Forming a Writer's Group

Greetings Dear Readers,

One of the things every writer needs is an audience. Many writers have a small group of friends or family with whom they share their raw material, but not many have a circle of peers with whom they share their work in hopes of improving it. One of the things that has served both famous and undiscovered writers is forming a circle of fellow writers who will encourage and critique professionally. C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Charles Williams met regularly for this purpose. David Bratman has put up an excellent article about this at http://www.mythsoc.org/inklings.html . Here are some guidelines for setting up your own writers group.

• Pick a time convenient to all.
• Pick a place that is quiet and at least relatively private. Do not burden an innkeeper by taking up one of his tables unless you are buying food and beverage, and even then ask his permission.
• Keep the group small; more than five can become cumbersome.
• Everyone should bring something to each meeting. This is good for disciplining one's self to write.
• After each person reads, the others should give feedback and ask questions.
• All feedback should be honest.
• All feedback should be kind.
• Never put down another writer's work.
• If a submission is genuinely bad, show the writer in a way that builds up and helps him improve his skill.
• Ask questions that naturally occur as you listen but not until the writer is finished. These questions can reveal flaws that the writer does not see.
• Tell the writer what is good and stress why you like it.
• Have fun.
• Celebrate grandly when one of your group has a success.

There are many other things that can be done to enhance a group of writers. Forging a band of friends who encourage and support each other as you swim upstream toward publication can be very rewarding. If you have specific questions about this, feel free to ask. If you have a group or form one, feel free to tell me about it.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

The Quality of Friendship

Greetings Dear Readers,

My beloved wife and I have discovered a fun past time for our leisure hours. I have mentioned Second Life before on this blog. As always I find that I am drawn to people and the amazing diversity that is our world.

I am using this post to say hi to few who have impressed us with who they are or what they do.

Celtic - I really admire your search for truth and am honored to be a part of the discussion.

Cat - Your assistance and kindness to my spouse are immeasurable to me. I want to hear more of the story, QWERTY.

Rin - Cosmos has become a home away from home. Thanks for hosting the awesome concert. You could probably sell tickets next time.

To the rest of my readers, I know that you look here for information on my writing, but this rounded needed to recognize some real people who use the anonymity of a game to do good. It is the good you do when no one is looking that shines the brightest.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Standing in the Sun

We are getting the first signs that Winter has decided to make way for Spring. The calf deep snow in our yard has dwindled to slushy puddles of grey-white crystal and tomorrows temperature is reported to reach the 70's.

As I emerged from the house yesterday afternoon the sun glistened on the receding snow and fell on my face with warmth for the first time since Fall. As a rule I like winter, but that first sensation of warmth gave me a boost I have not felt in some time. My wife will undoubtedly begin her forays into the budding new world, while soon I will enter my constant battle to avoid the extremes of heat that accompany summer. For today, however, I relish the sun and standing in it without feeling hot or humid.

Photo by Aramis Thorn, Smyrna, April 1998

One of the things I noticed was the first bits of our daffodils poking their way up beside the house. Daffodils are one of the things that scream Spring to me. Soon they will reach up to embrace the sun now on my face and the life cycle will kick into full gear. For now I am standing in the sun, enjoying its warmth and listening to the dripping of melting snow preparing to rejoin the clouds and become Spring rain. I could stand here for a long while but the keyboard calls as some of my characters want a word with me.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Schedule Changes

It has been said that when men make plans God laughs. So often it seems that when I make writing plans life gets in the way. It forces one to choose where loyalties lie and how determined they are to write. Currently in our home schedules are in flux and such minor things as meals times and shower access are challenged.

I like things orderly and scheduled. I like to know what happens next. Right now the challenge is to get everything done and still be disciplined in my writing. There is little or no give when it comes to writing. Either you do it or you do not.

In truth no matter what happens next, I must maintain a constant. That constant is that I must write. If I do not then I stray from the path. The other constant is that I must do it and maintain my responsibility to my wife and children. If you propose to write then you must acknowledge that you will spend your life juggling these two constants. Your arms get tired but it is worth it.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn