Cultivated Writers

What?

The Sisterhood of Cultivated Writers was born in December 2011 after several online conversations confirmed what I had suspected all along: that I was not the only writer who was hungry for community. It was spurred into existence by Renae of The Paranormalist who held me accountable for that which I’d talked about doing without any real intention.

The sisterhood is an open group that welcomes writers of all types and of all levels of experience — including men, despite the moniker. We aim to provide support, education, accountability and camaraderie for our members as we discuss every aspect of the writerly life from work-life balance to the finer points of publishing.

When?

The Sisterhood meets virtually via a Skype Instant Messaging Chat Room on the second Tuesday of each month, beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST.

January 10, 2012

Setting and Achieving Big Goals in a Writerly Life
with Britt Reints of In Pursuit of Happyness | 9 – ?? pm EST

Help us kick off the New Year with Miss Britt, who has spent 2011 traveling the country in an RV with her family. She’ll share how she has set and achieved big goals in her writerly life and you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas about how the rest of us can do the same in ours.

This first monthly meeting of The Sisterhood will include an interview with our special guest, a question and answer session and open mic time to discuss whatever is on your writing mind whether it’s work-life balance or all those rejection letters.

February 14, 2012

Passion & Writing: Discovering, Honing and Keeping Focused
Group-Led | 9 – ?? pm EST

In the spirit of the day, we’ll be talking passion at our February meeting, which happens to fall on Valentine’s Day. What is passion in the writing life? How do you find it? Hone it? Use it to your advantage? Is passion the key to a writing career, or just another ingredient in the recipe to success? This group-led discussion will aim to answer those questions and more.

March 13, 2012

Work-Life Balance: Maintaining Momentum & Focus When Life Gets in the Way
with Joanne Bamberger (moderated by Shannon Entin) | 9 – ?? pm EST

For many writers work-life balance is the very belly of the beast. And for too many, too often it’s life that gets in the way of work. When life throws curve balls it’s easy to lose focus and momentum in a writing career.

Joanne Bamberger, best known on the web as PunditMom, is the author of Mothers of Intention: How Women and Social Media Are Revolutionizing Politics in America, a regular contributor to major media outlets, the founder of The Broad Side, a prolific writer and pundit, and a mother. She’ll join us in March to talk work like balance and maintaining momentum.

Shannon Entin, a Cultivated Writers group member, travel writer, homeschooler and mother of two will moderate the discussion.

April 10, 2012

From The Editor: What Writers Can Do To Forge Better Relationships with Editors
with Rita Arens | 9 – ?? pm EST

BlogHer’s Assignment & Syndication Editor, and author of Sleep is for the Weak, Rita Arens will join us in April to share an editor’s perspective. What makes or breaks a query? What qualities are editors looking for in writers? What etiquette do editors like to see writers following? We’ll delve into these topics and so many more.