So yesterday we talked about enrolling in writing classes in order to fill your life with more writing, more feedback on your writing, and more writers. Writing classes can also have their disadvantages, though. For one thing, there's tuition. $200+ is a significant splurge, especially if you're already strapped for cash. Then there's the timing: either you're available on the scheduled dates and times, or you're not attending. And depending on who's teaching, you may find your kind of writing unwelcome in the classroom (*cough* *cough* GENRE *cough* ACADEMIA *hack* *splutter*).
An option that's often cheaper and more democratic than the classroom setting is a writing group, defined loosely as "A bunch of writers who get together to talk about and/or work on their writing." And in these happy days when everything is on the internet, finding a group is as easy as typing www.Meetup.com.
There are a lot of writing-related Meetup groups. Heck-a-plenty of 'em are in Colorado. They vary widely as to structure and schedule. Some are facilitated by a single instructor; some adhere to an ongoing set schedule; others are hierarchically flat, coming to decisions about timing and content based on ongoing discussions on their Meetup page. Some charge a small fee for attendance to cover the cost of the group; others are free.
Let's take a look at a few nearby Meetup groups that have peer critiques somewhere on their agenda.
Boulder Writing Critique and Workshop
Organizer: Gary Patterson
The primary role of this group is to provide useful critiques. We further help each other grow as writers through presentations on writing topics, as well as practical application through writing exercises.
Critique sessions occur more or less every Saturday at 9:30 AM. Today's took place at the Bramford Condominium Association (500 Mohawk Drive). The member in the "hot seat" uploads their manuscript during the week, and other members arrive ready to give their feedback.
Louisville Writers Workshop
Facilitator: Rachel Weaver, MFA
The Louisville Writer's Workshop is a group for writers of all levels from any genre. This is a place for writers in the community to come together to critique each other's work and participate in discussions of all things writing, from generating ideas to plot, structure and character development to publishing. The group will be facilitated by Rachel Weaver, MFA.
The Louisville Writers Workshop will meet next on Saturday, February 18 at Louisville's downtown Bittersweet Cafe (820 Main Street).
Finding Success as an Author (Denver)
Facilitator: Othniel Seiden
Finding Success as an Author means: Finding who your potential readers are * Finding who your competition is * Finding your niches * Finding your best genre * Finding your writing style * Finding your best publication route * Finding your best marketing methods * Our meetings will help you find all this out.
Past meetings seem to have each focused on a particular aspect of the writing and publishing industry. The most recent meeting, which was today at the Eloise May Library (1471 S. Parker Road), was titled "Getting your book written and ready for publication in just 2 drafts." Next meeting TBA.
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