Struggling Writers discussion

Hi Writers,

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

It feels like every year I just post on here to make the same apologies and promises about making this year a new year for SW. This time I want to sincerely apologize.

I screwed up.

Some of you may have been in touch with me in the last year or so about needing someone to critique their work. Some of you I volunteered willingly to do so, and made a promise to review your short stories, novel excerpts or works when I was not at all in a shape of mind to do so.

I realize how damaging it must be to entrust someone who is head of a group like "Struggling Writers" to renege on their promise to critique your writing, from fellow struggling writer to another. There's no excuse for not being forthcoming about my inability to do what I'd promised, and I apologize for the hurt and wasted time it's brought you.

And I apologize to those in this group who have been just joining, or who've been in this group for its 10 years. Simply put, this group isn't how it used to be, and my leadership in it shows. I haven't been fair to you all, jumping in and out of hibernation when motivation strikes. It's not fair to any of us.


Ironically after all these years as the moderator of a group designed to guide writers, I'm still a struggling writer. 10 years I've dedicated to this group. And to be where I'm at now, at a loss of where my life will lead, I've forced myself to do some self-reflection that has led me to the belief that I need to make a lot of changes in my life and in this group, for the greater good.

I don't want to make anymore promises I cannot keep.

Starting June 22nd 2020, Struggling Writers will no longer have active moderators. I will no longer be an acting moderator, nor my partner Mimi, who has been tremendous in her help for this group.

Struggling Writers will be a free-for-all, for those to post as they please.

But I realize this group has not grown as it should over the years, largely in part because I've had a fixed mindset and have taken more than I can shoulder on.

It's time for new faces, and new ideas to take hold over SW, with people who can provide value more than I ever could.

And whoever wants to be in charge of this group, be its next moderator, conform and shape it for the next gen of writers, be my guest.

UPDATE: Please DM me on Goodreads if you're interested in being a Mod of this Group . Unless this post says otherwise, Mod positions are still open.

Though I won't be gone forever, not by a long shot.

In addition, I will be reaching out individually to those of you who've sent me thoughtful emails & messages of care and concern, to personally apologize. 2020 I'll be working to keep my end of my promises, and I hope 2020 will be a better year for all of us, to reflect, change, and grow as need be.

Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful June.

I hope that this will give you the space you need to grow! Best wishes for the years to come, and a thank you for all you've done.

518 wrote: "I hope that this will give you the space you need to grow! Best wishes for the years to come, and a thank you for all you've done."

Thank you!