Don't Forget to Write!

About the Book

Writers’ groups can be wonderful things, but not all groups are created equal.  For those of you who hesitate to start or join a writers’ group because of past negative experiences, Don’t Forget to Write! shows you that every group is different.  There is such a thing as the wrong group for you—and the right one.

Members of The 6' Ferret Writers’ Group share what they’ve learned throughout more than ten years about building a lasting, helpful, inspiring group.  Whether you want to start a new writers’ group or sustain an existing one, Don’t Forget to Write! is a great resource.

In the “Building Your Writers’ Group” section, you’ll learn how you can benefit from a writers’ group, how to plan your group, find and keep members, choose a meeting structure, add new members, work with distant members, and practice effective critiquing.  You’ll see what it takes to build a group that lasts, and how details such as size and structure can affect your group.

The “When Good Groups Go Bad” section focuses on problem solving, including common setbacks your group may encounter and how to avoid them, tips on how to handle problems that do arise, and things to consider when you need to ask a member to leave.

The 6' Ferret Writers’ Group also shares bits of writing wisdom, and the “Motivation and Inspiration” section is loaded with writing exercises and group activities.

In the Some “Ferret” Favorite Resources section, you’ll find recommended reading, a list of informative websites, and samples of By-Laws, critiquing sheets, and group formats.

There’s even a section of short stories which have resulted from group writing exercises, with explanations about how the stories came about.

Don’t Forget to Write! is a must for all writers’ group members and members-to-be.

About the Author

The 6' Ferret Writers’ Group was founded in Connecticut in 1989. Current members are: D.M. Rosner, Stirling Davenport, Ann Marie Wheeler, Christina Alex, Kerry McKay, John A. de Luce, Trish Cramer, and Peter Steele. Their website for writers has won ten awards, and they have spoken about “Building a Lasting Writers’ Group” at places such as Barnes & Noble. In addition, D.M. Rosner’s article on this subject appears as a chapter of The Writer’s Handbook 2000.