BUDDING word smiths looking for a creative outlet and supportive audience need look no further than the QWriters.
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The local writing group meets monthly and is open to accepting new members whether they are just dabbling in prose as a hobby or profession.
QWriters has been running since 2007 and member Michelle Brock said it's a great way to improve your writing skills.
"Typically we set homework before each meeting and we usually start off with sharing our homework - a 500-600 word piece but it's not compulsory," she said.
"I think writing in a group, it's the support and the encouragement, being able to exchange ideas and just having the discipline to write and practice the art of writing."
Each session the group discuss what's been happening in the writing world, share any successes or failures and any books they might be reading.
They also do some on-the-spot writing exercises and share them with one another. Typically there are five to ten members per meeting - first-time writers, published authors and those interested in all types of writing - memoir, non-fiction, fiction, performance writing, plays, film scripts and poetry.
"It's great to have a range of different voices in the group, writing styles and different interests. We're very inclusive as a group," Mrs Brock said.
"It's all very supportive, positive feedback, that's not the right time to be critical of what people have written."
Qwriters hope to become more involved on a community level and will be part of the upcoming Queanbeyan Museum Heritage Festival. Another goal is to eventually publish an anthology.
-QWriters meets on the fourth Saturday of each month from 1 - 4pm at the Letchworth Community Centre in Miller St, Queanbeyan. The next meeting will be held this Saturday, March 28 with a venue to be determined due to the Letchworth Community Centre being used for a polling booth. For more information contact Michelle Brock on 62971405 or email michelle@noblesoft.com.au.