From Classroom to World’s Greatest Writing Group by Robin Pearson

The Class:

I doubt I’m like anyone else in SCBWI. I didn’t set out to write a children’s book. Oh I daydreamed about it and had various topics rolling around in my head. I thought I’d tippy toe around the notion indefinitely, but then Heather Shumaker happened!

I signed up for Heather’s children’s book writing class on a whim, and as my fellow classmate Dorie stated, “It was two days packed with valuable information for beginning writers on both writing and publishing. I would take any class Heather offered on any topic. She did not mince words or waste our time.”

Throughout the class Heather mentioned how valuable it could be for classmates to continue to meet following her class. Her nudging must have worked because before I knew it we were collecting each others’ email addresses and I was offering to find a meeting place and time for our newly formed writing group. As classmate Cathy put it, “The biggest takeaway I received from Heather’s class was the importance of not only being part of a writer’s group, but making sure that the others in the group are at the same level of dedication as myself.”

The Group:

Since I knew nothing about writers groups, I researched what they are and what they do. Using what I learned at our first meeting we made a list of what we wanted our group to be and here’s what we decided.

• A place to share ideas
• A place to share information and resources
• A place of support
- To create a safe environment to share work
- To create structure and accountability
- To critique each others work
- To motivate each other to finish projects

At our second meeting we gave our group a name and listed activities for upcoming meetings. Our newly formed group will now be referred to as WG2 or “The World’s Greatest Writers Group.” Our group prides itself on being welcoming and encouraging. In fact, Cathy remarked “They have already encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone when reading a piece of my work, which was both terrifying and exhilarating! I am happy to be embarking on this journey with my dedicated and driven WG2 friends.”

WG2 Member Make-Up:

Here are just a few of the amazing members of WG2, which proves why we’re so excited and energized by the variety and level of talent our group has.

• Heather Johnson is planning a book about her blind, rescued dog Finn that will highlight his capabilities, not just his disability.
• Dorie is an amazing artist/illustrator who already had the group critique her story, “Science of the Cecropia Moth,” and has met with Mission Point Press
• Marty is a retired teacher and lesson planner who has so many great book ideas that we told her she should do them all.
• Cathy is a Pre-school teacher who read a draft of her story about a girl who handles her bully on the playground that blew us away.
• Kendall wants to fill a niche by getting children excited about poetry especially boys
• Ellen has become my personal cheerleader when after apprehensibly describing my two book ideas she exclaimed “Just do it!”

Heather Shumaker and her class were the glue that brought us together. What we do as a group from here is all on us and the future looks pretty bright for WG2!

Robin Pearson is retired from Dept of Natural Resources, a professionally trained voiceover actress, a mixed media artist and new to children’s book writing who lives in Northern Michigan with her husband Dan, rescued dog Roxy and Cosmo the cat.







Editor's note: In response to the pandemic stay-at-home period, Heather Shumaker created "a weekly author chat to kids and families designed to boost spirits, keep kids engaged with the power of stories and books, and give everyone something to look forward to each Friday." You can find the Fiction Friday author chats on Heather's website: https://heathershumaker.com/2020/04/07/fiction-fridays-author-chat/

SCBWI-MI reminders:

The submission window for the two Nonfiction Mentorship Competitions opens in just a few days!
SCBWI-MI members may enter the competitions on May 5th, and the submission window will remain open until May 26th or whenever we receive 30 applications. Everything you need to know is here: https://michigan.scbwi.org/2019/10/23/non-fiction-mentorship-2020/

New extended deadline for the Member For Members Scholarship Fund!
Applications will be accepted through June 1st, and the winner(s) will be announced on June 15th. Everything you need to know is here: https://michigan.scbwi.org/2020/01/26/members-for-members-scholarship-fund-2/

Free Zoom webinar this Sunday, thanks to Jay Whistler!
Go here:
https://michigan.scbwi.org/events/scbwi-mi-community-wide-shop-talk-may-3/














Save the Dates!
The Fall 2020 Conference has been moved to Spring 2021, and plans are underway. Mark your calendar for April 23-25, 2021 and stay tuned!