By Suzette Martinez Standring, Founder
Silent group writing works! Last year on November 4, the NSNC Writing Space launched, and, twice a week, members Zoom in to write together. We meet every Wednesday for two hours, and every Sunday for one hour. Sometimes we stay longer. There are no questions, discussion, or workshopping. The hour strikes and “It’s time to write!” Something wildly productive takes place, and after just one year, here’s what a few NSNC scribes say.
ORGANIZING, EDITING, DRAFTING
Author and Maine columnist Kathy Eliscu organizes two projects, a sequel to her first book (Not Even Dark Chocolate Can Fix This Mess) and a new memoir.
When the NSNC writing workshop began, I only had the very beginnings of that novel, some random notes, and a basic plot. The progress on that project has been really quite remarkable. Please bear in mind that left to my own, I don’t believe I would have made much progress on either project. I believe I would’ve just set them aside during the pandemic. So it was not only a tremendous positive distraction to participate in the workshop week after week, but I made real progress in my writing, enjoying the camaraderie of seeing the others at work as well.
RESEARCH, BOOK COMPLETION
Dave Lieber, Watchdog for the Dallas Morning News, did research and finished his book and play. He even thanked the NSNC Writing Space in his book’s acknowledgments.
I never would have completed SEARCHING FOR PEROT – My Journey to Discover Texas’ Top Family without the NSNC Writing Space. My procrastination was killing the project, but once the writing space began I became totally immersed. No more delays. I spent several hours each week preparing for the four hours total of writing time. This forced me to organize and prepare. The writing space was my friend sitting beside me, saying over and over, “You can do this.”
COMEDY WRITING
COMEDY WRITING
Angela “Angie” Verges, writer, comedian and “Edu-tainer,” has lots of projects.
I always feel accomplished after participating in our writing space. I’ve worked on everything from blog posts for the upcoming week to tweaking comedy sets, and outlining ideas for Chicken Soup for the Soul stories. Thanks for providing the writing space each week. I believe all of us have found value in any amount of time spent there.
NOVEL WRITING
Annette J. Wick, columnist, author, and community connector, is writing a novel.
During the pandemic, the formation of this group was really a gift of generosity. I powered through the completion of my novel’s first draft, started on its second iteration, completed numerous blog contributions, and created a few outlines for presentations, all thanks to this gathering. The mere existence of this circle is a comfort.
I often quote a passage discovered early iIn my work in the dementia field. It applies here: “When individuals are around others who are doing a writing and remembering activity, this serves as a powerful enticement to do it themselves.” – Alan Dienstag, psychologist. You and this collection of writers have been that enticement for me and many others.
Join us any time!
The National Society of Newspaper Columnists invites you to our Wednesday and Sunday “NSNC Writing Space” where friends get together, write quietly and get our projects done! Email Suzette Martinez Standring (suzmar@comcast.net) to be put on a reminder email.
Every Wednesday is a recurring meeting:
Pacific Time: 7:00 a.m. to 9;00 a.m. (PDT)
Mountain Time: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (MT)
Central Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (CT)
Eastern Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon (EDT)
Every Sunday is a recurring meeting:
Pacific Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (PDT)
Mountain Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (MT)
Central Time: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (CT)
Eastern Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EDT)
To get the Zoom link and/or email reminders, contact Suzette Martinez Standring at suzmar@comcast.net.
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