Writing Alone, Writing Together: A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups Book

	Acknowledgments	xiii
	Introduction	xv
1	Writing Alone	1
	A Writer Is Someone Who Writes	1
	Claim Yourself As Writer	2
	Make Time to Write	4
	Write	6
	The Candle, the Prayer, the Morning Light: Rites and Rituals, Methods and Disciplines of the Writer	6
	The Magic Key: Routines and Eccentricities	9
	Disciples of Writing	10
	Surrender to the Page	11
	Why Practice?	13
	Give Us This Day	14
2	Writing Together	19
	Kindred Spirits Speaking a Common Language	19
	Essentials for a Group Member	22
	Taming the Beast--The Fears and Joys of Being a Member (and a Writer)	24
	A Place at the Table	27
	The Construction of Community: Start Your Own Group	30
	Moving On: When You Outgrow Your Group	32
3	Writing Groups	35
	Writing Groups 101--The Basics	35
	Steering the Course	39
	A Dark and Stormy Night or a Tranquil Beach at Dawn: The Emotional Landscape of a Group	40
	Strengthening the Ties	43
	Tempests in Teapots and Other Containers	47
	When Trouble Rides In	48
	Calming the Waters	49
	What to Do with the Bores, Whiners, and Thugs	50
	From Idea to Final Draft: The Life Stages of a Writing Group	52
1	The Idea	52
2	The First Draft	53
3	Rewriting	53
4	Final Draft	53
5	Completion	53
	Earthquake or Erosion: The Disintegration of a Group	54
	When Members Go Missing	57
	Profile: Alliance of Writers	58
4	Read and Critique Groups	61
	Road Testing Your Manuscript	61
	The Difference between Critique and Criticism Is Like the Difference between a Crystal Ball and a Wrecking Ball	64
	Take One from Column A--Styles and Structures of Read and Critique Groups	67
	The Mathematics of Read and Critique	69
	Again with the Steering	71
	Finding a Home	71
	Mixed Genre versus Focused Genre	72
	At a Read and Critique Session	74
	The How and What of Critique	80
	Elements of Critique	81
	Preparing a Manuscript for Group Read and Critique	86
	Profile: One Day at a Time Writers' Group	88
5	Writing Practice Groups	91
	The Muse Works a Crowd	91
	The Unexpected Rhythm of Different Drummers	92
	Every Tuesday at 2:00	94
	Just among Friends--And a Few Invited Others	95
	At a Writing Practice Session	96
	Giving Voice to the Writing	98
	An Indissoluble Time	100
	Write About a Day Moon: Prompts for the Writing Practice Group	103
	Perfume Bottles and Darning Needles	106
	Profile: Thursday Writers Group	111
6	Writing Workshop Groups	115
	Defining the Term	115
	Show, Don't Tell	116
	Building a Workshop Group	119
	What Workshop Works?	121
	How Many?	121
	How Often?	122
	And for How Long?	123
	Responding to the Work	124
	Types of Workshop Groups	125
	Elements of Craft	125
	Exploring Your Voice	128
	Project Groups	132
	Common Grounds	136
	Profile: A Woman's Place--Stories, Poems, and Tall Tales of Women on the Road	140
7	Beyond Groups	143
	The Writer and the Larger Community	143
	Writing Conferences and Retreats	143
	Communities, Residencies, and Colonies	145
	Professional Associations and Groups	148
	Open Readings	148
	"Come on Kids, Let's Put On a Show"	150
	"Everyone Is Talented, Original, and Has Something Important to Say"	152
	Writing Groups in Shelters, Treatment Centers, and Other Closed Communities	153
	Putting Moonbeams in a Jar	154
	Tales from the Long Highway	155
	Gifts to the Community	156
	Profile: Recovering Alone, Recovering Together	159
Appendix	Online Groups	163
	Bibliography	167
	About the Author	171