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The birth of a writing group

Early in the twenty-first century, a group of folks met around a large table somewhere in metro Halifax. They were ready to fork some money over to learn some things about writing. For eight weeks, they learned about plot, characterization, pacing, point of view, dialogue, setting, time shifts, and theme. Each week, they would bring in their stories – either short stories, or longer works in progress. And they would read, proofread, critique, and discuss. As the writing course progressed, their writing skills grew gradually stronger. The ten or so writers proceeded on a first-name basis, and friendships were formed between empty-nester grandparents, forty-somethings with time on their hands, and retired educators.

When the last evening of the writing course came to a close, each one went home, and each one asked, “What do I do next? Shall we stay in touch?”

Not a month later, they exchanged emails, and several of them met over coffee. One of the group had a story he wanted the others to critique. Another related her plans for a historical novel, and would they be willing to read through the first chapter with a critical eye. And so a writing group was born.

One such group was the Monday Morning Musers, later known simply as 'Afterwords'.
It was active from 2005 to 2016. ...read more