Online - Long Beach - Wednesday Critique Night CHWG on Zoom

Details

PLEASE MESSAGE RUSS THOMPSON (HOST) FOR THE ZOOM LINK VIA MEETUP MESSAGE OR HIS EMAIL AT RUSSTHOMPSON95@GMAIL.COM - THANK YOU.

There is a new Zoom link as of June 2022.

WHAT WE’RE ABOUT

Awesome Community AND AMAZING STORIES !

Our mission is to support writers in honing their craft and current projects. We do this with a community of writers providing constructive feedback. Everyone is welcome here. We do not distinguish between returning members and the brand new!

THE WAY IT WORKS

Writers read their work aloud. All critiquing happens on the spot. That means NO HOMEWORK!

Writing Critique Groups are 6pm to 8:45pm, but you can come at any time and stay for as long as it suits you. When you first come, please sign in. The sign-in sheet distinguishes those that wish to read their work aloud and for those that do not. There is no obligation to present your work or to critique others. Do only what you are comfortable. You may "Pass" when it's your turn to critique.

When we get started, we go down the sign-in sheet for readings. When a reader has finished, each person at the table will have their own time to critique the work starting to the right (counter-clockwise). During that time, the speaker has the floor and is not to be interrupted by anyone else –even the person that just read. It is not a discussion, just unbiased editing advice. For the sake of time, any back and forth should be for clarification purposes only.

Can’t wait to see you and hear your stories! Guidelines Below

READERS

Speak up so everyone can hear you. Some people bring copies for everyone to follow along, but there's no requirement.

You can read any kind of piece you wish including prose, poetry, and scripts. Strong language is permitted and should be expected by all who come. We like to think of our group as rated M for mature. The only genre we do not read aloud is erotica.

There is no time limit on reading. We just ask that you watch your time and be respectful of other writers wanting to read. If there are more members attending, the time reading might be shorter than if there are fewer members attending. It's a community effort. Please just take home with you the feedback that works for you and leave what doesn't at the table. No one needs to know what critiques you do or do not like. The critiques given should never turn into debates. Everyone in the group is here to help you grow as a writer and inspire you to write.

You do not have to use any commentary given on your piece that you do not agree with. Put your heart away and understand that we critique the work, not the writer. Do not feel like you have to defend your work.

LISTENERS

We don’t critique others’ critiques. Avoid debates and let the person speaking give their feedback.

Keep all talk constructive. Example –Saying something is boring does not help. Rather say instead why something was unable to keep your attention. Give the reader something they can use to better their work.

Keep all feedback concise. This keeps it from being diluted and saves time. We suggest taking notes.

If possible, feedback such as “show don’t tell” should reference specific items. Avoid language directing the author such as “You should” and instead focus on yourself i.e. “I prefer.”

CONDUCT

Please be respectful of all who attend. Harassment of any nature will not be tolerated at the venue or online. Please see or message your group facilitator if you have any concerns.

Russ Thompson, Critique Group Facilitator.

Christine will also be around periodically and happy to answer questions at 626.488.5879

We have a Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/CHWritersGroup/) with a community of writers to interact with. It is a private group. No spam or solicitation please.

We also have a fan page
(https://www.facebook.com/coffeehousewritersgroup) for anyone to "like."

We also have a Podcast on (click for link)

iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/coffee-house-writers-group/id1137847775?mt=2)

CHWritersGroup.org (http://chwritersgroup.org/) Currently under construction.

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdhGvSfNpIU_BXCQqG62xlg?&ab_channel=CoffeeHouseWritersGroup)

Listen to the first one here and now with our President and Founder about our group's origins and how it operates:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaMVsZP2DD0&ab_channel=CoffeeHouseWritersGroup