Haus of Rhi September 2023 Newsletter

 

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Craft Chats make a better Writers Group Every writer struggles. Many times, usually, in the process of a single book. A critique group that only reads what you've already got written isn't going to necessarily be useful in helping with plot structure, character dynamics and consistency, or a million other details that aren't restricted to a single story.  So when I took over a group that was losing its leader, I discussed with the other members what would help them the most in their writing process. Since none were previously published, we settled on a structure that didn't focus on line edits, but would hopefully be more valuable. And that's how our Craft Chat began. We have focused discussions on dialogue, plot structure, character POV, conflict, antagonist forces. Helping new writers feel brave enough to keep going also inspires me to hack through the underbrush and push on with my own works. I'm giving them what I wish I'd had a couple decades ago, what would've helped me, and all the things I didn't know (my English and Creative Writing education was sloppy at best). I've had to teach myself a lot of things, and that can be difficult to do when you don't know what you're doing wrong. What's best of all? A lot of writing's aspects, from the POV of author's craft, are consistent across genres. Our tools are the same even if we employ them differently. Getting to talk to people about my writing every week. When I'm struggling or need to vent, or need an unbiased opinion, it's really encouraging to have other writers who can offer encouragement or support. Walking others through their issues that I've had firsthand experience tackling. For me it's become a great motivator and battery charger, so to speak.    My Latest Tool There are two volumes to this particular title, and I'm planning on working through the second one in the coming month(s). Click the picture to see the book listing. If you're a writer and the group idea piques your interest, please let me know. While expanding the existing chat group may not be feasible, I'm willing to start a second weekly chat. Reply to this email or reach out to me at rhianon.etzweiler@gmail.com Every Artist-Writer Needs Tools More than that, we need the right tools in our toolbox, and here's a few I've found especially useful in the past two years. https://writershelpingwriters.net/writing-tools/ https://onestopforwriters.com/storytellers-roadmap Story Genius Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is also worth checking out because everyone works differently. And Scrivener, obviously. I've had this program for so long that when the most recent version update came out, I had to buy it again because my version was incompatible, obsolete.