This final post in the series on Networking: Writers Organizations presents a grassroots organization called the East Hernando Writers Group. This is the most local of all the writing organizations I’ve joined recently. The group meets every other week on Thursday afternoon at the East Hernando Branch Library in Brooksville, FL.

Membership

A core group of about 10-12 people with diverse backgrounds of writing and life experiences regularly attend meetings. Some members are seasonal, with attendance growing in the winter months. There is no membership fee. As a children’s book writer, two of the members are especially relevant for me: a retired language arts teacher with over 30 years of experience educating 7th graders, and a retired children’s librarian.

Meetings

The meeting format of the East Hernando Writers Group is consistent. Members are encouraged to bring ten copies of a 500-word piece of writing to each meeting. A different person reads the piece out-loud, members then read it to themselves and write comments. Members provide a critique to the creator and discuss their observations. A very pleasant facilitator keeps the discussion moving and the tone is supportive, yet specific when help is needed.

The writer leaves the meeting with written comments, having heard their writing read by someone else. It’s a beneficial arrangement. Pieces vary and may include poetry, fiction, non-fiction, slice-of-life, or memoir. I’ve had Chapter 1 of “Rusty and the Christmas Carousel” critiqued by the group and received excellent feedback for improvements and encouragement to continue.

This post is the final one in the series related to Networking: Writers Organizations. My conclusion in considering all these organizations is that the more involved I become in any particular organization, the better quality the results of my writing.