I
had this preconceived idea of what I would get out of a writing group.
I thought being around people - no matter their age or writing genre of
choice - would make me feel like part of a tribe - like together we
would do great things and make each other better and it would be rosy
and delightful.
I am the only person in my writing group under the age of sixty. Most of them are twice my age. I'm fine with that - though part of me thinks they like me around because I somehow make them relevant...
And I have never felt more irrelevant.
1. They are all devoted Christians.
2. Their work is all blatantly Christian.
3. Every time I read my work to them I'm afraid I'm being shocking - because, though I myself am a Christian, I am not writing for the Christian market and I include themes that they would never touch with a ten foot pole.
My book includes such things as: polygamy, prostitution, statutory rape, religious leaders who get sucked into 'bad behavior', child abandonment, hate, revenge...and I could go on.
Instead of hearing me explain that there are also powerful themes of redemption, forgiveness, self-discovery, family, hope, love - they left me with this: "Well, I feel there's just too much terrible, negative talk about religious leaders these days."
Because, in writing this book, I am perpetuating the stereotype that every Pastor is a sexual predator?
THAT ISN'T EVEN REMOTELY WHAT I'M SAYING!!!
Needless to say, I left that meeting feeling unheard, unsupported, and like I was writing trash.
I know it's a lie. I know it. But it still put the brakes on and made it hard for me to move forward.
I really think they are lovely people. I really think they do want the best for me in my writing pursuits. I also think, not every group is for every writer.
Perhaps it's time to find a new group. One for people my own age. One that's not afraid to explore the darker edges of humanity.
Wish me luck as I seek it out...
I am the only person in my writing group under the age of sixty. Most of them are twice my age. I'm fine with that - though part of me thinks they like me around because I somehow make them relevant...
And I have never felt more irrelevant.
1. They are all devoted Christians.
2. Their work is all blatantly Christian.
3. Every time I read my work to them I'm afraid I'm being shocking - because, though I myself am a Christian, I am not writing for the Christian market and I include themes that they would never touch with a ten foot pole.
My book includes such things as: polygamy, prostitution, statutory rape, religious leaders who get sucked into 'bad behavior', child abandonment, hate, revenge...and I could go on.
Instead of hearing me explain that there are also powerful themes of redemption, forgiveness, self-discovery, family, hope, love - they left me with this: "Well, I feel there's just too much terrible, negative talk about religious leaders these days."
Because, in writing this book, I am perpetuating the stereotype that every Pastor is a sexual predator?
THAT ISN'T EVEN REMOTELY WHAT I'M SAYING!!!
Needless to say, I left that meeting feeling unheard, unsupported, and like I was writing trash.
I know it's a lie. I know it. But it still put the brakes on and made it hard for me to move forward.
I really think they are lovely people. I really think they do want the best for me in my writing pursuits. I also think, not every group is for every writer.
Perhaps it's time to find a new group. One for people my own age. One that's not afraid to explore the darker edges of humanity.
Wish me luck as I seek it out...