With Alan Watt, via PEN USA West. 8 months ago

I went to Hedgebrook’s Country in the City 1-Day Retreat with an open mind and heart and wow, did it resonate. Really revamped my feelings about writing. I think this is going to stick and not just be a bandage.

I wrote about it on my blog, Any Given Sundry

One of the organizers is forming a new writing workshop and I think I will join it if it’s not too expensive. It’s not conveniently located, but sometimes you have to go to some trouble to get what you need. 10 months ago

This site is frustrating because you have to go in and check to see if anyone has commented on your work, it won’t send you an email notification.

My sister loves it, but I’m iffy on it. 16 months ago

Went back last night with an open heart. The work that was submitted was really good, and I was excited to discuss it and to anticipate comments from some of these writers on my work.

Also getting to know locals will be great. I work 45 miles away and don’t have kids, so getting to know the community has been a bit hard. Yay for the library for providing so many great programs. 21 months ago

I’ve been struggling for a while. Still have a writer friend I have bi-weekly dates with, but it’s not quite like a writing group.

I went to a writing group meeting at my local library last week and it was kind of disorganized with no clear leader, even though I think a librarian was there. They really seem to be floundering and just giving each other copyediting notes and then telling each other to send their work to Granta or Glimmer Train!

Most of them had never heard of Poets & Writers, or Duotrope, etc. I made what I hoped were helpful comments on some of the writing, but it felt like it might have bothered people that I jumped in.

I left my name and email address to be added to the list, but haven’t received an email.

This feels really bad. I kind of want to go back to hear more of the writers next week, but I’ll have to contact the library to see what the issue was with my email. But I’m not sure I want to devote the time to a group that seems to be made up of complete beginners.

Bleh. I was so lucky to have my good writing group for so many years. I miss them. (Some have moved out of state.) 21 months ago