Comments on: Question of the Week: Writer Communities. http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/ where writers come to play Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:01:52 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Bruce Hoppe http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24805 Bruce Hoppe Thu, 03 May 2007 13:20:40 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24805 When I decided to move from newspaper reporting to writing fiction (which, according to some of the opinions offered by my readership on the op ed page, I had been doing all along) I needed feedback. Since I was living in sparsely populated rural New Mexico(there was one stoplight in the whole county) the chance of finding a local writers group was slim to none. I found Zoetrope online. I was green as a gourd. I had no idea there was this thing called a workshop. I thought a workshop was something that involve using a router. I joined Zoetrope and submitted and critiqued. At the time I needed to know if writing what I knew (the backwaters of the contemporary American heartland) could be done in such a way as to connect with a largely urban readership. The Zoetrope workshopping feedback told me that it was working. Now, as others have said, I rely more on a few key people with whom I've connected as a result of various writer interactions for craft honing. But I still do find the writing community a good thing to keep in touch with. But more as a way to keep one's finger on the pulse of things. Still, at one stage of the game, the Zoetrope community was invaluable as a starting point. When I decided to move from newspaper reporting to writing fiction (which, according to some of the opinions offered by my readership on the op ed page, I had been doing all along) I needed feedback. Since I was living in sparsely populated rural New Mexico(there was one stoplight in the whole county) the chance of finding a local writers group was slim to none. I found Zoetrope online. I was green as a gourd. I had no idea there was this thing called a workshop. I thought a workshop was something that involve using a router. I joined Zoetrope and submitted and critiqued. At the time I needed to know if writing what I knew (the backwaters of the contemporary American heartland) could be done in such a way as to connect with a largely urban readership. The Zoetrope workshopping feedback told me that it was working. Now, as others have said, I rely more on a few key people with whom I’ve connected as a result of various writer interactions for craft honing. But I still do find the writing community a good thing to keep in touch with. But more as a way to keep one’s finger on the pulse of things. Still, at one stage of the game, the Zoetrope community was invaluable as a starting point.

]]> By: Simon Haynes http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24776 Simon Haynes Thu, 03 May 2007 07:35:24 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24776 Good experiences. Critters helped me with a short story and the Online Writing Workshop helped give me the confidence I needed to finish my first novel. I no longer participate in writing groups since my editor and first readers give me all the feedback I need. But if you're starting out, find a group with more experience than you have yourself, and go for it. Just like golf, really. Good experiences. Critters helped me with a short story and the Online Writing Workshop helped give me the confidence I needed to finish my first novel.

I no longer participate in writing groups since my editor and first readers give me all the feedback I need. But if you’re starting out, find a group with more experience than you have yourself, and go for it.

Just like golf, really.

]]> By: Gail Siegel http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24687 Gail Siegel Wed, 02 May 2007 18:07:25 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24687 Online: The Zoetrope workshop, and--earlier in my writing life--a place called Cafe-Blue, have both been tremendously helpful for me. I learned a lot about writing and made a number of important friendships (drum roll for Susan Henderson) and publishing connections in these spots. Litpark, of course, is a newer place for me--and I'm honored to have been here from the start. The Nervous Breakdown also intrigues me. Myspace is too big and unwieldy, though I visit now and then. In Vivo: The Bennington writing seminars, where I attended for my MFA, brought a number of important people (both teachers and students) into my life and I still rely on them for wisdom and support. My writing group, which includes a number of Chicago-based playwrights, nonfiction writers and actors, has been central to my life as a writer and as a human being for the last 6 years. Finally, attending the Sirenland conference in March introduced me to a small group of very talented fiction and nonfiction writers with whom I hope to maintain contact. Speaking of which, Dani Shapiro's new novel, Black and White, is a great, fast read! Online: The Zoetrope workshop, and–earlier in my writing life–a place called Cafe-Blue, have both been tremendously helpful for me. I learned a lot about writing and made a number of important friendships (drum roll for Susan Henderson) and publishing connections in these spots. Litpark, of course, is a newer place for me–and I’m honored to have been here from the start. The Nervous Breakdown also intrigues me. Myspace is too big and unwieldy, though I visit now and then.

In Vivo: The Bennington writing seminars, where I attended for my MFA, brought a number of important people (both teachers and students) into my life and I still rely on them for wisdom and support. My writing group, which includes a number of Chicago-based playwrights, nonfiction writers and actors, has been central to my life as a writer and as a human being for the last 6 years.

Finally, attending the Sirenland conference in March introduced me to a small group of very talented fiction and nonfiction writers with whom I hope to maintain contact. Speaking of which, Dani Shapiro’s new novel, Black and White, is a great, fast read!

]]> By: litpark » Karen Dionne http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24631 litpark » Karen Dionne Wed, 02 May 2007 09:03:49 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24631 [...] where writers come to play Home « Question of the Week: Writer Communities. [...] [...] where writers come to play Home « Question of the Week: Writer Communities. [...]

]]> By: Jody Reale http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24613 Jody Reale Wed, 02 May 2007 04:06:36 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24613 Just when I think I've been <i>everywhere</i> on the Internet, someone like Susan reminds me that I'm still just a tourist. Thank goodness; I didn't know anything about Backspace until now. (My only excuse is that I've always been more of a Delete kind of gal.) In any case, maybe I'll see some of you kids there. Just when I think I’ve been everywhere on the Internet, someone like Susan reminds me that I’m still just a tourist. Thank goodness; I didn’t know anything about Backspace until now. (My only excuse is that I’ve always been more of a Delete kind of gal.) In any case, maybe I’ll see some of you kids there.

]]> By: Jason Boog http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24577 Jason Boog Tue, 01 May 2007 21:04:40 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24577 I love writing communities. I spend a good portion of my freelance writing career thinking and reading about these communities, and every day my respect for these amazing groups increases. I will never, ever forget the day I finished a 50,000 word writing project with the National Novel Writing Month people. I had accomplished a draft of a novel, something that I never imagined I could write. While I did the heavy lifting, it really really helped to have coffee with other NaNoWriMo writers and to visit a website with such a kind, supportive group of people. I love writing communities. I love writing communities. I spend a good portion of my freelance writing career thinking and reading about these communities, and every day my respect for these amazing groups increases.

I will never, ever forget the day I finished a 50,000 word writing project with the National Novel Writing Month people. I had accomplished a draft of a novel, something that I never imagined I could write.

While I did the heavy lifting, it really really helped to have coffee with other NaNoWriMo writers and to visit a website with such a kind, supportive group of people. I love writing communities.

]]> By: Robin Slick http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24576 Robin Slick Tue, 01 May 2007 20:43:57 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24576 Wait...excuse me? Tish, you and Patry will be there, too? Yay!!! Are you staying at the Algonquin? I was going to stay at the W but if everyone is staying at the Algonquin, I'm changing my reservation. I refuse to let you have cupcakes without me. And how do you feel about an Indian Restaurant that makes the bread/samosa of your choice fresh while you are standing there? I think it's a fair trade -- you two teach me how to write the way you do, I will take you on a gourmet expedition of NYC, which, other than the music stores and great venues for live music, is what I do best in that city. Wait…excuse me? Tish, you and Patry will be there, too? Yay!!! Are you staying at the Algonquin? I was going to stay at the W but if everyone is staying at the Algonquin, I’m changing my reservation. I refuse to let you have cupcakes without me. And how do you feel about an Indian Restaurant that makes the bread/samosa of your choice fresh while you are standing there? I think it’s a fair trade — you two teach me how to write the way you do, I will take you on a gourmet expedition of NYC, which, other than the music stores and great venues for live music, is what I do best in that city.

]]> By: Tish Cohen http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24571 Tish Cohen Tue, 01 May 2007 19:58:06 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24571 Susan, I forgot I'll get to finally meet you at the Backspace conference. How very, very fun. Patry Francis and I are coming into town early to search for Ayelet Waldman's favorite cupcakes and have a mini writers' retreat to work on our new projects. Stop by our room--you'll hear much keyboard clicking and cupcake swallowing. xoxo Susan, I forgot I’ll get to finally meet you at the Backspace conference. How very, very fun. Patry Francis and I are coming into town early to search for Ayelet Waldman’s favorite cupcakes and have a mini writers’ retreat to work on our new projects. Stop by our room–you’ll hear much keyboard clicking and cupcake swallowing.

xoxo

]]> By: Carolyn Burns Bass http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24565 Carolyn Burns Bass Tue, 01 May 2007 17:36:15 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24565 Wonderful job of linking all the salutes to Karen into one great read. Even with all of the sleuthing Lauren and I did, we unintentionally missed several people who would have liked to add their voices in salute. This list could have been twice as long. If it weren't for Backspace and Karen, I wouldn't have met Susan and found LitPark and all my wonderful friends who play here. I'm a people person. Writing is a solitary activity. I work my other job from my home studio. Backspace has been like a virtual water cooler, the place I pop into when I need social interaction. Backspace is more than a social network for me, though. It's also an online classroom with dozens of instructors and a supportive critique group. Wonderful job of linking all the salutes to Karen into one great read. Even with all of the sleuthing Lauren and I did, we unintentionally missed several people who would have liked to add their voices in salute. This list could have been twice as long.

If it weren’t for Backspace and Karen, I wouldn’t have met Susan and found LitPark and all my wonderful friends who play here.

I’m a people person. Writing is a solitary activity. I work my other job from my home studio. Backspace has been like a virtual water cooler, the place I pop into when I need social interaction. Backspace is more than a social network for me, though. It’s also an online classroom with dozens of instructors and a supportive critique group.

]]> By: Karen Dionne http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/comment-page-1/#comment-24556 Karen Dionne Tue, 01 May 2007 15:50:30 +0000 http://litpark.com/2007/04/30/question-of-the-week-writers-communities/#comment-24556 I'm so glad you don't mind the idea of speaking spontaneously, Sue, because that's how your moderator handled a similar part at the Backspace conference last year. :) The discussion was fabulous, and I bet yours will be too. See you all soon! I’m so glad you don’t mind the idea of speaking spontaneously, Sue, because that’s how your moderator handled a similar part at the Backspace conference last year. :) The discussion was fabulous, and I bet yours will be too. See you all soon!

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