Friends of libraries weave writing groups together

November 2, 2:36 PMChicago Volunteer Opportunities ExaminerJanet Barrett

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Once a month Marie Anderson leads a group of writers who bring their works of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, creative non-fiction, novel excerpts, whatever it is that they have written and want to share with others in the La Grange Library Writers Group.  Here, she tells how it is organized and run.  She gives credit to the friends of the libraries and participants at multiple libraries involved in helping people get what is in their heads, down on paper.

Marie says:

It all started with 9/11. That horror was a real wake-up call for me. I realized that it was time for me to get serious about trying to accomplish stuff. So I joined the Brookfield Library writers' group in 2002. That group was started and is managed by John Quinn.

In 2008, I thought it would be fun to have a group based in La Grange. So I asked the La Grange library if they could provide a room for area writers to meet.

Bridget Bittman, the director of activities at the La Grange Library, is great. She gave us a room to use one evening a month, includes our information in the library's newsletter and website, and also lets the members copy their writing for free in the library on the day of the meeting. We started meeting in the La Grange Library in January, 2009.

Each member brings in about 10 copies of their work for passing out. We begin each meeting with the pieces that were passed out the previous month. Those pieces were read at home between meetings by each member. The members can write any comments on the work. During the meeting, someone other than the author reads the piece aloud. Then we go around the room and everyone has a chance to offer their comments. The copies (with any comments/edits on them) are then returned to the author.

When it is our own work being critiqued during the meeting, we try not to defend, explain, or argue. After all, we won't be sitting next to any future editor when we send our work out.

If we manage to get through all the pieces passed out the previous month, then anyone who has enough copies of new writing can have their work "cold" read-aloud (by someone else) and critiqued.

We also inform each other of contests and markets, usually via email.

What is so wonderful about participating in a writers' group? For me, groups provide support. Writing is a solitary endeavor. A group can point out strengths you didn't know you had (e.g. an ear for dialogue). A group can encourage. A group can let you share frustrations. Groups motivate. Being with people who share your love of language is exhilarating. The pressure to bring something to a meeting builds momentum to your writing life. Groups improve your craft. Your readers can spot clunky dialogue, catch an awkward phrase, point out the vague or muddled image or cliche, point out problems with character, point of view, detail, setting. Groups give you readers of your own work, and just as importantly, give you the opportunity to read others' writing. And you're not just any reader in a group! You're a reader whose opinions and suggestions will be heard (and maybe even followed!) by the author.

The Brookfield group meets on the first and third Mondays of the month. The La Grange group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Four of us belong to both groups. John also belongs to the Downers Grove Library writers' group! For me, it's easy keeping things straight. I just have separate folders for each group.

I didn't start getting published until after I'd been participating in writers' groups. My success is totally the result of being an active member of the writers' groups. I take their critique of my work seriously. Their positive comments let me know what works. Their negative comments (always kind but honest) help me immensely in rewrites. And I do lots of rewrites. For me, the real writing is rewriting, especially after critiques.

Over the past few years, my stories or articles have been published (or are scheduled to be published) in: Downstate Story, St. Anthony Messenger, The Doings, Writing on the Walls III, The Storyteller, Morpheus Tales, Woman's World, Writer's Digest, The Writer, 400words.com, and Agrippina. Also, I won 2nd place in the 2007 Silver Quill contest, and honorable mention in the 2008 Writer's Digest contest.

As far as the future, I hope both writers' groups are around for a long time. I'm so impressed with the quality of writing in both groups. And it's gratifying to see how we all improve in our craft. I'd like to compile a ... "Best of the La Grange Library Writers' Group."   What I envision is a binder holding one piece from each member, that has been critiqued by the group. The members chould choose their own piece. We have some sharp-eyed readers in the group that I hope would be willing to edit each piece destined for the collection. Maybe the library would agree to put the binder in circulation.

Where else do I volunteer? Well, you've already done a piece on that! For several years, I've been a volunteer ESL tutor for the Sisters of St. Joseph's School on Wheels. By choice, I've limited myself to just one student, and I've had the same one since the beginning: a young married woman who has since become my friend.

Next time, we'll meet John Quinn ...