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Yetzirah

The Introverts Come Out To Play
Thu Jan 20 2005


You know you are about to hang out with a bunch of writers when you arrive at the meeting place and everyone is afraid to ask the question: "Are you with the writing group?" So some of us walked through the coffee shop area of the bookstore and then cruised right out, not wanting to disturb strangers sitting alone at tables. Oy, it was the usual toe curling introverted scenario. But finally on my third pass I saw someone with a notebook and a puzzled look on their face. I recognized the look. I'm sure it was written all over my own face. We sat down at the table and started to get aquainted.

Then suddenly everyone showed up at once and we began. There were 8 people there, 5 women, 3 men. The age range was from about 55 to 22. Nice. I liked the variety of gender and age.

Everyone had brought a piece of writing to share. I and the young man to my left were the only ones who read ours out loud. We had two pieces of non fiction and some fantasy, some mystery, some poetry, some very good epic Science Fiction.... and my satire on Catcher In The Rye I did a little rewriting on it, so it's not exactly as written on my diary, but very close. The good news is.... they "got" it! They didn't think I was an idiot, or ask me, "WHAT were you talking about?" . . . .I was very happy.

We now have a writing assignment for next meeting. We are supposed to write a 300-500 word paper from a writing prompt given by the leader. Also, I have a handful of copies of everyone's writing to make notes on and return to them next time. SO I will get my copies back, so no one will be wrapping fish in my essay after all! Whew!

One thing I learned that surprised me quite a bit. The variety of reactions to people's work. Or more specifically, the different conclusions people came to while reading. It makes me wonder just how much "control" the author has over what the reader will come up with on their own. It's something I have never really thought a LOT about, but I WILL be thinking about it now! I suppose the goal is to write in the clearest possible way, though you don't want to treat the reader like a moron either. It's something I will be mulling over till next time I can tell.

Anyway, it was very pleasant, after the initial fears calmed down. And has the potential to be a pretty good place to get some good critical analysis, and have fun at the same time. I am glad I stuck my neck out and took a chance. Let this be a lesson to me!



11 Comments
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jan 20 2005
    sounds great, yetzirah, i'm glad it went so well

    i never thought about the fact that different people read different things and come to different conclusions. i wonder whether the variation of reactions is inversely proportional to the length of the piece (i.e. the smaller it is, the more varied the responses and perspectives)
  • From:
    Dustbunny3 (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jan 20 2005
    It seems that I was the one at many meetings that stood up and spoke out or questioned things the speaker had put forth. I learned never to be afraid to do so for most times it was the point most attendies wanted to ask but were afraid to do so. You will get more at ease but like Catcher in The RYE if it is blowing smoke and muddy water to you then in may be the same for many others .
  • From:
    RealmOfRachel (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jan 20 2005
    Yay! I'm glad that you seemto have hooked up with a good writing group; one that obviously gives thought to critical analysis and not a bunch of people who only want to hear how great they are.

    So what is your homework for the group? I'm very curious.

    Hugs
    Rach xxx
  • From:
    Pragmatist (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jan 20 2005
    You're creative. Make a cute little sign that says THIS TABLE RESERVED FOR PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY'RE WRITERS. Or is that too condescending?

    Well, I missed Catcher in the Rye when I was 52, so I think I'll just skip it. I'm having enough with Asher Lev right now, and the 2 or 3 other books I poke into. Plus the handbag (suitcase?) I'm crocheting.

    Shalom
  • From:
    InStitches (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jan 20 2005
    ".....the different conclusions people came to while reading. It makes me wonder just how much "control" the author has over what the reader will come up with on their own."

    It is an interesting question. Several years back I watched an Oprah Book Club finale where sereval readers and Oprah discussed the current book. It was facinating how each person reacted differently to the characters and the situations in the book. You would have thought they had all read a different book.

    I don't know that you, as an author, can control what your reader comes away with, but you can give them something to think about.

    It may be one of the reasons I am enjoying my current book. Lewis does not tell the reader what to think, but he most certainly encourages the reader to view things from a fresh perspective.
  • From:
    Welshamethyst (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Jan 20 2005
    What people interpret from what they read reminds me very much of the game we used to play in grade school where we sat in a circle and one person whispered something in the next persons ear. By the time it got to the end of the circle, it was very different from what the opening statement was. Everyones minds "read" something different or pick up a different inferance. Interesting.
  • From:
    Bookworm (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jan 21 2005
    I'm so glad you went. I knew you'd have a great time. Terrific. ;-)
  • From:
    Ichandra (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jan 21 2005
    hey mon amie I am glad you are having fun if a group gets you writing and having fun then that is gold for you

    for me I detest these writing circles that criticize in any way I took a writing fiction and poetry course at university and it was the sickest thing of my life I hated when I was criticized and when other people were criticized I stepped forward like I was their lawyer hee hee when people left after their work was"reviewed" they were devastated sometimes it was so sick

    I only believe in giving positive feedback or no feedback at all

    for a few years after these sick courses I attended the open mikes for poetry and music and I ran an open mike myself for a couple of years ah mon amie that is white magic to me the experience is healing and true learning takes place in a positive environment

    I love it I love it the open stage ethic is simply no comments at all you clap and that is it ofcourse sometimes the audience claps louder than other times ha ha but it is beautiful people come up and bare their souls through music and poetry this is the closest you will come to freedom of speech because people arent inhibited

    I will go to an open mike any day but never would I go to those sickoid groups

    cest la vie

    I think you are a beautiful writer and you have nothing to learn but fine go and make merry if you can
    hee hee love ichandra

  • From:
    Ichandra (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jan 21 2005
    ps if they ever criticize your little red hen somehow someway I will hunt them down and they will be sorry
  • From:
    Fairywishes (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Jan 21 2005
    wooohoooo to you!

    I am soooo pleased it was a success. Good for you, this is just the beginning.

    x
  • From:
    Sweetsummerbreeze (Legacy)
    On:
    Mon Jan 31 2005
    Sounds like this writing group is going to be great.