Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 24, 1991 TAG: 9102220033
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHIE DICKENSON/ SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
It is an image shattered by the many New River Valley writers who have created circles of criticism and encouragement in small writing groups.
Several groups grew out of writing classes or workshops when members wanted to continue what they had begun in class.
At least one group is made up of professional English teachers, but most consist of people from a variety of professions and backgrounds. They may meet weekly, bimonthly or monthly in homes, libraries or restaurants, but all the groups exist for the same essential reason.
"We're simply a group of writers coming together to give each other advice and criticism," said Virginia Tech English teacher Ed Falco.
"Some people, once they're on their feet as writers, feel that they want to work alone," said Katherine Soniat, another member of the group. "But I find feedback at the early stages of a piece to be helpful."
Falco and Soniat's group meets every two to three weeks, but they usually send work to each other a week ahead so each member can evaluate it.
The group of 10 members has been together for about six years. Most of them have published novels or books of poems since the group began.
Because the members are teachers from Radford University, Virginia Tech, Hollins College and Sweet Briar College, Soniat added, "It's a nice way to maintain ties between universities."
Encouragement as well as feedback is a function of most writing groups. Simone Poirier-Bures, another Tech English teacher, is a member of a group that has named itself Fugue States.
Like members of her group and others, she has had publications and awards for her work. But for most writers, she pointed out, rejections come more frequently than acceptances.
"It's heartening," she said, "to go to a group where everyone is struggling - and everyone feels that even without the `world's approval,' writing is still worth doing."
Fugue States member Beth Wellington, a poet who works for the Montgomery County Court system, said the process goes both ways. She likes having the opportunity to encourage new writers as well.
"I started writing seriously because others [in previous writing groups] took me seriously," she said. "So I've always tried to participate in things like that, to keep that continuum going."
Debbie Barbour is a former DJ, an old-time musician, mother of a 5-month-old boy, and the group's newest member.
"I haven't had time to write anything new lately, but I have been revising and I've been reading other people's writing," she said. "It's reminded me that I like to do it," she said.
Another benefit, said Gyorgyi Voros, is that "when you have to think critically about someone else's work, it makes you look at your own that way."
Su Clauson, a published non-fiction writer and editor of the Virginia Tech magazine, has belonged to the Milkweed Group since 1984.
"My reasons for writing have changed from what they were seven years ago. Then I wrote to understand myself," she said. "Now I write to understand life. In a group you aren't as self-indulgent."
Bob Rivenbark, who, like Clauson, also writes for the Roanoke Times & World-News, has had four plays produced and is working full time on a novel. He likes being able to experiment with work in progress.
"The people in this group are patient," he said. "I can bring things back several times. It gives me a chance to try things out."
"We've learned to trust each other," added Cheryl Ruggiero, another Virginia Tech English teacher.
This was evident in the reaction of Josh Phillips, a dairy farmer, after lengthy discussion that included positive and negative remarks about one of his short stories.
"Thanks," he said after a short pause, "that'll give me something to think about while I'm milking tomorrow."
Phillips has won awards for his work, and several other members have awards and publications. However, he said, "I don't look on publication as a validation of what I've done. I don't feel bad saying `I'm a writer' even though I don't have a string of publications."
"That is not the focus of this group," said Clauson, even though they do share information on contests and publication opportunities. "We just want to keep writing."
Michael McKee, president of The Writing Group, an official club at Radford University, said that among the reasons this group exists: "It's our belief that deadlines are good for us. . . . We influence each other a lot."
The group was founded by former Radford student J. Michael King as an outgrowth of a contemporary literature class taught by Louis Gallo, who is now the official sponsor.
King, now a Radford graduate, leads an independent group that developed out of the original one. An added effect of the existence of all these writing groups is a sense of professional community among local writers.
Members of some groups have worked with those of other groups to hold public readings as well as to sponsor "open mike" readings for new writers who don't belong to a group.
Many also have participated in readings at places such as the Morning Star Bakery in Indian Valley or Chauncey's in Blacksburg.
Nancy Corey of Fugue States is a great advocate of such community as a means to get you started and keep you writing.
"If you're sitting out there and want to write," she said, "place yourself with other writers."
by CNB