The ‘Write’ Approach

The dozen or so adults of “Write On” began meeting in January to review and critique each others work, giving tips and helpful hints to fellow authors-to-be.

Amateur writer Kristina Skaggs of Joliet began the group with Channahon author Denise Baran-Unland and said she had previously put some of her short stories online under a nom de plume for feedback, but then she was ready for some face-to-face interaction with other writers.

“Denise and I came together to create the group for critiquing and feedback,” Skaggs said.
“We collaborated to get it going. I think everybody wants that creative writing class from college. ... It’s a free place to come and share our stories.”

Skaggs admitted it can be difficult to expose one’s writing for criticism, but she added that most writers really have that desire for someone to take a red pen to their work to enable them to see things from a different perspective.

“We’re alone a lot,” she said, “and we want to know what other readers think.”

Skaggs said the first Write On meeting was fairly small, with five or so writers attending to receive “writing assessments.”

The group has grown to around a dozen now, though, and they are considering splitting it in half. It’s difficult to give everyone individual attention as the group grows, she said.

Skaggs loves the variety of personalities and writing styles she sees in the group, though, and hopes to spread the word even more.

“I want to keep it changing,” she said. “You need to have more and more points of view.”

Those who attend are from all different walks of life, Skaggs said, and all ages with various styles of writing and subject matter. They all have the goal of publishing, though, she said, and two are self-published authors already.

Stephanie Zydron of Minooka was actually on her way to the library to check out a writing book when she saw the sign for the Write On group.