Critique Groups, Workshops, Writers' Showcase.

Red Oak Writing (redoakwriting.com) led by its Director, Kim Suhr, “… offers programming for writers of all levels of ability and experience.” Online critique groups also are offered. The groups I have been in for the last year and a half have been led by Kim, and have been a learning experience that ranks right at the top of a long list. Kim is a wonderful writer, and you can read much of her work on her website, kimsuhr.com.

• Roundtable groups are appropriate for dedicated writers willing to share their work with a group to receive feedback, share ideas and build a network of writing friends.
• In November 2016, I attended a poetry workshop led by  Robin Chapman (robinchapmanspoemaday.blogspot.com) a Wisconsin poet. While I don’t write poetry, my prose work is improved when I remain mindful of the remarkable way good poetry captures so much in so few words. I highly recommend this workshop, as well as Robin's poetry.
• In January 2017, I attended another workshop led by Wisconsin writer, Christi Craig (christicraig.com). We explored the difference of purpose between memoir and memoir essay, and how to turn a complex personal experience into a story of 1,000 words or less. The quality of the writing we examined, including Christi’s, is what I strive to achieve.

While the two workshops focused on different types of writing, both of them emphasized how to convey thoughts and feelings with an economy of words, and well-crafted imagery. 

•  Writers' Showcase (posted March 14, 2017)  On March 30, I'll take a turn as one of the Showcase readers (details below.) More than two years ago, when searching for a writing group to join, it was my good fortune to attend a Red Oak Writing Showcase. A half hour after the program had begun, I knew I had found what is right for me; I joined a critique group, and haven't missed a session since. 

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                  Visit www.redoakwriting.com or phone 414-881-7276 for more information