The Writer’s Group

The Book Reading at Touchmark Retirement Center

For the past year, I’ve belonged to a writer’s group that meets weekly. I started because I needed unbiased eyes to read my material. Seven of us have met regularly since then. Others come and go, depending on their schedules and need for literary help.

There are many types of writer’s groups. Some are only for one genre, such as fantasy, fiction or nonfiction. Some are for just woman or just men. They may be affiliated with universities or bookstores.

 Ours is none of the above. Yesterday the readings were from a couple memoirs, poetry, a western, a violent children’s fantasy, an action fantasy and some Christian fiction. Our group, Dakota Writers, was launched several years ago by OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Today it runs on its own.

Our members are doctors, teachers, social workers, in public relations, in fast food, and a journalist, along with one bus driver and a cowboy. Most of them are university graduates. In the past year, at least three members have published articles or books.

While writing is solitary work, meeting with the Dakota Writers is noisy. So noisy that we depend on a bell to quiet everyone down and a timer to make sure each person has a fair share of time for reading and discussion. Sometimes, like a kindergartener, you have to raise your hand to be heard.

The group is not subtle. Unlike kindergarten, you don’t get stars for coloring poorly. No, when you’ve finished reading, everyone talks at once, launching into what is wrong with your format, and pointing out typos, redundant language or the disconnect between page one and two.

I love this group. They challenge and frustrate me at times, but I am thrilled when they have an arresting suggestion or point out a flaw I absolutely couldn’t see. My writing is better for having read it aloud to them and for their forthright evaluation.

Not that it’s easy. Reading before the group is a lot like baring your soul, because writing is so very personal. Although I’ve received my share of “constructive” criticism, one of my best moments came last fall. I had taken the first few pages of my historical novel to them. This manuscript is the essence of my life’s work, my baby, part of my soul. (Still unpublished.)

After they had ripped apart the work of a couple previous readers, I was up next. What if they tore apart my beloved first chapter? I thought about tucking the pages in my notebook and leaving. Instead, I found some gumption and began to read aloud. When I finished, there was an unusual hush in the room. It turned out they liked my story! They had minimal suggestions. My spirit soared.

Recently, I was thrilled when several members attended my first public reading of “By the Banks of Cottonwood Creek.” I joined the writers group because I needed unbiased eyes to read my work. Since then the members of Dakota Writers have become friends as well.

For information on starting a writer’s group, check out the Writer’s Digest website at www.writersdigest.com.

Quote of the day: “I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.” Proverbs 4: 11