, near family. Not for a job so much as a hopeful job.

Now, if only we could get him on LJ, we wouldn't be caught by surprise like this.