Posted Thursday, September 25, 2008

Written By Guest Blogger, Jean Wise

Today’s post is brought to you by a Guest Blogger. Jean Wise is going to talk about her on-line writing group. Give her a nice welcome!

KINDRED HEART WRITERS ON-LINE GROUP

Clella Camp (top left), Jean Wise (top right)

Bottom, from left to right: Laura Groves, Johnnie Donley, Karen Evans

On-line critique groups are beginning to find a place in the world of writing. Because people are asking about our group – how it got started, how it functions, and its benefits, here’s our story.

We all met for the first time at the Florida Christian Writer’s Conference in 2007. As it concluded, we wanted to stay in touch and talked about forming a group.

Our first year was a learning year and we revamped after meeting again at the 2008 conference. We reorganized as the Kindred Heart Writers. We are five women from different geographic locations and with different experiences, different life situations, different desires, and of different ages, but with one common goal-to do the best we can with the gift God had given us- writing.

Critiquing Each Other’s Work

We have established an ongoing critique rotation and a blog for writers (www.kindredheartwriters.com). Approximately once a week one of us submits a writing sample for feedback, so every five weeks we have something critiqued. We rotate blog responsibilities, posting a new blog entry twice a week. The surprise benefit has been as we help other writers, our own writing improves. As they say, iron sharpens iron.

Weekly Writings

We take turns sending out a weekly devotion entitled “Morning Moments.” Rotations schedules are set up in such a way that we usually do not have to do more than one thing each week to do besides read and critique. And if someone has a submission they need input on out of rotation sequence, most of us are willing to take the time to read and comment.

More than a Critique Group

We are so much more than a critique group as we share personal struggles, encouragement, writing opportunities, and resources. We have built and expanded our blog and soon will add pillar articles written by each of us. This is part of our plan to create a group platform that not only will help our group, but each of us as individual writers.

Dreams

We have long term goals of writing a book together and mentoring others on the writer’s journey.

Writing can be lonely business and having a group that supports, encourages and even celebrates with you is priceless.

About Jean Wise:

Jean Wise is a freelance writer, speaker and spiritual director in northwest Ohio. You can meet all of the Kindred Heart Writers at their web site/blog: www.kindredheartwriters.com.

Are you part of a writing group, either on-line or in person? Jump right in the comments and share your experiences, questions, and feedback with Jean. I’m sure she’d love that!