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| photo by floridapfe |
Last night I took my "Santa" story to my writing critique group. Helpful and encouraging and on-point they were, as usual. And it reminded me of more reasons why writing critique groups are so valuable:
1. You'll get a speeding ticket when you leave your critique group. Okay, I didn't get caught by the police speeding when I left the WWWPs last night, but I was exhilirated and I was speeding--until I slowed down, realizing that the police would probably not consider "I'm-so-excited-because-writing-outside-of-my-box-is-so-fun-and-they-kinda-liked-my-story" as a valid excuse for breaking the law. Do you think I was right?
2. Any intestinal blockage (or blockage of any other kind) will clear up. Instantly. Someone (we won't mention names) brought brownies that included pureed prunes as one of the ingredients. Hopefully, too many explosions didn't occur as a result of that culinary debacle. What's that you say? You're stopped up creatively? A writing critique group will start the creative juices flowing again, too.
3. The chance to open your mouth, gaping, in awe. In one evening, writers share stories that are heart-wrenchingly tender, gut-bustingly funny, and sobbingly-sad. All in one night.
I'm encouraging you, before it's too late, to send in your holiday romance stories to mizgotrocks@wt.net Pat Smith of Welkin Press is eagerly anticipating a flood of stories. Make sure they're 2,000-8.000 words long, and make sure you don't wait too long...the deadline is September 30.
Donna, thanks for posting this call. And Lisa--I expect to be competing with you for a spot in this anthology. So if you haven't already written and sent off something, you'd better get your rear in gear...
And please check out my guest post on "The Muffin" where I explain the real difference between men and women--and whether you agree or disagree, please leave a comment.
I delivered my first piece of junk mail with "Season's Greetings!" on it before Labor Day.
ReplyDeleteYikes! That is way TOO early. Thanks for the warning, Fireblossom.
DeleteI am on the floor laughing, pulling myself up on the couch ;0
ReplyDeleteLinda--usually it is YOU making me laugh and depend on my "Options."
DeleteHi Sioux,
ReplyDeleteYour group sounds fabulous--not so sure about the pureed prunes in brownies, though.
Congratulations on finishing your short story and for all the acceptances you've had lately.
You rock!
Donna
Donna--Thanks. And about the prunes...You'd be surprised. I am so NOT into the healthy, but these taste good. Try it... might like it.
DeleteThe one and only time I got up enough nerve to go to a writer's group, I was the lone member that showed up. SIXTEEN people were conveniently absent. It was just me and my son (moral support) and the group leader with his wife and child. We met in a room at the library, lest you think this was some hinky set-up.
ReplyDeleteI read one of my pieces while the wife laughed politely. Yes, it WAS a humorous essay. Then the leader whipped out his...GUITAR (almost gotcha, didn't I?) and sang a plagiarized version of Dust in the Wind, chronicling the tribulations of the main character in his novel, a traveling clergyman who visited dying cancer patients.
I think I might be scarred for life.
As well as scared for your life. Sweet Gummi Mary. I guess I'm lucky that the only things the WWWPs whip out are appetizers and glasses of tea.
DeleteWell, if you HAD been pulled over, you could have just told the nice officer about the prune laced brownies . . .
ReplyDeleteMama Zen--I hadn't thought of that. If I had, it might have been brown vs. blue?
DeleteThat story made me laugh periodically for two days afterwards. That's some pretty funny shades of Santa.
ReplyDeleteTammy--
DeleteThanks, but it will NEVER top your story that took place in the wedding dress dressingroom and involved flatulence. Never.