The Greater Cleveland Writers Group.

I’m a member of The Cleveland Writers Group and last night was our monthly meeting.

This is a place where writers of all levels and any genre can get together and discuss what they are working on, get critiques, network, socialize and learn. 

I always have a great time.  The Group is full of very interesting writers in the area and when we get together it is a leaning experience.  

I’m working on my manuscript right now and don’t read anything in front of the group, but as I hear other people read their work I see what they are doing, either right or wrong, and I learn from it.   The feedback they received from some of our veteran writers is priceless.  It is great being around professionals. 

This meeting we didn’t have a large group.  Apparently there was a sports event that kept a lot of writers away and I also suspect the weather and life, being right after the holidays.   The meeting only had about twenty members show up but the group has over two hundred members.  

The discussion was lively and filled with really good information.  The professional writers explained how the business changes and lets us know how to make the best of our time.  What’s important for our careers and why, such as platform and to blog or not to blog.  Some of us like me enjoy blogging. 

The feedback part of the discussion was quite interesting.  Six people read to the group their work.   We had a very shy poet finally get up and read after a lot of coaxing.  What she read was so good, but in her nervousness she read it almost too fast.  We tried to get her to re-read it slower but she was just too shy.  As a person who doesn’t get poetry.  I totally understood her poem and was really surprised at the depth of it.  

We had another poet who got up and read two things.  I didn’t like either.  They sounded so cliché. 

When it came to the feedback, the professionals were trying to get her to understand something and the poet was resisting and defending her work.  With a few changes her poem could jump out, and really make a statement but she just didn’t want to hear it. 

Hearing feedback is difficult.  Listening to the professionals in the group and what they are trying to explain, if you think about it they are right, can make a difference in the quality of your work.   Some basic changes will tell your message in a better way and will be appreciated much more. 

Also learn humility.  We all want everyone to love our work.  Sometime a little humility and re working the piece will make the best changes and make your work stand out.  

One thing we all have is a blind eye.  The professionals can see things that we can’t.   Let them teach us to be the best we can be.

After the meeting we all got up and started networking.  The discussion went over the time limit so we didn’t get out until late.  

Walking to the car was once again freezing, being right near the lake.  I came home and spent some time with my kitties.  I haven’t seen them all day so I spent an hour petting and smooching on them.  

I said it before and will stress it again.  If you have a hobby, find a group within your area and meet, network and socialize with them.   If you can’t find one then start one.   It will make the difference in your success or happiness and will greatly enrich your life.   Until Next time.