Writer's Support Group - Post Nano

Anybody interested in forming a group in the West LA area? I'm in Santa Monica.

People who didn't get far and don't think they qualify, I hope you're listening because you'd stand to benefit the most. A good group can be extremely motivational.

I was in a great group based out of Albany, NY. The format went as follows. Everybody who had stuff they wanted critiqued brought in a passage, 8 pages double-spaced maximum. It could be shorter, or it could be nothing if you didn't want to read that week. It could be a novel passage, a fragment of a novel, a short story, or even a play or screenplay. You would read it and then we would go around the circle and comment. The key is that everybody was positive and encouraging, because there is always something positive to be said!

Probably it would be best to read things beforehand, but realistically we were all so busy that we knew that we would intend to read the passages and then not do so. Plus, our format permitted participants to bring in stuff they'd written an hour before, just so they would have something to bring. Hence the group was a gentle kick in the backside to keep people producing.

Personally, I really love hearing what people have to say, because it's always something I couldn't have said myself. I really looked forward to hearing what happened next. When I moved out here, it half killed me to know that I might never find out how exactly Roy's pilot went psycho, or who in Winifred's theater poisoned the hated accountant, or what was going to become of the presidential candidate in Roy's dystopia (think Futurama, but really dark).

I have found that this group turned the slavering wolf that was my inner editor into a good dog, something with the potential for violence, but which can be controlled, has its own place and function, and generally behaves itself as long as it's taken for a walk regularly.

Takers?

Yes, I am interested in such a group. I currently belong to one, but it is a hike from here [Marvista]. I'd help you get it going. Let me know.

Susanne

Hi Deli,

Last year, a few of us formed a Post Nano support group. much like you described, but some people moved away and others lost interest. The two of us that remain both live in the West LA area (I'm in Culver City, Pete is in Westwood). We meet on Saturdays at Groundworks in Hollywood (corner of Sunset + Cahuenga), from 12:30-ish to whenever, usually 4 or so. We typically trade excerpts of things that we are working on, read them over the week, and then give feedback the following week. We've also discussed issues that we have faced while trying to write, and sometimes we'll talk about other things that interest us. It all depends on what the group wants.

During Nano, the meetings have functioned primarily as write-ins, but we will continue to meet beyond Nano. You are more than welcome to come. In fact, I urge you to come, and anyone else who needs a kick in the pants to continue writing beyond Nano! In addition to meeting other writers, showing up on Saturdays is constant motivation to continue writing, and that's what has really helped me throughout the year.

Sadly, there are no Saturdays left in November =(

I will be there on December 1, for anyone who is interested. My name is Chris and I have a really small computer. I wish that there was a better way to describe myself. =) So just look for the guy with the really small computer. Maybe we'll have a sign :) Also, I'll be at the Cat & Fiddle that evening.

Cheers,

I like.

Especially because then I don't have to organize anything.

DK

But then I'm thinking,

You're in Culver City, The One Called Pete is in Westwood, I'm in Santa Monica, asusa is Marvista, any chance we could move the venue from Hollywood to somewhere more central to us all?

The Mar Vista Grind is usually available for this kind of thing and supportive of writers.
Centinella and Venice Blvds.

Susanne

Hamburger Hamlet on Sepulveda north of National is receptive to groups, too.

The original reason that we decided on a more central location was so that others in more eastern locations could join us without too much problem, and we'd like to continue being open to other people joining us...

However, as you say, all of the currently interested folks live in West LA. I think I'd like to keep it at Groundworks for December 1 and then see who else is interested at the TGIO party and go from there.

I Am The One Called Pete... hehe, I kinda like that ^_^

I'd prefer to keep it in Hollywood, but I'm open to the idea of moving it. We also could have one on Sunday for the Westside, maybe, and keep the Saturday one in H'wood. I'd have no problem with that since I need to be writing more anyway. As I was telling Chris earlier tonight, 2008 will be "Finish Those First Drafts Year" (FiThoFiDraYe) so the more time I set aside to do writerly things the better.

And hey, Chris--didn't we start our weekly meetings at Groundwork in January of this year? Zowie. And the lady there still asks me if I work at Amoeba. o_O

Hi!

I might try and meet you guys on 12/1. I'm in West Hollywood, and have been looking for a good writing group in my area. Offer still open for new peeps to drop by?

And I am very far from my 50,000 words but not upset by it....just keep working towards it.

Thanks,
Kayla

Kayla,
You are more than welcome!! We'll have a sign.

Pete,
I like the Saturday in Hollywood, Sunday in West LA idea. Don't forget to bring the sign ;) Yeah, I can't believe its been a year already.

Other interested folks,
Chime in!

-Chris

Chris and I are on our way! We're trapped in traffic on Sunset. Be there soon!

I'm at Groundwork... I seem to be the only one here, though, lol. I've got a NaNo sticker on my laptop and I'm wearing a NaNo shirt... kind of hard to miss. I'll be here until the TGIO party since it's across the street if anyone feels like stopping by.

Oh, good! :->