Friday 7 October 2011

Writing Group



New season, new school year, new writing group. Who said I give up easily?

After the fiasco with the Creative Writing Class last spring, I thought I'd see who else might have it in for my style of writing, so why not give the newly founded Creative Writing Group of the local  u3a a try?  Most of you will know that U3A stands for University of the Third Age and is open, free of charge, to people of age 50 and over. Whatever you wish to study, whatever your previous level of expertise, there will be a course for you. And if there isn't one, somebody will start one.


This CW group is run by members, there is no lecturer, nobody is in charge. Naturally, there will be one member who will dominate the group, talk the most, be the most decisive, the most easily offended and generally let the rest know that her/his word is law. That is as inevitable as one person in the group being the tallest, or the oldest.

The inaugural meeting took place in a private bungalow in the bubble end of a cul-de-sac in the rabbit warren of identical streets above the old town. You might have been on any new housing estate on the edge of any erstwhile small market town in the UK. I do wish town planners weren't chosen on the basis of who can produce the nastiest, dullest, most unimaginative and repetitive rows of dwellings; no wonder the families inhabiting them are pretty interchangeable themselves, their highest ambition in life being to own wall-to-wall home entertainment units to watch reality tv.

However, the owner of the bungalow where we met, a delightful elderly lady, softly spoken and slightly vague in manner, seemed to have no tv at all; instead the tiny sitting room held a piano, a sofa and easy chairs, a small table and bookshelves. There was barely room for the resident thinly elegant lurcher to weave through, much less for the eight people, plus hostess, assembled to discuss procedure. Everybody seemed very keen, ideas were produced as to frequency of meetings,  possible venues, subjects to tackle; it was decided, for the time being, that members should produce a piece of writing for each meeting, leaving us free to choose poetry, short stories, memoirs, non-fiction, and even chapters of novels; in short, the new group's success was assured. One person went so far as to suggest that we should publish a book containing the best of our writing at the end of the first year.

Calling yourself 'a writer' and actually writing something have very little to do with each other. When the next meeting came round, I was the only person present, apart from the hostess, who had attended the inaugural get-together. Only one of the others had sent apologies for absence, all the rest of them had quietly faded away. Luckily, there were three new people who had been unable to come before, two of whom had the good sense to bring their manuscripts.

We have now had the third meeting, in a private room in a pub in the old town; a much more suitable venue, where we all fit easily round a large table. One further member dropped away, but another two new participants appeared, with one apology, bringing the group to a possible grand total of between six and nine members.

This process of natural elimination will eventually come to an end and I am hopeful that we will soon settle down to a manageable number of people who want to write. Hopeful, because everybody present happily read a poem, a bit of a memoir, a short story; we are getting to know each other and characters are beginning to emerge.

We meet for two hours mid-morning. As this is England, a tea break is expected by all; two hours without the obligatory drink is unthinkable. In the pub this is no problem, we simply order before we sit down and a waitress brings a tray. When I mumbled apologetically, that I could manage without refreshment for two hours, my fellow writers pitied me. " It's nice to have a drink, makes it more comfortable and we can have a little chat." I was afraid of that, but I'll be happy if the chat concerns itself with writing.

The end of year best-of-writing collection was mentioned again; we'd better get down to it.

47 comments:

  1. Good luck, Friko! I think I might be able to foretell where this is going . . .

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  2. I hope it works out for you, Friko. I know those things don't always succeed as planned. The hostess of the first meeting sounds like a darling, but time will tell.
    I think you're a wonderful writer, and I've met many good professionals over the years, so I feel I've the right to say so.
    Keep us posted on progress as it progresses.

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  3. Sounds enjoyable enough, I must say. Perhaps I should start a group myself (examines condition of household, laughs gently yet ruefully). Hope it turns out productive for you - maybe you guys will write a killer romance together and get rich. It's been done.

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  4. Good luck, Friko. I joined a writers group briefly, but found that it wasn't for me. I hope you get a positive experience, but believe it or not, you're already a writer.

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  5. 'no wonder the families inhabiting them are pretty interchangeable themselves, their highest ambition in life being to own wall-to-wall home entertainment units to watch reality tv.'

    Yowch!

    Friko, I'd no idea. I didn't know we were the same. I know this is going to sound horribly makwish but I don't care.

    I love you.

    Also, my email address is changed. Shall send the new one to your inbox directly.

    Your friend always,
    -Suze

    Incidentally, can't get your last post about the musicians out of my head. Or rather, can't get my head round it ...

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  6. Our 'proper' classes have started again, after a slight hiccup - 'Sir' had the wrong date in his head and needed a last minute phone call to winkle him out... He promised an extra lesson to make up for it. Can't you tell he's a poetic soul?!♥

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  7. I hope it turns out to be both congenial and challenging .
    And meeting in a pub does make it all neutral .... no obligation to be polite about someone's work just because your sipping their coffee .

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  8. Oh meeting in a pub makes me think of the Inklings and their wonderful writerly meetings. I wish much good to come from your meetings.

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  9. My second comment, so I can share that I am a member of a local writers' group. We meet once a month for lunch and to give each other info and tips and encouragment but we don't want or do critiques. We have all had books published but there is always much more to learn. Enjoy your journey.

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  10. well besides the ruins and scenery i now have another reason to be envious of where you live...smiles....would love to be part of a group like this...

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  11. Good luck with this - the country and u3a situation could be swapped for here and it would seem very familiar. The refreshments - well, that comment made me smile.

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  12. Bringing artists and wannabe artists toward common goals is like climbing Mt. Everest. With good leadership and support you should succeed. I would like to participate in such a group, but it is kind of like sex...really intimate activity and you have to be able to trust everyone.

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  13. I've never been a part of a writer's group and have often thought it might be useful - especially if I could get decent constructive feedback. Years ago I ran a daft little writer's group by email, but it was always the same few who contributed anything. Hope your group works out well for you.

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  14. I sometimes wonder (as an English person) why tea is so important. I am still none the wiser. I hope your writing group shakes down into something good. Six sounds a nice number - not too large, and pleasantly cliquey, in the nicest possible way.

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  15. Friko, I'm wondering what your reason is for taking the class and what your goal is.

    You write so well now--both poetry and short essay. Is it that you want to force yourself to write different genres? Or do you want deadlines (a meeting each week) to get you writing? Or do you want to hear the critique of your fellow members?

    I'm just interested as I've taken only one creative writing class and that was fifty-four years ago. I get concerned that my writing needs a lot of work. Especially fiction writing--both dialogue and description.

    So your doing this may be an incentive for me to find a class.

    Peace.

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  16. I like the way you wrote this and the energy you put forth. I've been a member of a lot of groups (not writterly, though) that seem like they never get off the ground. I wish your writer's group success and do keep us informed.

    Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck

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  17. This sounds like a rather fun experience if the group ever gets itself together, which I'm sure it will. I've always taken classes at the local community college and this is the first year I've missed. The feedback and constructive criticism you get from people, other than friends, always make it interesting.

    I'd like to take a CW class also--maybe next spring.

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  18. I seem to remember your last group was toxically rigid. I'm glad you are still striving to find a more tolerant group. I love the sound of the infinite availability and variety of courses. Not a day goes by without the thought that there is some new thing I'd like to learn. I approve of tea if served with biscuits, "It's too wet without them" as one advertisement used to claim.

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  19. You are a fine and accomplished writer already Friko - your posts are always interesting and I sure you will bring a lot to your writing group.

    Enjoy!

    Anna :o]

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  20. Finding the correct mix of members in a writing group is a delicate process. Yes, it will likely work itself out over time.
    The refreshment comment had me smiling. Sounds very familiar. But here, instead of meeting in a pub, I'm sure it would be a Starbucks. Sigh.

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  21. I have to agree with your commenters: you are already an accomplished writer and I do wonder what you might be looking for. Inspiration, I suspect... I had a class in creative writing that was excellent many years ago, and I still use some of the techniques I learned there.

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  22. Really,three or four is plenty for a writing group if you want to do serious critique. And exchanging manuscripts ahead of time, whether by email or hard copy, ensures time to think about each piece before discussion.

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  23. Was hoping to read that you were pleasantly surprised with the new arrangements...still sounds like there will be more settling in though but a foundation of sorts has been laid? And you are minus the previous "leader."

    Any group must go through growing pains and each member must define their own commitment. Wishing you the best

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  24. Sounds like this has the potential to be a good group (what's better than meeting in a pub?). Best of luck, Friko. If nothing else, it will be a terrific source of material. ; )

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  25. Hi Friko,
    I had to go back and read about the spring writing group. Oh dear, that was a chilling experience for you! As with the rest, I wholeheartedly agree that you are a marvelous writer, and I always find something to think about further.
    I hope this group suits you well, and brings you what you're looking for!

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  26. best wishes on the new season!


    Aloha from Honolulu;

    Comfort Spiral



    > < } } ( ° >

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  27. A writing group such as yours would be wonderful to find. I have actually been looking for one myself.

    I think the state of flux you have experienced with the group is somewhat normal. We even see that type of thing with a class at the University. After a few meetings, the group should gel. I hope so. I hope you all benefit from all that a good writing group has to offer.

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  28. Luckily we have our virtual writing group in our blogs, and although not the same as meeting over a cup of tea, we can contribute where and when and how we like.

    And as Martin has observed, you are a writer Friko, a very fine one. I wonder if that makes the physical writer's groups a bit more challenging?

    Isabel x

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  29. I am a huge fan of your stories Friko. I hope that your group will become an inspiring forum to air your ideas and get some constructive feedback. On the other hand, the proof of the writing is in the reading - and - your blog readers are already giving your work a good reception.

    Anna

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  30. Hi Friko .. your first hostess sounds like a wonderful lady - what did she used to do .. and I just hope the whole group works out ok .. communities are funny things!

    Good luck - but as Anna says your stories, writing and way of expression are wonderfully amusing and entertaining on all levels.

    Happy weekend and do keep us informed - have you let on you have a blog? .. Hilary

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  31. Thanks for all your kind words in another arena, Friko - critique much appreciated. Unfortunately the little white rose had to go - it was called away to another project. Maybe we will see it another day.

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  32. Lovely bit of writing today. I have participated in various writing groups and writing classes. They bring out the unexpected in me which too often is sorrow.

    When I finish this history degree I plan to join another writers group...maybe...if for no other reason than the tea and cookies.

    Have fun in your group and do keep us posted. Your frank description of the writers is very interesting. I am afraid my record is one of being the late arrival or early departee. Your courage inspires me!! I shall think of you as Braveheart.
    Dianne

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  33. Sounds like it might be settling down into a small but good group.

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  34. Thanks for this Friko, being a survivor myself of both the awful and the wonderful. I've been thinking once again, of forming a new group and will avidly follow your progress.
    WWW
    XO

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  35. How much fun are you willing to have with these folks? Enough to submit this to them?

    And the psychologist in me wonders why you think folks typically disappear after the first meeting.

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  36. The people I know who seem to be good writers are possessed of a sense of urgency with their writings..& I'm glad for the eliminations, because then, the serious writers won't be dealing with sideline bs.~Mary

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  37. Well, good luck, of course, and it may well be you'll make some good friends, and even learn a tip or two, in this writing group. (Your writing is good, anyhow.) If so, great! From my own experience, however, such groups can sometimes be the death of creativity - but I'm very willing to be proved wrong! Nowt wrong with your writing anyhow; but some of the best writing comes from solitude. The moment oh-so-democratic 'I'll praise/criticize yours if you'll praise/criticize mine' kicks in, the result can often be clueless mediocrity. Only a personal opinion, as I know there are some very high-calibre writing groups out there (though far and few between).

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  38. Good luck with your group. I'm the loud, bossy one in my group and I haven't called a meeting since summer ended. I need to get us going again. Thanks for the reminder!

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  39. I hope this writers' group works out wonderfully for you, Friko. You write so well already that I wonder if you really need one, but with a good group the support and feedback can be really useful. My aunt, a professional writer all her life, truly enjoyed her mystery writers' group. I've been a professional writer for more than 40 years and am disinclined to join such a group, but, then, maybe I haven't encountered the right group. I sure hope this is the one!! But if you had a negative experience before or have one again, please remember that you're an excellent writer on your own!

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  40. I liked your restaurant tale about the deaf person not understanding same sex adoption – quite funny.

    I don’t think there are u3a courses around here – yours sounds very interesting. I hope you will find it useful and productive and better than the course you had last year.

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  41. good one,thanks for sharing

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  42. das klingt ja sehr vielversprechend und dass eure Gruppe sich in einem Pub trifft, finde ich selbst hervorragend (da würde ich auch mitmachen), denn eine gute entspannende Umgebung beeinflusst eure Zusammenarbeit sicherlich. Ich hoffe, dass sich die richtigen Leute finden werden und ihr viel Freude und gute Arbeiten aus diesen Treffen schöpfen könnt!
    Dir wünsche ich einen schönen warmen Sonntag, liebe Friko!
    Renée

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  43. Fortunately, you don't need a license, certificate or degree to write. All you need is a little talent and a lot of desire. Best 'o luck to you and your little group!

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  44. I, too, hope the group fares well, and most importantly offers you something of inspiration. I agree that your writing is also brilliant already, but being in a group can keep you going, if nothing else. You'll know if it feels right, and how long to stay.

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  45. I love this concept of U3A..am wondering if we have them around here. And - it sounds like you'all are off to an excellent beginning!!!

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  46. I'm familiar with u3a a bit from friends in England who participated in a Shakespeare course. They had a wonderful time with it. I hope your experience will be good, too. Last not least, I love the photograph of your desk!

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  47. Here we are able to go to university for free after 65. Hope you find your way to what you need.

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