Writing/Critique Groups
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Workshop Invitation
A week after I submitted my query, I checked my email. I didn’t have an email from the agent, but I did have one from the event coordinator of my SCBWI chapter. She asked if I would lead a workshop this spring! I am so excited. I have wanted to lead some workshops or classes,… Continue reading
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Manuscript Update
So obviously, I’ve gone quite awhile without posting. Lack of Internet access coupled with some domestic adjusting to new jobs and things of that sort are my excuse. But really, I just needed a break from constantly updating this blog. 😀 But hopefully, I’m back, at least semi-regularly. And I have a new deadline! If… Continue reading
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Freewriting Together
Last week was one of the most fun freewriting groups I’ve ever had! We laughed so much—well, I did anyway. I also received a great compliment: “I don’t think anything you’ve written wasn’t golden.” So that made my day. 😀 Of course, the response to the next freewrite was a look of horror, but even… Continue reading
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Let the Critiques Begin!
So, last Sunday, I attended my FIRST EVER CRITIQUE GROUP!! Dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuh. It went incredibly well. I was all set to watch the clock to make sure everybody got their time in the spotlight, but we didn’t need it. I learned new things about picture books and folktales. I am clueless about picture books,… Continue reading
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Preconference
Freak out moment. I am about to go to my first ever writer’s conference! And I have a critique. So, pray for me. I will be back hopefully on Monday with a recap of the event! If not Monday, then sometime next week, I hope! Yay!! Continue reading
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New Plan
After restarting Book One a half dozen times in the past nine months as well as completely rewriting section one two and a half times, I was beginning to despair. (Sometimes, Anne of Green Gables’ melodramatic description of being “in the depths of despair” seems completely appropriate. . . .) I reinvigorated my urge to… Continue reading
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Gladys
At my free writers’ group a couple of weeks ago, only two of us showed up. We still quite enjoyed ourselves. One of our prompts was to look at one of the customers where we meet and then take ten minutes to write what she thought about that morning. I could only see the back… Continue reading
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Second Best
I just had, I think, the second best writer moment of my life. One of the ladies at my free writer’s group stayed after for a few minutes to talk with me. She encouraged me to look into publishing something short, like an article or short story, to tide me while I finish (ha ha)… Continue reading
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First Writer’s Group
You will be shocked and appalled, I know, but yesterday, I went to my first ever writer’s group. (Shocked because I’ve never been to one before, not because I went.) It’s a small local group and seems to be mainly just for fun. We spent the entire hour and a half responding to free-writing prompts.… Continue reading
About Me
I have always loved writing stories, but I was surprised as an adult to learn I love teaching as well. I hold a B.A. in Digital Writing and an M.F.A in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Fantasy has always been my first love in literature. Superheroes and science fiction also hold a special place in my heart. My favorite audience is middle grade readers, but I enjoy young adult fiction as well.
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A. W. Downer 