What we’re about
Writing a book? Let's MeetUp! Red Sands is a casual creative writing critique group open to all genres, from YA to mystery, literary to sci-fi, novels to poetry, screenplays to memoir. No fees or rigid structure. We get together to read drafts aloud and share feedback. Newbies are always welcome!
Don't have any writing yet? Just want to see how things work? Feel free to stop by as a reader. We always look forward to extra feedback!
***Recognized as one of the Top 150 groups in the world at MeetUp Togetherfest 2018***
Want more ways to connect? Join us on all the social media!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/redsandswriters/
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- [Virtual] Monday Poetry Read & CritiqueLink visible for attendees
** WE DO NOT OFFER FEEDBACK ON AI CREATED OR ENHANCED OR INFLUENCED WORK AT THIS TIME. **
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To join our web conference, all you need to do is click the zoom link around the scheduled time.
** ZOOM PASSCODE IS: 123456 **
If you have questions, please leave a comment.
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Welcome, poets! We're here to share our poetry and support one another through constructive suggestions for future drafts. Our group loves all styles of poetry, including similar genres like flash fiction and spoken word.
We share links to Google Docs (click here if you're not sure how to do that). If your poems are very short, feel free to bring a couple, but try to limit the total length to less than 3 pages. If you don't have writing to bring in yet, still feel free to join us to read and offer critiques.
FAQ:
I write prose poems, is that okay?
Yes! All styles of poetry are welcome, including similar genres like flash fiction and spoken word.
I'm writing a novel--what about that?
Most likely you'll want to attend one of the other Red Sands events which focus on novels. However, if your writing style is particularly lyrical we might be the best group to support you! Send a message to the organizer if you're not sure.
Do I have to RSVP?
Please always RSVP if you intend to share your work, or move yourself to "Not Going" as soon as you realize you won't be able to make it.
I'm on the "wait list" what does that mean?
You're still welcome to join us! This just means we may not have time to read your work at this meeting, though we will try.
I'm afraid someone will hate my writing, what should I do?
Don't be afraid! Rough drafts are always rough. Nobody will be perfect. We're here to support you, which means pointing out the parts that are awesome and providing honest suggestions for improvement. You're welcome to ignore the suggestions or take it into consideration for the next draft. It's just feedback. No pressure.
I'm not good at giving feedback to others, what should I do?
Oh, sure you are! If you've ever read a poem and thought "Wow, loved that line -- but this part took me out of the moment" then you've given feedback. It's simply reacting to the work. No pressure.
I'm uncomfortable with someone reading my writing aloud.
It's okay to read your own work aloud, but we will offer if you'd like one of us to do it. Sometimes it's nice to do both at a meeting, to hear the poet's voice and an outsider's. Which lines do they trip on? Is your 'voice' coming through? Reciting your own lines back is great, but consider using us as an opportunity to further support your journey to a fantastic final copy.
I want to attend but I don't have any writing to bring this time.
That's okay! You can still provide feedback. See you there!
Is the group on social media?
Oh yeah! Like us and love us on all these fun platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/redsandswriters/
https://www.instagram.com/redsandswriters/
https://twitter.com/redsandswriters
- Speculative Fiction Writing: Share Drafts & CritiqueLink visible for attendees
To join the virtual meeting, click this link around the scheduled time:
https://zoom.us/j/891797799***ZOOM PASSCODE IS: 123456
Welcome to the Speculative Fiction virtual writing workshop! Have a document ready with 2,000 words (or less) of a project you're working on. We'll read it aloud and share constructive feedback. Instructions for how to have your document ready via Google Drive can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1939kZ5oyloe16nIKX6X5-MK5yBozb5Zeb71kODDemhU/edit?usp=sharing
Alternatively, use screen share so we can follow along as the draft is read aloud from your computer.
If you have questions, please leave a comment.
GENERAL FAQs
What is 'speculative fiction'?
Speculative fiction is a genre term used to describe stories which are futuristic, otherworldly, alternate history, magical, beastly, or otherwise have elements which are not rooted in reality. Because the term itself is so open-ended, we are also very open about the type of drafts we love to critique. If you feel your project is speculative, it probably is! When in doubt, leave a comment or send a message to the host.
Do I have to RSVP?
Please always RSVP if you intend to share your work or move yourself to "Not Going" if you realize you won't be able to make it. You do not need to RSVP if attending but not sharing work, simply add a comment letting us know you'll be there.
I'm on the "Waitlist" what does that mean?
You're still welcome to join us to share feedback on the other work, just be aware we may not have time to read your draft. We will try, though!
I'm afraid someone will hate my writing, what should I do?
Don't be afraid! Rough drafts are always rough. Nobody will be perfect. We're here to support you, which means pointing out the parts that are awesome and providing honest suggestions for improvement. You're welcome to ignore the suggestions or take it into consideration for the next draft. It's just feedback. No pressure.
I'm not good at giving feedback to others, what should I do?
Oh, sure you are! If you've ever thought "Wow, that book was great, but I wish there was more of ___ and less of ____" then you know how to give feedback. You're welcome to provide as little or as much feedback as you're comfortable with. Easy stuff.
I'm uncomfortable with someone reading my writing aloud.
It's okay to read your own work aloud, but we will offer if you'd like one of us to do it. Hearing a friend read gives you the rare opportunity to understand how an outsider interacts with your story. Which sentences do they trip on? Is your 'voice' coming through? Reciting your own lines back is great, but consider using us as an opportunity to further support your journey to a fantastic final copy.
I want to attend but I don't have any writing to bring this time.
That's okay! You can still provide feedback. You do not have to RSVP to hang out and offer feedback. See you there!
Is the group on social media?
Oh yeah! Join us on all these fun platforms:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/redsandswriters/
https://www.instagram.com/redsandswriters/
https://twitter.com/redsandswriters - Novel Workshop Lottery: Read drafts, critique (Morning)NEW LOCATION Jarrods, Mesa, AZ
IN-PERSON EVENT @ Jarrod's New Location: 109 W University Dr. Mesa, AZ
Welcome to our Saturday morning lottery event! We now run a lottery for participants via email. If it sounds complicated, worry not! All will be explained at the event. Just show up for your first time expecting to meet fellow writers and learn how our system works. Bring a pen too. If space permits, you'll be able to offer feedback on in-progress drafts of diverse forms of writing. In the future, you'll have the opportunity to share your work as well for feedback.
HOW DOES THIS WORK?
Due to table space and time, we have to limit events to 12 active participants, so we have invented a lottery for active participants who not only share writing but share feedback.
Lottery events are designed with the intention to:
1. Incentivize diversity of authors (not having the same people share every week)
2. Incentivize accountability and rapport (we depend on each other for continuity and feedback)
3. Create a "fair system" that lets new members join and rewards activity, but also lets people have freedom to take vacations, have a personal life, and do other "life-flourishing" activities.ADDITIONAL FAQ:
Does the event cost money?
Nope! But you MUST buy something from Jarrod's Coffee, Tea & Gallery to help support the venue.I'm on the "Waitlist" what does that mean?
Everyone is on the waitlist who RSVPs through MeetUp. At the event, it will be determined who is sharing work that day.I'm not working on a "Novel" is it okay if I bring another type of writing?
Yes! Whatever you have is great: screenplay, poetry, short story, non-fiction, whatever.My writing is ____ genre, is that okay?
Yes! Bring your sci-fi, mystery, western, literary, or whatever genre you're working on.I'm afraid someone will hate my writing, what should I do?
Don't be afraid! Rough drafts are always rough. Nobody will be perfect. We're here to support you, which means pointing out the parts that are awesome and providing honest suggestions for improvement. You're welcome to ignore the suggestions or take it into consideration for the next draft. It's just feedback. No pressure.I'm not good at giving feedback to others, what should I do?
Oh, sure you are! If you've ever thought "Wow, that book was great, but I wish there was more of ___ and less of ____" then you know how to give feedback. You're welcome to provide as little or as much feedback as you're comfortable with. Easy stuff.Is the group on social media?
Oh yeah! Join us on all these fun platforms:
![[Virtual] Monday Poetry Read & Critique cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/1/e/6/event_510064582.webp "[Virtual] Monday Poetry Read & Critique")
