Until I joined a writer’s group, I didn’t have a friend in the world who was as obsessed as I was with words. I felt kinda strange scribbling poetry and journals, like what the heck was my problem that I wasn’t like other teenagers? In my mid-twenties I finally took a creative writing class and found my tribe in a group sponsored by the professor.
Since that first group, I’ve taken many courses, attended scores of workshops, and met hundreds of writers. Writing groups and writer friends are precious links for those of us in this mostly solitary endeavor. My current writer’s organization has introduced me to so many fine writers including published poets, novelists, and journalists.
Cindy LaFerle
Today I’m featuring books I love from a writing group I have been a part of since 2008, Detroit Working Writers. I am often asked for reading suggestions, so these are that, but would also make fine Christmas gifts. If you’re looking for Michigan settings and themes, or just an excellent read to lose yourself in, I highly recommend every one of them!
Veronica Dale
Special Star Veronica Dale’s book of short stories Night Cruiser will thrill and chill readers who want something deliciously dark. Cindy Hampel’s self-help book It‘s Not Personal offers hope and advice for those of us dealing with difficult people.
Award-winning Cindy LaFerle was my first friend in DWW and her book of personal essays Writing Home remains a favorite. Debut novelist Linda Sienkiewicz knocked me out with In the Context of Love her novel of love and loss. Iris Underwood works her lavender farm and writes with equal grace. Growing Lavender is a lush adventure in verse.
Diane DeCillis
Poet Diane DeCillis’s exquisite images and fierce emotion make her collection Strings Attached an amazing achievement. Elizabeth Buzzelli is a master of Michigan mystery who pens comic and clever plots from the northern part of our state. Her Emily Kincaid series cracks me up.
Elizabeth Buzzelli
Speaking of “up north” C. S. Gordon’s literary novel The Heart & Horn gives the U.P. a fresh look. Christian Belz sleuths closer to home with the Ken Knoll series featuring an architect as seemingly hapless but actually adept amateur sleuth. And Linda Anger, DWW’s immediate past president, compiled the beguiling collection Sweeping the Floors at the Full Crumb Cafe that includes poetry, fiction and non-fiction.
The DWW website features these and other Michigan authors (whose books I have yet to read). It also gives info on our 2016 writer’s conference and how you might become a member of our group. I’d love for you to join us.
collage courtesy of Linda K. Sienkiewicz
Cynthia Harrison 
What a lovely piece, I hope they’ve all seen it!
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Thanks Terry! I just finished working on it and have sent them all the link. As you know, ya gotta have (writing) friends.
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Thanks ever so much, Cindy! I just tweeted this and will post elsewhere too. Great job!
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Glad you like it Cindy! I loved all these books by our fellow DWW authors!
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Thank you for including me, Cindy. What a nice idea! I learned a few things about the other authors, and I had no idea you’ve published so many novels. Wow. Impressive!
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I’m thinking this is Diane? (Or maybe Elizabeth?) Diane, Very happy to have a few poetry books read this year…it’s a favorite form and yours was fabulous!
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Wow. I’m one of Ten Terrific Storytellers! Thanks so much, Cindy.
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Yes you are, and you’re very welcome, Vernie. So looking forward to the release of the first in your tetralogy, the fabulous Blood Seed, which I had the pleasure to read in manuscript form:)
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As I’ve had the pleasure of reading “Luke” and “Love and Death.” Both great stories.
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Thank you for including me in your Ten Terrific Storytellers list! I’m sharing the link on Facebook and Twitter. Merry Christmas!
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Happy to do it, Linda. In the Context of Love was one of my favorite books of the year. And I read more than 100 novels last year! (Loving retirement:)
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AND might I add that you’re one helluva storyteller yourself!!
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Thanks, dear:) That means more than you know!
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What a fantastic article you wrote here Cynthia. It is also a GIFT to meet another very serious professional writer. I reblogged this on my WordPress blog called Writer’s Work Lab.
It’s a pleasure to meet you here. I am glad you ked my post today about the meaning of Christmas.
Paulette Le Pore Motzko
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Thanks Paulette. I find so many good writers on the internet! Just discovering some of you guys on Word Press:)
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Every day there are new discoveries to be made on WordPress Cynthia. 🙂
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