Tuesday, December 01, 2009

November

You'd be forgiven for thinking not much happened in my world in November if you've been looking at this blog. Not true. Actually I've been emulating the swan - gliding effortlessly over the water while paddling madly beneath the surface.

There were health issues, family issues, a computer that crashed and died and all the other things that make up life, of course, but the big thing was the Egoboo WA retreat. Egoboo WA is a group of five writers, who have made the commitment - the enormous commitment - to read and critique each other's novels culminating in a three day face to face critiquing marathon at Eagle Bay. This involved providing a completed draft of our own novel as well as reading well over 500,000 words - the combined total of the other four novels - and providing detailed comment on each novel. Novels had to be up by October 22 and critiques ready by November 25.

The group is of necessity a closed one because once you get more than five members the volume of reading is too much but it is working for us. We had good advice from the ROR - wRiters on the Rise - group who have a similar very successful set up.You can read their blog - Ripping Ozzie Reads - here.

So now you know why there have been few posts. I've been lost in four amazing worlds and, since I came back, tweaking and playing in my own as I profit from the critiquing skills of the others.

If you want to know more about Egoboo WA have a look at our blog here. We'd love to see you.

4 comments:

Rowena Cory Daniells said...

Good luck with your Writing Retreat, Helen.

I'm sure you'll come away from it, brimming with enthusiasm and ideas!

Cheers, Rowena

Helen V. said...

Thanks, Rowena.

Satima Flavell said...

It was a great time, wasn't it? Down to earth now though, to start another round of editing.

Helen V. said...

Yes, lots of work to do - only, I don't know if you've noticed, there are only 23 days to Christmas!!!