National  Novel Writing Month! The goal of annual November event National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days.

Join in on the fun at www.nanowrimo.org

Why a writing group? Writing is often a solitary activity.  Just you and that pristine blank screen or paper hungering to be filled. As one poet one said "No Man is an Island"  and man being a social animal benefits from reaching out.  A writing group or writing partner can keep you on track, help you hone your skills or simply supply that sympathetic ear that really understands when your characters just won't behave or you just got your 57th rejection letter. A writing group can be as simple as a few like minded individuals meeting for a cup of coffee and chat or a highly structured program of instruction with a stated goal in mind.

unstructured writing group. (UWG) provides an opportunity to practice you skills and develop your writing voice through timed writing sessions. Open to all. We have had writers in all genres from graphic novels to political essay from memoir to fantasy, from detective novels to poetry. Work from supplied inspiration or your own projects.  Bring paper and pen or pencil. Meets at Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo at 9:30 AM Mon. and Wed. and Fridays. Look for us in the back. Contact Bob Schumacher at 360-830-4968 or by e-mail at bobschumacher@attglobal.net   for further information.

Silverdale Writer's Roundtable   This workshop takes a dramatic twist on critique by reading scenes in a reader's theatre format. Members of the group read character dialogue and narrative aloud to help hone flow and voice as well as other aspects.  Meets at Austin Chase Coffee in Silverdale every Saturday at 9:30 AM (Yes, that's right, Saturday morning. But we let you sleep as late as you like on Sunday.)  to provide specific feedback and information regarding your writing and how to get it published.  Please bring a scene or writing sample, approximately 700 words in length and an open mind.  Scene should be double spaced. One copy per character plus one for narration. (Between 4 and 7 is usually sufficient.) Contact Bob Schumacher at 360-830-4968 or by e-mail at bobschumacher@attglobal.net for further information.

Join the Fiction Writer's Workshop at the Poulsbohemian  for concise critiquing that helps stimulate and prevent blockage.  Every Monday night at 7:00 PM sharp. $6 per meeting, which even includes a latte. Bring samples of your work to pass out, and then sit back and listen to the skilled criticism. Also encourages submissions by providing a solid list of potential publishers.  These are supportive groups and a good community of writers to help you. Questions? Call Marianna for poetry at 779-9199 or Sue Riddle at 779-5779 X295 for fiction. The group has been meeting here for nine years and is currently full.  Call the Coffeehouse for details and if there might be an opening. 

Adult Workshop led by Byron Sacre. Meets at 10 AM on the second and fourth Thursday of the month Now at 3431 Lowell in Old Town Silverdale. Bring multiple copies of your work to be critiqued or just add your opinion to others. This group helps writers to polish their work and proceed through the publishing process.  Open to writers of all genres. (This group has produced eight books thus far so maybe it's working!)  For info: e-mail blsacre@juno.com

Eagle Harbor's Science Fiction Writing Cooperative  2nd and 4th Tuesdays 7 PM
Since 1999, members of the Science Fiction Writing Cooperative have shared their passion for speculative fiction -- and now they are expanding their audience. Ann Lovejoy, Northwest gardener and writer, and Paul Hanson, manager of Eagle Harbor Book Co, founded the supportive group where, under the aegis of science fiction, writers of all sorts hone their skills in fantasy, hard science, horror, slipstream fiction, myth, mystery, and magical realism. Their newest anthology, OBLIQUITY, is imaginative storytelling with, at times, no more than a passing nod to the ordinary norms of science fiction, fantasy or magical realism. Certainly readers can expect to visit the far reaches of outer space and the inner spaces of computerized intelligence, the distant future and the mythical past, but they will also encounter unexplainable forces of nature, non-corporeal life forms, even intergalactic humor, in tales that might not have made their way into more conventional science fiction/fantasy collections. Their first anthology, OFF THE ECLIPTIC, represents the best (so far) of the short works produced by some of the more regular of the irregular members of the SFWC. Both books are available at Eagle Harbor Books. For more information, contact Paul Hanson at the bookstore.

Peninsula Romance Writer's Association  Co-sponsored by Kitsap Regional Library.   Meets the third Saturday of each month, in the Heninger Meeting Room at the Sylvan Way branch.  Location: Sylvan Way Library -- 1301 Sylvan Way, Bremerton 98310, 360-405-9100  Next meeting Aug 16th 10:00 AM

Writer's Roundtable - Not really a group but a series of presentations on various aspects of a writer's work from assorted guest speakers. The monthly Roundtable, free and open to writers of all levels and interests, takes place the third Tuesday of each month. The guest author introduces the topic, and then participants break into small discussion groups. The evening closes with reports from the groups, a recap by the guest author, and socializing. For other Field's End programs, go to www.fieldsend.org.

All meetings are free unless otherwise noted. Many free classes or workshops meet in cafes or bookstores, please be considerate of the customers and staff. And order something once in a while. Let's keep them friendly to writers!