Upcoming dates TO BE DECIDED. Stay tuned!
Join Brenda Haas for a writing group at the Marblehead Peninsula Branch Library -
710 W. Main St., Marblehead, OH 43440
419-798-0477
https://www.idarupp.org/marblehead
A Writer’s Life Q&A & Writers Wanted Critique Group
Upcoming dates: TO BE DECIDED
Have a story to tell and don’t know where to begin? Like to write for pleasure or profit and want to connect with other writers in the Lakeside/Marblehead area or surrounding communities? A Writer's Life Q&A informal discussion group, 6 - 6:30 pm, welcomes writers of all skill levels to chat about the writing life or ask questions of the group and facilitator. Note: guest speakers will likely return starting in September. We are giving Covid and the library a bit more time, before diving into larger group activities. If you have a suggestion for a future speaker, with professional experience in the world of writing, please let Brenda know.
Writing a novel or picture book? Perfecting your poem or personal essay before submitting to a magazine? Need a peer opinion of your work? The participatory peer Writers Wanted Critique Group, 6:30 - 8 pm, is designed for writers interested in giving and receiving critique on existing works-in-progress.
Both groups are facilitated by published essayist and past news reporter Brenda Haas. For 18 and older.
Those attending critiques are encouraged to send a PDF or Word file to [email protected], before the event. This will serve as an RSVP of expected attendance. As always, works remain the property of the writer, and will not be provided to the general public.
Critique Guidelines:
- This is a hands-on group. Participants should bring up to six (6) pages of a single project, double-spaced, 12-pt. font (something standard, such as Times New Roman), for peer review.
- Project can be in any state of draft (first through final), but the more complete the more helpful critiques will be.
- Work will be read aloud by either the writer or a peer.
- Providing 5-8 copies, during in-person meetings, can be beneficial, allowing peers to make comments directly on copy and hand back.
- Although this is an adult group, our venue is a public library. Writers requesting critique of controversial content or anything possibly inappropriate for a "read-aloud" must bring copies for silent viewing by peers comfortable with doing so.
- Writers should come prepared to take notes. RECORDERS are not allowed.
Order of Operations:
Writer (or a peer) reads work aloud. Going clockwise, each participant may then provide comments. Please keep this short and specific. The facilitator will be the last to comment. Critiqued writer may then ask questions and/or clarify any concerns (no more than a couple minutes). This process will continue until all writers have had a turn. Due to the nature of this group, time is of the utmost importance. Please be courteous of your fellow writers and stick to discussing the work being critiqued. Please follow the above guidelines regarding length of content. Facilitator will monitor time and keep things moving along. If time allows, general discussion about writing and personal experiences may commence at the END of the critique meeting. For writers interested in informal discussion, please consider joining our A Writer's Life Q&A group.
It is recommended participants check out the following documents prior to critique:
Join Brenda Haas for a writing group at the Marblehead Peninsula Branch Library -
710 W. Main St., Marblehead, OH 43440
419-798-0477
https://www.idarupp.org/marblehead
A Writer’s Life Q&A & Writers Wanted Critique Group
Upcoming dates: TO BE DECIDED
Have a story to tell and don’t know where to begin? Like to write for pleasure or profit and want to connect with other writers in the Lakeside/Marblehead area or surrounding communities? A Writer's Life Q&A informal discussion group, 6 - 6:30 pm, welcomes writers of all skill levels to chat about the writing life or ask questions of the group and facilitator. Note: guest speakers will likely return starting in September. We are giving Covid and the library a bit more time, before diving into larger group activities. If you have a suggestion for a future speaker, with professional experience in the world of writing, please let Brenda know.
Writing a novel or picture book? Perfecting your poem or personal essay before submitting to a magazine? Need a peer opinion of your work? The participatory peer Writers Wanted Critique Group, 6:30 - 8 pm, is designed for writers interested in giving and receiving critique on existing works-in-progress.
Both groups are facilitated by published essayist and past news reporter Brenda Haas. For 18 and older.
Those attending critiques are encouraged to send a PDF or Word file to [email protected], before the event. This will serve as an RSVP of expected attendance. As always, works remain the property of the writer, and will not be provided to the general public.
Critique Guidelines:
- This is a hands-on group. Participants should bring up to six (6) pages of a single project, double-spaced, 12-pt. font (something standard, such as Times New Roman), for peer review.
- Project can be in any state of draft (first through final), but the more complete the more helpful critiques will be.
- Work will be read aloud by either the writer or a peer.
- Providing 5-8 copies, during in-person meetings, can be beneficial, allowing peers to make comments directly on copy and hand back.
- Although this is an adult group, our venue is a public library. Writers requesting critique of controversial content or anything possibly inappropriate for a "read-aloud" must bring copies for silent viewing by peers comfortable with doing so.
- Writers should come prepared to take notes. RECORDERS are not allowed.
Order of Operations:
Writer (or a peer) reads work aloud. Going clockwise, each participant may then provide comments. Please keep this short and specific. The facilitator will be the last to comment. Critiqued writer may then ask questions and/or clarify any concerns (no more than a couple minutes). This process will continue until all writers have had a turn. Due to the nature of this group, time is of the utmost importance. Please be courteous of your fellow writers and stick to discussing the work being critiqued. Please follow the above guidelines regarding length of content. Facilitator will monitor time and keep things moving along. If time allows, general discussion about writing and personal experiences may commence at the END of the critique meeting. For writers interested in informal discussion, please consider joining our A Writer's Life Q&A group.
It is recommended participants check out the following documents prior to critique:
| tips_for_giving_a_critique.docx |
| tips_for_receiving_a_critique.docx |
| what_to_look_for_in_a_critique.docx |
