What Joining a Writers Group Has Done For Me

I am a member of The Y-City Writers Forum. Since joining the group in February of 2008, I have been writing more. It took me two years since I first discovered the group to actually attend it. Talk about procrastination!

I have been trying different forms of writing, including poetry. I haven't got that natural cadence that poets have, but I have turned out some decent stuff if only in my own mind. I enjoy flash fiction the most, because it gives the characters in my head a chance to escape. Hopefully, allowing me to concentrate on my novels.

I have met many interesting people through the group. This has allowed me to branch out and get involved in other projects and groups. I am finally being the me I always imagined I was. Does that make sense? Before I decided to attend my first Y-City Writers Forum meeting, I had been holed up in this tiny little house with only my pets, husband due to these stupid health problems.

This is the first time since I stopped working that I have felt excited about life. In the future, I must remember to get out and socialize even when I am having a hard time! It makes the pain and discomfort easier to deal with if you don't have only it to focus on.

Coshocton and Back

Yesterday, I went to the Write On Writer's Conference in Coshocton. I enjoyed it immensely. I learned some new stuff, bought some books and had the authors sign them. I met all kinds of interesting people.

Someone from my own group even thanked me for posting on the Y-City Writers web-site. I am sitting here blushing. Someone is thanking me for talking... er writing.

I am going to send another wonderful person some links to different magazines, anthologies, ezines, etc.

I will be posting some of the highlights from the workshop on my other blog Wannabe Writer. http://zanesvillewriter.blogspot.com/

My favorite speaker at the conference was Dandi Daley Mackall. She is an author of many books, ranging from children's block books to adult. She writes both fiction and non-fiction. I could have listened to her all day long, without getting bored.

When I came home, I still had work to do, since I signed up for the 24 hour Short Story Contest. Wouldn't you know, after I sent my story off, I thought of a classic mistake I made at the end of the story. Instead of showing the kindness on the nurses face, I said her kind looking face. I am a bit disappointed in myself, but what is a silly writer to do?

I, also, needed to fulfill my commitment to writing a poem a day challenge.

I did succeed in stuffing everything into one all too brief day.

Man was I exhausted and I slept until noon to show it. Well, that is after getting up to review my story before sending it off to the contest. -Rita

Yahoo Groups

Thanks to a friend, I have rediscovered Yahoo Groups. There are some unique forums where people with the same interests can get together.

There are a couple of sites for writers of flash fiction. I have joined them and one is really good. The moderator of the group gives prompts and members of the group write short stories under 1000 wds. Member read and critique each others works. It is like going a writers group only online and a little more frequently...

There are groups on the paranormal, which is nice since this is my main genre.

I am sure there is a group for everyone.