tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post7093141816896222155..comments2024-03-27T18:06:04.484-04:00Comments on Murder by 4: Writers Groups – Are They Worthwhile?Marta Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-32568269213296020462009-07-25T20:18:53.974-04:002009-07-25T20:18:53.974-04:00I agree wholeheartedly, Shirley. I'd been writ...I agree wholeheartedly, Shirley. I'd been writing professionally for years, but was going nowhere with my career in fiction until I joined RWA two years ago. Now I have several short stories published and a novel-length rough draft in the editing stage. (I also have a pre-RWA MS hidden in my closet. ;-) Best wishes to you for continued success!<br /><br />Janice (from WW and TrueWriters)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-23627316550574269612009-07-24T19:30:45.013-04:002009-07-24T19:30:45.013-04:00Lisa, no problem on linking our site to yours. We&...Lisa, no problem on linking our site to yours. We've had some really great guest bloggers on MBR in the past 1-1/2 years (not to mention the articles posted by our regular contributing authors). Hope you stop by often!<br /><br />Shirley, looks like you had a good day. It was great having you as a guest. Look forward to hearing from you again.Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-40032563859285489612009-07-24T16:34:11.469-04:002009-07-24T16:34:11.469-04:00Thanks again for inviting me to be a guest blogger...Thanks again for inviting me to be a guest blogger. And thanks for all the comments. I'm off to the gym now, but will check the site later tonight. I've enjoyed it.Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04337958837908666504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-59013154086125504822009-07-24T15:22:10.962-04:002009-07-24T15:22:10.962-04:00I just wanted to let you know I've linked to t...I just wanted to let you know I've linked to this post in the first ever <a href="http://theworldoffiction.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">World of Fiction newsletter</a>. Please let me know if it's a problem, and I'll be happy to remove it.<br /><br />- LisaLisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07741237838882454162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-91414903113033111202009-07-24T14:58:02.285-04:002009-07-24T14:58:02.285-04:00I do think that being associated with a local grou...I do think that being associated with a local group is important. I also belong to RWA and MWA, but there's nothing like meeting in person with people who write also. <br /><br />Bookie, you mentioned that you haven't found anyone who writes along the same lines as you. I had that same problem when I first started. I belonged to a romance group, but I enjoyed mysteries too. That's when a few of us got together and started a mystery writers group. Have you thought about starting one more in your line of writing?Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04337958837908666504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-259152893988247522009-07-24T14:52:23.658-04:002009-07-24T14:52:23.658-04:00Very encouraging blog today. I do belong to a writ...Very encouraging blog today. I do belong to a writer's group, but I am pretty quiet there. Have not found anyone to connect with who is writing along my lines, but it is good to hear about others' work.<br /><br />The story about a editor coming to you was inspirational! Thanks for sharing it and your other thoughts. cmBookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043111213031211794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-22350817667993044302009-07-24T12:22:19.766-04:002009-07-24T12:22:19.766-04:00Marilyn, I've heard of PSWA. Can you tell us w...Marilyn, I've heard of PSWA. Can you tell us what the benefits of joining are? Sounds interesting. And what are the fees?Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04337958837908666504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-38482850650754908532009-07-24T12:16:07.823-04:002009-07-24T12:16:07.823-04:00I've belonged to the same critique group for o...I've belonged to the same critique group for over 20 years, invaluable as they act as my first editor.<br /><br />I also belong to three Sisters in Crime chapters and have spoken at all three--but my closest one nearly every year. <br /><br />I'm also the chairperson for the Public Safety Writers Association's conference and have made lots of friends through them, especially police officers who I can rely on to answer questions for me.<br /><br />Marilyn a.k.a. F. M. Meredith<br />http://fictionforyou.comMarilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-68819725727481624222009-07-24T11:34:02.107-04:002009-07-24T11:34:02.107-04:00Thanks Marta. Networking is definitely important. ...Thanks Marta. Networking is definitely important. And so much easier with today's technology. I've looked at a couple of Virtual Conferences lately. I do wonder if that's the way things will be in the future. Definitely won't replace meeting in person, but better than nothing. And lots of information to choose from.Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04337958837908666504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-48194114799788938412009-07-24T11:25:44.657-04:002009-07-24T11:25:44.657-04:00Hi Shirley. Networking is so key to a writer's...Hi Shirley. Networking is so key to a writer's marketing plan and yet few understand the value in it. Thanks for joining us on MB4!Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-10313132845462894062009-07-24T11:16:12.495-04:002009-07-24T11:16:12.495-04:00Good morning, Cait. Thanks for stopping by. Nice t...Good morning, Cait. Thanks for stopping by. Nice to see faces I recognize like you and Gary.<br /><br />I prefer to stick to topics regarding writing and selling short stories, since I'm more comfortable with that for now. I received word that the fall issue of The Forensic Examiner is out now, so I'm awaiting my comp copies. Short stories are So much fun to write.<br /><br />I do have a blog at http://cleverchronicles.blogspot.com<br /><br />Our writers group, Sleuths' Ink has a blog also at http://sleuthsink.blogspot.com<br />From here we link to all of our members's blogs, which is good publicity for them as well.Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04337958837908666504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-22070951643370523472009-07-24T11:02:19.694-04:002009-07-24T11:02:19.694-04:00Good post, Shirley. Now, do you have favorite topi...Good post, Shirley. Now, do you have favorite topics upon which you speak? Are you available for more blogging and you have your own, right?Cait Londonhttp://caitlondon.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-82513242639352535302009-07-24T10:26:34.295-04:002009-07-24T10:26:34.295-04:00Thanks for the invite. I'm actually hoping to ...Thanks for the invite. I'm actually hoping to make it to a writer's meeting tomorrow where Gary Presley will be speaking. Since I belong to several groups, it's not always convenient to make it to all the groups, but I do enjoy hearing about everyone's sales! It's boosting for me to know that anyone is selling something.Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04337958837908666504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-1592678148069090462009-07-24T10:19:57.039-04:002009-07-24T10:19:57.039-04:00Exactly, Shirley! It's essential to hone those...Exactly, Shirley! It's essential to hone those bonds and keep each other afloat. <br /><br />Welcome, by the way. ;o). It's wonderful to have you here!Aaron Paul Lazarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06117814221437165664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-12801164630882855882009-07-24T10:15:11.851-04:002009-07-24T10:15:11.851-04:00I agree. I've made so many wonderful friends o...I agree. I've made so many wonderful friends over the years. Writers love to share with other writers. It's not a competition thing. We're all happy for each other when one of us makes a sale.Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04337958837908666504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-4695952260613543372009-07-24T10:12:01.769-04:002009-07-24T10:12:01.769-04:00Thanks for coming by, Shirley! Networking aside, a...Thanks for coming by, Shirley! Networking aside, a good writer's group can also provide much-needed moral support and a way to connect with other writers (or just other people, for those of us who live in our caves and don't get out in the sun much :-)s.w. vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102544611773720262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-16012897035002870062009-07-24T09:58:18.294-04:002009-07-24T09:58:18.294-04:00Great advice. "Networking" is an essenti...Great advice. "Networking" is an essential element of getting published. In my experience, writers are generally an extraordinarily generous group, one willing to share advice, marketing tips, and other help.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04513058592327921546noreply@blogger.com