Mid-Career Writing Group

Hmmm, so both of my last two entries must have been rolling around in my head, since on Sunday, it suddenly became crystal clear what I needed to do. Since a) I want advice from mid-career writers, and b) I have a bad habit of thinking I should do everything alone and MY way, the time has come to form a writing group.

I have now sent this note out to everyone I know, as well as posted it on mediabistro.com.

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I became a freelance writer just so I wouldn't be held to anyone else's timeline. . . but, wow, if that doesn't mean I'm never beholden to anyone else's timeline. I need to inject just a tad more structure into this freelance lifestyle, and with DC's beautiful springtime as the best motivation in the world, now is the time to do it.

Calling all mid-career, freelance writers in the area who think having some truly talented colleagues with whom to brainstorm might just be the boost they need. We're forming a writer's workgroup of 5 to 8 people, to meet at Tryst in Adams Morgan, second and fourth Monday mornings 9 to 10:30, to get the week started off right with coffee, critiquing, and conversation.

Any genre will do -- fiction, non-fiction, journalism, plays, poetry -- but we are only looking for people who are already making their living/enjoying some success as writers. That is, the point of the group will be less to help one get into the field or to offer basic help; more about getting input from seasoned writers in order to really kick your work up a notch to the next level. Current participants include a nationally-produced, award-winning playwright; a science writer currently contracted for a non-fiction book whose last desk job was at Discovery Channel; and myself -- author of three non-fiction books, currently working on a fiction one.

This is an ideal opportunity for anyone at the beginning or mid-stages of a project who is craving both some outside commentary, as well as a burst of invigoration. There's nothing like a group of people asking to see the 5,000 words you swore you would write two weeks ago to keep you on track.

If you are intrigued, please send an e-mail to Karen Fox at kfox@nasw.org with a paragraph or two about who you are and what kind of writing you do. I'll take any questions you've got too. And of course feel free to forward this to anyone you know who might be interested.

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Interested? Contact me!