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Who Are We?
BAWL held its first formal meeting in April 1987. BAWL's first writing conference occurred in March 1989. We have been meeting continuously since then, coordinating many conferences, workshops, and hosting monthly guest speakers for Houston and Galveston area writers. In 1997 BAWL became a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit corporation chartered by the State of Texas. Renewal of this status is currently pending. Today BAWL members are all over southeastern Texas and beyond. Member volunteers offer various services to the writing community. We host write-ins, publish a yearly anthology, distribute a monthly newsletter, post announcements regarding member's accomplishments, continually update our resources list, and provide a place for sharing ideas and information in our Member Forums. What is a Write-In? It's a meeting of writers who join together to write. Why would a writer do this? To force himself to write: if that is what it takes to get a move-on in his work. You don't have to write alone. It is a set time to write with other writers. A write-in can break writer's block, build confidence, inspire that creature in your brain that has to write and has fallen out of the habit, help you share your thoughts with people who have been there, or a write-in will call out your muse if she is hidden or lost. Most writers struggle with some or all of these problems: real characters, thought-provoking ideas, storylines, plot essentials, style, and sometimes finding their true genre. Write-ins help writers, which is why Write-ins have been a part of the Bay Area Writers League for many years. It keeps you trying: even if it is the only time you write. Life often gets in the way of creativity, no matter your creative field. Visual artists often paint or draw together, to learn from each other, and be inspired to continue practicing their craft. At a write-in, writers do the same. Join us and grow your skills and learn to whip out that muse at a moment's notice. You can do it. We are here to help. We welcome writers of all genres and styles, all levels of experience, and all types of writers – fiction, non-fiction, poetry. We always provide a prompt, and some of us read what we have written at the end. You can write whatever you are currently working on and read or not read – your choice. Sometimes, just being in the presence of other people writing, will help to keep you going or get you started and on your way. It's akin to a writer's fix. We are meeting online now. You don't even have to get in your car and go to a meeting place. If you are new to Zoom, then email for an opportunity to practice first and if, you want to join us and need the login connection, email Becky. Our main write-ins occur every Monday and Wednesday from 9:30am to 11:00 am hosted by Becky Ellisor. We also hold a once per month event on the third Saturday at 3:00 pm for two hours hosted by Julie Pitzel. Go to our EVENTS page and register to write with us. BAWL Critique Group A critique group is a group of writers who get together regularly to examine and discuss each other’s work. In the case of BAWL’s critique group, we will meet twice a month. At this point, no work will be submitted before the meeting; instead, writers will bring copies of their work to share. Because of this, only short pieces (six or fewer pages) can be critiqued so that everyone can have a chance to read and get feedback. Anyone who writes and is open to giving and receiving feedback is welcome. Sometimes you’re not ready to hear any comments on your work that may be negative, or it may be a very personal piece. That’s okay. Don’t bring it to be critiqued then. Instead, bring pieces that you need help with, bring first drafts (even if they suck), or bring a finished piece that you think might need to be improved. As the critiqued, you have some responsibilities. First, prepare. You need to bring your work to be critiqued. It’s not fair to skip bringing work while commenting on other’s work. Once it’s your turn, you can read your work aloud, or, if you prefer, you can ask someone else to read it for you. The reason to get another person to read it for you is that you can get a fresh read: you know what you wrote. The other person is bringing a fresh set of eyes to the work. Second, accept comments with grace. Bill Hader said “I've learned that when people give you notes on something, when they tell you what's wrong, they're usually right; when they tell you how to fix it they're usually wrong.” Take the feedback for what it is, someone trying to help you. Don’t get defensive, but when it’s your turn to talk, feel free to ask questions to get a better understanding. Remember that you are not your work. As the critiquer, you have your own set of requirements: First, be honest, but not brutally so. Be tactfully honest, but don’t lie. Don’t tell someone that their work is the best you’ve ever read if it’s not. But do tell them what you like, and then let them know where you had problems. It’s okay to say, “This isn’t normally what I read,” or “I don’t know if I understand this correctly,” but don’t say, “This sucks,” or “I hate this.” Second, focus on the big idea. You don’t need to review the manuscript with a red pen, marking all the grammatical and spelling mistakes. Instead, look for issues within the writing itself. Does the author change the spelling of a character’s name or the physical description of a place or thing? Is there a plot hole that needs to be filled? Is there a section that dragged? Speak up. Contact Kate Sangar for more information. Get Involved!
Besides the monthly activities we are always looking for opportunities where we can leverage our organization to benefit the members. |
Bay Area Writers League has many opportunities to join with other area writers to improve your craft, meet contacts, keep motivated and have fun. If you want to get to know us first: join us at one of our Write-ins online. See above.