“We are sometimes like scientists discovering new ideas, doctors discussing alternative ways for treatment, critics with a gentle tongue and avid readers of all things written…but most of all…friends! and believe me, we know how to keep secrets!” This is what Jane said after our critique back on July 17. I’m pretty sure she still believes this and by the way, she has thought of another name for our group: Cozy Critters!! Actually, though, I think we all 5 like Cozy Critiquers well enough. I’m more sure of the spelling of “critters” than I am of “critiquers” and we are all God’s creatures so maybe “critters” would work!
Yesterday a new member joined our group and we are pleased to welcome Helen. She, as does Nancy, writes inspirational and personal articles. We all liked the upbeat and encouraging stories these two read. Jane had added more to her children’s mystery and I read one of the culminating chapters of the third Darcy/Flora book. It was nice to hear, at the end of that chapter, my fellow critiquers say, “Read some more!” Every writer wants to leave her readers wanting more. Peg gave some tips on what she looks for in appealing books. She mentioned and the rest of us agreed, that the first thing to catch a reader’s eye is the cover. She likes a colorful cover. If the cover doesn’t say “Read This Book”, she usually doesn’t.
Some comments: “It is refreshing to find a group of Christian friends to help as I struggle along in this endeavor”, “Try writing ‘stumbling’ over rocks instead of ‘tripping'”, “the boat was ‘beached’ “, “use ‘bow of the boat’ instead of ‘prow'”. Other suggestions and pointers flew around the table as we jotted notes and circled or substituted words.
Thoughtfully munching on cookies and sipping tea or coffee stimulates brain power. It does! Believe me. Knowing that we were reading to friends with a like passion for books helped the creative juices flow. What fun to feel safe in baring our deepest feelings to an understanding group.
Below is a picture of my mother’s hundred-year old table after yesterday’s critique became history. Maybe it’s that table that spurs us on to creativity. After all, in a hundred years, other writers may have sat there. It’s certain that table has been the gathering place for lots of good conversation, food, friendship, and family. Many life stories have circulated around Mom’s table. Did some of them seep into the wood? Are our stories doing the same? Whimsical questions but, like the table, we writers have our own tales to tell and we sure enjoy the process!
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