Dearest Members,

We have collectively decided that the forums and forms should be viewable only to PSWG Members. If you haven't yet created a membership, doing so is an easy step and can be done on nearly every page on the site.

Also, Jeremy has shared some html coding to protect shared stories from Web crawlers and robots, furthering the privacy of your work in the forums!

Minutes from 2-16-10 Meeting (courtesy of Sandy)

Attendance: Holly, Sandy, Reggie, Jeremy, Delia (The snow kept others away.)

I. Critique:

-Discussed the work that was handed out last month from Sandy and Holly. Everyone had helpful suggestions. If you didn?t attend the meeting, you can still let Sandy and Holly know your thoughts on their work via the forums.

II. Learned:

- Ywriter - Helpful writing tool. It has an outline format.

- Sandy & Jeremy will add contest information to the website.

III. Book Suggestions:

- Little Bee by Chris Cleave

- The Help by Kathryn Stockett

- The Blue Zones by Dan Buetner

- Turnip Blues by Helen Campbell

- Anything from Robert Jordan

- The Descent by Jeff Long

- Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt

IV. For Next Meeting on March 9th, 2010, 7-9 PM:

1) Members will read Delia?s work. It will be emailed to members, that weren?t at the meeting, so they can also join in the discussion next month.

2) Holly will let us know if Linda?s work will also be distributed for next month?s discussion.

3) Members will bring ideas, materials, and sources to every meeting.

4) Reggie and Jeremy will bring their work to handout for April discussion.

Due to rather [insert witty comment here] weather, we have decided to move the meeting to next Tuesday (February 16th) at 7pm. While the meeting will still be held in the Bethel Park Library, we are uncertain if we will be able to meet in the same room. The Library will have signs marking the location for the meeting to prevent lost, wandering writers from succombing to the lure of shelved books.

In all, it's been quite an interesting weekend and we hope that everyone is safe, warm and ready for some motivation!

See ya Tuesday!

Sandy's Minutes from 1-12-10 Meeting

Attendance: Holly, Sandy, David, Bob, Jim, Reggie, Eric, Alaina, Delia, Charlie, Linda.

I. Introductions: We learned that the group is writing - History, Memoirs, Non-Fiction, and Fiction. Some joined the group for motivation and inspiration. Others joined for networking and the art of writing. We are unique because - One of us was: On “The Wheel of Fortune” show, Cannot roll their eyes, Experienced “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 30 times, and Found their spouse on EHarmony.

II. Brainstorming: We plan to do some of the following during the second half of our meetings:   (Change it up – always something different.)

- Discuss: Our writing process, How to get un-stuck, and Different genres.

- Share: Networks, Contest Information, and Speakers.

- Writing Exercises: Use prompts and Explore different areas of writing.

III. Learned:

- Editing software: Editor.com and Style Writer.

- Publishing: Outskirtspress.com and Lulu.com.

- Books: The Foxfire Series, The Devotional Life Handbook by D. David Fink, Nine Lives of Clemenza by Holly Christine, Finding Water, and Inspired Writing.

IV. For Next Meeting: on Tuesday, February, 9th, 2010, 7-9 PM:

1) Members will read and respond to Sandy and Holly’s work. (It will also be posted in the forums.) It will be discussed during the first hour of the February meeting.

2) Members will bring ideas, materials, and sources to every meeting. (They can also post them on the website.)

3) Use RSVP button on website for February meeting.

4) Delia and Linda will bring their work to hand out for the March discussion.

In what can only be called an effort to add more stress to the holiday season, I started writing a new novel. I know that Sandy is working on the final touches to In Zoey's Head and plans to finish by the New Year as well. With so much going on, why is it that the muse decided to knock on the door?

I'm creating old diary entries and had to dig around in my old memory box to find it: the diary that I kept from 3rd to 5th grade. I'm trying to understand how a nine year old would write a diary entry and this is what I've found: Nine year old girls are gossip queens.

When writing, how do you research? I know we all probably take advantage of the Internet (I'm incredibly lost without Google), but what other methods have you used or are you using right now? I read somewhere that Jodi Picoult spent a good bit of time in a local prison when writing Change of Heart. Has anyone else gone to these lengths to perfect a story?

Drop a comment!

Happy Writings and Happy Holidays!

We've added the I Write Because PSWG Introduction Video to the homepage. Thank you to each author that contributed words! We hope the video inspires and encourages you in your creative endeavors.

The FAQ section was added to answer a few questions regarding the nature and intentions of the group. Have a question? Feel free to email either Sandy or myself and we will post your question and reply in a timely manner.

We added a Group Forms section so that the group has easy and quick access to the forms that we will utilize to make our meetings as efficient as possible. The Personal Goals form will be used to understand your wants and needs of the group, thus allowing us to make the most of each meeting, in addition to the online community.

Happy writings!

~Holly

I'm in the process of creating an introduction video for the group. I want your input!

Finish this prompt:

I write because...

Email me at hollyPSWG@gmail.com with your entries until November 14th to have your words included in the video!

Happy Writings!

~Holly

Today marks the one week anniversary of the site (or so I was reminded by webs.com).

On the homepage, you'll notice we added a Writing Quote of the Day. I hope this helps with inspiration to get that pen moving!

In the forums, a Poetry section was added to the Critique Boutique. Also, for those interested in social networking, I added a few topics for Bloggers, Twitter and Facebook users. Feel free to add your own!

Finally, a contest topic was added to the forums to allow users to find new creative prompts and challenges. Please feel free to post your findings and thoughts!

In its first week, the website tracked nearly 150 visitors. Don't be shy! Introduce yourselves and start networking with like-minded Pittsburgh writers.

Happy Writings,

~Holly

Welcome to the Pittsburgh South Writers Group! Today marks the official launching of the Pittsburgh Writers Group website.

Sandy and I have booked our first group meeting at Bethel Park Library on Janury 12, 2010, at 7PM. In the meantime, please feel free to browse the site, visit the forums and chat with members. I'll break the ice by posting a short story in the Critique Boutique!

If you have any ideas, comments or questions about the group, please send an email to hollypswg@gmail.com

Happy Writings!

~Holly