Saying Goodbye to a Writing Friend by Diane Bator

 

https://books2read.com/All-That-Shimmers

When you become part of a writing group, you tend to develop some close friendships. In joining the Headwaters Writers’ Guild in April 2007, I had no idea how that journey would become such a huge part of my life.

Founded by Nancy Rorke and Janet Bellinger after taking courses with Ed Wildman (who had trained with Natalie Goldberg), the HWG was never a large group. We fluctuated between 5-20 members depending on the year, the season, or the Sunday. We met every second Sunday in various locations for various reasons. When I first joined, we met in the basement at the Orangeville Public Library. Then were unceremoniously kicked out when they wanted to charge us rent. A few times, we met in the boardroom at the Meridian Credit Union since we held a bank account there.

One of our many great events!

As luck had it, one of our members was a pastor’s wife. She made arrangements for us to move to the basement of Tweedsmuir Church up the street for a few years. Then the library hired new management and had a change of heart. We were allowed to use the community room provided we assist with their new programming – WOW, or Words the Orangeville Way. And we did!

Open Mic Night!

Open Mic Nights, author panels, guest speakers, workshops, all went under the banner of WOW. Many of our writers participated and it was a great way to meet new writers to bring into our fold. We also offered retreats at Eramosa Eden in Rockwood, which was partly owned by two of our members, sisters Gloria and Alberta Nye. Our local coffee shop, Mochaberry, was often our after meeting destination.

Christmas parties over the years were held at a variety of locations. King’s Buffet was a favorite, also potlucks at the library, and another local buffet, the name of which escapes me.

My very first retreat with the group was the first time I dared to put a book out for critique. And regretted it! My story, my words, my baby was picked apart. I was devastated! BUT, I did go back and made some changes. In 2010, I found an agent, then a publisher. While The Bookstore Lady underwent many more changes and edits, I was grateful for the support of the group.

Why the longwinded reminiscence? Nancy Rorke passed away at the end of this October. I hadn’t seen her for a few years as she’d suffered health issues and I’d gone down my own rabbit hole, but her fire-cracker spirit has lived on in things I write. She was always heavy-handed with writing criticism within the group, but always with the best of intentions. She could be a great shoulder to lean on when you needed writing or moral support.

Patricia Gallant, Diane Bator, Nancy Rorke, Judy Zarowny at Authors & Armchairs 2011

Our lives went in separate directions a few years ago, but I still think of her fondly. She was one of those people who made me more determined than ever to “make it.” To be a published author and to share my stories with the world.

Thank you, Nancy, for your love, your endless support, and your spirit. You will live on in many hearts.

Love Always, 

Diane

Writing Groups and Critique Partners by Diane Bator

One of the best things any author can do is join a writing group or find other writers to critique their work. I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of both a local writing group and an online critique group.

When I moved across Canada from Alberta to Ontario in January 2006, I didn't know anyone in town - or even in the province. A year later, I found the Headwaters Writers' Guild. As eclectic as any group of writers could be, we varied in ages from young parents to seventy year olds. From new writers to veterans of the publishing world. But we all shared one love:  the written word. We have all been published in some form or another and we have all celebrated each others' successes. As we've aged, we've learned and been their to support one another through life's trials and tribulations. They were the people who encouraged me to write and finish my first novel and heard each word before the manuscript was ever sent to an agent or publisher. Our numbers ebb and flow as members come and go, but a few of us have been a part of the core group for many years. This April, for example, will mark my ninth year with the HWG and I still attend meetings as much as I can and at every meeting, I write a new scene for a new novel.

In our writing group, we take turns as leaders and use our two hours ever second Sunday to read things we've written and gather feedback from the group. We also take 15 - 20 minutes each meeting to write using prompts the leader that week chose for the occasion. Writing prompts, even used alone for some quiet writing practice, are a great way to exercise a writer's skills at letting thoughts flow. Many of the best stories and novels that have emerged from our group have their basis in our prompts.

Shortly after joining the writing group, I joined an online critique group. Through one of the women in this new group, I was introduced to my agent who has believed in me from the start, then to Books We Love who published my first novels.

In the years since, I've gone on to work with other now-published writers as critique partners. Reading other author's works in progress is a great way to provide continuous learning and help to recognize patterns and habits in our own work - good and bad. It also provides for solid connections in the writing world which can help with any writing career.

My best advice for a budding writer of any age is to join a writing group for the moral and literary support they can offer. Don't be afraid to share your work or to get help when you're stuck. A good writing group will give you both if you keep an open mind.

Diane Bator