YourHub Kicks Off Writers Groups

I've been attending writer’s conferences for several years now. Last year, I joined two writer's groups in Colorado Springs: Springs Writers and Pikes Peak Writers. In August, I also became a "citizen journalist" on YourHub, a community website sponsored by the Gazette, our local newspaper. It is a fantastic venue to write about whatever you like!

Because YourHub is a "website community," I suggested to Kecia Seyb, the editor for the eastern Hubs, shortly after I joined that we start having regular meetings so we can meet other "Hubbers" (I coined that phrase to describe citizen journalists on YourHub) face-to-face to talk about ideas and socialize. She brought up the idea at their next staff meeting, and the folks at YourHub decided it would be a great idea.

This November, the Gazette hosted YourHub's "One Year Birthday" party and had a great turnout! They announced that they would start monthly meetings after the New Year. Also at the party, they awarded a laptop to the winner of Story of the Year (my story "The Popsicle Man," came in Third Place), and gave out certificates and gift cards for Writer of the Year and Photographer of the Year in each "Hub." (There are 15 total Hubs, separated into 4 regions.)

Wednesday, January 30th, was the kick-off meeting for YourHub's Writer's Groups. I was so excited to get a writer's group started in the Powers Hub that I couldn't sleep when I got home--I don't think it was entirely attributed to the mocha frappuccino I drank! Tim Bergsten with the Gazette opened the meeting and explained to the newcomers that "we" (the citizen journalists) can use YourHub any way we like to:

Talk about events in our neighborhoods
Solve neighborhood issues
Record our kids' achievements
Share recipes
Post photos
Document vacations
Tell stories
Sound off
Review movies and restaurants
Write blogs
Announce local events
List items for sale

Whatever we want! The sky is the limit and we have unlimited web space--we do have to keep it clean, of course.

Many of the stories are then pulled from the website and printed in the weekly insert that comes out on Thursdays and are in the subscription newspapers. I can still remember seeing my first story in print in the insert--it was a wonderful feeling! I wrote a story about a group of men playing football who left their trash behind in a brand new park in Colorado Springs, called America the Beautiful Park. It is home to one of the most amazing water fountains I've ever seen! Kecia loved the fact that I took pictures of the culprits, and the Gazette actually printed the photo in that week's insert. Here it is if you'd like to take a look: http://coloradosprings.yourhub.com/Powers/Stories/Sound-Off/Im-Mad-About/Story~353327.aspx

Our guest speaker for this first meeting was Karen Linamen, one of my favorite authors and fellow Hubbers. Her topic was "Why Writer's Groups?" She explained how she formed the Old Colorado City Writer's Group (OCCWG) at www.meetup.com/822 and in a matter of weeks, they have 44 members. What does YourHub have to offer the members of OCCWG? Or any writer for that matter.

1. It's a chance to build a portfolio, online and in print.
2. It's a great way to give feedback to other members (she instructed to leave positive comments on the website, but constructive criticism should be sent privately).
3. It's a perfect opportunity to improve our skills, hone our craft, and meet deadlines.
4. You can connect with other like-minded creative people--she is amazed at the caliber of people, their skills, and the talent represented, not just in her group, but on YourHub too.

OCCWG meets once a month and follows a format. Nametags are important! Hershey's Kisses are given out as a reward for posting on YourHub in the past month (Karen doesn't go anywhere without chocolate!). Their first meeting was in November and the group's members have posted over 50 stories and 150 comments since then.

I am really looking forward to starting my own Writer's Group. I'll keep you posted with information as soon as it becomes available. Oh yeah, I'm thinking of calling it "Clio's Circle"--Clio being the Muse of History and Writing. Any other suggestions?