| I was looking for a poetry group near my home in | | | | people be able to give and take feedback with an |
| 2003 and didn't find one. I contacted my local library | | | | appreciation that the group's goal is to make all |
| and they said that a few years ago someone had | | | | participants better writers. There should be no |
| tried to get a poetry group going but it only drew | | | | requirement that people must agree with one |
| 2-3 people and it fizzled out rather quickly. They also | | | | another with regards to their opinions (you can't |
| told me that if I wanted to give it a try, they would | | | | please all of the people all of the time, nor should you |
| sponsor a group again. So I picked a date and time | | | | try to). There should also be no requirement that all |
| that worked for me, (the first Thursday of each | | | | feedback must be implemented - it is certainly the |
| month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.) and Poetic License | | | | poet's prerogative to disregard feedback they feel |
| Writer's Group was born! The library gave us a | | | | will detract from their work, well intentioned though it |
| meeting room at no charge, and advertised the | | | | may be. |
| group in their quarterly newsletter and the local | | | | How does a group decide what to review or discuss? |
| weekly newspaper's calendar section. I created a | | | | Consensus over time will lead the group to one or |
| flyer to post in coffee shops and bookstores, and | | | | more basic practices. People could all agree on a |
| the group started off with 10 interested people, | | | | shared assignment such as writing about a given |
| although usually each meeting had 5-7 attendees. This | | | | topic, or in a given poetic style, in a specific poetic |
| is the perfect size. | | | | form, or emulating the technique of a particular poet. |
| The object of a poetry group is for like-minded | | | | Typically, each participant writes something based on |
| people to get together once a month (or as often as | | | | the assignment, and then the next session or two is |
| the group agrees) and aid one another in learning | | | | devoted to reviewing and critiquing the results. |
| about poetry, critiquing poetry, working on poetry | | | | Rewriting may or may not follow, depending on the |
| reading skills, and sharing resources such as websites, | | | | wishes of the group. |
| books, magazines, and other poetry-related material. | | | | Other things the group can do is share favorite |
| To find participants, you can first look within your | | | | poems or favorite poets, or review recent works of |
| circle of friends. If you share a love of literature then | | | | poetry or newly published books of poetry. If the |
| sharing poetry will be a small leap. If you can find no | | | | participants have the goal of being published, they |
| interest among your friends then you can put up | | | | can discuss publishing resources (such as the Poet's |
| small posters in your local library or bookstore (with | | | | Market), encourage one another, share helpful hints |
| permission) advertising your desire to start up a | | | | and tips, celebrate accepted poems, and |
| poetry group. I would recommend limiting the | | | | commiserate over rejection slips. |
| numbers in your group to no more then six people to | | | | There are other organizational structures you may |
| start. Intimate groups work best because there are | | | | want to put in place for your group. If it costs |
| less distractions and more time can be devoted to | | | | anything to run the group, obtain snacks or drinks for |
| each individual's poetry. | | | | group meetings, or to rent space for the group |
| What is the proper format for a writing group? | | | | (either physically or online), you might want to charge |
| Typically, all you need is a location that is available | | | | membership fees. You may or may not want to put |
| during a regular date and time (or online space if | | | | objectives in place for your group. You may decide |
| you're following that route), and an agenda for each | | | | you want to get together for regular workshops or |
| group gathering (real or virtual). Also, a writing group | | | | tutorials, led either by group members or by |
| can start with just two people, and grow from there | | | | well-respected local poets. You could attend local |
| - there is really no minimum number of participants, | | | | poetry events as a group, also. Remember, with a |
| although you may find if the group gets very popular | | | | new writing group, you get to make up your own |
| that productivity is reduced when a large volume of | | | | rules. |
| people participate. You can split the group into two | | | | My group is going to do poetry readings at nearby |
| separate writing groups should you befortunate | | | | hospitals, nursing homes, and senior/retirement |
| enough to have that happen. | | | | homes. Another venue is schools. A local K-5 school |
| The location should NOT be at anyone's home. What | | | | called the library and was referred to me because |
| would be best is a public building, such as a church, | | | | they wanted a local poet to come do a poetry |
| synagogue, library, school, or community space. | | | | reading one morning. It could have been my poems |
| Restaurants, coffeehouses, or pubs may also | | | | or any poems. I couldn't make it that morning, but |
| welcome you, providing you visit during off hours so | | | | someone else in my group could and it was a |
| you don't impede the regular flow of customers. | | | | wonderful experience for all! |
| The regular date and time that works for group | | | | Make sure that before each poem is read, the writer |
| participants is usually discovered by general | | | | can give a little statement about what inspired them |
| consensus. In addition, how frequently the group | | | | to write this poem. It's very helpful to those listening |
| meets is up for discussion also. If you are all just | | | | and critiquing. It would also help if you set some sort |
| getting started at this, it might be wise to meet | | | | of a meeting agenda, where by the first part of the |
| every month. This helps ensure people get the | | | | meeting is for disseminating informational and |
| chance to write or rewrite poems between meetings. | | | | handouts, discussing upcoming poetry readings, etc. |
| The agenda of the writing group can be very loose, | | | | and the second part of the meeting is set aside for |
| or very structured. Initially, part of the agenda should | | | | reading 2-3 poems per person, time permitting. It's |
| include getting to know one another a bit better. You | | | | important to make sure that one or two people do |
| don't need to be best friends with all of the group's | | | | not dominate the discussion. Everyone there who |
| poets, but understanding who they are is a very | | | | wants to speak should have the chance to do so. |
| valuable key to understanding their work and being | | | | Make sure that distractions are avoided, (i.e. if |
| able to effectively critique it. | | | | someone must make or take a cell phone call they |
| Typically, the body of the meeting is spent sharing | | | | should leave the room; avoid loud, crunchy snacks, |
| poetry and giving feedback. A basic level of trust is | | | | etc.). While most people to not want poetry to be |
| required, and a common understanding that | | | | censored, it's clear that certain subject matters are |
| constructive criticism is the norm. As the group | | | | less appropriate than others for sharing in a group |
| matures, feedback can be bandied about, generating | | | | setting. |
| ideas for ways to improve a poem. It's vital that | | | | |