So ends an era that began in 1991. I wanted to write novels and, after every publisher in the country rejected my first, I was advised to join a writers' group and get critiques. I saw an ad in the paper for the local RWA Chapter and went to my first meeting where I learned why every publisher in the country had rejected my novel. I realized that I, a former editorial secretary with a B.A. in Creative Writing, had to go back to writers' kindergarten and learn the whole process from the ground up. (A business journal is not a genre novel.)
Lots of learning, lots of growth through good times and bad. Thanks to RWA I learned to write fiction (plots, character development, dialogue, pacing, POV) and tons of "how to be a writer" stuff, like critique groups, how to query and submit, identify publishers, how to find an agent, how to get rid of an agent. I felt really good about serving on the Board of my local Chapter, first as Secretary, then Treasurer, and for the past years as Newsletter Editor--again, lots of work but tremendous learning (I got to read all the articles posted to the Editors' loop). And I'm one of those nuts who enjoys obsessing over formatting and type-fitting.
Je ne regrette rien. But sometimes one’s just gotta move on, so I chose not to renew my membership in RWA.
Hi Christie, I also dropped my RWA membership this year (after belonging to RWA for about 25 years.) I was really only keeping up the national membership so I could keep up the membership in a nearby chapter.. As a distance member (Delaware is so small, we don't have our own chapter), I rarely attended meetings, wrote for the chapter newsletter from time to time, served as a mentor for anyone who asked me and gave workshops at the annual local conference. Unfortunately I was told rather bluntly that "RWA exists for the benefit of the unpublished members." Hmmm. Since I'm published and pay the same dues as everyone else, that just didn't seem fair to me. I can't imagine supporting a group that treats me like a second class citizen. (Why would anyone?) So...I decided it was time to move on. Never complain, never explain. Just move on. Interesting we both made the same decision. Glad you are happy with the decision, as I am.
ReplyDeleteGosh, being unpublished for so many years it seemed to me RWA was for published members! I attended Chapter meetings regularly, but it's a very small chapter, currently an endangered species.
DeleteAre you in other writing groups?
HI Christie, no, I don't belong to any other groups. I started writing solo when I lived in North Carolina, there were no writers' groups, I had no connections, etc etc.
DeleteWriting solo can be a lonely business. Any chance you might, for example, put a note up in a library or bookstore bulletin board and connect with other writers? I've made some odd but ultimately helpful contacts through unlikely channels.
DeleteI am no longer a member of RWA. I joined in 2005 (I think it was) and then rec'd three contracts from Samhain Publishing in 2006. I needed to belong to advertise in the Romance Sells but otherwise I wasn't like you in my local chapter. You did a lot as a member for your chapter. My closest chapter was in Cincinnati and far enough that I didn't go often plus had a lot of sports to attend on weekends for my kids.
ReplyDeleteCommute time to meetings and kids can really eat up one's weekend--time when you could be writing. Fortunately my Chapter met close enough for me to attend regularly.
DeleteBest of luck with life after RWA.
Best of luck with this new direction! I'm only with RWA so I can attend the local meetings. Our local group is fabulous! Maybe RWA will catch up to it in a few years.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoy your local group. Yes, you can get so much from face-to-face with fellow writers. A word casually dropped can open up a whole new perspective.
ReplyDeleteMay you and your group live and prosper.