You Meet the Most Interesting People in Critique Groups

Belonging to a critique group has many advantages. Becoming a better writer is the primary one, which comes from learning about the art and craft and business of writing.

Another fun and interesting benefit is that some of the most fascinating people are writers. The members of our weekly Coffee and Critique group are no exception.

Two critique group members, who also belong to the St. Louis Chapter of Sisters in Crime (Jennifer Hasheider and Judi Moresi), were mentioned recently in an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Judi talked about her mystery novel-in-progress, which our critique group has heard snippets of in the past.

Ghost-hunter Jennifer spoke to the Sisters in Crime group about her ghost hunting adventures, including the tools and equipment she uses while pursuing slippery spirits.

At critique group just last Tuesday Jennifer read an essay about -- you guessed it --- a ghost.

You can read more about Jennifer and Judi in the Post-Dispatch article.

Weekend Events: All Star Tribute to Nick Nixon and the Saturday Writers Workshop

Two events this weekend involve some favorite writing pals--Nick Nixon and Linda O'Connell.

On Sunday October 28 at 1 p.m., local country western entertainers, as well as a couple guest stars from the Grand Old Opry, will show their support during an all star tribute and fundraiser for Nick Nixon at the Stegton Regency Banquet Center, 1450 Wall Street in St. Charles.

Nick is a legendary local country and western star and a treasured member of our weekly Coffee and Critique group.

 

In the 1970s Nick had more than a dozen top 100 hits on the Mercury label, including "Rocking in Rosalee's Boat," which climbed to No. 28 on the U.S. Country Charts. The Nick Nixon Tribute and Fundraiser is being held to help support Nick with medical expenses in his battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma. 

Headliners include: Johnny Rodriguez, Barb Allen, Leona Williams, Curtis Lyn Cook, Doc Holiday, the Well Hungarians, and an all star house band.

General admission tickets are only $10 per person and can be purchased at the door. Other highlights include a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, a live auction, and some special surprizes.

For more information, or to make a donation, e-mail Elmo Linton, who planned and organized the event, at elmojllinton (at) wildblue.net.

I'll be attending the first hour of the fundraiser. Hope to see you there!

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The second event is the annual workshop put on by Saturday Writers.

Jennifer Hasheider and her board have done a top-notch job planning the workshop, silent auction, and lunch, which will be held Saturday October 27 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center in St. Peters City Hall.

Speakers include:

Kristina Blank Makansi, co-founder, editor and publisher of Blank Slate Press, who will discuss the dos and don’ts of pitching to agents and editors.

Former newspaper reporter and Professor, Steve Wiegenstein will lead a two-hour exercise in mainstream fiction.

Linda O'Connell will talk about the ABCs of writing authentic, brave, creative nonfiction from the basics to the ethics of sharing your life story.

A few months ago I heard Linda speak about writing at a St. Louis Writers Guild meeting, where she provided helpful information and welcome inspiration.

Due to family commitments I can't make this year's workshop, but if you live in the local metro-St. Louis area I hope you can! Click here for details.

Writing and Other Marathons

On April 7, I, along with Sioux Roslawski, Bea Siros, Jennifer Hashieder, Marcia and Jim Gaye, Kathleen Kaiser, Barbara Hedges, and Rebeca Wise, participated in the Saturday Writers First Annual Writing Marathon.

Our group of intrepid writers met around 9 a.m. on the corner of Boone's Lick and First Street near the Trailhead Brewery then proceeded to walk down Main Street.

This was my first writing marathon, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but Sioux Roslowski provided excellent direction and guidance. Sioux (with blue scarf) and Bea Siros (in pink hat) are in the photo on the left. They were dedicated to their task of writing.

I was more in an observational mood and wanted to visually record the event, but sadly, this photo is the only photo that came out unblurry. The batteries on my camera were out of juice, and the other photos I took looked like they were washed in honey.

As we strolled along Main Street, the sights and sounds elevated my mood. Most of the stores hadn't open yet, so the view of the homes and stores was clear. I stopped to read some of the placards on historical buildings, and Spring had definitely made its presence known. The dogwoods, red buds, and tulips were in bloom. 

I  ran into a former co-worker opening her shop on Main Street. We chatted about the good old times--not at work--but when her children visited our farm when they were teenagers. We caught up on what we'd been doing lately and how our lives had changed. Mostly we talked about our daughters. She and I lost our daughters in motorcycle accidents, two years apart.

My thoughts turned to wondering about connections--how certain people come into our lives for reasons we might not realize until years later--as we near the finish line of the marathon called our personal histories.

When our group convened for readings, we sat on stone benches alongside the Homestead Store and Grandma's Cookie Shop. The sun made its presence known, crowds of shoppers grew, and chippies scavenged for bits of cookies on the cobblestone sidewalks while we shared our works. The talent of the marathon writers was inspiring.

After our readings, a handful of us stopped in an outdoor cafe called Braden's for Mimosas before visiting the Oil and Vinegar store. I bought a bottle of specialty cooking oil to give to Walt for Easter.

Because of a soccer tournament clear on the other side of the river, I wasn't able to stay for lunch, but I heard later that it was fun and the limericks were a blast. My impression of the writing marathon was that it was both relaxing and exhilirating--an attractive combination of experiences--that I hope to repeat soon.

Saturday Writers Celebrates Ten Years

While we're on the topic of celebrations, last Saturday was the 10th anniversary celebration of Saturday Writers, a group I co-founded with Lou Turner, David Kirkland, Margo Dill, and Amy Harke-Moore back in January of 2002.

Our little group grew from a handful of members to now around 80 or 90. Who would've guessed?

Current President Jennifer Hashieder and the SW board did a fabulous job for the event. The cake was scrumptious. The photo on the left is of me with Lou Turner, one of the co-founders. (Note to self: Get a haircut.) Thanks Bea for taking our picture.

Speaking of Bea. She won second place in the Romance Writing Contest. Other winners were Jack, Sioux, and Jennifer.

Marcia won a door prize. Here she is displaying her jaunty new cap.

Rebeca does a fabulous job planning these monthly contests. Her idea board is so creative! And Brad's rendedition of "Writer's Block" to the melody of "Yesterday" on Saturday was enormously entertaining--and hilarious. Cyn keeps us all straight when we arrive, and without Les we wouldn't have such delicious goodies each week. And Jennifer is so enthusiastic and creative. She's a wonderful leader!

The group sparkles with energy and ideas, such as Sioux's Writer's Marathon in St. Charles.
Writing, walking, reading, eating lunch and drinking wine. How can you beat that combination on a Saturday afternoon in April?

  

Sioux explains our April 7th Writer's Marathon in St. Charles



Jack receives his award!



Brad performs "Writer's Block"

Jennifer displays a Saturday Writers Tote Bag. Our new logo is super!



Rebeca discusses the Contest Inspiration Board for the April contest (poetry or flash fiction)

Later this week I will post about our guest speaker's presentation. Anene Tressler, author of Dancing With Gravity, did a fantastic job. She inspired us and led us through a writing exercise. I want to give her presentation a full page, so watch later this week when I'll share what I learned from Anene.

Happy 10th anniversary Saturday Writers. Here's to many more!