Writer's Wrap by Thomas Wayne King

~~ Writer's Wrap ~~

So I lift my pen when I have a thought,

Gotta quickly get that insight caught.

So many words come flyin' by.

Can't catch 'em all, but I need to try.

I write.  I write.

I'm an active soul who needs to move.

So when I get in my writer's groove,

I gotta focus, gotta keep my goal,

Or this distracting world will take its toll.

I write.  I write.

Ideas come and ideas go.

Which words to trap, it's hard to know.

Sometimes profound and sometimes stupid,

Words can be Satan and they can be Cupid.

I write.  I write.

Words can hurt and words can heal.

I try to keep all of my words real.

They may be simple or create a plot,

But fake or phony my words are not.

I write.  I write.

From early days when words were pictures

And memories got put into scriptures,

The writer's role was to mark it down

In ways that'll last, and might bring renown.

I write.  I write.

The spoken word flies by so fast,

But our written words can last and last.

We writers live such a real short time,

But our words go on, whether prose or rhyme.

We write.  We write.

(Slowly, thoughtfully)  The spoken word flies by so fast...

But our written words will last and last!

We writers live such a real short time,

But our words go on, whether prose or rhyme.

We write.  We write.  

We write.  We rite.  We right.  

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Copyright 2008 – 2017 Thomas Wayne King.  All Rights Reserved.

* * *

                        

      "Writer's Wrap" leads of sixty raps, poems, and lyrics in Sailor of the Sun, Thomas Wayne King's second volume in his Tales from the Red Pump series. Sailor of the Sun (ISBN 978-1-365-47774-4) is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu, and other suppliers. Tom is always glad to talk about, read, and sign his books. Please contact him at RunHikeSkiNow@gmail.com              

Why Join a Local Writers' Group?

Why a local writers' group? What's the point anymore?

Some writers might wonder about that, feeling as though, in today's world of social media bringing us Facebook groups, writers' forums, podcasts, newsletters, emails, and a host of other ways to connect, the need to regularly get together in person has become moot. Yet, in the heart of every reclusive independent, introverted writer lies the need for occasional community and a safe place to reveal our untested work, gush about craft, and re-energize with some kind of fuel besides coffee to take us back to the drawing board.

I am part of such a group and never underappreciate the mentorship the St. Croix Writers brings to my development as a writer.

"That's nice for you," you say. "I don't live anywhere near such a group."

If you don't, my heart goes out to you. Stay in those online communities, especially if you find one where you can give and receive feedback on your work. However, don't let it stop there. Try starting a writers' group if you can, even if you can only find one other person to act as your critique partner. Get together weekly if possible, and no less than monthly. Nourish your writer's soul.

If you do have the availability of a group near you, and you've hesitated to check it out, here are ten benefits that can be had by meeting together in real, live person with other writers on a regular (not-only-at-conferences) basis:

1. Helpful Criticism. You will learn how to receive it and also how to offer it graciously. The thicker your skin gets, the more you'll learn about ways to improve your writing.
2. Ideas. You will get new ones without even trying, because no matter how different another writer's work or genre is from yours, they will almost always mention or read something that will switch a lightbulb on over your head.
3. Friends. You will make new ones from every walk of life and find lots to laugh about together. You'll bond with some folks so closely, you'll cry with them as well.
4. Encouragement. You will be surrounded by people cheering you on and pushing you to keep submitting, including giving you ideas for ways and places to seek publication.
5. Brainstorming Sessions. You will find like minds with whom to toss ideas around or to further develop an idea you're working on.
6. Editing & Proofreading. You will occasionally be able to get help with the actual editing of your work, and in that process you will learn more about everything from active voice to plot construction.
7. Audience. A writers' group is beta reader heaven if you want to know how readers will react to a piece. As an added benefit of great importance, you will see more changes you need to make as you read aloud, and you will also become a better orator and presenter of your work.
8. Hard Facts. They will tell you if your piece stinks -- but they'll tell you very nicely -- sometimes so nicely, it might not soak in until later that a piece needs major work, but you'll be grateful you found out before you sent it off to an editor. Your group might even tell you why you shouldn't give up on a piece, no matter how rough it is.
9. Events. If your group has enough regular members, you can host one another's book release parties, mini-conferences, and readings. Your group might bring light to a region where other would-be writers live and are searching for guidance in ways to begin.
10. Snacks. There are always writers who believe in bringing cookies to everything. Don't underestimate the inspiration that comes with a good snack!

If you are looking for ideas to get a writers' group going near you, feel free to leave us a note. We'll try and give you some pointers.

Write on!

Naomi Musch
www.naomimusch.com

FB: Naomi Musch - Author
Twitter: NMusch

St. Croix Writers member Naomi Musch writes from the pristine north woods, where she and her husband live as epically as God allows near their five adult children and passel of grandchildren. She has worked as an editor for a small press, a staff writer for an EPA award-winning newspaper, a ghost writer, and has published dozens of magazine and internet articles for the encouragement of homeschooling families and young writers. Naomi currently serves on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Writers' Association. She loves engaging with others and always discovering kernels of a new story. She is available for speaking and book groups. Her ninth novel, The Deepest Sigh will release from Desert Breeze Publishing in August 2017.