Who We Are
Thanks for your interest in the Sno Valley Writes! Peer Work & Critique Group.  We are — as noted above — a peer writing work group, established at the end of August 2008. Our goal is to move everyone ahead in advancing their literary art. Writing is a skill and a craft — we will work on both aspects of this. Whether your goal is to write a memoir, have a book published or even just read your poem at your brother’s wedding — this group is one to inspire, teach, support and help improve Snoqualmie Valley writers.

What We Do
During our work sessions, we follow literary craft discussion topics and exercises. At our best, we will offer mutual encouragement, amicable competition, stimulating discussion, practice in critiquing, and support in the more challenging steps of craft progression (ala the ever elusive publishing process). We will tackle everything from mechanics, how to find time to write, inspiration,  to how to give a pitch to an agent or write a synopsis. We meet once every month as well as do one or two “literary” field trips every quarter. We have a busy online community who is joining us from more remote locations. If you are interested in participating virtually, let us know and we’ll get you engaged; but, otherwise, we’d love to work with you in person!

Our Mission:

To identify, develop and promote the talents of artists and writers in the Snoqualmie Valley, and to provide a forum for the expression of their talents.  Additionally, to raise literary awareness and education in the valley via outreach to our community.

Want to Join Us?

We are a peer writing work group, established in August 2008. Our goal is to move everyone ahead in advancing their literary art. Writing is a skill and a craft — we will work on both aspects of this. Whether your goal is to write a memoir, have a book published or even just read your poem at your brother’s wedding — this group is one to inspire, teach, support and help improve Snoqualmie Valley writers.

Our meetings will follow literary craft discussion topics and exercises. At our best, we will offer mutual encouragement, amicable competition, stimulating discusson, practice in critiquing, and support in difficulting progressing (ala the ever elusive publishing process). We will tackle everything from mechanics to how to give a pitch to an agent or write a synopsis.

Each work group session is moderated by our founder and board president, Casondra Brewster. She has been a writer since the time she could put subject and predicate together. Her professional experience is both in journalism and corporate communications; however, fiction is her first love. She currently works as a freelance writer and editor and  has had some modest success in her fiction publishing.

SnoValley Writes! meets on the third Saturday of each month. Additionally we try to plan one or two “literary” field trips every quarter.  (For instance, the last field trip we went to see an exhibit opening for one of our fellow writers who is also a visual artist.)

There is no fee currently. You put into it what you get out of it.

Writing is solitary craft. It doesn’t have to be. If you’d care to join us at our next work session, be sure to check our calendar page for the date. Be sure to review our participation guidelines and fill our dreams and goals sheet of your own. Additionally, below is a list of things you should bring with you to the work sessions.

1) a smile and/or excitement that you have a group that will support you and help you improve in your art. And if you can pull out a sense of humor as well, that’s always advisable.

2)  THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT:  Copies of a work you want in-depth critiquing on. Bring as many copies of the work — e.g. a short story, or chapter of a novel manuscript or a few poems — as you can stand to have feedback on. This will be past out to your fellow writers for them to take home and critique for our next meeting. If you’re looking for feedback on a full-length manuscript, bring in one chapter at a time, or we can work to pair you up with another writer for swapping novel-length manuscripts for feedback. Our members will tell you that the feedback they have received regarding their work has helped them learn, grow and mature as writers.

3)  Pen and notebook. We will be doing writing exercises every meeting. It’s also a good spot to keep any notes from the group.

4) The North Bend Library has gladly agreed to host us and has lots of plugs for laptops, so you may bring your personal lappie if you like; I will bring a power strip so we can plug in right at our table. However, a notebook and pen is just as useful. It’s your choice.

5)  Feel free to bring coffee, water and a munchie. Writing is hard work. We just need to clean up after ourselves.

6)  An idea or suggestion of a scheduled event that could serve as a literary field trip.

Please try to arrive a few minutes before 6:00 p.m.. to get settled. We want to take advantage of our 90 minute block of time.

Please read through the attached guidelines and complete the dreams and goals sheet.

Feel free to let us know if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

Our work sessions are the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the North Bend Library Meeting Room.

You can also see our weekly prompts (sent out on Email, as well) via our website or Facebook page.

If you want to be added to our mailing list, please send an email to:  snovalleywrites [at] gmail [dot] com.