R. I. P., AWG
The Alameda Writers Group, aka AWG, went dark this year
after a long and productive run as one of the premier writers’ support groups
in the Los Angeles area.
I was a member for many years, and only now that it’s gone
do I fully appreciate the benefits I derived from AWG.
At the General Membership Meetings I heard speakers like
acclaimed novelist Diana Wagman, as well as writers from TV series like “Rome”
and “True Blood” and had a chance to tell them in person how much I enjoyed
their work. Some speakers discussed their craft and others told encouraging
stories about their long and winding roads to publication/production.
It was a priceless networking tool, and I owe many of my
friendships—including those of ALL the Writers in Residence—to the AWG, either
directly or indirectly.
The relationships I formed through AWG were instrumental in
my producing a published novel, thanks to the critique groups I joined. In
them, I experienced the “tough love” that only fellow writers can provide:
honest but compassionate feedback on what worked in my writing, and what
didn’t. I heeded their comments, went back to my novel-in-progress and reshaped
it until it did (mostly) work.
One of my peak AWG experiences, in fact, came when I joined
fellow novelist Heather Ames (whom I met in those critique groups, one of which
she moderated) to address the membership and describe our paths to publication.
Why am I going on and on about a now-defunct organization?
Partly it’s guilt. AWG began to founder, and I did nothing to prevent it, so
this post is a big mea culpa. When
new leadership made some missteps, and many of the members felt the
organization began to drift off-course, all I did was gripe about how AWG had
lost touch with fiction writers. Some of my colleagues did try to intervene, but
they were rebuffed, and I used that as an excuse for inaction.
Membership dwindled. New leaders came on board and tried to redirect
and re-energize the group, but the damage had been done. Finally, the meeting
venue closed down for renovation, and it became obvious that it was time to
turn off the lights. All good things must come to an end and all that.
But I think it’s important to recognize the value of AWG,
and I know that if I ever find another group like it, I will try to do more to
keep it going. Good old hindsight.
When I joined AWG, I’d left a career in the business world
and had a vague notion that I would devote myself full-time to writing.
However, I wasn’t sure I had what it takes to be a “real” writer. Over time, I
began to believe that I did have the makings of novelist, if I was willing to
work at my craft and be open to feedback, and the result of all that was, among
other things, Mending Dreams. I wrote
my novel, and I found a publisher, and I honestly don’t know if that would have
happened if I hadn’t joined AWG all those years ago.
And so, with apologies to Lerner & Loewe, “don’t let it be
forgot, that once there was a spot. . .” where writers of all kinds were
welcomed, acknowledged, encouraged, and given a chance to improve their craft.
For that, AWG, I thank you.
