Monthly Meeting Held, Saturday, September 19th

This past Saturday our September meeting unfolded as promised, with the focus on finding inspiration and getting over writer’s avoidance behavior. Everyone shared stories, techniques to keep reaching word goals on a consistent basis, and we all came away with new brainstorming ideas. We discussed guilt and how to get over that too, and be free to just write. Everyone left with their worries in a little bag to place aside when necessary. A nearby Target reported a rush of timer purchases.

The group energy was high and the meeting helped many to refocus and enjoy writing again and “just do it.” As was reported on several facebook pages…people are hitting their word counts in record numbers.

Attendance for the September meeting was strong, with 24 attending.

Other discussion points brought up at the meeting:

RWA Status

Kathy Steffen reported the first level inquiry package is complete and on it’s way to National Headquarters. We await approval and instructions for the next steps.

December Holiday Party

Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner. Bobbi Dumas asked that if anyone is willing to host a party, to let her know. We will all bring refreshments, holiday cheer, and never-ending gratitude. If no alternate location surfaces, we will rock the library.

March Write Off, Nano Style

Every year in November several MadCityRomancers engage in Nanowrimo, or National Novel Writing Month, where each writer attempts to hit a word goal of 50,000 words by the end of the month. It was suggested we do a MadCityRomanceWriMo sometime this winter, just when we are all going to be out of our minds with cabin fever and desperate for an extra boost to blast to the end of our writing projects. Or for an inspired and strong lift-off as we begin a new one. More information will come as we set this up. Everyone agreed March would be a good month to hold this event.

October 17 Meeting

Don’t miss it! Jena Reynolds is going to “show you how to use tarot to brainstorm ideas for stories, come up with characters, plot your stories, write scenes and description, work through blocks and snags in your writing and be more creative.” See “Upcoming Meetings” for more details.

First Meeting, what happened...

The meeting was held as scheduled and it was well attended. I, your loyal recorder of happenings for the time being am just slow in reporting. Please read below for the details...
August 22nd MadRomance Meeting

1. Statement of Purpose

To form a group supportive of each other and our writing. We are not planning on this being a promotional group. The organization's goal will be to serve and keep the focus on the people in it and their writing, keeping the organization itself in the background.

2. The reason for starting this group
   There are enough RWA members in Madison who are enthusiastic enough to support our own RWA chapter.


3. RWA affiliation


• Pros and Cons
  There were a number on both sides, but consensus seemed to be that the pros outweighed the cons. So, we are proceeding with the RWA chapter affiliation process.


• Dues requirements

We hope to keep it to $15 annually.

4. Name
   Mad City Romance Writers


5. Meetings
   Middleton Library, Saturday mornings (probably 3rd Saturday) at 9:30 a.m.


6. Website/Newsletter
   Low maintenance was the key here. Will have a blog that serves as both. Will not break out members as published or unpublished on the site. Will not promote individual authors or their books, contest wins, etc. on the site.


7. General Group Vision


• Loop, membership forms, etc.
  We will continue to use the Yahoo group loop already in use. We will try to be as "green" as possible and do as much as possible online (lower paperwork).


• Funds, needed and plans
  One of our goals is to actually stay small financially. No contests or conferences. There are already a number of conferences within an easy drive of Madison. And numerous contests our members can enter with other chapters.


8. What we need right now for RWA affiliation process to begin

15 members are required by RWA. We had that many sign up as interested in joining at the meeting. We are moving on to the next step.

9. Future goals
   Writers' Retreat paid for by those who attend was mentioned as an option.