The Value of Writer’s Groups/Writing Communities

Over on AgentQueryConnect, where I am a moderator, I had a new member ask me why I hang out at AQC, and what I get out of it. This member had been wondering where to post files for the agents to see and I had explained that we were a writing community that prepped writers about the business of publishing and got them ready for that moment when their work makes it in front of an agent. (Side note: For those seeking an agent–there is no easy, magic bullet. There is no wonderful hidden website where all the agents go and all you have to do is place your work there and you’ll have an agent and a book deal within the week. Agents are much too busy for that–go through the regular querying channels. And yes, WEbook has a submit to agents area on their website, but personally, I had less luck using that free service than sending a regular email query to agents.)

Let’s start at the beginning. First of all, what is a writing community/writer’s group? And is there a difference between the two? Generally speaking, a writer’s group usually meets at a ‘real’ place and in ‘real’ time. A writing community is usually something you find online. AQC is a writing community, but you could also call it a writer’s group. Basically, the two groups have the same goal–to be a place for writers to meet, gab about the craft, the business, maybe offer some critiques, share their work, share their woes, ask questions, answer questions, and basically, feel as though you are a part of a group that ‘gets’ you and what you are trying to accomplish and gain help as well as support. You can also network in these groups.

Image from The Gaping Void. You may also remember the review I did for Hugh’s book Ignore Everybody.

So, why join a group? Well, that depends a bit on your personality and goals. For me, an online writing community was a safe place to come out of the writer’s closet and talk about writing, share my writing (when ready) and learn a whole lot more about the craft, etc, in a group of people who wouldn’t ask me every week, “So, are you published yet? No? Why not?” (And hence, making me feel like a complete failure and inadvertently apply crazy pressure, which in turn, would cramp my creativity in a tight little vice, helping me get nowhere except Quitsville.)

Generally, the people you will find in a writer’s group/writing community are dedicated and understand that the road to publication is a long journey. It’s full of moments where you are sure your hair just brushed the clouds and other moments where you’re sure your toes just got singed by the devil’s very own fires. These fellow writers listen. They empathize. And when you are ready, they might just hand you a tip or resource that leads to immense improvement.

Some folks are lucky in that they live in an area that is rife with folks who want to write and get published through regular, ‘traditional’ channels. And then there are areas where the local writer’s group is a bunch of old ladies putting together their personal memoirs to give to their children as a Christmas gift. And there is nothing wrong with either avenue, as I mentioned, it all depends upon your goals. What may work perfectly for one, may not work for another. That’s the sweetness of online groups–you can find one that fits you and suits your needs.

So, the big question–what have I received from my writing community? Oh lordy! How much time do you have? I can credit AQC with so much. I have gone from so wet behind the ears that frogs were croaking back there to being agented. In the span of about three or four years. I have met many fabulous critique partners on AQC who have challenged me and urged me to improve my skills through their insightful and constructive comments. I have met others who are on the same journey as I am and we have shared agonies and triumphs–and very importantly, ‘gotten’ what agonies and triumphs they are. I have also learned an INCREDIBLE amount about the craft of writing as well as the business of publishing. And most recently, I had my critique partner slide a door open a ways for me–landing me a literary agent.

A little note: You get back what you put in. I’ve put a huge amount into the writing community and in turn, have received a huge amount back. Join for the camaraderie, stay for the insights.

So, there you have it. Writer’s Groups/Writing Communities in a nutshell.

Do you/have you belonged to one? More than one? What do you get out of them? What don’t you get out of them?

Details, Details, Details

You know the expression, details, details, details. It’s often expressed with a slight eye roll and blase attitude. Well, I’ve been thinking about details lately and those slight nuances between people, countries, etc. Maybe it’s all the travel I’ve done this summer. Or maybe it’s related to my curiosity as a writer.

There was a time where I shrugged my shoulders at details believing they were unimportant. Besides, who cares? I could make those up. I was a writer after all. I could extrapolate and get away with it. I mean, you can’t experience everything and that research takes time! Time away from writing.

Now I think differently. The correct detail in the right place can bring a whole scene to a truth that can drive at the reader. It can make something really work. Or more importantly, not work. For example, mentioning baby wipes in your 1940s novel when they weren’t invented until the 1970s. Yeah, that’s just being lazy and will get your ass kicked.

That’s right. Time travel, baby! Yeah!

A week ago we went to Disney World. Having been to Disneyland, I figured I could extrapolate what Disney World would be like. And then I went. Ha! There is that false sense of ‘I can imagine anything’ popping up.

I couldn’t extrapolate the details of Disney World, Florida, or even several, specific travel details (even though I usually step foot in the US at least once a year). Even the way Disney theme parks have evolved in the past 20 years made my detail sensor step back and say, “Well, now. We’d better take an extra look at this.”

The small details like the way sweat beaded up on the insides of my wrists at 5:30 at night while dining outdoors (I didn’t even know my wrists could do that), the way rules for passenger conduct in buses and airplanes, etc, in the US are emphasized first and foremost that this is a law! What if I had written a story about a gal who flew to Florida in August and she didn’t even sweat after 3PM? What if she had checked her bags WITHOUT charge for her flight on United Airlines? Oh, how that would have made American readers howl at my naivety/stupidity/lack of knowledge. Kind of like that check-in agent come to think of it….

And most of all, I would not have realized just what a flirt Mickey and Minnie are! My goodness. No wonder everyone loves them, they are a complete hoot.

I’m thinking I might set my next novel in Italy and what I’ve learned from this latest trip is that I’d better go immerse myself in the details of Italy. What do you think?

Writers and War

It is Remembrance Day in Canada. (Veteran’s Day for y’all Americans.)

Lest We Forget

As a Canadian, peace is one of the most important things in my life and something I value above all else.

To think… all the lives touched by war. All the lives lost. And for what? For freedom. For peace. For ideologies. War changes people, societies, cultures, landscapes and families.

How did I learn to fear war, to value peace? Some of was ingrained through socialization, yes. But it is deeper. I feel war. I empathize with those who have been touched by war. I put myself in the shoes of strangers who have lost their husbands. I feel the fear those soldiers must feel. How though? How do I feel it? How am I able to empathize?

Writers. Writers are part of why I am able to put myself in the shoes of a soldier, a mother, a child. It can be something simple like John McRae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ or it can be something disturbing like Timothy Findley’s ‘The Wars’ or even something light like Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows  look at life after war in ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.’ It can be disturbing artwork along with to-the-point words like in Pascal Croci’s graphic novel ‘Auschwitz,’ a diary like Anne Frank’s, or something more modern like ‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’ by Steven Galloway. All these different perspectives, focuses, people, life, and emotions all add up to someone who has never felt war, doing all she can to prevent it. To fear it.

John McCrae

I bow my head for a moment of silence to remember those who have fought for our freedom and to those who have taken up the struggle to write about war so that those who have never experienced it, can. Allow us to fear it and prevent it.

‘Me’ Offers an Exclusive Interview On The Touchy Subject of Writing Problems

Today, I would like to welcome Me to a mini-interview. She is an aspiring author who has graciously agreed to take a little time away and sit down (in all confidentiality) and discuss her writing problem. As some of you may have heard in the news, writing problems are becoming more and more common with the advent of word processing and the spread of home computers.

Me as a super-hero

I: Me, how did you break it to your significant other that you wanted to write a novel?

Me: I actually took my laptop into the TV room, plopped it on the desk and giggling like a crazy lady said, “I’m going to write a story. And get this, it’s going to be a romance!” That was followed by maniacal laughter. I don’t recall my husband’s reply.

I: Was this when you first realized you had a ‘problem?’

Me: No, actually. This just set the stage. It was experimental, really. The real problem came about a year later.

I: How so?

Me: Just small things. Things that are easy to ignore, overlook or explain away. It began with things like me saying, “just a minute” to my family and then taking fifteen minutes to finish writing or editing a scene. Gradually, it turned into more noticeable things such as over-steaming broccoli and burning things in the oven. That progressed to the inability to go on vacation unless I brought my laptop, a severe interest in accessing webmail. And finally, the inability to focus on things other than my writing. I find I lose hours at a time without completely understand where they went.

I: Were there other signs?

Me: I haven’t admitted this to many, but sometimes I catch myself speaking in tongues. Things like, ms, POV, WIP, query, hook, YA, and denouement. They just pop out. That can be a real conversation stopper when I’m on what I call ‘the outside.’

I: What are you doing about this problem? Have you sought help?

Me: They say the first step is admitting to having a problem. And I don’t really see this as a problem. It makes me happy. The demons are at rest when I write. While it can be a compulsion that keeps me up at night, it can also be incredibly therapeutic. The real problem is with people who don’t understand writing. We need to educate the people. Education is the key. Writers will never enjoy full membership in society until that society is educated. In education comes understanding.

I: Okay, I can see we’ve touched on a soft spot here. But again, have you sought help, such as a support group?

Me: Yes, I have. It’s called Agent Query Connect. I speak with other writers several times a day. We have discussions and once a week, real-time chats. I find it very helpful to know that I am not alone.

I: And is this support group helping alleviate your problem?

Me: I have to chat after my family has gone to bed, so, no. Not really. I feel guilty if I spend more time with my laptop than with them.

I: Do you feel as though you have to hide your problem?

Me: No, but sometimes I feel as though I am merely managing it. I make bargains with myself. If you wash the dishes, then you can write. But I’m not hiding my problem.

I: How are you symptoms today?

Me: Today’s not a good day. In fact, November is not a good month. The problem is NaNoWriMo is going on right now and that always increases my symptoms. Sometimes, it seems as though the more I gain in understanding and support from other industry insiders, the stronger the compulsion becomes.

I: Have you considered getting outside help? Outside your support group?

Me: Yes. I am currently seeking an agent. I hope that finding a literary agent will provide my family and friends with the legitimacy they need in order to accept me the way I am and to see the other side of my problem. Writing is something that will not go away. They can’t turn a blind eye to this. They need to learn to cope with having someone in their circle who has a writing problem.

I: Have you considered–

Me: Sorry to interrupt, but I just got this fabulous idea on how to pull the plot lines together for my WIP. I need to go write it down. It’s the answer to all my progression and pacing problems. Thanks for the interview. Bye.

I: Well, thank you for your time with us today. If you would like to donate to the Writer’s Cause, you can–

Me: I said, I gotta go.

I: Wow, it seems like you’re really jonesing. You’re bouncing like a 4-year-old who’s had too much apple juice. Do you find that when inspiration strikes you need to work immediately or will the muse come back later? Is a muse real?

Me: I said… forget it.

Interview subject opens her laptop and disappears.

Kreativ Blogger Pass Along

Yesterday I mentioned I had been awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award. I also mentioned that I was having troubles figuring it out. However, I failed to mention that I am a good sport and would be passing along the honour.

Therefore, I participate to the best of my abilities.

Here’s what I have to do:

1) Copy the Kreativ Blogger Badge onto my blog.
2) Thank the person who gave it to me and link to their blog.
3) Write 7 things about myself that my blog readers don’t know.
4) Choose 7 other bloggers to pass the award to.
5) Link to those 7 other bloggers.
6) Notify my 7 bloggers.

Sooo…without further ado:

1)

2) Thank you to Jemi Fraser and Cate Woods. I appreciate you both thinking of my blog. I’m flattered, to tell you the truth.

3) Seven things you don’t know about me:

I still have baby teeth (in my mouth). My favourite colour is blue. In my years as a volunteer at the Humane Society, I used to let all the cats loose in the back room. Freedom! They all got along remarkably well, believe it or not. My favourite board game as a kid was Trouble. I hate shopping for clothes. My favourite flower would be daisies because they are unassuming and beautiful, as well as cheery. And finally, I’d rather have a few really good, true friends than many false friends.

4 & 5) Seven great writing blogs for you to discover. Some have been around a long time, some are new:

Amy Sue Nathan –A chick lit and women’s fiction.

J. Lea Lopez — A commercial fiction writer.

Matt Sinclair — A writer, editor and freelancer with several blogs.

TK Richardson — YA author.

Rhonda Stapleton — YA author and one of AgentQuery’s first chat guests.

Robert K. Lewis — I think this badge will look lovely on his gritty, noir blog.

Prairie Chicks Write Romance — I have no clue how they will handle part 3 of this as it is a communal blog–and a cool one at that.

Enjoy!