Meeting Detail

Group size may vary from five to 15 participants, and groups typically run two to three hours, accordingly. A larger group requires more time so everyone who wants to share is able to share. However, a workshop can be tailored in advance to meet any sponsor’s needs—from an hour mini-workshop to a retreat spanning several days.

When you write in community, you learn a great deal from others, as well as about yourself.

Handouts and the write/read/respond process help you become a better listener. Then, as you tune in to other people’s writing and learn what to listen for, you teach yourself to be a better observer of the world around you, which enhances your writing even more.

Here’s what to expect when you write in one of Susan’s groups:

· Meeting starts promptly with round-robin reading of a poem and a writing exercise associated with the poem: 10 minutes.

· Writers read, and the group responds in turn: 20-30 minutes.

· Second writing exercise: 10 minutes.

· Break: 10 minutes.

· Announcements, distribution of FYI materials, distribution of manuscript for discussion at next session (optional): 5 minutes.

· Writers read responses to second exercise, and the group responds in turn: 20-30 minutes.

· Third writing exercise: 10 minutes.

· Writers read, and the group responds in turn: 20-30 minutes.

· Round-robin reading of closing poem: 5 minutes.

Typical meeting is…e x p a n d i n g !