Today is the fourth Thursday, so our focus is on answers to your writing questions.
I’m often asked, “What’s one thing I can do to help me improve my writing?’ That’s a good question.
Your story deserves to be told in an interesting and engaging manner, no matter the size of your intended audience. If you’re going to invest all that time and energy into putting your life on paper, you should strive to make it the best you can.
A writing community of others who want to write their life story is a key ingredient to success. Writing can be isolating, so it’s crucial to surround yourself with people who want to write their life stories.
“Where do I find these people?” you ask. They are out there, I promise. Look for writing groups in your area. In Florida, we have the Florida Writers Association, https://www.FloridaWriters.org/. Your state, county, or town likely has something similar. Touch base with your local librarian. The library may host such a group or can direct you to one.
Whether online or in person, writing organizations usually offer workshops, meetings, writing groups, etc., to help you improve your skills and provide accountability.
I invite you to look at Life Writers, https://LifeWriters.us, and see if it might meet your needs. We’d love to have you join us.
And if you’d like a taste of what it’s like to write within a community, join us for our free, virtual First Tuesday Write and Read event. Participants first write in response to a prompt and then separate into small groups where each person reads his/her story and receives feedback if desired.
Read more about the free First Tuesday Write and Read at https://LifeWriters.us/First-Tuesday.
Your activity this week is to do a bit of research. See what writing groups you can find. I hope you will also check out Life Writers and the First Tuesday Write and Read. Good luck as you find your writing community.
Remember, the only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all.
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Have a writing question you’d like me to answer? Send an email with your question to patricia@writingyourlife.org, and I’ll get to it as soon as possible.
Until next week, happy writing.
Patricia, I have yet to find a group in Montréal, in French or in English that my wild or secluded side would identify with. I joined a group on line that teaches about slam, song writing and performance readings. I think it will help with my approach to writing as a whole. As for Etya, I admire your persistent isolation and the results it produces. Do you give yourself a tax deductible salary when you close that office door? I would. Wonderful holidays to you both. Joyeux Noël
Sometimes, it’s not always easy to find the right people where you feel comfortable. I love the group you’ve joined, and I think it will give you a different take on writing. And of course, our Life Writers group would not be the same without you Thierry. Joyeux Noël back at ya.
Life writers is definitely elephants steps ahead of anything I’ve participated to as far as writing, You changed my life as I discover more and more, certain abilities to communicate. Publishing is like caviar on crostini not to say icing on the cake since I don’t have a sweet tooth. Take care and see you soon. Thierry
Patricia, great suggestions. I used to have my own group, but it fell, apart during the Pandemic. I belong to three online clubs and one local group that meets twice a month. I take part in them more for the human interaction and learning about the craft then becoming motivated. I love my isolation and look forward to lock myself in my sanity/insanity room every morning. Determination is what drives me to write.
Writers are an odd lot because we need contact with other writers, but we also need isolation and solitude. You have a lot of determination, Etya, more than most. Enjoy your last few days of Hanukkah.