The Writing Circle: Writers and Their Stories

[Rachel-K]

We get a closer look at how the Leopardi's operate as each of the writers makes progress with his or work, work and brings chapters in. 

Are they are as supportive as Bernard has claimed to Nancy?

We hear from Virginia, Chris, Nancy, and Adam in these sessions. How close do each of the writers seem to the pieces they bring in for the group?  How personal are their stories? 

How personal or objective are the critiques given during the sessions? Would it be possible to be perfectly objective?

Do any of the chapters brought in for discussion surprise you, or add to your understanding of the writers?

Would you join this particular group if you had the chance?

[nfam]

Personally, I wouldn't join a writer's group where the writers are so competitive. Gillian is the worst example. However, her critique is dead on target. I think Corrine would do well to have taken Gillian's suggestions to heart when she wrote this novel. When Gillian gave her critique of Nancy's novel, I couldn't help thinking it applied equally to "The Writing Circle."

[CharminKB]

I do believe that the majority of the members are supportive - all but Gillian who seems to be only there to amuse herself and grace the other peasant writers with her unmatched talent.  The others seem to listen and try to give appropriate - yet helpful - advise.

Obviously, Nancy is close to her work - - she has shown her apprehension towards revealing it from page one.  Adam also seems to be very close to his work.  The others seem passionate about their work - but lack the personal feeling towards it.

While all members give advise, I do feel that most hold back somewhat.  They don't want to hurt Nancy's feelings, or anger the all holy Gillian---but, if they can't be honest, why have the group at all?

Honestly, I found most of the work brought by the members terribly boring.  I did like Adam's and Nancy's - but the others were just things I would never read for pleasure---least of all the poetry! 

Would I join this group?  Part of me says H*LL NO!  The other part of me thinks that if I were fortunate enough to write - anything - that I would be confident enough in myself and my writing to be able to offer it up to a group such as this.....although I don't know how long I could tolerate the attitude of Gillian or the like!

[violetangel]

About the only thing missing from the catty writers group I opted NOT to join is members actually tweeting sections of the books being workshopped that they find most stupid.  It's groups like that real life one and this one depicted here that keep me from wanting to even consider it outside of a class with strict critique guidelines.

[DSaff]

Are these writers helpful or hurtful with their comments? I think they are all trying to be helpful, even Gillian. Gillian has an added problem in that she has no tact. Her comments come off as mean spirited, but she is usually right. I think they all secretly want a "good" word from her and put up with the vinegar in hopes of a small serving of sugar. The group seems willing to listen and then comment, with minor interruptions here and there. So, yes, I think they are as supportive as Bernard claimed. I think Nancy is able to function as a constructive critic, and is getting better with sharing her work.

Adam is not just looking for approval and help from the group. He especially wants it from Gillian. He wants her to like his work and be supportive. Adam needs to get some courage, strength, and belief in himself, for many reasons.

I also think that most of the members try to be objective with their critiques, but personal things do get in the way. The party was catty, and I felt like each visit to a different home was as critiqued as the writing. I don't know if I would have the courage to sit with these people and expose my writing to them, although I think I would learn a lot.

[dhaupt]

I think most of them are supportive of each other, after all they are there to critique. each others work.  But when Nancy was reading from her manuscript I got the idea that Gillian was using it as something more sinister.

All of the authors seem to be close to their story, Chris's is a series so I think he knows more about the personalities etc than some of the others, like Adam who is trying to reconstruct his story to better fit his personal life.

Objectivity is never perfect it involves personal opinion so there are always flaws, but I think most of the writers are contributing not just their opinion of the other's work but their experience also.

I would not like to be a part of this group, I would always feel inadequate especially if Gillian were there.

[Deanne75]

Are they are as supportive as Bernard has claimed to Nancy?

I think that if I were in Nancy's shoes, I would feel a bit let down.  Getting to know Bernard as the oblivious, self-centered person that he seems to be, and also my feeling that he somewhat defines himself as a member of the goup, I think that Nancy probably feels like Bernard misled her a bit.  I do give Nancy credit, though, for sticking with the group and pushing through her misgivings and unease at sharing her novel with them since it is such a deeply personal subject to her. 

We hear from Virginia, Chris, Nancy, and Adam in these sessions. How close do each of the writers seem to the pieces they bring in for the group?  How personal are their stories? 

I feel that Nancy's story is the most personal.  She is writing about her father whose relationship was very dear to her.

Chris's stories seem the least personal to me.  Although, I do see some qualities of Chris in his main character, his series of novels seems like it would fit into more of a "formula thriller/suspense/crime" category. 

After having finished the book, I still feel that Adam's writing reflects the sort of life he wishes he had and that his characters seem to be the kind of people he might want to be when he grows up.  It is no secret that he is not all that happy being a designer of tennis shoes.  I feel like he wants to live vicariously through his characters.

How personal or objective are the critiques given during the sessions? Would it be possible to be perfectly objective?

I think that the Leopardi's are such a small group and that their current lives and pasts are so inter-woven that their critiques would almost always be more personal than objective.  I think that as the newest member of the group, Nancy has the most objectivity.

Would you join this particular group if you had the chance?

No way!  Some disfunction is okay, but I think this group's disfunction reaches seriously unhealthy levels.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

While reading the different "chapters" from each author, I'm a little disappointed that the selections weren't longer.  I was comparing those sections to AS Byatt's Possession and The Children's Book where there are complete short pieces "written" in the various characters' voices and styles; each style is very distinct in those books and I found myself wishing each The Writing Circle characters' "writing style" was more distinct.

I think Virginia is supportive of all the writers; she and Nancy provide some of the most constructive criticism.  I think there is a hint of jealosy in the criticism aimed at Chris's writing; the more "highbrow" writers have the most pointed criticism.  I actually thought his chapter read like one of Bret Easton Ellis or Stieg Larsson's books; Ellis and Larsson do a great deal of "telling" in their books and it does not detract from the story.

I think if I knew the makeup of this particular group in advance, there's no way I'd join; it feels like a pit of vipers (Virginia and Chris aside).  However, if, like Nancy, I were "invited" then found out the first meeting was a trial run I'd probably stick it out, too.

Rachel-K wrote:

We get a closer look at how the Leopardi's operate as each of the writers makes progress with his or work, work and brings chapters in. 

Are they are as supportive as Bernard has claimed to Nancy?

We hear from Virginia, Chris, Nancy, and Adam in these sessions. How close do each of the writers seem to the pieces they bring in for the group?  How personal are their stories? 

How personal or objective are the critiques given during the sessions? Would it be possible to be perfectly objective?

Do any of the chapters brought in for discussion surprise you, or add to your understanding of the writers?

Would you join this particular group if you had the chance?

[Zia01]

Are they are as supportive as Bernard has claimed to Nancy?

We hear from Virginia, Chris, Nancy, and Adam in these sessions. How close do each of the writers seem to the pieces they bring in for the group?  How personal are their stories? I think Adam is the most similar with his work. I don't know why I think that, it's just the impression I got when he read his piece. We all know Nancy has a lot of personal background of her father in her book.

Do any of the chapters brought in for discussion surprise you, or add to your understanding of the writers? Not really, I'm not sure if they really affected me at all.

Would you join this particular group if you had the chance? No honestly they're all a bit off the wall for my taste heh.

[maxcat]

My feeling is this group is disjointed. They doe a lot of arguing after one reads from his/her book and to me, they are in some way critiquing but it's wanting to change the story or something is lackluster. Gillian is always negative in her comments as usual.

The chapter about Nancy's Dad intrigued me and I reread the preface. I still think Gillian is the woman in black. The doctor is definitely Nancy's father. The man on the lawn may be Bernard but the thing about the couple having two boys keeps me stumped. Is it possible that it was Bernard and maybe Virginia had a boy that didn't live very long and so she had a girl and boy?

I don't think I would join this particular group or any writer's group as I'm not a writer.

[Bonnie_C]

Are they are as supportive as Bernard has claimed to Nancy?

I think there is a level of support from each of the members.  Each member takes time to come to the meetings, listens to readings of other members and then voices suggestions.  There may be some cat-and-mouse antics going on as well, but it seems that the critiques given are valid.

 How personal are their stories? 

Nancy's story is extremely personal to her.  But then again everything is extremely personal to Nancy.  I remember the story about how uncomfortable she was that the store clerk was handling the quilt that her and Oates would put over their naked bodies.  Delivering a story based on her father must be excruciating for her.

I would think that any poet would have to be personally involved with their writing, but then in the 1st chapter about Gillian, we find out that Gillian does not "mine" her childhood or her personal life.  So I wonder is she is passionate about her writing or is she someone who can step back and just be technically very good without being passionate?

Would you join this particular group if you had the chance?

Heavens NO!  I agonize over the posts that I do in these discussions.  Why would I ever subject myself to that level of criticism?  But then again, I'm a reader and not a writer.

[Vermontcozy]

Bernard and Virgina are Very Supportive..They listen differently than some of the  others.Although one might not like the choices Bernard has made in his personal life,he is a skilled listener( Only in This Part of His Life),and can  Hear what the writer is trying to get across to the others...He seems to be editing in his head and probably called upon,before the final manuscript is given to ones Editor..Just projecting...will post more tomorrow..Susan..

[cynthiaoh]

I think Bernard mislead Nancy a bit in terms of the support she would find from the group.  Although their critiques may be warrented to help the other members of the group improve their work, it is the way in which they deliver the criticism that is mean-spirited and competitive.  There are a lot of ways to deliver criticism without being mean and hateful as some of the group and support the work of the others objectivity aside.

It appears that each of their works reflect small aspects of their personal lives -- even if it is just an area of interest or curiosity for them.  I think many authors pull directly from their real life to assist them in their writing.  Others, such as Nancy are definitely pulling directly from their personal lives to develop their work.

I would not be a part of this particular group as their are a few personalities that detract from any true value that a writer could gain from the overall members.

[MSaff]

Good Evening Everyone, 

  I don't know about anyone else, but these chapters went a little easier.  I like that we are actually getting to know each of the characters in their own settings and also that we find out more about their personal lives and pasts.  Anyway, I thought I'd just kind of stick that in now, before commenting on these discussion questions.

  As for the supportiveness of the Writing Circle group, I think that in their own particular way, or at least in their own minds, they are being supportive of each other.  There are some points where the criticisms are pointed and what one might call nasty, but there are also some good ideas put out there.  Each writer has the opportunity to take the ideas or leave them on the table.  It is their choice. 

  Not knowing how long each of the members have known each other, it is hard to decide whether they are as supportive as Bernard or Nancy.  As a matter of fact, in my opinion Bernard and Nancy may turn out to be not so supportive.  We'll have to wait and see I guess.

  Each of the writers in this section of the discussion, have their own particular expertise or history to their writing.  Take Nancy for example,  she is writing a supposed fictional novel, but as we read the excerpts, she is telling the story of her father, and at least one incident that he was involved in.

  Would I join this group if the opportunity presented itself?  Let's see, how comfortable would I feel while others tore apart what I would consider a master piece.  (lol).  I'm not sure that I could do that, and as for Corinnne, you have a lot more fortitude than I would have.  You are allowing this group read and discuss your book, even before it goes on the market.  You are to be commended. 

Rachel-K wrote:

We get a closer look at how the Leopardi's operate as each of the writers makes progress with his or work, work and brings chapters in. 

Are they are as supportive as Bernard has claimed to Nancy?

We hear from Virginia, Chris, Nancy, and Adam in these sessions. How close do each of the writers seem to the pieces they bring in for the group?  How personal are their stories? 

How personal or objective are the critiques given during the sessions? Would it be possible to be perfectly objective?

Would you join this particular group if you had the chance?

[Sherry_Young]

Are they are as supportive as Bernard has claimed to Nancy?

We need to look at the term supportive. In this case I don't think supportive means telling the other members that their writing is spot on every time. I do believe they give honest criticism with valid points that could help the plot or the flow of the story or the character development.

We hear from Virginia, Chris, Nancy, and Adam in these sessions. How close do each of the writers seem to the pieces they bring in for the group?  How personal are their stories? 

Chris seems to write for his genre, but I don't see that the piece is personal to him. For him it is more of a means to make his living. Adam seems to struggle a bit with the characters. I don't see him closely relating to his story. Nancy's is obviously a personal story which makes it very difficult for her to share her piece with the group.

How personal or objective are the critiques given during the sessions? Would it be possible to be perfectly objective?

I do believe that most of the characters try to be objective with their critiques - even Gillian. I do feel that some of the personal issues arising between members of the circle could get in the way in future chapters. They seem to be on the edge already. We know that Chris and Gillian don't really care for each other on a personal level. Their critiques of each other are very edgy, but within that we find valid points that could improve the other's writing.

 

Would you join this particular group if you had the chance?

I've never attempted to write much more than assignments for college. I have a story rolling through my head, but haven't been courageous enough to put it to paper. I could not imagine meeting with such a group as this, but if I were more of an experience author it might behoove me to consider such a circle.

[aanjel]

Are they are as supportive as Bernard has claimed to Nancy?

I don't belileve any of the members are as supportive as Nancy or Benard.  Although at this point Nancy is to new to the group to maybe be very critical.  She is still in the get to know the group and very timid about sharing.  I don't think she would want to be critical and face a rebuff from anyone.

Benard, on the other hand, wants to be everyones friend and is not likely to be critical of anyone for fear they might not like him as well.  He gives in to Amiee on everything and I feel he does the same with the group.

We hear from Virginia, Chris, Nancy, and Adam in these sessions. How close do each of the writers seem to the pieces they bring in for the group?  How personal are their stories? 

Nancy is very close to her story as she is writing about her father and she worship him as a child and still misses him as an adult.  She wants everyone to care about her story as much as she does. 

I didn't get the feeling that any of the rest of them were that involved with the stories. 

How personal or objective are the critiques given during the sessions? Would it be possible to be perfectly objective?

I would find it hard to be perfectly objective of the stories of anyone in the group.  Because you see how they expect to be invited to each others parties you get the feeling that they are trying to be friends and therefore would not want to hurt anyone feelings when critiquing the works.  

Do any of the chapters brought in for discussion surprise you, or add to your understanding of the writers?

No, I did not feel like their chapters added to my understanding. 

Would you join this particular group if you had the chance?

I don't think I would.  I find it difficult to share what I write with anyone now.  So joining a group and shaing would be difficult for me.  This group is too disjointed.  I don't think they give fair critiques and I believe they let Gillian take the lead.  However, I would have like to read more of Gillian's poetry.  It might have made me like her a little bit better.

[Vermontcozy]

I think all of their stories are very personal..Chris..Crime Novels,and he knows that area very well..Then he's arrested..He seems to take it very lightly..and of course ,its just another book or chapter he can include ..I like Adam.His perspective is of a younger writer,the others are from an entirely different generation and in my humble opinion,have no concept of what he is writing about,or why its relevant to his book..Most of The Members are too set in their ways,for me to want to get involved in this type of group,if I was a writer...Of course Adam 's focus is on Gillian.The reason he is there.Nancy has issues in her personal,life,everyone does,but she is Very Focused on what she is writing about..She will share only what she wants them to know,....

[pen21]

All of the writers are flawed in some way. Nancy seems very insecure in showing her work or getting married. To me Gillian seems to use people as she needs them. Bernard seems to live in his own world, not understanding the lives of those around him, like his son and daughter. All of these different flaws and how the writers lives are connecting came out more in this section. For me, I am waiting for the last section to see what drama will be next.

pen21

[Vermontcozy]

pen21 wrote:

All of the writers are flawed in some way. Nancy seems very insecure in showing her work or getting married. To me Gillian seems to use people as she needs them. Bernard seems to live in his own world, not understanding the lives of those around him, like his son and daughter. All of these different flaws and how the writers lives are connecting came out more in this section. For me, I am waiting for the last section to see what drama will be next.

pen21

We certainly learn more,I am waiting for the secondary characters to do something that will take us all by surprise. We will know reading the rest of the book by next week.Looking forward to that...At this point I really only like Adam,Nancy the rest of the time...SusanVtc

[literature]

How personal or objective are the critiques given during the sessions? Would it be possible to be perfectly objective?

I think that Gillian's presence sets the pace for the critiques for each of the meetings.  The members were so intimidated by her that they critiqued according to the mood she sets.  Because of this, I don't feel that the members were perfectly objective for fear of being ridiculed, even indirectly, by Gillian.

Would you join this particular group if you had the chance?

No, I would not join this particular group.  I wouldn't want the likes of Gillian there,  Adam came to the meetings sometimes knowing he wasn't going to say anything, Bernard was too non-committal, and Nancy was too new to know even how to act.  Even though each of the members were from different walks of life, there should have been more of a feeling of comaraderie between the group and it was definitely missing.

Now, I would definitely join a writing circle if the members of this First Look group were the group!  Even though we've never met, we are always supportive of each other's thinking and put forth a group effort when trying to figure out characters, plots or even rewriting some of the script.