Your Next #Writing Move

Drawing of online connectionIn teaching courses online, I’ve been asked about the options of creating an outside opportunity for connecting during the course or even after the course. Some suggestions have included setting up a social media group, but not everyone is on social media or wants to interact over social media. Never mind that, depending on the metrics, posts may be visible or not in one feed or another. Still, after spending several weeks of (often intense) writing and critique, the desire to stay connected remains.

Red Oak Writing logoWhen writers are local, I never hesitate to spotlight Red Oak Writing as one of my favorite ways to connect with others. There’s a strong community of writers who move in and out of Red Oak’s studio, and Kim Suhr, the director, offers an ongoing rotation of writing & critique groups (online or in-person) plus plenty of Saturday workshops for anyone looking to hone their craft.

But I have been playing with the idea of setting up a different kind of group, one that functions between courses and critiques in a casual and generative kind of way, one that aims to satisfy parts of Forest Avenue Press’ Main Street Writers Movement pledge:

to encourage my neighbor writers in creative art.
to foster…
to support…
to introduce new friends to  my core community….

I know how difficult it can be to break away from the daily routine. If there’s a space, an invitation, and a gentle push from another writer facing similar challenges, I’m more likely to show up, put the kettle on, and set pen to paper. I’m more likely to encourage the writer across the table from me, and we–together– will create more art.

But here’s the thing: does this need to be in-person only? Is there even any interest in arranging another opportunity outside of the ones already found in your local area and mine? This is where you come in. If you’re itching to connect with other writers but are wondering how, if you’re local and just want space and a warm cup of tea at the ready, if you are willing…fill out a few questions via the survey below. Let’s talk about your next move…our next move.

Here’s the link >> Writers Meet-Up Survey.

(The survey is anonymous and will be open until February 17, 2018.)

If you’re not local to the Milwaukee area but are still interested in the possibilities, go ahead and click the link and take the survey. There’s a space for that kind of conversation as well.

 

Remington Roundup: #Watch, #Listen, #Learn

1960's photo of woman at Remington typewriterThe temps outside are just about awful. I am fully layered, still wearing a house hat, and still pausing in front of every heating vent I pass. So, this is as good a time as any to hunker down with a video, story on audio, and a circle of writers bundled up indoors all the same. Today’s edition of the Remington Roundup offers you links for all three: #Watch, #Listen, #Learn.

Enjoy. And stay warm!


#Watch

In a few short days, my online course, Flash Nonfiction I: An Introduction* will open. As with all my courses, I like to start each week with a video or podcast that touches on one aspect or another from the week’s lesson. Here’s a peek at what you might see in the course. Not all the videos focus directly on writing, but when we talk about creativity and craft, they almost always apply to story. This one certainly does.

“When one shrinks a craft…into something so tiny, it asks the viewer to imagine how it was done.” ~Althea Crome

* There are still a couple of seats open in the course. Deadline to register is Jan. 5th!

#Listen

In February, Suzanne Conboy-Hill guest posts about an anthology she’s edited, Let Me Tell You a Story. Published in a unique format, each story and poem seen on the page is paired with an audio track online. With a simple QR code reader, you can listen to the author’s voice while viewing their story in print. I love this concept! Here’s are two short pieces from the collection as a listening teaser:

Stay tuned for February. I can’t wait for you to read more from Suzanne–and, of course, there’s a giveaway!


#Learn

Red Oak Writing logoAnother online opportunity for deepening your understanding of craft is in Red Oak Writing’s Online Roundtable with Kim Suhr.

I’ve participated in this online critique group before, and it’s a wonderful mix of the face-to-face critique experience with the convenience of online learning. Meaning, you don’t have to live in the Milwaukee metroplex in order to benefit from the camaraderie of seasoned writers and the wisdom of an amazing leader.

“the group camaraderie develops online in much the same way as in an in-person group. And, the highlight has to be Kim…a strong facilitator and great editor, coach and writer.”
~ Pam Parker, Roundtable participant

The Roundtable begins on January 10th and runs for six weeks. Sign up!


What’s on your list for watching, listening, or learning this cold, cold season?

#AmReading, #AmEditing: THEN and NOW, the next anthology by the Writers at Harwood Place

Stories from THEN, essays on NOW, poetry in between.

“I entered this house a new baby, coming home from the hospital in 1922. I wonder how many people have planted trees and built rock gardens in the yard and told stories in this layered house since then? I would walk right down to the bakery on Vliet Street (was it Meurers?) and bring back cupcakes for all of us to enjoy. Or walk up to Washington Boulevard and take the bus downtown to Wisconsin Avenue. Somehow there must be a way to bridge the magic fog between then and now.”

~ from “The Layered House” by Mary Lewis
in THEN and NOW: stories and poems by the writers at Harwood Place


Come to the Reader’s Showcase:
Saturday, January 27, 2018, 2pm
Harwood Place Retirement Living Center
8220 West Harwood Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI.