On Writers Groups

April 1, 2007 by maureen.ulrich.

I began working on Power Plays about nine years ago when my oldest daughter started playing girls hockey. She played with boys as well, but I wanted people to know more about the girls’ game.

However, I never would have been published without the help of my local Estevan Writers’ Group. Their support and encouragement led me to the completion of my  manuscript within seven months of joining the group. They also saw me through a series of rejections by Canadian and international publishers. The whole time I busily revised and resubmitted my manuscript.

If you are interested in writing, but aren’t sure where to begin, find a writers’ group in your area. You may be surprised at who the writers are in your community!

My group is made up of poets, screenplay writers, humourists, children’s authors, and ewriters. Each year we have critiques, workshops, and retreats. Attending meetings (the last Wednesday of every month) reminds me that I need to take time for writing — and marketing.

The best advice onmarketing came from one of my group members, Betty McGillivray. “Always have something in the mail,” she says. “As soon as you get a rejection letter, send the manuscript someplace else. And know in advance who you are sending it to.”

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