Writers Groups

I've taken a necessary step out of my comfort zone to start on my second draft. And as much as I love my hermit writer lifestyle, I think it is time for me to meet and work with other writers face to face. I've met some great writers online and I will always rely on them for help and inspiration, but I think a writers' group will add another prop to that support structure.

A few weeks ago Beth Morrissey told me about Women Writers in the New Ireland:

WWInI is a new initiative aimed at facilitating a dialogue between women writers in the New Ireland. The intention is to promote the creative work of women writers living in Ireland who are from migrant and new communities and to encourage contact between these writers and other women writers who were born in Ireland or who have lived here for a long time.

I'm attending my first meeting next Saturday at the Irish Writers Centre.

The Irish Writers Centre also runs Scribbers Corner, 1pm-2pm every week on Wednesdays, which sounds like an interesting way to get some creative juices flowing:

The aim is to gather writers together for a short writing session. Each week a different topic or theme will be given to the group and then those present will freewrite for 15 – 20 minutes. After this time each individual will be asked to read his or her work out. Please note that there will be no feedback on work created during these sessions. The aim of the group is to allow those present to hear other writers voices on a common topic in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

The Irish Writers Centre website also lists Dublin-based and national writers groups, including the New Writers Forum which meets at the centre every second Wednesday at 7pm.

I'm going along to my first Scribbers Corner next week, and I've emailed the New Writers Forum to find out if they have any spaces available for a newbie like me - hopefully they do.