You Are Entitled

When WAG webmaster Robin Ingle “suggested” that I, as WAG President, write one of the first blog posts, I hesitated. But then I shouted, “Okay! Okay! Okay! I’ll do it!” and promised never to say a word about the arm twisting. True to my word, I have not opened my mouth, and here’s the post.

Nine years ago, my good friend Bev Rogers heard about a meeting of a new writers group: Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG). Her friend, Jani Sherrard, had told Bev about it. At the time, Jani attended the Poets and Writers group at Books-a-Million, something she continues to do, in addition to her editorial responsibilities. Bev asked if I would accompany her to the WAG meeting at Tower Road Library. Bev thinks I can write, I thought. Truth be known, she probably knew I needed help. She’d read a few of my stories.

My decision to go with Bev to the meeting was one of the best decisions ever. There, at the Tower Road Library that Sunday afternoon, I learned that WAG had several genre-specific critique groups (pods), including a nonfiction/memoir pod, led by Stephanie Seguin. Six of us made up that first memoir pod, which included WAG’s founder, Kal Rosenberg.

For the first few weeks, we met at Coffee Culture on 13^th Street. One night, my story had to do with a rather intimate topic. As I read it, I kept glancing around the room to see if other coffee drinkers were listening. I was happy to see that all faces were glued to laptop screens or textbooks. Looking back, I should have been disappointed they were not listening. Had it been a really good story, they would have been eavesdropping!! (Oops. Scratch those two exclamation marks. Kal said never use one unless you’re screaming, and to never, ever use two.).

Kal also had the ability to zero in on what was right about a piece and what was wrong. One night when he handed my piece back to me, I saw that he had written at the very top of the first page: The writing is good. The story is not.

I should have been flattered that Kal thought my writing was good. Hell, I should have been happy Kal read to the end of it. Instead, I focused on “The story is not.” But I continued to submit material and attend pod meetings in hopes of figuring out just what makes a good story. Nine years later, I’m still working on that, but I am grateful for all the constructive criticism I’ve received over the years, along with tons of encouragement. The critique pods, of course, are just one of the many benefits WAG offers me. And you.

As a WAG member, you are entitled . . .

• to a copy of Bacopa: A Literary Review, WAG’s annual literary journal that includes pieces written by WAG-member authors as well as new voices from around the world.
• to a free submission to Bacopa. You may submit during the contest phase or during general submissions.
• to email delivery of the bi-monthly e-newsletter, WAG Digest, which includes news about writing related programs and events, writing tips, information on writing conferences, and lists of journals and contests accepting submissions—all thanks to Editor Wendy Thornton and her husband Ken Booth.
• to participate in one or more of WAG’s genre-specific critique pods where writers critique one another’s work. If you are already a pod member, you know the value. If not, you are missing out.
• to free admission to special events sponsored by the Writers Alliance, such as the recent program, A Land Remembered.

And with the launch of this new website, you are entitled . . .

• to access the members-only area of WAG’s website. Hurry and login and check it out.
• to list your saleable literary works on WAG’s website, with a link to Amazon where visitors may purchase you works.

Are you a member of WAG? If so, are you taking advantage of all WAG offers its members? And do you attend the monthly programs, normally held on the second Sunday of each month? These programs are open to the public, and surprisingly, more visitors attend than WAG members. If you are a member who does not attend regularly, is there a reason? Would a different day or time work better for you? This organization exists for you and because of you. So if you have suggestions for ways we can improve, please email me or talk with a member of WAG’s volunteer staff.

Of course, we would also like to hear from you if you have something positive to say. Take a look at the testimonials on the website (right column) and see if you might add something. What does WAG mean to you? We’d love to add your input. So please email your quote today to our webmaster.