I’m so grateful you kept writing, and that I get to read your words. And because I read your words we got to be friends.
I love your writing.
I hope that other person found a ground that made sense to them. I have left writing groups because of other writers, but never because they were in the midst of actively learning. Always because they were jerks 🤣
I love that you kept writing even though someone left. That her judgement of your writing at the time didn’t make you stop.
In January I am going to attempt to start another in person writing group. Assembling a group can be the hardest thing. To find the right people who will support each other.
The Rogues (the group that started at the last iteration of Curious & Kind) still write weekly even though I left and the space closed. I’ve been gone two and a half years, so they’ve been writing weekly together for four years.
I’m glad you’re here. It kind of feels like we are in a writers group of sorts. Writing in parallel, and sometime perpendicular.
I so look forward to someday sitting on a bench near an ocean reading your memoir.
Thank you so much, Wake. In that situation, I was never going to stop writing. I was too excited by the act of writing to care about something like that. Also, I'd studied art in college, so I was used to peers having eccentric reactions to other people's work.
I'm glad that I'm here, too, and that you're here, and that we do get to write in parallel.
Oh my gosh, yes, it can be hard to strike the right balance with a writer's group, but knowing you, you will assemble a good group. It doesn't surprise me at all that your last group is still going, long after you've left it.
It was a woman, and if I recall correctly, various circumstances had caused the group to suddenly go from 5 to 3. When she realized she was going to be left with me and the founder of the group, she told the founder that she didn't think the skills of the "other members" were up to her standards (not her words, but I honestly can't remember her words--it was hearsay, anyway). The founder told me what she'd said, and I said, "Did she think I wouldn't figure out who she meant? I'm the only other member!"
Anyway, after that, I went into a paid writer's group for about 6 months (run by a writing teacher), and I think that's where I got the best guidance.
And, honestly, at the time, I knew my writing wasn't very good. I was struggling a lot with natural sounding vernacular, and I didn't know how to organize anything that wasn't an academic paper. However, I believed I would improve. I guess she didn't.
So bizarre, though I guess I can understand feeling this way. I wouldn’t put it past me. But it’s hard to imagine in your case: your writing is just so clear and … I don’t know, melodic? I always appreciate the clarity of your writing.
That's so kind of you to say, Tom. I enjoy your writing as well.
It was ten years ago, and even though I've been journaling all my life and blogging since the mid-90s, I didn't have the skills to fully utilize whatever talents I might've had at the time.
I wouldn't leave a writer's group over a "bad writer." I find that there's always something to learn from examining any piece of writing, but even more so when it's unsuccessful. Good writers are everywhere, published in thousands of books. Developing writers teach us different kinds of lessons.
I believe in your book.
I don't leave until the 28, but I may leave for NYC earlier depending on the weather. I am starting to look at buses and trains, and packing.
Well, in case I forget before you leave, I'll wish you safe travels and a good trip, right now.
Your belief in my book is the only reason I'm now at the point of looking to submit to agents, again. I had pretty much given up on it.
There is always something to learn from everyone. And I believe your book will have an impact.
Thanks, Pat. I hope you're right about the book. Are you in Germany now or are you going soon?
I’m so grateful you kept writing, and that I get to read your words. And because I read your words we got to be friends.
I love your writing.
I hope that other person found a ground that made sense to them. I have left writing groups because of other writers, but never because they were in the midst of actively learning. Always because they were jerks 🤣
I love that you kept writing even though someone left. That her judgement of your writing at the time didn’t make you stop.
In January I am going to attempt to start another in person writing group. Assembling a group can be the hardest thing. To find the right people who will support each other.
The Rogues (the group that started at the last iteration of Curious & Kind) still write weekly even though I left and the space closed. I’ve been gone two and a half years, so they’ve been writing weekly together for four years.
I’m glad you’re here. It kind of feels like we are in a writers group of sorts. Writing in parallel, and sometime perpendicular.
I so look forward to someday sitting on a bench near an ocean reading your memoir.
Thank you so much, Wake. In that situation, I was never going to stop writing. I was too excited by the act of writing to care about something like that. Also, I'd studied art in college, so I was used to peers having eccentric reactions to other people's work.
I'm glad that I'm here, too, and that you're here, and that we do get to write in parallel.
Oh my gosh, yes, it can be hard to strike the right balance with a writer's group, but knowing you, you will assemble a good group. It doesn't surprise me at all that your last group is still going, long after you've left it.
Oh I’m intrigued: how did it become known that a person left the group because of your writing? Did she actually announce that?
Wait, only a man would announce it, and I don’t think you mentioned gender. Still, intrigued.
It was a woman, and if I recall correctly, various circumstances had caused the group to suddenly go from 5 to 3. When she realized she was going to be left with me and the founder of the group, she told the founder that she didn't think the skills of the "other members" were up to her standards (not her words, but I honestly can't remember her words--it was hearsay, anyway). The founder told me what she'd said, and I said, "Did she think I wouldn't figure out who she meant? I'm the only other member!"
Anyway, after that, I went into a paid writer's group for about 6 months (run by a writing teacher), and I think that's where I got the best guidance.
And, honestly, at the time, I knew my writing wasn't very good. I was struggling a lot with natural sounding vernacular, and I didn't know how to organize anything that wasn't an academic paper. However, I believed I would improve. I guess she didn't.
So bizarre, though I guess I can understand feeling this way. I wouldn’t put it past me. But it’s hard to imagine in your case: your writing is just so clear and … I don’t know, melodic? I always appreciate the clarity of your writing.
That's so kind of you to say, Tom. I enjoy your writing as well.
It was ten years ago, and even though I've been journaling all my life and blogging since the mid-90s, I didn't have the skills to fully utilize whatever talents I might've had at the time.
I wouldn't leave a writer's group over a "bad writer." I find that there's always something to learn from examining any piece of writing, but even more so when it's unsuccessful. Good writers are everywhere, published in thousands of books. Developing writers teach us different kinds of lessons.
I'm intrigued, too! That's so harsh!
I replied to Tom with the story.