Why join a writing group

Writing books and magazines encourage those interested in writing to join a writing or critique group. But what type of group should you join and where can you find one?

There are various types of writing groups just as there are a wide variety of writers.  You can find online, national, state and local writing groups, as well as genre groups such as Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America, Horror Writing Association, National Association of Writers, American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Garrett County writers

Each can be a help and I have been, and am still in some. On a more personal level, a local writing group can help you fine tune your writing and get you used to having people read it and comment.

I was in a writing group in Garrett County, Maryland, called the Wednesday Writer’s Guild. We generally met on Wednesday evenings. We were amateurs interested in writing. We learned from each other and had fun.

Each writer, who wanted to participate, brought copies of a short piece to the meeting. Someone else read the piece, so the writer could hear how it sounded. If the reader paused or stumbled while reading, there might be a problem. When we read our own work, we tend to see words that aren’t there. We know they should be, so we automatically “read” them.

During the discussion, the author was not to speak or defend their work. Members offered suggestions, mentioned where they may have been confused, pointed out errors and asked questions. After the discussion was over, it was okay for the author to explain. Then we returned the papers, with comments and suggestions  to the writer.

Joelle Jarvis, Kerry Peresta, Lona
Queen at Balto. Book Festival

At monthly meetings, we critiqued partial chapters of novels, newspaper articles, short stories and poetry. One member introduced graphic novels to the group. Occasionally a topic or prompt was suggested for the next meeting. I enjoyed writing a short piece about a different topic. It was surprising the number of ideas that would come from the same sentence.
Many members were published in the area literary magazine, Ginseng, newspapers and in other media. Some also have published books.

Now I am with the Carroll County Chapter of Maryland Writers’ Association,  (CCMWA) which focuses on education and socialization.  Writing can be a lonely profession. It is encouraging to meet with others of like mind. We have speakers at most of our MWA meetings, but also encourage writers to attend other writing events, book festivals and conferences. Members also participate in write-ins such as National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo).

Betsy Riley at Gaithersburg
Book Festival

The CCMWA supports the Carroll County Critique Group. Participants can bring in what they want to read, but need to keep it short, depending on how many people attend. Again, prompts are occasionally suggested to encourage writers to try something new.

The Carroll County Novel and Short Story Writing Group published an anthology, Christmas Carroll, in 2015. It featured area writers and artists. Also, member Betsy Riley of Blue Dragon Press published the anthology, One Left Shoe, which included local writers.

The CCMWA is currently hosting a contest for Flash Fiction, which is a story of less than 500 words that includes a beginning, middle and end. If you are interested, email joellecjarvis@gmail.com for details.

Writing groups encourage each other to write and publish. Each one can be unique, so look for one that meets your needs. You can check out Marylandwriters.org to find a group in your area and contact information.

Gaithersburg Book Festival

It was a wonderful Saturday in May. The sun was shining and I was surrounded by readers, writers, and their books My mother, two friends and I went to the Gaithersburg Book Festival, where we met with writers and small publishers, purchased books, ate and listened to writers speak.

The festival had tents for various genres, named after famous authors. Speakers and panel presentations were scheduled throughout the day in the pavilions. Among them was Jim Lehrer in the H. L. Mencken pavilion, Mary Downing Hahn in the Willa Cather Children’s/Young Adult pavilion, Larry Doyle (novelist and former writer for The Simpsons) in the Gertrude Stein Mixed Genre pavilion, Brad Parks in the Dashiell Hammett Mystery pavilion, and Dolly Yates in Rachel Carson Special Interest pavilion. So many other writers in these and other pavilions such as Edgar Allan Poe Fiction, F. Scott Fitzgerald Fiction, and James Michener Non-Fiction.

Betsy Riley and me at the Gaithersburg
Book Festival

What an opportunity to hear from some of your favorite writers and hear from others that peak your interest. Besides books I bought there, I now am going to look for books by writers I didn’t know about before this festival.

The Children’s Village included books, workshops and games for kids, an Imagination Station, a Jim Henson tent and even a pony. Edibles included crab cakes, hot dogs, pizza and wraps, as well as fruit, pastries and, my favorite, ice cream.

There was music and poetry readings at the Ogden Nash Coffee House. So much was going on, I didn’t realize until the next day, that there were areas I missed. I should have studied my program and map in more detail. I didn’t have time to attend any of the workshops and didn’t even get near the celebrity stage.

I noticed that at least six of the author pavilion names had some connection with Maryland, H. L. Mencken, Jim Henson, James Michener, Edgar Allan Poe, Dashiell Hammett, F. Scott Fitzgerald.  My curiosity was aroused, and I did some quick online research. I learned that Gertrude Stein and Rachel Carson also lived in Maryland for a period of time. I don’t know about Willa Cather, but did discover that she taught in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Since I am a member of the Maryland Writer’s Association, I helped Betsy Riley and Tia Silverthorne Bach at the Writer’s Association booth that included information about the organization and a number of books by member authors.  It was fun to talk to fellow writers and readers.

Betsy Riley chats about books at the CCMWA booth

This was only the third festival in Gaithersburg, Maryland, yet overall it seemed well-organized and offered a wide variety of activities for children and adults, locals and visitors. This was my first visit to Gaithersburg and I was impressed.

The volunteers at the festival were a friendly and helpful group, including those on the street giving directions, a gentleman at the handicapped parking lot, who showed us a shortcut into the festival, those at the information booth who answer our questions and one who moved chairs so I could push my mother’s wheelchair past a crowded area. Even near the end of a warm day, volunteers and sponsors were pleasant. We appreciate what you do.

Also the sponsors deserve recognition for supporting this type of event. Check them out on the festival website, www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org  and think about going next year.I had studied the website briefly, but obviously not in enough detail and once at the festival I was too busy talking and looking around to spend time reading the program. I plan to go and spend much more time there next year and I will be better prepared.