Thursday 24 October 2013

Exercise that writing muscle in Bodrum


I write this blog because I enjoy writing. Sometimes I'm happy with the result and press the publish button, other times I write a couple of paragraphs, edit down to one and then push delete. I started blogging because I wanted to exercise my writing muscle. I know from experience that composition begets better composition and a blank page will never get filled if you just stare at it. I carry on writing this blog because I have "met" so many creative, original, expressive  and slightly bonkers "friends" and am now a blogger groupie and proud of it.  Recently however, I have felt myself getting a bit stale and hackneyed and in need of a better workout. SO, I am very happy to announce the start of a new writing group in Bodrum. Calling ourselves a Writing Circle, we will meet twice a month for a couple of hours a session  and practice our craft, be it prose or poetry, in an atmosphere of mutual creative criticism.  It is not a class as there is no teacher. Neither is it an English lesson as we will not be correcting grammar.  My fellow co-ordinator Martha Patrick and I are looking forward to our first meeting on Monday afternoon where we will write briefly, share our work and decide how we want our writing circle to develop. 



Martha is a student of the Amherst Writers and Artists method which I am looking forward to hearing about. Pat Schneider, founder of AWA, encourages writers with these words in the introduction to her book, Writing Alone and With Others:

Whether your purpose is artistic expression, communication with friends and family, the healing of inner life, or achieving public recognition for your art - the foundation is the same: the claiming of yourself as an artist/writer and the strengthening of your writing voice through practice, study, and helpful (as opposed to damaging) communication with others. . . . 'A writer is someone who writes,' wrote William Stafford. . . . Every one of us is a writer. You are a writer. You are an artist. Accept it, celebrate it, and practice it for the rest of your life.



If you would like to join us please leave a message below or email backtobodrum@gmail.com








23 comments:

  1. Sounds interesting. You all are going to have so much fun!

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  2. Well done you! I write a blog more like a diary and to share with friends and family who aren't nearby what we are doing. Occasionally (and less so these days,) I do exercise that writing muscle as I love to write just for the sake of it. A blog is a good place to do this but 'our' blogging world has become something slightly different as you say - and I too really appreciate that. Wish I were nearer - I'd love to join your circle. As it is, I am flexing my 'creative' muscle by a lot of doodling!! Have fun. Axxx

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    1. I was just wishing we lived nearer when you were talking about walking the dog.

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  3. B to B, I'm very interested in your experience with AWA and the results of your efforts. This subject is so endlessly interesting - we all write for different reasons - story-telling, journals, polemics, etc. - and, of course, everyone has different sets of expressive skills and levels of creativity. I hope that in the future you blog about what you're thinking because we, too, have put thought into this and sometimes we wonder 'What's it all about?'

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    1. I hope any visit you make to Bodrum can coincide with a writing circle meeting.

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  4. Sounds like a great group! Never thought about writing together or meeting up per se as a group. Fun!

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    1. I joined a group about 14 years ago and loved every minute.

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  5. Ohhh, that's interesting. Sure we'll see updates in your blog anyway, but keep us informed. :) Interesting why you said you started your blog, too, as Jack Scott put something on Twitter today about all the reasons why people blog and I retweeted it. I'll find the link if I can - new to Twitter. ;)

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  6. . . how will 'chatterboxes' get things done? Fun to get together with like-minded similars, opposites and in-betweeners though.

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    1. Make a change from facing a computer screen.

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  7. What a great idea. We all go through a rough patch now and again. This is a good way to up the energy levels and keep the impetus going.

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  8. I'm not sure how I would get on...but no need to worry as the only one here is miles away.

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  9. Sounds like it will be a fun and interesting group ...... :-)

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  10. Hi Annie, not sure if my previous comment made it - just wanted to say, this is a brilliant idea and I would loved to join in!! i am sure it will be inspirational and movitvational, we all need that sometimes - please do keep us posted & enjoy : )
    Sevgiler, Ozlem

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    1. Sorry you other reply must have disappeared. I notice a few I put on your page do the same.

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  11. What a great idea! Such a pity it's too far for me, but I do wish you well. I still treat my blog as a writing exercise, which I enjoy a great deal, and always compose my posts in Word first. I almost always edit and polish, sometimes for quite a while, before putting the post into Blogger and adding the photos, etc.

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