Best Practices for Organizing A Writers’ Group
By George M. Lies
WVW, Inc. Past President (1999-2001; 2002-03)
West VirginiaState Writers Conference–June 13, 2009
1. Getting Started –3 weeks for starting:
- Identify a few writers in your area to get started, and contact other writers
- If held at local library, inform library’s staff of new group, and determine a plan
- Reserve a library room (other venue) to hold regular meetings, and set schedule
- Identify at least 2 energetic writer-organizer(s) to coordinate planning
2. Organizing by the Writers’ Group – 2 weeks for planning:
- Identify other writer(s) in your geographical area, and contact them
- Contact other writers’ group in state (see attachment) for tips and advice
- Contact WV Writers, Inc. for potential writers from WVW membership list
- Accept responsibility writers’ group to plan, schedule, continue meetings
3. Promotion by Group – 2 weeks of the meeting date:
- Write news release or use word of mouth or email to communicate your effort
- issue a call for local writers to attend first meeting, e.g., invitation
- Include news of writers’ group in community and library news, send to newspapers
- Writers’ group leader(s) may wish to contact writers in area (as applicable)
- Prepare a news release and promotional flyersfor mailing, distribution points
4. Logistics and Scheduling –done routinely by each month:
- Meet with writersto set regular monthly schedule (e.g., 2nd, 4th Weds.)
- Group sets regular agenda for meetings, using 15 minute and 30-minute segments
- Suggest formation of email list-serve for writers to communicate
- Set regular agenda and promotion of writers’ group schedule to writers and public
- Set schedule, e.g., early Sept. to early Dec.; mid-Jan. to late May or early June
5. ActivitiesPlanned by Writers Group–done periodically during year
- Schedule Reading by local Author or writer from another area, promotion
- Organize Saturday morning Writing Workshop (possibly combined with reading)
- Host Local Open Reading or Poetry Slam by , coordinated by group
- Invite local university’s creative writing instructor, to make presentation
- Sponsor local, theme-based Writing Competition, coordinated by group
- Publish a low-cost chapbook, self-printed, distributed by library and writers
6. Continuation of the Writers’ Group – adjust seasonally and annually
- Determine needs and wants of members, e.g., critiques, marketing, other
- Solicit new writers (whenever and if possible), and build membership
- Plan special activities, like a writers’ one-day retreat, community reading, etc.
- Maintain email list-serve and writers’ group contact information
- Attend WV workshops and conferences as a group, whenever possible
MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE GUIDELINES
(AN EXAMPLE OF ONE APPROACH)
Morgantown Writers Group uses a three-step process as a guideline only for manuscript critiques. First, before the meeting, writers read the manuscript once or twice, and can make specific notes on the printed hardcopy. Then, at the meeting, the author reads an excerpt aloud from prose or poetry, then remains quiet, taking notes (unless specific questions are asked of the author.
Then the other writers address three questions:
- 1st – What is the story about? – to help the author eliminate confusion or determine if the story is clear for the reader and eliminate any confusion.
- 2nd – What do you like best about the work, and what are its strengths? – to focus on constructive criticism and by noting the writer’s strengths in the specific piece.
- 3rd – State one improvement that might be considered by the writer, but do not repeat what another writer has said, unless that expands on a previous comment.
Also, for more detailed critiques, MWG writers use guidelines from an article, How To Deal With Critiquing By Rich Hamper. Copyright 1995 Rich Hamper. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission stated by the author. Below, these guidelines are summarized in outline format.
CRITIQUE GUIDELINES (ONE APPROACH)
I. Give overall impressions of author's work.
A. In general, did the story or excerpt work for you? What specifically didn't work?
B. Did you enjoy the story? Do you want to read more?
C. If you're reviewing a short story, did the author meet your expectations?
D. If you're reviewing a novel excerpt, summarize for the author what you expect from the story.
II. Comment on the story's opening (unless you're critiquing an excerpt).
A. From reading the opening, were you clear on the direction of the story?
B. Did it hook you into wanting to read more?
III. Comment on the plot/story line.
A. How does the author's plot strike you? Did you like it? Were you drawn into the story? If not, why not?
B. Did you feel there was some "point" to the story (i.e., did you get the impression that some protagonist tried to accomplish something?)? Or was the writing aimless?
C. Was the plot believable? Were you able to suspend disbelief, or did some exasperating detail make you want to toss the story across the room? If so, what was that detail?
IV. Comment on the story's ending (unless you're critiquing an excerpt).
A. Was it too abrupt or too rushed?
B. Did it resolve all the conflicts it should have?
C. Was it satisfying?
V. Comment on characters and characterization.
A. Were you able to easily identify the protagonist?
B. Was the antagonist a worthy opponent?
C. Did any characters stand out as flat?
D. Were the characters believable?
E. Did you find yourself caring about what happens to the main or other characters?
VI. Comment on dialogue and dialects.
A. Were you comfortable with the dialogue? What bothered you about it?
B. Was dialect used? Did the dialect work or was it too much?
C. Did the dialogue drag?
D. Were there too many "he said"/ "she said" speech tags?
E. Did each character have a distinctive voice? Which characters didn't?
VII. Comment on the story setting.
A. Was the length of descriptive passages too much, too little, or just right?
B. Did author give enough detail, too much detail, or too little detail about places and events?
C. Did the descriptive passages set and enhance the appropriate mood?
- Did the places seem real to you?
VIII. Comment on flow and pacing of the story.
A. Did the story or novel excerpt have the right tempo for you? Did the story move smoothly? Was the pacing too intense? Too slow?
B. Was the paragraphing handled effectively? Long paragraphs slow tempo. Short paragraphs speed it up.
IX. Comment on Point of View (POV) lapses and Author Intrusion.
A. Identify for the author paragraphs where more than one POV is present. If they aren't using a third-person omniscient POV, these paragraphs will need fixing.
B. Identify for the author where he or she jumped from one character's POV to describing only what can be seen from the author's POV (e.g., a description of a character's physical characteristics that the character is not likely to be able to make in the circumstances portrayed).
X. Comment on "Information Dumps".
A. How well does the author handle disseminating information to the reader that's critical to understanding what's happening in the story? Did the author handle this unobtrusively?
B. Are there too many flashbacks? C. Is too much internalization used?
D. Are long boring passages of exposition used?
E. Does imparting of information disrupt or inappropriately slow down flow of the story?
XI. Comment on accuracy -Are the "facts" of the story correct or feasible? Does the science match what you know? Are the duels and fights believable? Is the geography accurate? Is the clothing described consistent with the time period portrayed?
XII. Comment on consistency - Is the author consistent throughout the story in the handling of story details? For example, are the character's eyes the same color in Chapter 1 as they are in Chapter 12? Does a character have a different number of children in the first scene compared to a middle scene, and there's no accounting for the difference? Is the chronology handled correctly?
XIII. Comment on wordiness.
A. Look for unneeded words, for instance, "and", "by", fuzzy adverbs, "is", "of", "there", etc. These often flag verboseness.
B. Look for "fluff" phrases like "as a matter of fact", "at this point in time", etc. These can usually be replaced by one or two words.
C. Does the author use too much passive voice?
D. Look for redundancies (e.g., "final completion", "respectful regard", etc.)
E. Look for redundant sentences or phrases (e.g., two sentences or phrases that say the same thing in different words).
F. Look for unnecessary qualifiers (e.g., "almost", "seem", "sort of", "maybe", etc.).
XIV. Comment on anything else that specifically detracts from the story being a success; for instance, was there anything you found confusing in the story?
XV. Stay away from detailed critiquing of grammar and punctuation unless the author specifically requests such a review. Only comment on recurring errors where you're sure of your ground and it's apparent that the writer has a major problem.
Note: Resist the urge to make humorous comments about any facets
of what the writer has written. Such comments may seem funny to you,
but needlessly sting the author.
Writing Exercises for A Writers Group
Self-Starters for Writing
By Fay Thompson
You’ve probably heard these “self starters” dozens of times, but here they are again anyway. Sometimes they work to get us writing again.
I don’t know about you, but that blank computer screen scares me to death. So, you need to get words on that screen—almost any words will do. If it turns out to be so much nonsense, delete it. But you’re writing, and that’s all that matters.
1.Write a letter to one of your characters. Ask one of your characters some questions? Give your character a talking to for being so difficult. Write twenty five words to describe your character.
2.Type notes on the subject you’re writing about. Phrases related to that subject. Parts of sentences. Some dialogue. Some description of the place where a scene is taking place.
3.Retype the last page you typed. This will help get you back in the writing mode/mood.
4.Leave a portion of your previous work unfinished—a paragraph, a sentence, or even a word unfinished. Warning: You might want to type in a few reminder words so you won’t be asking yourself, “What the devil was I thinking here?”
5.Interview a famous person. See if you can ask questions and get answers that will sway your opinion of Madonna or Barbra Streisand or Bill Clinton or Tony Blair. Or pick your own person.
6. Just write. . .
Fay Thompson moderates West Virginia Writers roundtable --
WV WRITERS ROUNDTABLE -- A forum for West Virginia writers to meet, discuss all aspects of writing, ask questions, share information, network, give encouragement, post poetry and short pieces, develop interpersonal relationships and share the joy of the written word. To subscribe, just send an e-mail to: .
JUSTIFYING A SCENE
Use any three of the following to justify a scene. They do not have to be of equal weight. If you don’t have three reasons for a scene, cut the scene.
1.Introduce setting.
2.Introduce either major or secondary characters.
3.Plant information that will become important later (e.g., hanging gun over the fireplace).
4.Set a mood.
5.Change setting (a transition in time or place).
6.Create suspense.
7.Heighten mood, build suspense.
8.Display some facet of a character’s personality.
9.Establish motivation for past or present actions.
10.Add humor or comic relief.
11.Advance the action (either the internal conflict or external circumstances).
12.Furnish a description of either setting or character.
13.Transition in time, place, mood or viewpoint.
14.To tickle the senses.
How Writers Can Connect With Other Writers
Note to New Writers’ Groups – When you form a local writers’ group, get a listing on WVW, Inc. webpage, by contacting – Eric Fritzius at Go to Webpage at
Writers Groups Around the State –
BARBOURCOUNTY WRITERS WORKSHOP
Meets every second and fourth Monday in the Student Lounge or the Library at Alderson-BroaddusCollege from 6:30 to approximately 8:30 p.m. Contact: Barbara Smith (304) 457-3038 or .
BECKLEY (Raleigh County Library Writers Group)
Meets the first and third Tuesday of every month in the Adult Learning Conference Room at 3:00 p.m. Writers are welcome to come share their essays and take part in writing exercises. There are no dues. Everyone is welcome.
BERKELEYCOUNTY (See MARTINSBURG.)
BLUEFIELD
The Inkslingers group usually meets the second Thursday of every month. Contact: Lynne Bartlett
BRAXTON (and NICHOLAS)
Usually meets once every month in a member's home. Contact: Renita Sue Loyd (304-765-7602) or
CHARLESTON
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pens meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church on Price Street from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. PENS is an acronym for poems, essays, novels, and short stories. Adults and Youth welcome. For information, contact Debbie Jarvis at or 304-346-2339.
CHARLES TOWN
AHA SCRIBES meets in the Visitor's Center/ Fire Hall Gallery, 108 North George St. on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at 7 p.m. Contact: George I. Seffers (304.728.8237)
FAIRMONT (The Crow's Quill)
The Crow's Quill meets every other Wednesday from 6 PM to 8 PM in the conference room of the Fairmont chapter of the YWCA on Pleasant Valley Road. The group specializes in critique of prose and genre. Writers may submit pieces for critique online to the moderator or bring hard copy to meetings. The group formed in 2005. Contact: T.W. (Terry) McNemar at .
HAMPSHIRECOUNTY (See ROMNEY.)
HUNTINGTON (Black Dog Writers Group)
This group meets in members' homes and has seven members who write prose. It is presently CLOSED to new members. Contact: Llewellyn McKernan
HUNTINGTON (The Guyandotte Poets)
They have been discussing poems in the members' homes for more than 25 years, and they are always looking for people with talent and energy who are serious about poetry. Contact: John McKernan
HUNTINGTON (The Patchwork Writers)
Meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Cabell County Public Library. Contact: Susan Nicholas, 304-633-5493 .
JEFFERSONCOUNTY (See CHARLESTOWN and SHEPHERDSTOWN.)
MARIONCOUNTY (See Fairmont)
MARTINSBURG
Usually meets at the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library (101 King Street) from 1 to 4 PM on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. Bring 8 copies of the work you want critiqued. Limit: 10 double-spaced pages.
MARTINSBURG (Athens on the Opequon)
This group was created in November 2003 to conserve, produce, and promote Traditional Poetry. Usually meets at the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library on the first Sunday of every month from 2 to 4:45 PM. Contact: Annemarie Collins (304-267-7567) or and Carrol Kline (304-263-4395) or
MASONCOUNTY
The Point Pleasant Writers Guild meets at the Point Pleasant Library every Thursday from 2 to 4 pm. Contacts: Betty Farmer (304-675-8199) or Nick Griffin (304-675-3985) or Nick Salem () . They do group writing assignments and have presentations. Anyone is welcome to join.
MORGANTOWN
Meets at the Morgantown Public Library, usually 2nd, 4th Tuesdays (6:30-8 p.m.). Manuscript critiques, market writing assignments, group writing, presentations. Contacts: Send email to: or Library (304-291-7425).
PARKERSBURG (OhioValley Literary Group)
Usually meets in the Board Room of the Public Library from 6:30 to 9 PM the second Thursday of each month. Bring 12 copies of the work you want critiqued. Contact: Wilma Acree (304-295-6599)
RIPLEY (The Appalachian Wordsmiths)
Meets every Thursday at Cornerstone Cafe on Court Street across from the courthouse from 6 to 8 pm. Established January 2002. Contacts: Cheryl Kobe (304-273-0111) <> or Max Price (304 273-9986) <>
ROMNEY (IceMountain Writers)
Sponsored by the HampshireCounty Arts Council. Usually meets the third Tuesday of every month @ 7 pm at the Bank of Romney Community Building on Main Street. Bring 6 copies of the work you want critiqued. Publishes chapbooks and collections IMW members' writings. Sponsors a Visiting Writer each spring to conduct workshops in the schools and to perform with the IMW for the public. Contact: Larry Brown (304-822-7516) or Sibyl MacKenzie (304-822-7206).
ST. ALBANS
A semi-closed group meets in the St. Albans Library every Tuesday at 1 P.M. If you want information about membership, contact Brenda Beatty: (304-727-3015) or .
SHEPHERDSTOWN (The Bookend Poets)
Usually meets the second Thursday of every month from 8 to 10 PM usually at The Four Seasons Bookstore on German Street. Bring 10 copies of the poems you want critiqued. Contact: Georgia Lee McElhaney (304-876-6745)
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