Another September competition and the importance of not going it alone

Here is a competition for our wild west loving, short story writing friends.

Deadline: Sept 15, 2008, Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story Contest, Co-sponsored by Cowboys & Indians magazine, Seeking 2500 word unpublished mystery short stories set in the Western or Southwestern United States, Story must include at least one cowboy and/or Native American character, Prize: $1500 and publication in the March issue of the magazine.

The importance of not going it alone.

This short piece about the importance of not going it alone as a writer was submitted to me anonymously. I have often wondered if most writers are introverts. I know I am which makes it hard for me to connect with other people in most areas of my life. Were it not for The Loft, a terrific writing organization in Minneapolis that offers top notch writing classes, and a writing group that I came upon serendipitously, I would probably still be going it alone.

Don't Climb the Mountain Alone by Anonymous

I'm not a mountain climber, but I assume that if I were to take up the sport I would need a lot of help learning the skills needed to be successful. Would any novice climber in their right mind ever tackled the Matterhorn, K2 or Everest alone and without instruction, practice and support? I don't think so. So what makes us think we can write a novel all by ourselves?

Arrogance, ignorance and unfettered enthusiasm. That's my excuse, and that's why my first book languished in a box in my closet for years before I realized that I could not learn to write from books alone. I needed real, live help in the form of classes and other writers.

As with climbing where there are a lot of people involved in a successful ascent--sponsors, outfitters, fellow climbers, guides, Sherpas--there should be many people involved in the writing process from the beginning--writing instructors, classmates, writing groups, critical readers and editors. One can claim all of the glory when the book is finished, but every experienced author knows that the completion of a book is never a solo ascent. That's why most books include, and should include, an acknowledgments page.

I can't stress enough the importance of taking classes, joining a writer's groups and getting critical evaluations. The writing classes and writing groups I've been a part of have helped me tremendously to rewrite my first novel and to draft, revise and revise again my second and now my third novel. I have learned in classes and from fellow writers how to distinguish premise, plot and story, create setting, write description, balance expositions with scenes and dialogue, develop dynamic and believable characters, maintain voice and point of view, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. And I have honed these skills of my craft by seeking out critical evaluations from readers and paid editors.

I advise any new writer who has not taken writing classes to enroll ASAP. If no classes are available in your area, check out on-line classes.

I would advise any emerging writer not part of a writer's group to find a group or create a group. Meet every week or at least twice a month, and push each other to contribute regularly.

The writer's group I joined five years ago has grown and shrunk over almost 20 years from as few as three to as many as eight members. We email each other our chapters at least two days before our meeting so that everyone will have time to print the pages, read them critically and make notes in the margins and at the end. On group night, we go over each work carefully. We're critical, yet supportive and we have a lot of fun.

Everyone in our group is working on a novel length manuscript but we submit short stories and other pieces of writing to the group as well. We get advise on agencies and publishers to query, how to write queries and synopses, we share information on conferences and contests and we help each other deal with reject and celebrate triumphs.

You can find writing groups through local writing programs and classes, at coffee shops and sometimes at your local library. Or you can create your own group by posting notices at these locations. Meet in member's homes or at coffee shops or the library. If you can't find a writing group in your area, look for a group on-line.

Take my advice, don't try to climb the mountain alone. It's more fun with other writers who understand the writer's life, the life you have chosen.

Class link
Class link
Group link
Group link

Links provided here for on-line classes and groups have not been vetted. Research any website thoroughly before enrolling. Other classes and groups can be found by searching on "Writing Classes" and "Writers Groups"