Welcome to my web site!

Thank you for stopping by, and please feel free to browse and learn all about my world of writing and me. Do click the left button, “Articles,” if you are interested in writing "how to." Listed below are groups that keep me learning and writing:

Writing critique groups: 

Fact & Fiction, which began over seven years ago after a memoir class taught by Margaret Bigger and her book, Recalling Your Memories on Paper, Tape or Videotape. From her I learned that I could write more than brochures, advertisements, catalogs, and  newsletters. She started me on this fascinating journey of writing and to her I will always be grateful. 

In our Fact & Fiction group, and while critiquing each others work, I realized we were not learning. So I purchased writing "how to books" and at the beginning of each session, I passed on to the members what I had learned each month from these books. It forced me to stay ahead of the members and this is where I accumulated my writing knowledge. We meet once a month for four hours--the first hour teaching and the balance, critiquing. 

HisFicCritique Group, an international Historical Fiction Critique group for novelists writing in any period of time, has been my lifeline as a novelist. They have taught me so much and been a true inspiration to keep going. Members are from Australia, Canada, England, Mexico, and the United States. It forces all of us to pour over our dictionaries for words from the different countries.

After studying the basics of writing, my greatest learning experience has come from critiquing others writings. It's so easy to see others mistakes and it becomes obvious, but only after a lot of critiquing, what should and should not be done. It's hard to recognize our own mistakes, but a good critiquer can spot it immediately. I'm grateful to be a part of this HisFicCritique Group.***   

Novelist Group, a group of local novelists started in early 2004. We wanted hands on critiquing and since they did not write historical fiction, they were not eligible to join the above group. ***

Several years ago, I joined the Charlotte Writer's Club which meets nine months out of the year. For two years I have served as Critique Group Chairperson. My duties are to set up critique groups for members. Two groups were set up this past year and hope to start a poetry group in the fall of 2005.***

I would be remiss if I didn't express my thanks and gratitude to Judith H. Simpson for her class and book on "Foundations of Fiction." She taught me an incredible amount in her classes, and I learned so much while helping her edit three published anthology books.***

Then I was turned on to Donald Maass. His book, Writing the Breakout Novel, is a must for every writer. Once you've learned the basics of writing, he will carry you the rest of the way!***

I've actually written my life story, but cannot bring myself to seek publication as yet. Perhaps some day. At four years old, my sister and I suddenly became orphans. Our parents died in a tumultuous automobile crash. I used an opening paragraph from this story for a contest and won third place:     Opening Line Contest Winner    ***

To learn how I write, click on the link to go to an article derived from a question by a member of my international critique group: Writing is Like a Block of Clay

Thank you for visiting my site and please return often.

Jerri Gibson McCloud ©2007