Thank you

I'm most productive and happiest in the Spring and Summer. I wish those days could stretch on forever. And, truth be told, here on Mayne Island, we have enjoyed seemingly endless days of sun and warm weather. Still it wasn't enough. But try as I might I was unable to will Autumn away. And it came, bringing with it a chill breeze and falling leaves. 

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Change isn't easy. But it is made easier with the support of a friend. It is made easier with your support.

"An unexpected gift from a thoughtful neighbour"

photo by Leanne Dyck

This year I felt forced to reduce the number of blog posts. I wanted to focus on my goal of finding a publisher for my writing. I wanted to focus on developing and completing more writing projects. For this reason, I made the decision to post once a week instead of twice. But I worried about this change. Would you, would I forget about this blog? Would it die a slow death? I enjoy this blog and want to continue to nurture it. I'm so glad you feel the same way. Thanks to our mutual support this blog will continue to survive and it will strive. Here's to many more years of blog posts. Here's to many more years of change.

Photo by Leanne Dyck

My goal is to continue to strengthen my writing skills. For many years, I received guidance and support for this goal from my Mayne Island writing group. That's why it saddened and worried me when that group folded. Where would I find the support I need? How could I continue to write? Thankfully, one of the members of that old group decided to form a new group. And I'm pleased to report that, with the help of a few new members, the group is now as strong as it ever was. And it gets even better because I've also found a first reader. My first reader gives me individual help on my entire manuscript. It is so much fun working with her that I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Many people have helped and are helping me with my author journey. To them, to you, I say thank you. 
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Irene's Reading (short story) (humour) by Leanne Dyck

How NOT to act during writing group. 

photo by Leanne Dyck

At 11 AM on the last Monday of the month want-to-be authors met at the local community centre to lend each other support in the development of their craft. That is to say, most gathered to lend support. At least one participant had another reason for her faithful attendance.

Irene stormed through the door to claim the chair at the head of the table. Her glasses had thick black arms that coiled over her large elf-shaped ears. Short cropped wiry, salt and pepper hair framed those ears that stood at sharp angles away from her head. Two fuzzy, grey caterpillars had crawled across her forehead but stopped in the middle to do battle and, mid-melee, had permanently frozen there, to form eyebrows.

“Would you like tea? It's finished brewing,” someone offered.

“Thank you. Yes, I'll have a cup.” Irene waited to be served. She smiled at the volunteer when a cup and saucer appeared on the table in front of her. “Cream and sugar?” Irene took a sip, but, before swallowing, rolled the liquid around in her mouth. Slosh. Slosh. Slosh. She spit it back into the cup.

“Sorry, I forgot. I'll... Well, I'll try again.” The serf fled and quickly returned.

Others left the table to help themselves to tea but returned when Irene said. “It's time.”

Irene rose and unbuckled the straps of her briefcase. Like a knight from Camelot preparing to display the Holy Grail, she slowly revealed a folder. She withdrew several sheets of paper and after distributing them, explained, “This is my submission. It's entitled The Word Artists. It's a... Ah, well, to say more would spoil it. I'll just read it. Shall I?” Prepare to be entertained and amazed, Irene thought as she added, “Are you ready to listen?”

Those sitting around the table assured her they were. They were a mixed group—mostly female, mostly over fifty years of age.

Pleased at their eagerness, Irene moved to the edge of her chair. “The Word Artist.” She savoured the words. “Sometimes while in quiescence, other times while engaged in some menial task my mind.” Irene paused to slurp her tea. “My omniscient mind absorbs, manipulates, conceives.”

She set the paper on the table, placed her hands palms down on either side and lowered her voice. “Inspiration.” Irene bounced in her seat at the rhythm of her words. “Cerebellum fires/Angels whisper/Creation begins.”

“Is this prose?” someone asked.

“I think it's a poem.”

“Oh, but it didn't start out that way.”

“Yes, but this part here does seem to—.”

Irene's heavy sigh was deafening.

But, she thought, I must be patient with them. They have a lot to learn and who better to teach them. “This composition,” Irene ran a hand lovingly across the paper. “soars above restrictions of genre. This. Is. An Experience.” Irene frowned at her audience. “Now, please don't interrupt again.”

``Yes, of course. We're very sorry,” someone offered, smoothing feathers.

Irene coughed into her hand, rustled the paper and continued. “I sit at my ship of journey, computer screen window, pen my magic wand.

“Pen on Paper/The keys click/Words, words, words flow/Worlds are created/Characters breathe on paper/Plot unfolds/Readers captured/Brilliance achieved/Genius manifests.”

Irene placed her creation on the table, laced her long fingers together, smiled to herself and waited for compliments.

Revised on May 13, 2020

Next two Mondays:  two part review of Tess of the D'urbeville by Thomas Hardy

photo by Leanne Dyck

Attend...

My friend and fellow author, Amber Harvey, is releasing a new book...

Magda's Mysterious Stranger

book launch
Miners Bay Books
Sunday, August 16
noon to 2 PM


Sharing my author journey...

You should always submit your best work but...

Leanne Dyck's Writing Group Interviewed

As a group activity, my writing completed this series of questions... The questions were written by the Writer's Digest editors.

Left to right:  Amber Harvey, Gail Woodward, Leanne Dyck (me), David Burrowes and Susan Snider

1. Tell us the name of your group, where you are located and how large the group is.

Name:  The Mayne Island writing group

Location:  Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada

How large:  six members—although all six members are rarely attended, usually about four or five.

2. Summarize your group in 1 – 3 sentences

We are a group of writers with diverse writing styles, genres, and goals. We are devoted to developing our craft and try to be open-minded and attempt to leave our egos at the door. Together we have supported each other through many challenges and victories.

3. What works for you in terms of format? Have you tried formats that don’t work so well?

Submissions are usually limited to approximately 1,500 words. We distribute our submissions, by email, at least a week before meeting. Our submission is critiqued during a round table discussion where we each contribute. Submissions are read aloud by the writer. This allows the other writers to notice oral nuances that might get missed on the written page.

4. How often do you meet, and what do you do during meetings?

We meet, once a month, 10 months of the year. We send out an agenda and one person is designated the timekeeper. Our two-hour meeting begins with a general check-in. An individual critiquing of submissions follows. We conclude with a discussion regarding group business and/or personal reflections.

5. What do you do between meetings?

Between meetings we may meet on an informal basis—but rarely. Usually, we work independently on our own writing projects. At times we’ve read each other’s complete manuscripts and made helpful suggestions. Some members email links to writing-related resources. As a group, we’ve attended writing retreats, workshops, and festivals. We’ve also supported one and another by attending group member events such as book readings.

6. What are the most important ways you support each other?

We support each other during the meetings by offering constructive feedback, lending support and listening carefully.

7. What have you learned as you’ve grown together?

We’ve learned effective ways to support each other’s work, for example by offering and receiving constructive feedback.

8. Do you have any tips for creating and maintaining a successful writing group?

Meet in a mutually supportive environment where all members feel listened to and understood. Check-in before and after offering feedback. What type of feedback is being requested—construction of the manuscript or overall sense of the story? Was your feedback received in the manner you intended—where you understood?

The person at whose house we meet is no longer “host” once everyone is welcomed. Coffee and tea are available and we help ourselves. The host becomes just one more member of the group. No demands are placed on any member. We acknowledge that everyone grows at her own rate, in her own time. The group is there for the members, not visa versa. Keep it fun. Enjoy each other as you build your group.



More information regarding critique groups...

Why You Should Ignore Most of the Advice from your Critique Group by Anne R. Allen

More information regarding how to acquire feedback about your writing...

5 Ways To Get Honest Feedback on Your Manuscript

And there is some humour in critiques, thanks to Writer Unboxed...

Dear Dwight:  A Critique Letter