The Writing Group (TWG)

Hi,

As some one who did not post and who loves the idea - I have to say that I was unsure whether a short story would have been acceptable and honestly after the personal confessional types of writing, it seemed it might be a little disrespectful to write something lighter and fictional on the topic.

A quick picky note: observing the spell-out-the-first-reference rule would have saved me from searching for what WITTCE meant. Lostmutt, you owe me $0.32 for my research time.

Anyway...I caught the part about creative writing instead of personal essay. I just could not come up with a credible creative effort on such a complex subject in the few hours available.

Maybe a narrow topic like "How is your current spouse or lover different from those other losers you dated?" would have elicited more responses.

Hey, it's just a suggestion.

Let's see...

First I loved the WriteAway and am glad to hear this was an attempt to augment, not replace, the WriteAway. I'd follow Adair around anytime to listen to her talk about writing, much less have the joy of listening to her feedback about my own writing. WriteAway is what brought me to TWG. Maybe instead of a time limit on Writeaway a word limit would be better.

Now, as for what worked and what didn't with WITTCE... It's always remarkably helpful for me to have a prompt to write to and a deadline. Maybe we don't need to spend a week on any single topic. I'd be thrilled with an occasional prompt. Yes, as others have said, evil in the spring was a rough topic. Also, thought I'd mention that I like to keep my comments as focused as I can on the writing vs. sharing feelings about the content of pieces. I know they are closely linked of course--but it's all about the writing....right?

Again, thanks to Otter and lostmutt for the time and commitment to this and for asking for feedback. You two are great.

LA

So now we'll expect a detailed travelogue, marilyn, to make up for your lack of participation. :-D

Thanks, all, for taking the time to respond.

Any other takers?

Otter and lostmutt...first and foremost, I want to thank you for the time and effort you both poured into this event. It takes real devotion to get the posts up, to take the time to read and comment, to encourage and guide, to wrap-up with style and grace. So, for the both of you, many more kudos than this space will allow.

The good thing...it has brought new lifeblood into our little band of writers and TWG is flourishing. We were sinking into oblivion there for a while and I remember many times we questioned why but had no real answers. This event succeeded in feeding and nourishing this site and it feels healthy and happy again; I am glad to see and read so many new voices. There is some awesome talent and this is again a busy and active place.

The bad thing...the topic made me squirmy. Call it Karma or fate or just bad juju, I avoid dancing with the devil whenever and however I can. I participated because I enjoy writing. I also enjoy the assignment aspect where there is one day to check in and submit; seems my creative juice flows a little better with a deadline (I think that this should have gone with "the good thing!") I just don't want to bleed anymore. I retreated to writing essays because I could remain unimpassioned and distant. I treated every day as an exercise in generalities instead of soul-searching because I didn't want to lift the scab. And, as many others have already stated; it was hard to read the pain. I could feel and hear the tears and it broke my heart. I know I should go back and pick my faves for the wrap-up, but I just haven't found a day when I feel strong enough yet.

So, in conclusion (I know, I know...too wordy!): I appreciated the time and energy of the administrators and the participants. I enjoyed the daily draw of the event and the encouragement to write. I couldn't ever get comfortable with the topic, however and I am very glad it is done. Maybe the next event could be happy (or sleepy, or sneezy, or dopey, or any of the other seven dwarfs?!) Just kidding!