GUIDELINES FOR SATURDAY DAY WRITERS'
WORKS-IN-PROGRESS DISCUSSION GROUP
Works-In-Progress:
1. Bring at least 5 copies of your work to share with the group, stapled and page-numbered
2. Prose (fiction & non-fiction) pieces should be typed and double spaced – no more than 6 pages
3. Poetry can be single spaced with no poem being longer than 1 page
4. Prose pieces are limited to 1 per person per discussion group meeting, poetry 3 poems. As time permits more works may be read at the discretion of the group leader
5. The leader has responsibility for limiting length of time for reading per member as well as responses to a work, accordingly a "first-come first-served" sign-up sheet for reading may be in use at discussion group meetings with a large attendance of members
*To be discussed and decided by the discussion group: Email groups within the discussion group for the purpose of communicating your work with others outside of the meetings
Discussions:
1. Comments will ONLY be given at the author's request. Works can be read aloud during the group discussion time and the author simply thanked for sharing, or the author may open their piece for discussion either about a certain point, or the entire work in general. The practice of reading your work out loud, as well as hearing others' work is exceedingly valuable. Do not be afraid to share and ask questions about your own work.
2. Remember that comments you make on another person’s work will be taken very seriously.
3. Balance your responses: be sure to point out what you like as well as what bothers you. Do not be overly negative; be reasonable
4. Honesty and directness in your own voice is more valuable to the group and the author than teacher talk
5. If you have a particular skill in grammar or line editing, this is helpful for everyone in the group, please speak up when requested
6. Telling the writer where in the piece you were confused, when you are moved, when a particular passage causes you to stumble can be of great help.
7. Remember – you are discussing the piece, not the author of the piece. Everyone has the option of using or discarding your suggestions.
To the Author:
1. Suggestions from our discussion group are simply that – SUGGESTIONS – You are the author, make the work your story by using our suggestions only if you find them helpful
2. Just because someone finds fault with your work, does not mean that other readers will agree. Remember that writing is subjective. Everyone is entitled to an opinion whether or not we all agree.
3. While your piece is being discussed: listen. If necessary explain (not defend) a specific point and do so in a calm manner. This is a discussion group, not a debate group.
OUR GOAL WITH OUR DISCUSSION GROUP:
The purpose of our discussion groups are to offer members a safe community in which to share their work and ask for advice among the members of Saturday Writers. We want to help writers get better, not to be mean-spirited and put their work down. We don't have to agree. We can enjoy differences of opinion within the discussion and allow the writer to make choices and protect their own unique voice. Unilateral responses to work are limiting. "Loving" everything you hear isn't helpful, so feel free to disagree and make suggestions when requested.
1. Bring at least 5 copies of your work to share with the group, stapled and page-numbered
2. Prose (fiction & non-fiction) pieces should be typed and double spaced – no more than 6 pages
3. Poetry can be single spaced with no poem being longer than 1 page
4. Prose pieces are limited to 1 per person per discussion group meeting, poetry 3 poems. As time permits more works may be read at the discretion of the group leader
5. The leader has responsibility for limiting length of time for reading per member as well as responses to a work, accordingly a "first-come first-served" sign-up sheet for reading may be in use at discussion group meetings with a large attendance of members
*To be discussed and decided by the discussion group: Email groups within the discussion group for the purpose of communicating your work with others outside of the meetings
Discussions:
1. Comments will ONLY be given at the author's request. Works can be read aloud during the group discussion time and the author simply thanked for sharing, or the author may open their piece for discussion either about a certain point, or the entire work in general. The practice of reading your work out loud, as well as hearing others' work is exceedingly valuable. Do not be afraid to share and ask questions about your own work.
2. Remember that comments you make on another person’s work will be taken very seriously.
3. Balance your responses: be sure to point out what you like as well as what bothers you. Do not be overly negative; be reasonable
4. Honesty and directness in your own voice is more valuable to the group and the author than teacher talk
5. If you have a particular skill in grammar or line editing, this is helpful for everyone in the group, please speak up when requested
6. Telling the writer where in the piece you were confused, when you are moved, when a particular passage causes you to stumble can be of great help.
7. Remember – you are discussing the piece, not the author of the piece. Everyone has the option of using or discarding your suggestions.
To the Author:
1. Suggestions from our discussion group are simply that – SUGGESTIONS – You are the author, make the work your story by using our suggestions only if you find them helpful
2. Just because someone finds fault with your work, does not mean that other readers will agree. Remember that writing is subjective. Everyone is entitled to an opinion whether or not we all agree.
3. While your piece is being discussed: listen. If necessary explain (not defend) a specific point and do so in a calm manner. This is a discussion group, not a debate group.
OUR GOAL WITH OUR DISCUSSION GROUP:
The purpose of our discussion groups are to offer members a safe community in which to share their work and ask for advice among the members of Saturday Writers. We want to help writers get better, not to be mean-spirited and put their work down. We don't have to agree. We can enjoy differences of opinion within the discussion and allow the writer to make choices and protect their own unique voice. Unilateral responses to work are limiting. "Loving" everything you hear isn't helpful, so feel free to disagree and make suggestions when requested.
Hints on Reading at Open Mic
1. Choose the piece carefully. Though it may an excerpt, it should be somewhat self-contained.
2. Know the guidelines of the venue. Beware of profanity and questionable content.
3. Practice. Be familiar with the piece. Know how it feels to say the words. Don’t apologize for not being prepared, if you’re not
prepared then wait for next time.
4. Rehearse. Read clearly. Enunciate. Use inflection. No one enjoys a monotone reading.
5. Time it. Know your time limit and stay within it. But don’t rush! It is better to not use all your allotted time than to run overtime. The limit includes introductory remarks, set-up, and closing. Leave them wanting more, never make them wish you’d stop.
6. Try to make eye contact with the audience. Practice and rehearse so you don’t stumble or mumble, and print your selection in large,
easy-to-see type. Remember you may be in a low light reading area. You might want to bring a book light.
7. Stay on mic. Reading is completely useless if you can’t be heard. Microphones vary widely in sensitivity, and may need to be
adjusted for closeness and height. Watch other readers to learn what works best for wherever you may be.
8. Remember to always respect other readers as you would want them to do for you. Don’t get up and down. Avoid leaving during a
reading. Don’t whisper. Don’t text. Don’t take photos or recordings without asking beforehand.
9.Be confident, be proud, but don’t be a self-promoter. An open reading is not a sales pitch. If your audience loves your material, they will approach you.
1. Choose the piece carefully. Though it may an excerpt, it should be somewhat self-contained.
2. Know the guidelines of the venue. Beware of profanity and questionable content.
3. Practice. Be familiar with the piece. Know how it feels to say the words. Don’t apologize for not being prepared, if you’re not
prepared then wait for next time.
4. Rehearse. Read clearly. Enunciate. Use inflection. No one enjoys a monotone reading.
5. Time it. Know your time limit and stay within it. But don’t rush! It is better to not use all your allotted time than to run overtime. The limit includes introductory remarks, set-up, and closing. Leave them wanting more, never make them wish you’d stop.
6. Try to make eye contact with the audience. Practice and rehearse so you don’t stumble or mumble, and print your selection in large,
easy-to-see type. Remember you may be in a low light reading area. You might want to bring a book light.
7. Stay on mic. Reading is completely useless if you can’t be heard. Microphones vary widely in sensitivity, and may need to be
adjusted for closeness and height. Watch other readers to learn what works best for wherever you may be.
8. Remember to always respect other readers as you would want them to do for you. Don’t get up and down. Avoid leaving during a
reading. Don’t whisper. Don’t text. Don’t take photos or recordings without asking beforehand.
9.Be confident, be proud, but don’t be a self-promoter. An open reading is not a sales pitch. If your audience loves your material, they will approach you.