Writers group can break down that block

Everyone wants to write, it seems.

People have stories to tell or they want to flex their creative muscle. And yet something either stops them from starting or moving forward. Sometimes schedules get in the way. Sometimes confidence causes a snag. Other times, the individual has tried to write, but they don’t know how to reach the next level.

That’s OK. I understand all of it.

Reasons to seek extra help may include: needing a confidence boost, drive to commit words to paper, fellowship of other writers, learning new techniques and idea sharing. You can learn much from writing books and online articles, yes. But sometimes nothing beats the in-person experience.

The don’t-know-how-to-reachthe-next-level dilemma I mentioned applies to me more than anything I’ve listed. I attended a writer’s workshop in Baltimore at which, after three days, I learned exactly why I was stuck. Good writers can level out and require direction to reach their goals. No shame in that. Pressing on after learning the necessary information is what matters.

Here’s the thing: If I hadn’t gone, I would’ve kept writing in circles, never achieving my goals.

That’s what we do at Fort Erie Public Library’s writers group. We share ideas, new concepts and help writers achieve their goals. We challenge one another to produce and improve. In the past few years, writers of varying interests have attended. The desire to write children’s picture books is common enough. Some write poetry, mysteries and genre fiction. Occasionally, nonfiction writers have visited.

The goal is to help writers learn concepts they might not have otherwise learned. Sometimes it’s helpful to have writing points explained. The writers group helps its members break out of ruts if they’ve fallen into one.

The writers group runs on the first Tuesday of each month at the Centennial branch. Each group session tackles a different concept, which offers gaining new skills each month. These new skills include formulating ideas, writing dialogue, adding suspense to your fiction and so on. If you want to write, or take your writing to the next level, stop in and say hello.

Derek Clendening is a library assistant at Fort Erie Public Library and is a published novelist and short story writer.