An Uncommon Commitment

The day of the Writer's Center Open House, Hurricane Hanna was whipping the Maryland landscape into a frenzy. That was not enough to stop me from launching into the wind to sign up for the Advanced Novel and Memoir class taught by Barbara Esstman. I had about twenty pages of what I thought could become a novel and I needed the challenge of a deadline and confirmation from someone – anyone - that I was actually writing something worth reading. I would have been satisfied with just the class critique but what I found in that class were five talented and generous writers who have helped me find not just my voice but the courage to commit to it.

I believe that the Universe conspires on behalf of each of us and this group, my first writing group experience, is proof of that. Others in our group have attempted to work with a group before, for one reason or another, none were successful. They tell me that what we have established is exceptional – I think so too. For more than a year we've sustained our interest, engagement and momentum. Our friendship has grown, our manuscripts have flourished, and our knowledge of the craft has increased. We commit several hours each month to each other to meet, critique and to write and in due time, we will each have birthed a book. However, like aunts and an uncle – we will have Six Great Books in which we will each take immense pride.

Posted by Donna Sawyer

Comments

[Beth Mansbridge]

Dear Donna,

What a committed group of writers you all are!

I agree with your opinion about Stephen King's book "On Writing." It's fun to read and informative, too.

All the best,
Beth Mansbridge
Mansbridge Editing

[Judy Leaver]

To members of Six Great Books...I love what you say in the posts about the value of a writing group, and that side panel w/Six Great Books and your comments is very cool. I am a friend of Kristin's and found my way here via her fascinating pornography blog...

I'm also a writer, a fan of the Writers' Center and a writing group member for 11 years. My blog is at www.jleaver.com/blog