What the world needs now – more writers!

Caution: if you suffer from excessive political sensibilities, this post may prove hazardous to your emotional health. Just stop reading. Now.

Right now.

I mean it.

Oh, you’re still here? Well, then, don’t blame me if the following makes you cry.

Did anyone else realize – after the shock of the January 6 events wore off slightly – that what the world needs now is more people with imaginations? And not just more people, but more groups, militias, armies of people with rampant imaginations and the fortitude to put their imaginings into practice? Well, I’m about to reveal a secret that those who merely rampage in funny furry hats don’t want you to hear: we exist. We, that is, the people who know Neanderthals currently walk the Earth. That living beings can travel through portals to the past, the future, and other dimensions. That monsters are real. That justice will triumph. And of course, that happy-ever-after true love still exists. (Yeah, if you believe that last one, you’ll believe anything!)

I found out about them from attending (shhh, don’t tell) writing groups. Obviously, we have to cloak our knowledge by calling it fiction in order to keep them, the overlords, the ruling cabals, from trying to silence us. We’re writers, and we meet regularly to discuss our plans to overthrow well, just about everything. Find us. We dare you.

And if you dare, if you’re one of the brave, the chosen, the many, who are willing to put your own sweat, keyboard, and emotional strength to the test, here are some clues to follow. Catch us if you can, but for now I’m only listing groups meeting online in my home ground of North Texas.

DFW Writers Workshop – Currently, the workshop meets online every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m., holiday or not. Participation in critiques is limited to members (annual dues $100). Visitors may listen but not comment or read their own work. Want more talk about writing? Keep tuned into the Zoom chat following the end of the critique sessions. DFWW also hosts an annual conference, currently scheduled for October .

Dallas Writer’s Garret – I got a first taste of creative writing at this group with its cozy atmosphere and no-pain critique groups in both prose and poetry. The Garret’s free critique “Stone Soup” groups are currently meeting online. These include a prose workshop first and third Sundays from 2-4 p.m. led by Diane Parker, a mixed genre workshop first and third Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. led by Duana Cockrell, and a prose and poetry workgroup second and fourth Saturdays from 10 a.m. – noon led by Mark Noble. See the site for each leader’s contact information and group guidelines. 

Writers’Guild of Texas – This group’s critique group meets online the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. Participation is limited to members (annual dues $35). See the site for additional information.

Dallas Mystery Writers – Although this is the Dallas chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, membership in the national MWA is not required. Meetings on the first Saturday of each month (except January) include discussions by writers in the mystery/thriller/suspense genres, craft discussions, and critiques.  For information, see the site for details.

Sisters in Crime, North Dallas – This group kicks off 2021 virtually this coming Sunday, January 24, from 2:30-4 p.m. Annual membership ($25) is available to all members of the national Sisters in Crime, regardless of gender. Members may bring 1-2 pages of their work in progress to read. RSVP by noon January 24.

Many local groups are still scrambling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, but for more options, check WORD (Writing Organizations ‘Round Dallas) for those with online availability.

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There is one major difference between writing groups and other revolutionaries: not everything can be said. At least not without devolution of the entire group and possible bloodletting. There may be a million ways to give and take criticism successfully in a writing group, but the best ones I’ve seen are to start and end with something positive about the fellow writer’s work. In between, mention what needs to be fixed.

“Fixables” include such items as continuity errors, factual errors, and plot holes. Also, word choice errors that confuse the author’s intent—as when the writer said a character was bemused when she meant amused. And anything that’s confusing or unclear, characters who lack depth, and lazy prose. Fixables, however, do not include changes to the writer’s style or genre choice.

For in-person (or online discussions), most likely each writer will be given a limited amount of time for reading, followed by specific, limited time for critiques from other group members. In general, a group will need a moderator. Only one member at a time should speak. Some groups allow the writer time to ask/answer questions or request clarification after each critique. Others (most) only allow the writer being critiqued to speak after all critique members have spoken. Time will be limited, so the writer should not waste theirs in arguing. And neither those giving or receiving the critique should act as if the rules apply to everybody but them.

The moderator should never allow more than one person to speak at a time or allow separate conversations. Writing isn’t easy and neither is receiving criticism. It’s even harder if you have trouble hearing each other – and sound quality at Zoom or other online formats doesn’t make hearing any easier.

Some groups I’ve attended also allowed/required writers to present copies of their work either ahead of time or alongside their oral readings. Other critique groups offer only written critiques. In this case, follow the same rules for offering in-person critiques as far as finding both positives and areas for improvement.

Holiday gifts for writers, would-be writers, and you

It’s only the first day of Hanukkah – not too late to pick gifts for the writers in our lives! Options are available in all price ranges and the good news is – there’s no need to worry about sizes. Or favorite colors. Or whether they already have too many. Maybe we can even pick up a few ideas for ourselves. . . 

image: pixabay

Classes: There’s never no such thing as too much knowledge. Whether deep into the writing biz or just dipping a toe into the pool of the process, there’s a class to fit. For those unsure whether writing is their calling, start with basic creative writing classes, whose cost is low, both in dollars and commitment. with a low cost in dollars and commitment. As always, I focus on opportunities in Texas, and especially my area on the north side of the Lone Star State, such as. . . 

WORD (Writers Organizations ‘Round Dallas), now with more than 20 member groups, several offering classes in writing fiction, nonfiction, screenplays and poetry, at a variety of prices, and choices of in-person or online classes. Check out Writing Workshops Dallas at its free cocktail hour meet and greet tomorrow (Wednesday, December 13). 

I got a first taste of creative writing at the Dallas Writers Garret, with its cozy atmosphere and chances to check out the community through no-pain critique groups in both prose and poetry.

And yes, there are also purely online groups such as Master Class, with access to internationally-known writers as well as online communities.

Memberships: When you find a place you like, why not join? WORD groups can also be your writing tribe. Check out the map, remembering that a number of organizations offer multiple benefits, critique groups, classes, and presentations by local authors and experts. Groups can focus on mystery, romance, science fiction, screenwriting or more general literary genres. 

A few groups offer major conferences, with classes, presentations and access to literary agents and editors. Although available to the general public, group members enjoy discounted prices for conferences. Conference-sponsoring organizations include the DFW Writers Workshop, the Writers League of Texas and the Houston Writers Guild.

Subscriptions: Want the latest stories to feed our writerly brains? The latest information about writing craft or writing business? For a gift that keeps giving all year, whether by snail mail or email, give a journal subscription. Suggestions range from basic (Writer’s Digest) to literary (Poets & Writers . And don’t forget the purely fun – from The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction  to Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine.

Gift certificates: Still unsure about the preferences of the writers in our lives? Consider gift certificates such as those currently offered by the Writers League of Texas, which can be applied in any way a writer chooses. And don’t forget gift certificates to a book source. Where would writers be without books? Speaking of which. . . 

Books: Whether a new or long-experienced writer, there’s always more to learn. Classic, can’t go wrong options for writing craft include Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, Stephen King’s On Writing, David Corbett’s The Art of Character, James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure, and Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey. Available wherever books are sold, online or down the street.

Apple polishing: fall classes to revive a writer

So many of my friends and family are students or teachers, eager for the start of the academic year, I longed to go back to school too. Only not a regimented way. Not by taking entrance exams or aptitude test. Not, just by choosing classes I wanted to take, when I wanted to take them.

For anyone else feeling that yearning (or if members of your writing critique group keep saying, dude, just take a class!) I’ve compiled a list. Some of these are local to my area of North Texas. Many are online, available anywhere in the world with internet access. Costs vary, schedules vary. The following options are listed in alphabetic order.

2-Day Film School: Carpe Diem Pictures presents a live workshop on the fundamentals of filmmaking October 21-22 at the Dallas Marriott Suites Medical/Market Center, 2493 N. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas. Early bird registration (through September 21) is $389. Later registration $439. Register at the site. For additional details, email questions to dfw2dayfilm@gmail.com or call 940-600-3939.

image: Pixabay

MasterClass: This online classroom offers an incredible number of instructors in various fields, including writing. When I took James Patterson’s course here this past year, the cost was $99, but check the site for specifics, including authors in other disciplines.

NaNoWriMo: If you’ve ever signed up for NaNoWriMo, the annual November writing marathon, you’ve already received their email about the online creative writing courses. If not, read on. (Warning: the discounted rates mentioned here only apply if you at least intend to be a NaNoWriMo participant.) This year, the internet learning project, Coursera is teaming with Wesleyan College to offer five online writing courses for WriMos. Check out the site for details. Each class is offered at a discounted price of $29. After November, participants will be able to share their first chapters with the group for another round of peer review.

The Writer’s Garret: This Dallas institution founded by the late Texas poet-laureate Jack Myers and his wife Thea Temple offers both online and in-person classes in elements of fiction, nonfiction and poetry, from overviews of creative writing elements, to voice to writing with diverse characters, to pitching a project, and more. Costs typically in the $100-$160 range for multiple session classes, but see the site for early bird and members' discounts.

The Writer’s Path at SMU: This is Southern Methodist University’s continuing education program in creative writing. You can take their complete pathway, from which selected participants are chosen for a seminar in New York with editors and agents. Four to six-week long on-site classes leading to the New York seminar range in price from $450 to $625. More intensive tutorials in editing, revision and manuscript evaluation are also available. See the tutorial site or email suzannefrank@smu.edu for more information.

Writers Guild of Texas: This North Texas group offers in-person, daylong semiannual writing workshops. It fall workshop, October 7, features Cindy Dees, New York Times bestselling romance author (who also now writes epic fantasy). 9 a.m. to noon, in the Richardson Civic Center, 411 W. Arapaho, Richardson, Texas. Registration is $25 for WGT members, $35 for nonmembers. Limited seating, so the group urges registration by September 23. Price increases by $5 at the door, to the extent seats are available. See the site for details.

Writing Workshops Dallas: Online classes in fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting and poetry, from a plethora of published, often award-winning Dallas-area writers, teachers and editors. Classes can run multiple weeks or require no more than a single afternoon of your time. Costs range from the low double digits to mid-triples. See the site for details.

Wordcraft. Our stories: let the chips fall where they may!

First in an occasional series about literary publication and promotion

OK, there wasn’t a mention of chips in the title of the panel at the 2016 ArmadilloCon writing workshop panel. But it was after lunch, which for all of us, included a bag of, well, chips. And while we were recovering from the critiques of our stories and wondering what to do next, panelist Tex Thompson , asked us to consider the Frito-Lay model.

When a major food company considers launching a new product, it doesn’t just stuff a bunch of whatever in a bag. It turns to focus groups to consider, “is this the optimal chip?” And that focus group metaphor is also a metaphor for writing workshops, Thompson’s fellow panelist K.G. Jewell agreed.

And asking whether the stories we have written the optimal stories seemed the starting point for the longing I’ve developed, to bring coherence to posts of the last several years about what to do, and how, to get our stories into the literary marketplace.   

(Disclaimer: the illustration for this post is not of a Frito-Lay product. I do not own stock in Frito-Lay. It was simply the most photogenic picture of chips – corn, potato or whatever – I could find on Wikimedia commons. And for those seeking information about how to write a story – well, that’s a different series, which I may make an effort to write later.)

So, about those focus groups. For North Texas writers, I recommend checking out several groups I mentioned in the post, “Need a writing group? Try one of these,” from May 5, 2015. These were: Dallas Mystery Writers, Dallas Screenwriters Association, DFW Writers Workshop, Sisters in Crime North Dallas, and Writers Guild of Texas.

Other possibilities include the Dallas Writer’s Garret, Dallas Area Writers Group (DAWG), and Dallas Area Romance Authors (DARA) a chapter of the Romance Writers of America, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators(SCBWI). There are also a number of smaller groups focusing on specialties such as fantasy, science fiction, and Christian fiction.

A check of meetup groups will probably net even more possibilities. And of course, writers can always form their own groups with like-minded individuals. I happen to belong to two of these, one alternating between in-person and online critiques, and one with members from multiple states operating strictly online. Of the groups I mention above, the Writers Guild of Texas in particular operates both online and in-person critique groups, as well as periodic readings before the entire group.

For writers outside the North Texas area, an internet search will bring up a multitude of online groups. My only particular caveat about online groups is that they limit readers to a closed group, so that stories don’t circulate on the internet.

For both online and in-person groups, the next step is finding a good personal fit. I’ve grown away from a once (and still) loved group because the mix of writers has changed from those focusing on long works to those more interested in shorter works, or works in more specialized genres. Not that genre mixing is a bad thing. Reading a variety of work helps keep our minds open.

However, don’t be afraid to leave a group if anyone present is in attack mode. Very often a group leader or instructor will moderate and keep order as necessary. Most workshops I’ve attended use a variation of these basic writing workshop rules: a reading, either oral or silent; a sharing of impressions by workshop members while the writer remains silent, taking notes; ending with the writer’s chance to ask questions or clarify intentions.

Depending on available time and the number of workshop members, it may be necessary to limit the time for reading and discussion.

So, we’ve got our stories and a focus group/writing workshop (or two or three) to determine whether we’ve got the best chip (sorry – story) for our genre.

The next step: finding the right fit for that perfect chip, which I’ll get to in the next installment of this series. But before that can happen, there’s a fresh round of fall literary events begging to be mentioned next Tuesday.

Wordcraft – Need a writing group? Try one of these

Last week’s post about writing contests and seeing how many of them are sponsored by organizations got me thinking about writing groups. So, do you have a tribe, a writing tribe, that is? That group of people you can feel comfortable baring your writing soul to? I’ve tried a lot in the North Texas area, and I’ve got a few suggestions. The ones that follow are groups I’ve belonged to or visited or sometimes just ones who sound interesting, but I’d be happy to hear your suggestions as well.

Dallas Mystery Writers – This is the Dallas chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. However, membership in the national MWA is not required. In lieu of annual dues, the Dallas chapter charges $5 to attend meetings the first Saturday of each month, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Texas Land & Cattle, 812 South Central Expressway, Richardson, Texas. (Cash only, exact change is appreciated.) Monthly meetings include discussions by writers in the mystery/thriller/suspense genres, craft discussions, and critiques. Members often stay for lunch to continue their discussions. For information, see http://dallasmysterywriters.com or contact james@gaskin.com/.

Dallas Screenwriters Association – I don’t have screenwriting aspirations, but what writer in any genre doesn’t write dialogue? And who doesn’t wonder what that dialogue sounds like when real people speak it? I dropped by one of the DSA’s monthly screen reading sessions recently to find out. You have to be a member to get up to 10 pages of work read by local actors, but anybody is welcome to listen to the readings, held the last Tuesday of each month in the community room at HalfPrice Books, 5803 E. Northwest Highway, in Dallas. Members who want their pages read must bring them by 6 p.m. Casting follows immediately, and readings start at 7 p.m.

Want more? Join at $85 yearly for free meetings on craft the third Friday of each month, as well as other benefits. Nonmembers may drop in on meetings for $10 at the door. Discounted memberships are available for students and additional family members. See www.dallasscreenwriters.com/.

DFW Writers Workshop – This is one of the first places I found when I started writing fiction. The workshop meets every Wednesday at the Simmons Center, 508 Simmons St. in Euless, holiday or not. (So you desperately need to escape family the day before Thanksgiving, or whenever? Tell them you’ve got to go to your writing group!) Meetings run 7 to 10 p.m., but visitors should arrive by 6:45 to sign in to the guestbook. Want to talk more writing? Follow the group to a nearby IHOP restaurant to continue the discussions after hours. Annual dues are $100. Or try a 30-day trial membership for $25. Nonmembers may also visit free twice yearly to observe, although participation is limited to members.

The workshop breaks into small critique groups with everybody reading and commenting. And oh, yes, DFWWW also sponsors a wonderful annual conference (which I’ll post more about next week). For more information, see https://dfwwritersworkshop.wordpress.com/.

Sisters in Crime North Dallas – This local chapter of the national Sisters in Crime organization meets the fourth Sunday of each month (note: no May meeting), 2- 4 p.m. in the fourth floor McCallum Room of Frisco Library, 6101 Frisco Square Boulevard, Frisco, Texas. Meetings include networking, craft, and speakers (learn about polygraphs, aka lie detectors, from a DEA agent at the June meeting). Annual membership is $25. Chapter membership is open to any national member of SINC. See www.sistersincrimenorthdallas.com/.

Writers’ Guild of Texas – Meets the third Monday of each month (except January, when the meeting moves to the fourth Monday due to a holiday), 7-8:30 p.m. in the basement of the Richardson Library, 900 Civic Center Drive, Richardson. The WGT’s critique group meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. and online critique groups are also available. WGT also sponsors semiannual writing workshops. Annual membership is $25. See http://writersguildoftexas.org for information and lists of even more writing groups to check out!