Thursday, April 14, 2011

One for the archives

Back in 2008, when the Slushbusters blog was still new, Steph shared a post about how she started a critique group. If you read the whole thing, you can see that she mentioned posting fliers in the local libraries. That's how I found the group. I was browsing in the children's department of our Central Library and saw the flier.

That was over four years ago. I emailed the address on the flier, Steph wrote me back, and a few weeks later I attended my first critique group meeting. It was a good thing I emailed too, because by then the group was meeting at Panera. It didn't come out in the scan you see above, but Steph had written in pencil to "Please call before coming as we sometimes have to cancel."

The fun part now is that I had a meeting at the Central Library last week, and the flyer was still there. I took it down. It's funny for us for a few reasons. First, it's amazing that no one had removed it in all this time. Second, it's been years since we either met at the library or did any writing exercises. (Sorry, Steph!)

We used to do a five minute writing exercise at the end of every meeting. Back then, there were usually only two or three of us at a meeting instead of six. Critiques took a lot less time. Also, as we've gotten to know each other better, we usually have too much to say about each other's work and chat too much about other stuff to have any time left over. The other night I swear the staff at Panera were circling our table, trying to hint that we should wrap it up, but we were still offering comments to Joan on her latest chapter.

Anyway, I'm keeping the original sign. It's a great reminder of how and where we began, and how far we've come, even on the days it doesn't feel like that.

8 comments:

The Proverbial Shopper said...

That is too funny! I wonder how many people have showed up at the library with a notebook and pen in hand, hopeful to make new friends...

Michelle said...

I'm hoping no one did! If they had called or emailed, we would have invited them to a meeting. I know at least a couple of people over the years found us because of that sign, but only two of us stayed in the group.

Lisa said...

So fun to see that old flyer. That's how I found the group too. It's amazing to think about how far our group has come...how many conferences, how many meetings, how many projects and hours of writing.

It has been amazing to work and grow with you ladies!

Michelle said...

Thanks, Lisa, for saying that! I couldn't remember if it was you or Bridget or Joan who also found the group through the flyer. Although now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure Kathy M. sent us at least one, if not both of them.

Sarah said...

Michelle, so glad you posted this! I'd heard about this flyer, but never saw it till you brought it to our meeting...

Tess said...

this makes me smile...funny how life brings us together, isn't it?

KT said...

I love this idea. I have a few questions for you all:
I'm a novice to this field and I'd love to be part of a critique group, but with young children at home it's sometimes hard to get out of the house. I'd like to be in an online critique group. Any ideas?
Do you ever worry that someone will take your idea or story if you share it? Does that sound silly?

Also, I'm considering joining SCBWI. Is it worth it?

Thank you fellow writers!

Michelle said...

KT,

I don't think any of us has been in an online group, so it's hard to speak to that.

I definitely think joining SCBWI is a good idea, and you may be able to find an online group on their discussion boards. I'd also look for an online group on the Verla Kay blue boards. (verlakay.com)

All of our stories are so different that it's hard to imagine someone copying an idea. Sarah wrote a post a couple of years back about Ideas. Even if ten people had the same basic idea for a story, you'd get ten different stories.