Writer's Groups

[erastes]

I think I'm going to try and be brave and join a writer's group. This is fairly Big News for me, and knee-tremblingly scary as I AM Ms Recluse and if I had a cave I'd live in it. (And tell acolytes to sod off and stop bothering me)

So I found a couple. Norwich Writer's Circle and Cafe Writer's Both of which look worthy, and very scary.

My trouble is that I'm pretty shy, to start with, I'm a "you'll always find me in the kitchen at parties" sort of person. (mainly coz that where the vodka is) and I never seem to "fit in" with any sort of organised organisations. I joined a competition club a few years ago and felt awkward, joined a re-enactment society a year or so before that and didn't feel I fitted in - can't manage to enjoy myself at staff parties, well you know the drill. Or unless you are the life and soul - then no, you wouldn't.

What worries me about joining is that they are very very unlikely to have anyone writing my kind of fiction, and whilst I am not AT ALL ashamed of it, I always find it rather blushing to have someone ask me, "Oh, you write novels? How wonderful? What sort?"

On the flip side of that, I suppose is that by joining I'll be spreading the homoerotic love, but really, I'm sure people will be more horrified than interested. That being said, my mother who is, as you know, my greatest advocate, tells all her friends and relations about Standish and they have all said, from 30-to 80, "how lovely, I must buy a copy" and when I question her and say "You DID tell them what it was about, didn't you?" she says, "Yes, I have weird friends."

So tell me - have you ever joined one?  How did it go?

Oh - and BTW - I'm host today on torquere_social if you are interested in popping along and saying hello, or asking a question.

Comments

[leatherdykeuk.livejournal.com]

Not in any real world ones, but couldn't do without http://www.thewritersden.invisionzone.com

[underlucius.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! I shall check it out!

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

Tell them that you write historical romantic tragedies. It's true.

I've joined a couple of online writing clubs. They went well. It's not very social; it's more like the kind of talking we do in various writing comms.

[kay-derwydd.livejournal.com]

You know, I've wanted to join a writers' group around here (Delaware, Bethany/Rehoboth Beach area) for a while--even tried to set one up. But like you, I tend to be a recluse, and add to that, social anxiety? Oh yeah, I'm a barrel of fun. LOL

Good luck!

[rosie-red73.livejournal.com]

I would LOVE to do that. I was leafing through a magazine the other day and I came across an article on writers retreat holidays where you get groups of people and advice and such. It sounded lovely until I got to the price part. I could really do with an activity type of thing that's just for me but I'm with you on the scary thing. Pity we don't live close to each other so we could go together. I'm the same with the social aspect, I pretty much don't fit in anywhere really, but I guess you just go along for a few sessions and if they're all wankers, you just don't go back.

I figure you have to tailor what you tell people depending on who they are. I don't tell ANYONE bar close family that I write fanfiction. Some people I say porn if they're annoying me and I want to get a reaction out of them, others I just say romance type stuff and stay fairly vague about it. I tell them I'm writing short stories on a net group for experience before I start a novel. It's kinda true so what the hell.

Anyway GO! DO IT! And then tell me how scary it is and maybe I'll do one. Maybe.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Nod nod. As good as LJ and comms are, I sort of want some socialising too.

It might be rubbish, but I suppose I should give it a go.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Sounds like me!

*hides under rock*

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I'm kinda anti the holidays because they are so ephemeral and charge you a fortune for very little, and I don't know what GOOD actual groups do you, but I think I should give it a go.

I wish I was nearer too, sweetie.

*hug*

Will let you know what it's like. (and omg D-DAy Lewis on Parky!!!)

*dies*

Re: What Gehayi said

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Ten plus years??? When you did you join? In Kindergarten?

Writers hanging out would be good too.

*g*

Re: *pops over to Torquere Social*

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Bwahahahaha!!!

[rosie-red73.livejournal.com]

I know, I'm watching it now! What the fuck is with the beard? When I heard he was on I had him in my head as a potential Sirius, but just NO!. I'd still do him, obviously, but lose the beard, dude.

I know what you mean about the holidays but it just looked so pretty and peaceful, sitting by the sea for a week with a notebook and pen... *wistful sigh* One day I will get my solo holiday to Wales.

[equani-tsula.livejournal.com]

Ugh - me, too as far as being reclusive and solitary. But I think I really need some positive reinforcement as well as just sort of daily chatty feedback to reassure me that other writers go through all the hang ups and goofyness that I do. Plus I'd like some impartial readers, too. I'm checking out The Writers Den, looks interesting. Let me know if you find someplace you like. I never fit in anywhere, but then I am "this is me, like me, don't like me, I don't really care." and, especially for this part of the country, I am WEIRD, so it's not surprising. I kid that I really live on the Internet, not here at all.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I'm just like that. I'd like to fit in, and I get so jealous of the Norms when they enjoy stuff like going window shopping and stuff like that, but then if I make an effort to join in the Norms I find that I end up loathing them for being so dull.

What concerns me is that if I go to one of these things and we have to go round the table and introduce ourselves *dies of fright already at the thought* and Mary says "I write children fiction about fairies and elves and Bob says, "I write naval adventures" and Steve says "I write coming of age fiction" and Mildred says "I write poetry" and then Erastes chirps up with "I write about gay men shagging in various eras in history"

:::stunned silence::: which is covered hastily by more pouring of tea and passing round of buns.

*grin*

[equani-tsula.livejournal.com]

A couple years ago I dragged myself to the first meetup of the local Nanowrimo participants. We did that round table thing - and my proposed novel was either the murderous lesbians I've been piddling with forever, or a gay bdsm story. Yeah, in the middle of all those mamby pamby kiddie tales. The one male participant started practically drooling at me - LOL. (Had he actually read the lesbian story I mentioned he would have second thoughts) The little housewifey types jaws dropped and that was the last time they asked me for any sort of participation. ROFLMAO.

Anyway, after that they took to meeting at upscale yuppie clubs and such that I really couldn't afford to go to so that was the end of that.

I have zero desire to fit in. I'd like to be accepted and respected for who I am, because that is what I'll give to others. But here, nah, not happenin'. Let's just say that Oral Roberts (such a suggestive name, don't you think?) has his spekky college and such a mere 7 miles or so from my apartment.