The other day I was reading on Facebook (I am not afraid of it like some are!) and came upon an announcement for a restart of a writing group in Clay County. I replied to the post via email and informed them I would be there. Today was our first gathering!
We met at the Orange Park Library in the meeting room, a nice group plus the moderator, Lou. We went around the room to introduce ourselves and explain what is our genre. Several of the younger people were science fiction writers or thrillers. Others were mystery. I was alone with the biography/memoir theme, but one man who leads a similar group to this one was a ghost writer for other people's biographies. How cool is that?!
We talked for almost two hours to establish our format, much of which Lou had already determined since he had been part of other writing groups in the past. We will meet monthly and Lou will arrange for speakers to address the group: editors, self-publishers, other services needed for writing a book. This is going to be exciting. I like meeting new people and look forward to spending time with these folks at least once a month, more if we hit it off as friends!
Years ago, I was part of a writer's group where each time we met we shared something we'd written and the others would critique it. We met in an area coffee shop, which is now a Moe's BBQ. Sometimes it was distracting because people would come in and out, not realizing what we were doing. On occasion I knew people and I had to quickly explain that we were having a meeting. This group was such a blessing for me, the answer to a prayer. It gave me a different thing to think about besides what was happening to my life. The man who led it was a magazine editor for his living and ran this group as a hobby. It was so enjoyable. When Richard moved away, we ceased meeting but it was great while it lasted.
My friend, Christine, took interest in the group and attended a few times. She was a journal writer, another genre, usually not for publication, but was a writer nonetheless. We two ladies would attend a couple of Writer's Conferences which we held at The Beaches but have also faded away. Those were really good times! Loved staying at the hotel and mingling with others who loved to write, and some who even made money doing so.
Let's hope this group continues to grow and becomes like a family to our attendees. At least to me!
