Writing Group
October 23rd, 2008
Alright, I’ve made my decision. I’m going to try.
No clue what I’m talking about? You’re not alone. :)
I’ve always had this philosophy about things, though I seldom acknowledge until I need it, that if I want something and I can’t find it anywhere- I should make it. At work I affectionately call this spot of thought "Don’t see a pile? Make a pile." Meaning if you can’t find a place for whatever weird cooking utensil that is then make a place for it. Can’t find what you want in any store? Make it. Can’t find the perfect internet hangout for people with your interests? Make one. That’s what I did with my community site.
There are no writing groups in my area. I’ve looked, and looked, and looked but still found nothing. No, I take that back. I found several groups… online, downstate, upstate, and one just near enough I’d consider going to it if they didn’t require such a stupendous subscription fee that I wouldn’t pay even if I could afford it.
So, since I can’t find one I’m going to start my own. Er… try. I’m going to try to start my own writing group.
It’ll be a lot of responsibility, people might not show up, it could turn into a big chaotic fiasco, or I could just flat out fail miserably but I’m still going to try because for all I know I could start something great. It’s true, I’ve never even been to a writers group. In fact, unless you count the kickoff for the NaNoWriMo coming up (I’ll explain further down) I’ve never met another writer other than the one I live with and those who dare to bless me with their presence online. Even still- my lack of knowledge on the matter doesn’t make things worse in my eyes. In fact it makes then better, this way I am like a blank sheet of paper, coming into a new experience without any preconceptions or notions of what ‘should’ happen. This way- I will learn from what happens rather than what others say will happen and in my opinion that’s a valuable way to go about things.
I’m going to wait till after the first NaNoWriMo get together before I make any decisions on the matter- this way I’ll know what it’s like to get together with strangers who have something in common with me. That and if I decide to do this I’ll already have a way to connect with others from my area and ask if they want to come. :)
About that…
I’m so happy right now. Since the beginning of October I’ve been trying to put together a NaNoWriMo get together in my area. There wasn’t one last year but this year, thanks in no small part to my persistence and I’m proud to admit that, we have ten to fifteen people who’ll be coming up to the bookstore on various days. Many of them will be showing up there with me on the first day to celebrate the NaNoWriMo and all things writerly.
I’ve spent the past few days practically living in chat and speaking to all these people from my area who never in all their past years of doing the NaNo had a chance to get together with others because there were no get togethers for them to go to! I’m really starting to feel like this is going to work and if I can manage this, if I have it in me to organize one spontaneous little meeting in less than a month… what else am I capable of?
It boggles the mind! Well, alright, it might just boggle my mind but I like boggle, both the word and the game so I suppose it suits me.
I’ve found something out that not only boggles (yes, I’m growing attached to the word) my mind further but makes me exceptionally happy with myself. See, I am not a social creature, no matter what direction you look at me from. Groups of people make me cringe internally, speaking to those I haven’t known more than a year frightens me, and I just don’t do loud… anything. Yet, when it comes to getting a bunch of strangers together in a room and getting them to open up to one another and have a good time- I seem to be quite adept even though I’m still internally freaking out.
It’s been pointed out to me several times on my community site and when I bring together different groups of friends to meet for the first time. It’s been pointed out in chat and how when I leave sometimes everyone else goes quiet for a little bit. I feel… happy over this. :) Like I’m good at bringing people together and it makes me smile.
Still, I’m very unsure. Tomorrow’s going to be like a test run for me though. I’m going to the bookstore with my sis, Kei, and we’re (hopefully) going to meet with one of the WriMo’s that’ll be coming to our November first thing to discuss writing and how we might make the who gathering go a little smoother. This isn’t the first person I’ve gone off to meet someone I’ve met online (though it’s the first time I’m going to meet them after only speaking to them for a day) and it probably won’t be the last. Fortunately I’m not stupid. My husband is going to be there during the beginning, my sis the entire time, and we’ll all be in the nice public bookstore where all the staff know me by name and favorite isle to spend hours in so I’m not terribly worried about the whole online bit. I am worried about my social skills though, so, like I said. This is going to be a test. I’ll make it through tomorrow and I’ll make it through the meeting on the first. If I can do that and I still feel confident about this whole writer’s group thing then I’ll go forward with that first foot on the path and see where it takes me.
I figure if all goes well and I get this thing off on the right foot I could host meetings once a month, though all those I’ve suggested it to would prefer bi-weekly meetings incase they can’t make one. I suppose I can do bi-weekly, goodness know I can shift my work schedule to it but I have to figure out if I’m ready to do it that often or not. I already have two places in mind where I know I can hold them at though I have to check on the specifics, one is the bookstore and the second would be to ask a friend of mine up at work how I go about getting them to let me use one of the meeting rooms at the resort but the drive to me is a little out of the way and I’d rather the bookstore because 1. I don’t work there, 2. more people live near there, and 3. I’m always up there anyways.
Anyways, we meet whenever. Finding people is no trouble at all. We could get together for an hour or two, set aside time to talk about whatever, talk about writing, set aside a few minutes to write together, set aside some time to share if we feel like it and wing the rest. Or heck, wing it all, though I do intend on having some sort of battle plan just because I can. :) I figure I can bring snacks, easily, the first few times and maybe encourage the others to do the same later on once we know each other a little more.
What do you think? Someone please give me some feedback. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I know I might be getting myself into something crazy but I really want to give it a try.
You can do it! There are so many different ways you can get into a writing community. There is zoetrope.com only where you can join groups and/or make your own and of course there are the in person versions. You know where to email me if you want some more advise on the face to face ones :)
But go for it! I’m with you, that is why i started an online magazine cause there wasn’t one that I could find like I wanted to do so there it is! (you still need to send me something sometime :)
http://www.youtube.com/shapeofabox for anyone else who wants to check out the lit mag
boggles is a cool word. :-D
i think the idea to try things for yourself is a good one, and should be encouraged. if there’s something you want to do and there’s no easy available option, why not begin/create your own? :-D
as for weekly/bi-weekly… if the issue is around whether others can or can’t make certain days… and whether you don’t want to commit to two each week… how about alternating your days with your weeks? for example, week 1 you hold on a monday; week two on a thursday; week three you’re back on the monday; week four you’re back to thursday…? that way, you only commit to the once a week and you give others a choice (to turn up only on “available” days or every week).
as for what to do with them: you seem the creative type and i’m sure you’ll come up with lots to keep people interested. the best thing i can suggest is to ask them what kinds of things they would like to do, both within the weekly meeting while you’re all together (like general chatter/discussion about a specified piece of reading/presenting short fiction/participating in short or timed writing exercises), and during the time that you are apart (again with some away-reading or short writing to prepare or ideas for next time etc). chances are, if you’ve got some creative types in the same place, you won’t be stuck for ideas and suggestions… ;-D
at the end of the day, if it something you really want to do, you will find a way to do it. :-)
Jessie: Thank you sooo much. I think I will email you about that because there’s so much I want to know. Like I’ve been saying, I’ve never been to a writing group myself so the entire concept is new to me in every sense of the word.
*is working avidly on something to send to you btw* Makes sense, in a way I think that’s the only way any of us get anything done. People need something, can’t find it, eventually someone takes the initiative to it themselves. :) I have a few fears and worries related to this whole thing, especially the taking responsibility bit but with friends like you I think I might have enough guts to go through with it. :)
Dave: You know if you keep changing your name I’m going to get all confuzzled. Lol, jk. Boggles is cool, Boggle is also an awesome game. I wish I still had it.
Indeed! It’s like, if I don’t start this then who will? How long would it take for a group to spontaneously appear in my area for me to go to? I’m tired of just waiting for it to happen so- I’ll make it happen.
I’ve been thinking about that via the bi-weekly thing. I’m not sure I’ll even have a vague idea what days I’ll be doing it on until after the first few meetings and I get an idea of what days the majority of them would be available. In the end though it still depends on what I can do. :)
Oh, yeah. I’m not at a loss of ideas though I am worried about sounded silly for a few of them but I’m sure I’ll get over that quickly. It’s just some of that initial nervousness that’s a little hard to get over with. Thankies so much for the words of encouragement. It’s when making these big choices and changes that I have the most trouble and I can always use kind words from good writer buddies.