Writing
I was thinking the other day, that even with my 3 blogs and Facebook that I didn't really have any place for longer form blog type entries. And then I said, duh, LJ. So, I'm hoping to get back in the habit of writing here more often.
Right now, it looks like my long standing (as in almost 7 years old) critique group may be on the verge of taking a hiatus. We had been at 5-6 members for a long time - which is a good size - and now we're down to 4. Since at least 3 people need to show up to make a viable critique group, its much harder to reach the magic number when you only have 4 people. This saddens me because these folks have been such a big part of my life for a long time. And while I know I will not fall out of touch with all of them, there are a couple that it is very unlikely I will ever see without the group.
(Confession: I may be bringing drama in myself, as 2 members of the critique group are my LJ friends as well, but its not like they aren't aware of the situation.)
The first person who left did so in a way that annoyed me. He is still my friend, but I swear, even the "no drama" gay guys in my life like to bring in the occasional drama. I hate to stereotype, but that's my experience. I knew he was leaving, and I knew the reasons why. We had long talks about it. But then he decided he couldn't be honest with the group about his reasons, and searched for a "polite" way to leave the group. He did this by asking advice on Facebook. I should add that a number of the members of the critique group are his friends on Facebook. So he asked how he should leave the group (without identifying the group) took the advice of one of the members of the group and sent us all an email saying he was too busy working on other projects. If that had been that, I'd have been less annoyed. But then, he started posting on facebook (after telling us he didn't have time to work on his writing) about the other critique groups he was trying out. *sigh* What's the point of lying to "be polite" if you're not even going to attempt to maintain the semblance of the lie. Why not be honest (or at least partially so) and say "The group is not providing me with the benefit it once was. Its time for me to move on and look for new avenues that can serve my current needs." Still polite, simple, and above all, honest. Even though he had been honest with me in private, I wish he could have been able to be a little more honest in public. And maybe it shouldn't annoy me, but it does. (This is not to say I don't miss his presence at critique. I do. But my annoyance is such that it may be a while before I truly feel it.)
The second person to leave (who is one of the LJ friends) has writer's block. And that's fine. I don't blame anyone for needing to take a break from writing or from the group. For two years, I was only a 1/2 time member while I got my MBA, so its not like I haven't done the same. But I will miss her presence in the group. I love her writing and story telling style. And, as our newest member, she also brought a new perspective to the critique that was valuable. I know I will continue to see her outside of critique, but I'll miss her presence at Sunday morning critique, none the less.
So that's where we are. 4 of us, including 1 who does not have the best attendance record. And people shouldn't have to. Critique should not feel like something you have to do, but something you want to do. The problem is, when you've only got 4 members, and you need at least 3 present to really give critique, it means that the other 3 do need to make it a priority in order for the group to keep working. And that's not fair to anyone.
So, as one of the original members of the group, maybe its time for me to ask - is the group still meeting everyone's needs? If so, do we look at trying to recruit a couple new members? Or, if not, do we take a break? Do we try to come back in a few months and try it again, or do we all go our separate ways?
And if the group breaks up, since this is my LJ, I have to think about what I am going to do. I've gotten better about taking the time to sit down and write for my blogs, but none of that is my fiction. And I do love my fiction. I have always used the group as my motivation - I need something new to present to them every two weeks. Without that, am I capable of motivating myself? Am I brave enough to go to a random writer's meet up? Or do I cast around and start another group, based on the same principals (which I think are a huge part of why its successful)? Is that an in-person group, or do I expand the net, try to capture my friends across the country in it and do an electronic critique group? Or do I take a break from my fiction?
If any of you reading this might be interested in a writing critique group (or know someone who would be) wither joining the established group or starting a new one, let me know. Its time to weigh the options, even if I really wish the status quo could have continued.
Right now, it looks like my long standing (as in almost 7 years old) critique group may be on the verge of taking a hiatus. We had been at 5-6 members for a long time - which is a good size - and now we're down to 4. Since at least 3 people need to show up to make a viable critique group, its much harder to reach the magic number when you only have 4 people. This saddens me because these folks have been such a big part of my life for a long time. And while I know I will not fall out of touch with all of them, there are a couple that it is very unlikely I will ever see without the group.
(Confession: I may be bringing drama in myself, as 2 members of the critique group are my LJ friends as well, but its not like they aren't aware of the situation.)
The first person who left did so in a way that annoyed me. He is still my friend, but I swear, even the "no drama" gay guys in my life like to bring in the occasional drama. I hate to stereotype, but that's my experience. I knew he was leaving, and I knew the reasons why. We had long talks about it. But then he decided he couldn't be honest with the group about his reasons, and searched for a "polite" way to leave the group. He did this by asking advice on Facebook. I should add that a number of the members of the critique group are his friends on Facebook. So he asked how he should leave the group (without identifying the group) took the advice of one of the members of the group and sent us all an email saying he was too busy working on other projects. If that had been that, I'd have been less annoyed. But then, he started posting on facebook (after telling us he didn't have time to work on his writing) about the other critique groups he was trying out. *sigh* What's the point of lying to "be polite" if you're not even going to attempt to maintain the semblance of the lie. Why not be honest (or at least partially so) and say "The group is not providing me with the benefit it once was. Its time for me to move on and look for new avenues that can serve my current needs." Still polite, simple, and above all, honest. Even though he had been honest with me in private, I wish he could have been able to be a little more honest in public. And maybe it shouldn't annoy me, but it does. (This is not to say I don't miss his presence at critique. I do. But my annoyance is such that it may be a while before I truly feel it.)
The second person to leave (who is one of the LJ friends) has writer's block. And that's fine. I don't blame anyone for needing to take a break from writing or from the group. For two years, I was only a 1/2 time member while I got my MBA, so its not like I haven't done the same. But I will miss her presence in the group. I love her writing and story telling style. And, as our newest member, she also brought a new perspective to the critique that was valuable. I know I will continue to see her outside of critique, but I'll miss her presence at Sunday morning critique, none the less.
So that's where we are. 4 of us, including 1 who does not have the best attendance record. And people shouldn't have to. Critique should not feel like something you have to do, but something you want to do. The problem is, when you've only got 4 members, and you need at least 3 present to really give critique, it means that the other 3 do need to make it a priority in order for the group to keep working. And that's not fair to anyone.
So, as one of the original members of the group, maybe its time for me to ask - is the group still meeting everyone's needs? If so, do we look at trying to recruit a couple new members? Or, if not, do we take a break? Do we try to come back in a few months and try it again, or do we all go our separate ways?
And if the group breaks up, since this is my LJ, I have to think about what I am going to do. I've gotten better about taking the time to sit down and write for my blogs, but none of that is my fiction. And I do love my fiction. I have always used the group as my motivation - I need something new to present to them every two weeks. Without that, am I capable of motivating myself? Am I brave enough to go to a random writer's meet up? Or do I cast around and start another group, based on the same principals (which I think are a huge part of why its successful)? Is that an in-person group, or do I expand the net, try to capture my friends across the country in it and do an electronic critique group? Or do I take a break from my fiction?
If any of you reading this might be interested in a writing critique group (or know someone who would be) wither joining the established group or starting a new one, let me know. Its time to weigh the options, even if I really wish the status quo could have continued.