Last night I was the speaker at the Women’s Artistic Network in Simi Valley, California. This is a group who welcomes writers, poets, artists, composers, speakers and journalists to their fold. They meet on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. September through June. And their members come from both Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. If you live in these counties, you are artistically inclined in any area of the arts and you desire an encouraging environment of support for your work, contact president, Margaret Brownley at mbrownley@womensartisticnetwork.org. Visit their website at: http://www.womensartisticnetwork.org
Annual dues are only $35.00.
Do you belong to a writers support group or critique group? How’s it going for you? Is it providing the networking opportunities, education and help you envisioned? What would make your experience better?
I can tell you that, while some clubs or organizations lack appropriate leadership or guidance, usually, when the member is less than satisfied it is for one or more of the following reasons:
• The member doesn’t participate to a great enough degree in order to benefit.
• The member has unreasonable expectations.
• The member tends to take more than she gives.
A club or organization is only as strong as its membership. It works best when each member uses his or her voice and when each voice is heard. Where there are discrepancies in members’ goals and visions for the club, sometimes it is necessary to create two entities from the original. Better still, when you are shopping for a club or organization, join one that meets your particular needs. Don’t join a writers group that focuses on education, professional presentations and fund-raising, if your interest is strictly in a critique group. Don’t join a nonfiction critique group if you write only fiction.
I know people who shop constantly for a writers group that suits them. They ask me where they can find a particular type of writers group. Here are my suggestions:
• Ask at your local library.
• Check with your arts council and senior center.
• Watch the calendar section of your local newspaper for writers’ events.
• Do a Google search to locate writers groups in your area.
Attend writers’ events/book fairs and ask other writers about local groups.
But some writers visit other groups and can’t find one that suits them. In this case, why not start your own? How?
• Contact writers that you know.
• Get names of other writers through your local librarian and arts council.
• Plan a meeting and put up flyers inviting other writers.
• Outline your goals for a club at your meeting and see if yours match those of others.
It’s not that hard to locate or to create a suitable writers group. It just takes a desire on your part and a little effort.
Do you have some of your own ideas about starting a writers group or maintaining a membership in one? We would like to hear about it.
I consider The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book like a writers group in paper form. Herein, you can learn, have your questions answered and acquire the resources and information you need in order to successfully write, produce and market your book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
You have only 4 days to take advantage of the Valentine’s Day offer on Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats. Order your copy by February 14, 2009 and receive a dollar back with each book you order. http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html