That doesn’t really sound like a title for a post on a writing blog, does it? Well, maybe it makes sense, if you watch the show.
I am a fan of the show Jane the Virgin. I admit to liking the earlier seasons better (when the telenovela plot concept was fresh); but it’s still something I watch weekly when episodes are posted on Netflix. I fell behind on the show last year when I was living in Montreal; my work schedule kept me pretty busy. One of my friends recently brought it up, so I caught up so we can talk about it.
So now that I’m caught up and there’s a short gap between episodes, I’m going back and watching from the beginning well, listening, rather; I leave it on while I’m at work. And let me tell you, that show has been causing some issues.
For those of you who don’t watch the show, one of the plot points in JtV is that Jane is a writer. She starts off with writing just as her dream, and then she pursues it, and by the end (of the episodes that have aired), she’s published. This plot is really what made me stick with the show. I love her determination when it comes to pursuing her dream. She has a baby and works hard to balance both a newborn and her graduate writing program*, and then finds the story she’s meant to write. There need to be more shows about writers (Castle, anyone?)
When I was just catching up, this show was MAGICAL. I saw Jane getting published, and something in the back of my brain just clicked into place. I give about 60% credit to Jane’s success, 40% credit to starting a fantasy video game with my best friend. I haven’t made this much progress in YEARS. I’ve redone my main character, so she’s more relate-able** and has realistic flaws and goals. I have a direction in which the story is going. I have a middle. I don’t have an end quite yet, but I know where it needs to be. I’ve also started researching mythology and vikings culture. It was going fantastically.
And then, I started to rewatch it. In the first season, Jane goes to a small writing workshop. I thought, that sounds like a great idea!
So I googled writing groups in my area. This led me to find Meetup, and several writing groups.
And that’s my problem. I am totally intimidated by this. I’m not great with people, and these writers are pretty intense. Check out this description:
This is NOT a group for deluded romantics who “want to be” writers, or who “dream” of being a writer. This is for the poor souls who DO write, and are GOING TO WRITE anyway, and may perhaps enjoy doing so in the friendly, relaxed company of others facing the same struggles.
Now, I personally kind of feel like I would be considered to be in that first group. My writing varies. I don’t have page number goals. Most of my notes are written in emails to one of my friends. I can’t even keep a blog.
So…I’m avoiding that group until I get out of my research phase. There are some smaller groups that meet as well. If all else fails, I will make my OWN writers group! For writers just like me. I don’t need one, but I really thought it would be helpful to get me motivated even more.
See you next time!
*Mothers: is this realistic? She does struggle a lot with this, but has a huge support system
**is this right? Relate-able? Relatable? Spell check isn’t sure.
Zoey Delmaire Writes 