Have you ever been a member of a writer’s group, and if so, in what ways did it resemble The Cloak and Dagger Club? If you were a writer, would you join such a group?
I have been a member of a writer’s group and would love to have had it be like this one (without the murderer in the midst, obviously). The one I participated in spent most of its time on the publishing side of things and trying to get paid for the work instead of focusing on the work itself. I didn’t stay for long. But a group that discusses cold cases and manuscripts? Heaven!
I went to a writers group once. I did not join as I realized immediately they were all more serious and better writers than I was. I certainly could see the benefit of belonging to a group. As each member read from their current work the members made helpful comments.
No, I haven’t been a member of a writer’s group but I can understand why writers gather together. They probably constantly spin ideas off one another that stimulate their personal writing process.
No I’m a reader. I think I’d be terrified to be in such a group.
I have not been a member of such a group. I have a friend who started one though and that has grown over the years. In our community there is a writers group and on a specified schedule, one author a month volunteers to read for the community, answer questions, etc. It is quite nice. If I the talent to write, I would definitely start or join a group.
I’m with Janine, I’d be terrified.
Me too, Janine. I’m a reader.
I agree with those who say they are readers, rather than writers. That is me, also! But if I were writing, I think a group like this would be great for offering both support and challenge. It made me think of professional education groups I have been part of - always lots to learn from others and to be inspired by.
No, but I have fond memories of being in 6th grade and I had a blank notebook. I started to write a story about a girl and a horse. The funny thing was,I got the attention of a male classmate and then he started to help with the story. It was fun
No, I am a reader, and I agree with what the other readers have said. I wish I did have the ability to write well enough to create a book that people would want buy, and a book they would thoroughly enjoy.
I write but haven’t been a member of a writer’s group. I think it would be great to do that though.
I find this topic fascinating. I call to mind other moments in history when remarkable works of art and literature were created. For example, the vibrant artistic scene in Paris during the Belle Époque and the Vienna Secession movement both produced extraordinary cultural contributions. (I just read Anima Rising by Christopher Moore.)
I also think of the famous summer of 1816, often called the “Year Without a Summer,” when Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and John Polidori gathered at Lake Geneva. During their stay, they challenged each other to write ghost stories. This legendary gathering led to the creation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and John Polidori’s The Vampyre, a precursor to Dracula.
History shows that when great artists, writers, or thinkers come together, the collective inspiration and exchange of ideas often lead to works far more impactful than what any individual might achieve alone.