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The Lansing Writers’ Group (LWG) debuted at the Lansing Community Library on January 20, 2010. Started by Vickey A. Beaver, a local writer, the group has a core of about six writers from the area. After two years of fluid, yet stable membership, LWG presents its fourth free LWG Reads! event on Wednesday, January 18, at the Lansing Community Library from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.The writers represent a mix of ages, genders, genres, styles, and publishing aspirations. The all adult group meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the library with few exceptions. Each meeting is designed to allow the writer to read up to a few pages, get a constructive critique, and give one in return for others who share their work. Members use the feedback to strengthen their writing.
When queried what brought him to the group artist and writer Doug Baird explained, “I just finished reading ‘The Circle’ by Peter Lovesey, a mystery about murders in a writers group, when I received notice of this group – it sounded like dangerous fun. It is.”
“The Lansing Writers’ Group is an amazing place for many different people to come together, share ideas, support, and critique each other," comments Lansing Community Library Manager Susie Gutenberger-Fitzpatrick. "I have watched this group grow and change over the years. They produce a varied, interesting, and accomplished array of work. We are so happy to have [LWG] at the library.”
“The Writers' Group is a wonderful asset, not only to the library, but to the community," adds Library Clerk Michelle Calupca. "I am looking forward to the upcoming LWG Reads! since [others have been] so well-attended and caused a great deal of excitement among our local writers.”
The next semi-annual LWG Writers Read! will feature limericks by Baird interspersed between readings of the other writers’ works. Jeffrey Valentine, Kathryn Mapes, Ben Muggeo, and Vickey Beaver will present a cross-section of fiction, memoir, and fantasy. Mapes and Beaver will read on behalf of member Claire Perez who is not able to attend. Questions will follow the reading.
“I have enjoyed the Lansing Writers’ Group during the last year because the members are open to hearing various genres of writing and providing feedback in a positive way," Perez relates.
“One of the things I've liked about this group is that we have a pretty good balance of opinions, genders, and ages," Mapes adds. "If one critique doesn't work for you, quite often another one will.”
“The value of a group like this, for me, is threefold," Valentine sums up. "First, it keeps you honest. It's easy to pretend that you're working on the writing in your head without putting it to paper, but you can't show a group of people the ‘writing in your head’. Second, it's useful in the sense that everyone comes from a different perspective. If the poetry guy, the fantasy girl, the bloggers, and the nonfiction guy all get what you were trying to say, then you've succeeded at something. Third, it creates friendships centered on writing. The third is probably the most important.”
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