The Greater Cleveland Writers Group:

This is a reoccurring blog post, I belong to The Greater Cleveland Writers Group and write about the group, what we talk about and learn. 

Last night we had our monthly The Greater Cleveland Writers Group. As some of you know the weather in Ohio can be crazy.  It’s blustery cold especially with the group being right next to the water.  Last post I explained about my new jacket.  It’s duck down, waterproof and really good with my new deerskin gloves.  Having a new jacket of course I’m checking to see if it will keep me warm.  It did.  The wind whipped off the lake, and blew right into my face.  I had the hood up, so I could feel the cold on my face but the rest of me was warm, including the hands.  My legs that weren’t protected from the jacket were cold.  (Oh well can’t have everything)  

It was wonderful to see everyone.  I have been attending the group for months now and have become a regular.  When I go I know faces and names and what they are working on.  I asked one girl as she came in, “How is your young adult book about your rescued cats coming?” 

“I lost one of the cats and have a new one now.”  She told me with a sad face.

“Ohhhh.”  I told her , understanding the loss of a favorite pet.

Then there were others.  We had a short getting together before the meeting started.  I got up to get some food.  There was cookies and pastries and of course wine.  The soda came later.  Then someone came and put a big bowl of chicken casserole on the table. Then someone came in with chips and dip, another with cheese and crackers.  Soon everyone had gotten their food and drinks and settled around the tables to talk. 

When the meeting started everyone said a little bit about themselves and what they were working on. 

Here’s where it gets interesting:  First the boat was rocking because the water was quite rough.  So that was sort of disoriented. 

There were a few others who participated in the NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month program the same as me.  But when it came to me introducing myself I explain that I wrote over 50,000 words for the NaNoWriMo in 28 days.  That got me a round of applause from the group.  Most of the group has been writing for years and still working on a manuscript.  The fact that I have been writing only two years and have two, I believe I am beginning to be a person that others can look up to.  That was a good feeling.  The more I go and the more I am consistent about what I’m doing the more respect I get from the others. 

Point:  We have several veteran writers in the group. Both approached me after with encouragement. 

We had one woman who wrote a query and needed a little help.  A query letter is where the writer writes a letter to an agent about the book and includes some of the reasons why her book would be a good fit for the agent, and ask them for representation.  

She is a registered nurse and her work is about her thirty five years of experience.  Her query was written more in the line of a bio and not much about the book.  The feedback projected that point and she was lead on a better way to write.  It was very informative, especially for all of us, who at one point will be looking for an agent.  

We had another girl who was writing a memoir of when she was three.  The piece was very wordy, and not reflecting the thoughts of a young three year old.  Having that feedback was extremely helpful.    The writer when reading a part out loud can see where they make mistakes, they are very blatant, and of course the feedback from the others shows things that the writer didn’t even know about.  The value is priceless. 

I sat next to one of our veteran writers and editors last month being nervous because he is extremely knowledgeable.  He turned out to be very nice and helpful. 

At the end of the meeting the man that I sat next to last month he came to me, stool real close almost in my space, you know real close as if he was a lover.  I could feel his breath on my face.  He looked me right in the eyes very sweetly with a smile.  I was taken aback.  I looked back at him.  We talked for a few moments but then I remembered I had to pass my flyers to everyone.  (I just got an idea.  Duh, why not pass the flyers out while I’m talking about it instead of waiting until It’s over than passing it out to everyone *Shaking head*)

I was able to talk with the man before he left to give him a flyer.  He said, “Is this my personal invitation?” 

I told him. “Most defiantly, you are always welcome.”  A big time editor coming to my critiquing group to talk with the writers, oh yeah, he is always welcome.  He smiled and hugged me warmly then left. 

I’ve said it before; there is nothing better than being in a group of your peers and exchanging knowledge.  If you have a hobby, get into a group.  You will flourish much faster in your goals with the help of the group.  We had a woman in our group who was looking for a job.  The host of the group told her to stay after he might have a job for her.  That’s called networking.   

The big time editor who looked at me sweetly last night, he gave me his card last month.  I think I will email him and start the friendship, just asking him a questions, one never know where it will go in the end.   Until next time.