Writers' groups

I don't know if I told you that I had made a call for writers in my area in order to start a writing group. There was an immediate interest and we met once -- in a bar, which, despite only one other group of customers -- seemed unsuitable for our needs. Everyone brought along a piece of flash fiction and we read it out loud and commented on it. Proved to be impossible to me; I hate reading aloud as I'm simply not capable of doing so and, being ADHD, I couldn't focus on the stories, meaning I couldn't give feedback.

However, it was to be a one-off in the bar. I never took part in writers' groups before, except online (authonomy, to me, is one huge writers' group) and had not idea what to expect. The plan was to write a story each before the next meeting, then sending it around so we could comment on each others stories. But then, what's the point of meeting then? I can send each member the story back with my edits and vice versa.

So I sat down and wondered what good a writers' group would be for me. Perhaps reading each other's manuscripts, if there are any. But what do you do when you don't like the writing? For many it's more the 'getting a kick in the arse' to actually write something, a problem I don't have since I write daily, either on my novel or in form of a short story.

I came to the conclusion that it's not for me; I'd rather do my own thing, to be honest.

Do you have experience with writers' groups? How do you feel about it?

The return of the muse. Oh, how I've missed you.

It was a busy day for me, exhausting, to be honest; the release of Candlelight Sinner was a bit more complicated. I had to update the other two books for Kindle and Smashwords and I get easily confused. Yes, give me three sheets of paper and I'm in tears. Well, not that bad, but I have to concentrate very hard to get everything right.
Never mind, after hours of fighting with the different formats, I had the books updated and my latest baby released into the world. It's free on Smashwords for today until midnight and after that will be $3.49/£2.31. Still not bad, I would say. The downloads are flying in, but from experience I know only 10% will probably read the book. Many just hoard it. But I'm happy for the 10% to be able to flee from reality for a while.

To celebrate, I will write a 500-word flash fiction piece for my newly launched writers' group. I've given the prompt 'On a winter's night' and to be honest, I can't wait to write something; it's itching heavily. My muse has probably been ringing the buzzer of my former flat, trying to get in and help me writing. What a surprise when my buzzer went and the lost muse showed up. Back to writing!
I'm also looking forward to what people of the group come up with. I have only met two of them 'informally' and they are lovely.

Since I want to write two books this year, I better get cracking soon, right? My horror thriller, which exists of two scenes so far, one of them you can find here, has been calling, the story slowly forming in my mind. I will, though, write the scenes first and then weave them into a story. It's probably multi layered. Typical. Nothing easy for me please.

If you need to get your arse from the sofa and the fingers to your keyboard, feel free to use the same prompt. :-)

Happy writing, everyone.