Red Sands Writers Circle

Hang Out & Write at Starbucks: East Mesa

Thu, Nov 5 · 5:00 PM MST

Starbucks, 10720 E Point Twenty-Two Blvd, Mesa, AZ, US

Red Sands Writers Circle and Writers' Doubt Club have combined forces to help you finish that book! Struggling to meet your writing goals? Looking for some company while going through the agony and ecstasy of a first (or 50th) draft? Hang out with us -- and write! We'll be chillin' from 5pm to 8pm. Feel free to stop by whenever during that time.

This is a non-critique meeting. If you're looking for feedback on a draft, we host events for that too! Here we simply pull up a chair, connect to Wi-Fi and start writing. We might write in silence or enjoy a little conversation to move the process along. Occasional writing sprints may also be sources of inspiration. Whatever it takes to get words on the page!

Have questions? Leave a comment. See you there!

Speculative Fiction Writing: Share Drafts & Critique

Thu, Nov 5 · 7:30 PM MST

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Online

Online

RSVP to see the link to join the meeting.
PASSWORD: 123456

Welcome to the Speculative Fiction virtual writing workshop! Have a document ready with 2,000 words (or less) of a project you're working on. We'll read it aloud and share constructive feedback. Instructions for how to have your document ready via Google Drive can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1939kZ5oyloe16nIKX6X5-MK5yBozb5Zeb71kODDemhU/edit?usp=sharing

Alternatively, use screen share so we can follow along as the draft is read aloud from your computer.

If you have questions, please leave a comment.

GENERAL FAQs

What is 'speculative fiction'?

Speculative fiction is a genre term used to describe stories which are futuristic, otherworldly, alternate history, magical, beastly, or otherwise have elements which are not rooted in reality. Because the term itself is so open-ended, we are also very open about the type of drafts we love to critique. If you feel your project is speculative, it probably is! When in doubt, leave a comment or send a message to the host.

Do I have to RSVP?

Please always RSVP if you intend to share your work or move yourself to "Not Going" if you realize you won't be able to make it. You do not need to RSVP if attending but not sharing work, simply add a comment letting us know you'll be there.

I'm on the "Waitlist" what does that mean?

You're still welcome to join us to share feedback on the other work, just be aware we may not have time to read your draft. We will try, though!

I'm afraid someone will hate my writing, what should I do?

Don't be afraid! Rough drafts are always rough. Nobody will be perfect. We're here to support you, which means pointing out the parts that are awesome and providing honest suggestions for improvement. You're welcome to ignore the suggestions or take it into consideration for the next draft. It's just feedback. No pressure.

I'm not good at giving feedback to others, what should I do?

Oh, sure you are! If you've ever thought "Wow, that book was great, but I wish there was more of ___ and less of ____" then you know how to give feedback. You're welcome to provide as little or as much feedback as you're comfortable with. Easy stuff.

I'm uncomfortable with someone reading my writing aloud.

It's okay to read your own work aloud, but we will offer if you'd like one of us to do it. Hearing a friend read gives you the rare opportunity to understand how an outsider interacts with your story. Which sentences do they trip on? Is your 'voice' coming through? Reciting your own lines back is great, but consider using us as an opportunity to further support your journey to a fantastic final copy.

I want to attend but I don't have any writing to bring this time.

That's okay! You can still provide feedback. You do not have to RSVP to hang out and offer feedback. See you there!

Is the group on social media?

Oh yeah! Join us on all these fun platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/redsandswriters/
https://www.instagram.com/redsandswriters/

All Genre MFA-Style Writers Workshop

Sat, Nov 7 · 9:00 AM MST

2627 N 3rd St, 2627 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA, Phoenix, AZ, US

IN-PERSON EVENT in Downtown Phoenix
To sign up, please click here for our official website

Welcome to our Saturday morning event! The session runs from 9:00am-12:25pm every Saturday. We have 15 seats. Nine attendees share for 21 minutes each. Attendees enter a lottery on Saturday at 9am for the right to share work, and the remaining attendees stay to critique.

We are very supportive, warm, and welcoming. If you're looking for a positive writing community that doesn't damage your ego, you've found the right group!

Your host, Mike Oppenheim, is an English, grammar, language, and creative writing professor with a 15+ year career teaching students from Junior High through College. He has an MFA from Mills College, an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from The University of California Berkeley, a Master's Certificate in Copyediting from The University of California San Diego, and a BA in Film Studies, English, and Philosophy from The University of Pittsburgh, summa cum laude. He has also published six novels and over 1,000 essays and stories.

To sign up, please click here for our official website
Questions? Email the host, Mike, at mikeyopp@mikeyopp.com