Our Approach

Purpose

W4AS is designed to meet the needs of those people who are enthralled with the process and business of creative communication, whether it is through the written, spoken, or musical word or through visual arts.  Inherent in our mission is the understanding that we are all passing through different seasons of our skills and gifts and lives. 

Goal

We are dedicated to assisting each other through these seasons.  Our assistance will be positive, truthful, and geared to improve the product and ready it for publication.

Objectives

Presentations 

As a writer, the W4AS member will verbally present a short story, article, chapter of a larger work, song, poem, or other selection of writing no more than 1,000 words in length for the purpose of improving it based on the other members’ suggestions. 

As an artist, the W4AS member will visually present a piece of art for the purpose of improving it based on the other members’ suggestions.

Critiques

As a creative soul, the W4AS member will center his/her attention on the presentation.

As a helper, the W4AS member will offer suggestions which will help the presenter reach his/her goal.

As a professional, the W4AS member will be skilled in the grammar and mechanics of writing, as well as the business side of writing and offer suggestions that are timely as well as research-based.

Personal Goals           

Each member is expected to set and achieve personal goals during the seasons of their life.  Understanding the realistic side of how to achieve each goal is vitally important.  Willingness to ‘do what it takes’ to reach these goals is strongly adhered to in W4AS.  Comprehending that you are responsible for your own happiness, and ultimately your own success will serve you well as you share your ‘letters of declination’ as well as your ‘signed contracts’.

No member will foist his or her own perception of success on another member.

W4AS will be a conduit to help the members reach their goals. If at any time a member no longer appreciates or is unwilling to accept the benefits of this conduit, it may be beneficial for him or her to find another group which better fits their needs.

Strategies

Presentations

Be prepared.  Know what you are going to share and ‘run through it’ by yourself before you come to the meeting

We do not share copies of our writing.  This way, it is the story, not the written word which will be at the center of the presentation and there will not be any question as to possible plagiarism in years to come.

Read slowly and with an awareness that it is the flow of words that carries a story, not the spelling and punctuation.  If you are not comfortable reading out loud, ask a fellow-member to read your work aloud for you.

Know the boundaries of word count.  You can continue a large piece over several meetings. 

Respect the purpose of the presentation.  Read us something you wish to improve or something you wish to use to illustrate an example of published excellence, not something you wish to ‘show off’. 

Critique

Understand the difference between Critique and Criticize and never confuse the two during the meeting. 

Thesaurus for Critique: analysis, assessment, evaluation, account, review, appraisal. 

Thesaurus for Criticize:  disapprove of, condemn, censure, disparage, carp, pass judgment on.

Comment on the writing, not the content. 

Emphasis on the writing would answer these questions:

how was it written

did it flow

were descriptions effective

was the emotional hue believable

were the facts accurate

did the writer maintain the authenticity of the created world

were the characters well-developed

Emphasis on the content would answer these questions:
·       how would I have written it

how would I have described it

how would I have told the sequence

why would anyone write this kind of story because I don’t like XXXX

where did you come up with this idea

Couch your words as suggestions and opinions, not commandments from God

Begin with phrases similar to

What would you think about

Have you considered

Would you mind re-reading that passage, I’m not sure I quite grasped it the way you intended it

I really liked

The research I’ve done suggests that you did a great job when you

Harm no one.  Pay attention to the presenter’s facial expressions and body language more than their words when you voice your critique.  Some people are open to other’s opinions; some need to discover that the benefits outweigh the discomfort they might feel at first. 

Listen and Learn.  If you are new to the group, spend the first meeting or two watching and listening to the process.  It’s better to be considered quiet and cautiously cross a stream than to forge ahead and flounder in the unseen currents. 

Commitment

Attendance – the more often you attend the more welcome and trusted your comments will be. 

Attendance – the more often you attend the more welcome and trusted your presentations will be.

Participation – Take and give in equal measure.  That way, what is taken will not be resented and what is given will not be squandered.  Taking and giving in equal measure is SHARING.

Expect change – Seasons change, and so must we.  Accept new growth and let go of what keeps you from living.  Grow toward something and give back what you have learned.

Eaglebrooke as our host

We have the room at Eaglebrooke from 6:30 to 8:30.  This is a strict and set time limit.  The meeting begins promptly and ends on time.  This is non-negotiable.  If you unavoidably come in late or have to leave early, please do so without detracting from the ebb and flow of the meeting.

Dress needs to be appropriate to the location. 

No motorcycles are allowed on the property.

Time lines/limitations

“Every attendee is offered the chance to share their work.”

For this to be possible, be aware of timing:

Be prompt

Know what you have (1,000 words or less)

Do the math – divide the number of attendees by the time left to determine how much time you can have the group spend on your piece (preface, presentation, and critique combined)

Establish a purpose-setting question (what do you want from your listeners)

It should take the same amount of time to critique 1,000 words as it did to present those 1,000 words.  Weigh how valuable your impending comment is against how much time has already been spent critiquing a certain presentation. 

Develop partnerships to extend reading/sharing beyond the confines of the Tuesday night meetings

Subject matter of the presentations should be acceptable to an audience of mature teens and older adults.

Respect is tantamount in our group.  We are made up of all different spiritual paths, political views, genders, careers, hopes and dreams and abilities.  It is your choice to stay or not to stay. 

There are many other writers groups in the area.  We can recommend a few if W4AS is not for you.

Membership

Associative – You have agreed to adhere to the Copyright Laws and this Approach.  You will receive emailed information about the business of writing, have access to our website and social networks, and be invited to most of our activities.

Active – You have attended a minimum of three Tuesday night meetings.  You have agreed to adhere to the Copyright Laws and this Approach.  You will receive emailed information about the business of writing and have access to our website and social networks, and be welcome to attend all of our activities. 

Dues, Fees, or other Financial Support – W4AS in neither a non-profit nor a for-profit business; we are a group of people formed around a common interest.  As such, there are no dues involved in membership.  There may be fees associated with certain activities, which need to be understood before participation occurs.  Members and non-members may support W4AS with donations to cover the many expenses involved in sustaining this group.  All funds are in the care of our Treasurer and open to accountability at all times.