My new writing group met for the first time, and although it's still pretty small I like it that way. We had a good first meeting, getting to know each other and the things we each like to read and write, talking a little about the things we're currently writing. We established a schedule and decided what we'd bring in to share at our next meeting.
Now comes the hard part: sharing. You may scoff, saying that as a writer isn't that the ultimate goal? To share your story with the world? And I would answer, yes, of course, but in it's shiny perfect final-draft form. What I've got (so far) right now is 14000 words of rough first draft. It's scary to let people read my imperfect bare bones draft. It's like those nightmares of being back in high school, naked, and having forgotten your locker combination. Everyone is looking at you and judging you!!!
I know that the only way to make it shiny and perfect is to get input and suggestions. One of the members of the writing group is a university writing professor who also writes and she has some experience with agents and publishing, so it's not like we're a bunch of wannabe basement amateurs writing cheesy, badly spelled fiction. There's real potential here!
Plus after seeing all the other writers coming out of the woodwork on Twitter, I figure if they can all do it, so can I. It's just a little scary sharing for the first time.
Anyway, I've been making good writing progress; between 500 and 1000 words per day this week. I keep trying to look at the story objectively and although I know it's rough, the story and characters are good, and the more I'm able to keep writing, the more confident I am in my ability to succeed.
I'd also like to have one of those widgets on my blog site that shows my running word count, but can't for the life of me find where to snag it and slap it on my blog. So if anyone knows where I can get it, let me know!
Now, off to write!
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Here's that little meter site.
http://picometer.writertopia.com/
Oh, and I'd wait until your work is a bit more polished. (Don't wait to the end to do it.)
Writing is difficult enough emotionally without adding to it.
Click on my counter and it will take you to a site to paste it in.
I started a writers group but do most of my sharing of work with online people instead. Much easier! If you ever want me to do a quick read--let me know!
There are some great critiquing rules to be found on the Internet. It really helped my group get started on the right foot to each have a copy. It might also be easier to email your submissions to each other well before meetings so you can make crit suggestions to the document. During meetings, you only have to go over the high spots of each crit, instead of going over every little thing. Sure saves time. Good luck!
I'm hosting a writing contest on my blog today. You might be interested in this one. It's at: http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com
Lynnette Labelle
Oh, I'd love to have a reading group too... But here it is not so usual... =(
Cool blog! Check out mine:
http://jazzqueen.blogspot.com
http://maryeastmacott.blogspot.com
http://everyday--stuff.blogspot.com
That's an awesome goal! I've had that same word count goal too, and it worked well for me. I wrote 7 books in a year, so I'm positive it'll work for you too! Just wait, you'll be looking at the finished thing in no time! Jenni
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