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Group admin:: akabukowski
Created:: December 31, 2007
: 190 Members

Group Tags:

writing, feedback, constructive criticism, community of writers, aspiring writers

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A message from akabukowski...

Posted: Sep 9, 08 12:23pm

Dear colleagues and friends,

Am delighted at the current spate of activity in Tier II. And welcome to those you who have joined and posted work in recent days, RGinaL, Riterong, GHMonroe, others who I may have missed. Thanks to each of you for your trust in this group.

Special thanks also to BMichael, Mark Trost, Westerly and nebrad for continuing to offer cogent and respectful feedback - for carrying to the Tier II torch.

As many of you know I am also now serving as TeeBeeDee's Community Guide (under my given name, Kat Brennan). While the work is fascinating and compelling and I am profoundly grateful for this unexpected opportunity it has robbed me of time I once had to spend here, with all of you. Tier II had always felt like a small island of grace and order and good spirit in a sea of turmoil - the world's, that on TeeBeeDee, my own. I miss being here and am saddened at feeling like a ghostly stranger when I do visit.

I want you to know that even if I cannot find the time to comment on your work, as much as I would like to, I do read everything here. As always I am gladdened by the skill, verve, originality, commitment to getting it right. You all are fine and commendable writers.

Bmichael: Your "Danny the Baker" is superb. You and I go back a ways. I remember the first story you ever posted for comment, "Soup Kitchen Blues." I remember thinking, "Ah! A writer among us!" You have such a gift for muscular images, scenes, characters, language but somehow never lose sight of the gentle, fragile place we know as the human heart. This latest from you is testament to your commitment to the craft and your growth as a writer.

nebrad: Would love to see more from you. You're willingness to take risks and your lovely deft hand with language make everything you write a pleasure to read. You may recall your "Dear Gerald" was a source of inspiration for my own story, "A Man of Letters."

Westerly: What I wouldn't give for your light-handed whimsy and gift for setting scenes. Your quirky humor and clear appreciation for the wonder of human foibles endear your work to me.

Mark Trost: I know you're writing every day, unlike many of us, with a focus on non-fiction. Your talent for clarity coupled with commitment to voice and view, your righteous passion make for fine reading. Share whenever you can, please.

RGinaL: Don't despair...this group has struggled since inception with how to critique poetry. We sneak peeks at it from behind the hedge and if caught we scurry away. Don't let this stop you from posting. Be assured your precious words are being read, with care, appreciation, respect. That is a very fine thing.

Riterong and GHMonroe: Outstanding debuts! Please make yourselves at home here. As you have seen, others are eager to read and comment.

This a clear space without pressure, politics, greed, power plays. It has funny rhythms - it surges and ebbs unpredictably. I like to think of Tier II as a story unfolding in its own sweet way and time.

I am so grateful to all of you for your support of this group. In closing I am sharing a example of the kind of writing I've been necessarily focused on of late. Some of you may already have seen this elsewhere on the site. I only share this now to reconnect in spirit and let you know that I am a writer, will always be a writer, and am honored to stand in such good company here, at Tier II.

- akabukowski

http://www.tbd.com/content/discussion/317877?startIndex=3360&#comment-429174

Tags:

Writing, short stories, feedback, critique, fiction, non-fiction, poetry

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9 Comments // 7 Members

MarkTrost

Posted: Sep 9, 08 12:53pm

You are a class act Kat Brennan. And one hell of a writer.

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marilyndevine

Posted: Sep 9, 08 1:21pm

Ditto! A bit of a shame that your talent and skills are being used to chastise the, er, cads and bounders who seem to inhabit some of these groups . . . but hey, it's $$$$$$$ and I'm all about that.

On the other hand, we do miss you. Thanks for checking in!

Cheers!

-M

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akabukowski

Posted: Sep 9, 08 2:33pm

marilyndevine wrote:

Ditto! A bit of a shame that your talent and skills are being used to chastise the, er, cads and bounders who seem to inhabit some of these groups . . . but hey, it's $$$$$$$ and I'm all about that.

On the other hand, we do miss you. Thanks for checking in!

Cheers!

-M

MarilynDevine,

Left you out of my comments, but not by design, Ms. Devine. Have neglected to mention others too, I fear. As always I am grateful for your clear-headed, practical thinking! (Are you writing any fiction of late?)

- aka

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akabukowski

Posted: Sep 9, 08 2:33pm

Thank you, Mr. Trost.

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Westerly

Posted: Sep 9, 08 2:37pm

MarkTrost wrote:

You are a class act Kat Brennan. And one hell of a writer.

What Mark said, and I may add an adroit, careful and encouraging reviewer as well. When you review, I don't feel like throwing myself off a bridge, I just feel like rolling up my sleeves. Thanks for being all you are.

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Bmichael

Posted: Sep 9, 08 5:04pm

Since its beginning, Tier II has been a special place.

There are, certainly, other worthy literary sites within TeeBeeDee for a writer to share his or her craft of choice.

But what sets it apart from these others, is that Tier II has always been the place to send your best.

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RGinaL

Posted: Sep 9, 08 10:09pm

I admire your ability to be so kind and unabrasive when confronting this kind of content. What an incredible gift. Thank you also for your words of encouragement.

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