~ Birds of a Feather ~

  "The difference between the right word and the almost right word, is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
                                           -Mark Twain

           

Birds of a feather flock together......so I'm told. And so we did, on Saturday last. Two local writers groups, Ozark Romance Authors and Sleuths Inc, pooled their resources and hosted 'The Mega Critique Group and Write-In Event' at The Creamery Arts Center. There was room at the table for everyone no matter what kind of bird you were. 

What a fabulous way to kick off the new year; with a day devoted to our passion. 

Dozens of people thumbed their noses at the cold January day to sit in a room surrounded with their brothers-in-arms. It is a universal truth that the next best thing to writing, is to be in a room full of like-minded people and talk about writing. In my case it's even better, because my best friend was sitting beside me. Two souls joined at the hip.

Fingers were flying across laptop keyboards. The hushed atmosphere made it all the easier to pick up on the creativity crackling in the air around us. I plugged into the energy and my story soared. Two hours whipped by in the blink of an eye.

Writing is grueling work.....therefore the hoards must be fed. The hosts of our party took good care of us. And once we had been properly fueled up, we were prepared for the last half of our day.

Critique sessions were offered for the brave souls who were willing to put their words on the table and allow strangers to run their fingers through them. Please don't break anything and play nice, I whispered to myself. Encouragement was served up with a smile and a red pen and I am happy to report that no writer walked away from the room bloodied or bruised. 

What stories begun in this room will find their way to the public at large? Who knows. But it was a wonderful day of camaraderie and my battery feels fully charged. I look 2014 in the eye as I roll up my sleeve and say,

BRING IT.