I plucked up courage today and met up with a group of writers. They were meeting for the first time, in the main town.
I arrived, made sure I was cool (38 degrees today), my hair was tidy, my clothes wrinkle free, (miracle Friday) and I had my WiP in order, (well sort of).
I pulled up my runabout, covered in vineyard dust and parked it near the gleaming 4 x 4's ( I gave mine up in the UK). I walked into the building, took a deep breath and entered the room.
The chairs were comfy, the tables were accessible and the coffee smelt good.
Introductions were made and the organiser of the group gave an introductory speech.
Okay, this is why I will never go back.
"Hello Glynis, thanks for coming. Share your writing history with us." Big smiley face addressed me.
"Thanks well, blah...blah" , I gave a brief outlay of my background.
"That was interesting, thanks Glynis. Do you have any books published?", Scarf lady enquired.
"Yes, I have two poetry books with my name on", I state proudly.
" Two?, how wonderful, who are your publishers?", asked Guccibagandshoes
" Actually, I self- published, through Lulu.com, it was a great challenge", I reply.
" Oh, so you are not actually published then", states Big smiley face.
" Well...they have covers and words it the middle, they come in from a printer in the UK, so that is published, but I think you mean, a publisher has not noticed me yet." I smile politely.
" Never mind", says Guccibagandshoes " I am sure you will learn something here and be noticed in no time".
"Yes, thank you", I politely hand over the reigns to the next person being grilled.
It turned out that not one of them had been published, two were thinking about writing a book and the others were there to read their short stories.
The short stories were very good, I asked one writer, if she was going to write a collection.
" Good god no, I am not serious about writing, it is to kill time while my husband is at work".
I got the distinct impression, after two hours, that the group liked to state they were part of a writer's group, rather than actually writing anything.
I will go back to my blogging support, it is real and the writer's are serious about what they do, yes it is YOU GUYS!
I know now that I am meant to be a solitary writer in the flesh, but with real writer friends online.
11 Comments:
So, you are too good for them. You're a real writer not a wannabe, let's play at authors one!
I felt like a real writer amongst fakes today. I might not be a great name but at least I try!
Keep looking you might be able to find a real-life group of similar people. I met a few weeks ago with two people (that I met through blogs) and it was a great experience.
Too bad the group turned out to be a dud, but I really enjoyed your funny rendition of the event. I hope you keep looking for a ‘real’ writers group because they can be a helpful resource. I’ve learned a lot from the two groups I belong to and I've also met many interesting and talented writers through them.
JaneKennedySutton
Hysterical! You could invent lives for these people and write a novel.
BTW, you sound published to me - covers and words in the middle. Yep. Sounds about right.
Hi thanks for your comments. It was a good experience.
Nadine...Good idea!
Oooh, not a good experience! But I did enjoy your rendition of it :) I have only been a part of one writer's group and when my mentor passed away two years ago, the group went as well. I'm still looking for one, trying not to compare groups too much to the one I was a part of. But it's tough finding just the right group of people to pour your heart and soul out with. Good luck!
~Jennifer
Oh, Glynis!! I am so sorry you had to go through such a distasteful experience!!! However, it has been my experience that writing groups are exactly as you have so hysterically described. I attended one for a while, broke away with some SERIOUS writers, worked with them for a while, settled on two extremely different writing partners for a while -- until I finally gave up and JUST DID MY OWN THING. Now that I'm blogging I am finding the support to be tremendous -- why can't people do it this way in person? Who are they trying to impress?? And why waste our time doing it??
Well, look at it this way. At least you only spent 2 hours with them and it wasn't raining. LOL I do hope after you escaped you calmed your nerves with your favorite adult beverage and chilled out for a while and then jumped right back into your novel.
Better to get it out of the way now, than wonder if there was someone nearby you should/could be writing with. You might be surprised one day to find such a person in a most unexpected way. For now, though, you got all of us!!! And I'd bet you dollars to donuts not many of us would be caught dead in Gucci Shoes, let alone have any in our closets!!! :D
Hi thanks for all your comments and glad you enjoyed my experience :)
Keep looking you might be able to find a real-life group of similar people. I met a few weeks ago with two people (that I met through blogs) and it was a great experience.
"Group Hug and Gucci Shoes" I love it, Glynis. Oh, that is so funny.
I've been looking around for a writer's group and found one near my home, However, I don't think I want to waste my time after your story. Maybe they are not all that bad. I will let you know my experience, if I decide to give it a whirl.
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