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Blogs by A. Keith Barton
Writer Support Group 9/23/2003 5:29:23 PM
WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP
Leader: A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Purpose: To offer writers a solution-focused approach to their writing that maximizes networking and sharing non-proprietary information that helps all writers who choose to participate in the group call.
Format: Dr. Barton will offer a “virtual group” on a secure a confidential, bridge-line (phone) that will accommodate up to 25 writers. Participants will call in at a designated, monthly time for one hour. Confidentiality will be respected at all times. Dr. Barton, as the coach, will facilitate the agenda but the agenda will be driven by the needs of those on the call. The virtual group offers writers from other parts of the country to participate. All times are stated using CST.
Possible topics: Creating your story, staying the course, editing, finding an agent, self-publishing vs. traditional publishing; small vs. large press, marketing, handling rejection.
Group dynamics: Acknowledgment, accountability, asking permission, bottom lining, clarifying, clearing, confidentiality, creating trust, forwarding the action, holding the focus, powerful questions, brainstorming.
Typical timeline for call: First 10 minutes, introductions and revisiting agenda items from prior month, new agenda item for discussion for next 40 minutes, last 10 minutes, wrap-up and feedback.
Meeting Time: Convenience of participants, but usually one evening—e.g. third Tuesday of the month at 8 pm or 9 pm.
Listserv: All participants will have the opportunity to communicate via a common listserv; you will need internet (email) access. Agenda items and side conversations can be handled on the listserv until the next monthly meeting. A list of participants with home phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses will be provided.
Cost: $50 per month per participant, although the first call (hour) will be free to give participants a sense of what the group experience will be like.
About the Group Leader: Dr. Barton runs his own psychology practice, has consulted with Fortune 500 companies, ran his own business managing group homes for persons with developmental disabilities, author of nine novels, and coach. He has degrees from the University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D., 1972), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (M.P.H., 1975), and a postdoctoral fellowship in community psychiatry at UNC School of Medicine, 1973-75. For the last 14 years he has practiced in the 1960 area of Houston and is working towards certification as a personal and professional coach.
