Friday, January 6, 2012

In Wine is Truth and Iron Sharpens Iron

"In vino veritas." - In wine is truth. (Plato)

"As Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

In my last post I discussed how I believe I've become a better writer by belonging to a weekly critique group. My Coffee and Critique group is a source of inspiration.  About 8-10 writers show up each week, but some weeks we have a dozen or more members sitting around the table drinking beverages and offering suggestions on manuscripts.

As the middle child in a family of seven, I'm comfortable being a part of a large group and I'm all about inclusion. But in some instances, smaller has its advantages.

In addition to my weekly critique group, I belong to a small group of women writers called In vino veritas--in wine there is truth, or IVV for short. Our IVV monthly dinner is an occasion to share candid, casual, and confidential conversation that doesn't leave the table.

Once a month the four of us meet for dinner at an Italian restaurant, where our first order of business is to order wine. After we toast one another, we enjoy dinner, drink some wine, and share ideas about writing, publishing, freelancing, teaching, editing, books, and almost anything related to writing. 

We also talk about our families and our problems; we share our successes and insecurities and continue to talk until one of the employees dims the lights and lock the doors. Oh, and the servers there love us. Last night the waitress we had in December came over to our table to day hello. She told us she wished we would've sat in her section. Did I mention we all are friendly and courteous to the wait staff and are big tippers?

On nice evenings we stand in the parking lot and talk some more. It is a relaxing, yet invigorating evening. 

I truly believe that just as "iron sharpens iron," when writers are in the company of other writers, be it a dozen or only two, they too sharpen their writing skills and become better writers.

17 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful group and a wonderful evening! I agree about being with other writers. We always have fun, learn something new, have so much to share with each other...and we all "get" each other! Great post, Donna!

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  2. Hi Becky,
    You are right--oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BECKY ....
    Donna

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  3. Love the post, Donna. So very true! And happy birthday, Becky!

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  4. Overheard coming out of Sioux's mouth: "When I grow up, I want to be Donna Volkenannt. Or Linda O'Connell. Maybe with both Donna AND Linda's talent. (Wouldn't that make me a force to be reckoned with?) Maybe with all that talent and Donna's hair and Linda's eyes."

    Your small group sounds like the group I'm in. We've become friends as well as writing colleagues...

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  5. I concur. Even the virtual company of other writers helps me sharpen my skills. Not so sure about the virtual wine-drinking, though.

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  6. Hi Sioux,
    You are so sweet. Our small group does sound like yours.

    Hi Val,
    What you wrote about enjoying the virtual company of other writers is spot on, and the wine drinking might be a problem.

    Donna

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  7. Oh it's so true, that connection just thrives among writers. I find it online too, on the different writing blogs and websites that talk the craft ...

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  8. Enjoyed hearing about one more of your wonderful groups. Your have such a variety writing gardens where your writing talent can bloom!

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  9. Great post, Donna. It is wonderful when critique partners meld into good friends. :)

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  10. Hi Joanne,
    I've also made friends after connecting through their blogs. Writers are amazing people.

    Hi Claudia,
    It's easy to take for granted the wonderful groups we have here. But I feel blessed to be able to have so many writers who are also friends.

    Hi Lisa,
    I agree with you.

    Donna

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  11. Writers supporting writers, women supporting women, friends who laugh and learn together. Yes, critique groups are one of the perks of writing.

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  12. Hi Linda,
    My feelings exactly, especially the laugh and learn together line.
    Donna

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  13. I agree--a good critique group can be one of the best finds there is. Here's to your fun-sounding one.

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  14. Great post! You're right, everyone benefits from the insights and experiences of others. It's wonderful to have a group where these are shared freely.

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  15. Hi Tammy,
    Thanks. I understand yours is a lot of fun too.

    Hi Mary,
    So true!

    Donna

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