You want to join us in our voyage into the unknown but you don't think you have what it takes?
Nonsense! Anyone can be a great speculative fiction writer! Look at Stephen King, he tamed Lobsters and also wrote Carrie. All it takes is a lot of hard work, determination, soul wrenching and a lot of luck. (Forget I mentioned that last part.)

That being said, all our welcomed to join our group of fanciful and highly misunderstood writers. I don't require any legal verification or documentation to the veracity of your aspirations. If you show up, you are serious about your work. Heck, I know I don't take out time from my busy schedule just because I like hearing myself talk.

It is assumed we are all are either struggling to write a project, in the middle of writing a project, or just looking for a little emotional support because we can't face that big writing project. If you are a professional writer you are welcomed to show up to the group and share your craft, but don't expect Clarion. I was trained at Columbia College in the Story Workshop method and plan on using this as a guide whenever the group engages in writing exercises. I am open to whatever other techniques or pedagogy one might share. I believe in the democracy of a writing group and keeping the dynamics pliant.

Critique sessions will focus primarily on story content, not on technical merits. Although technique will be discussed for focusing on stories more effectively.

All sessions will last no longer than two hours and generally be announced at a predetermined location. Depending on attendance and group needs, a vote will be taken on whether writing or critiques are focused on. I hope we have an opportunity as a group to inspire one another for both activities.

General guidelines for participants (Nothing that common sense won't tell you.)

1. No abusive or violent language aimed at other group participants will be tolerated. If you have a qualm with anyone in the group over a critique or idea, you are challenged to convey it intelligently, otherwise you are not welcomed in our midst.

2. It is important to understand the difference between your opinion of a piece someone submits and its merits as a story. No one is allowed to say they disliked a piece to any group participant. You may say you don't understand it. But a negative opinion and for that matter even a positive opinion, still remain a subjective judgment of someone's work. If you need help with critique guidelines please speak to the group organizer.

3. If you at any time have any problems, questions or concerns, please contact the group organizer. I am the person you should come to whenever there is any problem. A venue problem, a problem with someone else in the group, anything that is a discomfort and otherwise impairs you from meeting your goals within the writing group; please share this information with me directly and not the rest of group or through another group member. I won't judge you if you dislike any aspect of the group for any reason, this group is all about the people involved, not a one trip pony.

4. Time constraints on critiques are often a problem when we are on a limited schedule of time. The reality is if six people show up for a group critique and everyone has a twenty page story to talk about, there won't be enough time to really go in depth on a piece, even if we limit our time, we all get carried away at some point. We could limit pages written but I think it would be more effective and fair to deal with each piece on a case by case basis and schedule time for each individual in the group for longer pieces. This also would allow flexibility in a schedule for those individuals who can't attend regularly. If there are shorter pieces, of course, we will allow more people within the critique time. At the very least, I would like everyone to get at least twenty minutes of critique time for any given piece submitted.

5. At all times, especially since the group will end at night time, please pair off with someone and enact the cheesy but very important buddy system. Make sure everyone has a fairly safe means to their car, train or other form of transit home. If someone needs cab/bus fare for any reason, please talk to the group organizer about arrangements. Yes, it is a big city and cruel world, but I would like to sleep at night with a safe conscience, wouldn't you?

6. There is no rule number 6

7. All good girls go to heaven.

8. Don't procrastinate.

9. Always bring a notebook and pen to the meetups and stay open minded.

10. Anything submitted for critique should be typed, double spaced in a readable font of no less than 12 pt. Please number the pages, even if you have to hand write it down on your piece because you don't know how to use the Headers& Footers command in Microsoft Word, do it! If I drop your piece, which often happens, it might take me ten minutes sometimes to figure out which pages connect to what. Also clearly label the piece with your title and name. Please leave a space for the person critiquing to write their name down, so you know who is giving their opinion on that copy.


I look forward to meeting all of you writers of extraordinary mind and likeness!