The First Thursday Experiment Begins

I'm excited about this coming Thursday's meeting for two reasons:

1. It's the beginning of our every two week experiment.
2. We have a lot of manuscripts to cover.

In reverse order: we don't have the variety of work to review this month, but there's much more of it. If our group can stay this productive throughout the spring I will be impressed (and will have to learn to read faster). We have short stories from Kay and Ann Marie, poetry from Michelle, and a reworked bio short from Sandy. We also have novel starts from Zack, Jim, and Katie, meaning that, if they continue these stories, we'll have assignments to read for quite some time. For the rest of the year, I should think.

Reading Sandy's piece made me realize how little we see of work once it's been critiqued. It's happened on occasions with novels. I've seen Zack's books once they've gone through the submit-and-crit process, and those of two former members, but never the short stuff. It gets read, often rewritten, and then is wiped from memory. In reading her story, you get to see what gets accepted, what works or doesn't work, and how to review a piece that's been reshaped. It's a difference process. It doesn't mean you have less to say. In fact, it could mean more as the piece stands on its own but is still wobbly. More of the author's intent becomes clear, and gives the editor that much with which to work. I see it when rewriting my own work, but was pleased to encounter it in someone else's next draft.

Now on to Point 1--the two-week experiment. I hope this works. I'm sure for awhile it will. It means a chance for novelists to move faster and for others to write more, to meet deadlines, to keep pace. Quality work should take time, but the meetings are about ensuring quality, turning black-inked copies into off-white diamonds. OK, very off-white. OK, milky sometimes. But then editing is the same as cutting at diamonds, until only the best, sharpest, most radiant facets are left. Meeting every two weeks rather than once a month is a chance to do that.

I'm looking forward to it!

Meeting Place & Time: Holden Room, upstairs at Crandall Library, from 7-9pm, First and Third Thursdays of the Month.