Suggested Guidelines for
Fertile Material Writing Circles

1. This group is based on the Fertile Material writing exercises from the book, Fear of Writing. Each week, members choose one of the 112 Fertile Material exercises to write a short story with. We write for 30-45 minutes, making sure to leave time at the end for everyone to read his or her piece out loud to the group.

2. All members of the group do the same exercise.

3. Please refrain from chatting (or go outside to do it) while people are writing. Cell phones and pagers must be switched off during the writing circle.

4. If you arrive late and find that the writing has already commenced, enter the circle quietly so as not to disrupt your fellow writers. Someone sitting near you will use the book to point out the exercise we're working on.

5. The group is moderated by _________________. Whenever ___________ cannot be present, then ________________ will lead the group. If neither __________ nor _________ is present, elect a group leader for the evening.

6. The job of the group leader is to ensure that a Fertile Material writing prompt gets chosen and started on in a timely manner; that everyone gets a chance to read to the group (only if they want to—no pressure); and that the group stays focused on the format: writing and reading aloud our Fertile Material stories.

7. Please be conscious about sharing group time. No dominating group time with your life history. Please do not use this group as a platform to preach political, New Age or religious beliefs—either through your story or during general discussion.

8. No one should be pressured to read if they're not ready.

9. Be considerate when others are reading. Everyone should be afforded the attention span you expect for your own piece. Refrain from writing in your notebook or creating diversions not related to listening.

10. We are here as a supportive audience and to have fun! No critiques allowed.

11. The time immediately after each piece is read is reserved for remarks and exchanges about THAT piece. Refrain from using another member's story as a springboard into diversions away from his/her story.

12. While we encourage a friendly atmosphere, extended social exchanges that make the group run late should be saved for after the meeting (most people have commitments afterwards).

13. Please respect our host, _______________________, and patronize his/her coffeehouse with your business (hint: buy some coffee!).

Close Window