Rules of Write Club

Note from the Editor: When we first started, these rules were a kitschy take on the fact that our name sounded a little like Fight Club. We were a few renegade writers conquering the fear of sharing our writing together and we thought these rules might help. After almost a year of writing together, we've shared and created a whole lot of poetry, a few excellent short stories and there are novels on the the way. With new writers joining us, we realized that these rules weren't just a funny little thing to have, we needed them.
We're serious about destroying the fear of sharing art, and that needs to happen in a safe place. A place that is free of judgement, protective of unfinished ideas. A place where each of us is looking out for all of us.
With that in mind, I give you; The Rules of Write Club.

1. Do not talk about what we read at Write club.

By all means, talk about the club! Invite people! But know that you (and any guests you bring) are trusted with the honored position of alpha reader, who sees a piece in while it is still a work in progress. How many masterpieces never got shared because someone was too afraid to submit them to the editor? Don't talk about what you read at write club. Also, be careful with links to work in "The Editor's Office" on the drive.


2. This is not Fight Club.

We don't do cross talk while we're critiquing a piece, because we're talking about the piece not the author. Any criticism is about the work only, and should be paired with praise for something the piece does well. While a piece is being critiqued the author ought not to respond until the end of the session, and then only to explain, never to excuse, and for goodness sake never, ever apologize.


3. If anyone gets uncomfortable, they say stop and it stops.

We don't want to cause anyone to stumble. If anything that is being read makes anyone uncomfortable, just say it. That being said don't be afraid to go anywhere. Your work wants to be written, and if that takes you into some dark places, then take some light (and a close friend) with you and go there.


4. Keep all interactions public, 3 or more to any communication or meeting.

As we are sharing our art we are baring our hearts. We're all a little more vulnerable. In order to prevent disunity or romance from hijacking this group we need to make sure we have lots of eyes and light on all our interactions. Strive to be above reproach in this.


5. The only requirement for being a part of Write Club is a desire to overcome the fear of sharing art.

We will talk about techniques, offer writing prompts, share our writing, and have fun. That being said we don't allow spectators for the reasons discussed in rule #1. Besides, it won't be any fun if you can't share your art with the club! That being said...


6. If this is your first time at Write Club you have to share something you've written.

It might just be a short poem we wrote that day, or even an essay you wrote for school, share something you're proud of, or something you want to make better. It doesn't have to be your best piece, or your super secret million copy bestseller that's in the works, just something. We understand that everyone is afraid to get their work in the open, the first step to overcoming that fear is to trust a group of writers that have walked that road.  

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