I didn't want to cover up Meredith's post so I put this here. My writing group had another meeting. There were 7 of us this time. That worked great. Although there are 12 members altogether, it works best if they are not all at one meeting. Summer schedules helped and 2 cancelled at the last minute due to emergencies. But, it went well. They are enthusiastic and talented. There was a wonderful connection with the ones who were there. The problem is that there are others interested in joining and I think I have to cap it where it is. It took the full two hours for everyone to read and to do critiques. I would have to extend the time and I don't know that I can find us a big enough meeting place if we go beyond this. I'm having fun with it for sure.

Louisa, what a success! I know I would LOVE to attend too!

How often do you meet? And do you have a plan as the founder and leader, or do you decide what to do all together?

And I would love to have you, EW! What fun we'd have. We meet once a month on a Saturday morning right now. Everyone seems happy with that. I pretty much plan it, but I ask them what they want. I email them with any news and I make a list of writing prompts to pass out at meetings for those who want ideas on what to write. Each writer seems to have their own project and they enjoy getting into the critiqueing and so far, have been giving each other the nudge they need to write and to work on their projects. We all help each other.

It sounds as though you have really created something grand here Louisa. And so well organized, too. If I lived closer, I would be begging to get in that group.

Our own Jane Carroll has a group that has been meeting for years. Jane...tell everyone about your group if you would?

Louisa, I recall you playing with the idea of doing this. Aren't you glad you took action.

I hope this motivates others among us to pick up the ball and get it rolling - no matter what it is we want to do.

I'm happy to hear it's going so well. Maybe another person will jump up to begin another group since there are so many who are interestd.

Thaks God for leaders like you. Don't you wonder what would have happened to the other gals had you never started this? They'd all be sitting around saying, "I'd love to be in a writing group."

Louisa, you're doing a fantastic job! I'm lucky to be in a really great group for 3+ years now. The feedback is invaluable.

Thank you. I am pleased and amazed with my group. Meredith is right, the feedback is wonderful. I'm lucky enough to have found a mixed group with some talented and experienced writers and some novice ones who seem to have great potential. I never expected so much enthusiasm or so many writers.

Louisa, do members have to pay you a fee, and if so may I ask how much?

Oh no, EW. This is just a group. The group I was in before was really a class. We paid a fee because the woman who ran it was a teacher. We paid for her input and advice. I'm not qualified as a teacher. We just meet, read our work, critique and share ideas.

I've been in a writing group for over 5 years. It's very small. At one time had 5 but it went down to 4 with 3 active members. We met weekly and critiqued each others work and sometimes helped each other develop their novels.

Out of the 5 of us, all but one are published. So we're happy about that. However, one of the 4 left members recently moved to Kentucky and another is battling lung cancer so the meetings have stopped for now.

I will say that I miss the meetings but, you know, we've become the best of friends over the years and that's more important to me than the meetings.

Congratulations Louisa on the group. It's fun, fascinating, and exciting to help others with their writing and to get help with yours. I agree with the others, thank God you started the group because there truely are so very many sitting out there wondering where any group for writers are.

Glad you're doing great girl.