My kind of town, sorta
Chicago is a great city even in my total dozen years of living here (95-97 and 99-present) I haven’t even explored half of it. I like when the El rumbles above my head and to run across the street dodging cabs and busses. I love the variety of people and places. And the lakefront. I mean, have you ever seen Chicago’s lakefront? I don’t think you could row, row, row your boat across this lake.
But alas, I’m in the suburbs. I could lie in the middle of the street for an hour with nary a worry of being trampled by anything other than a wayward bunny. The only lake around here emerges in a nearby park after a heavy rain. There is a strange, congested traffic flow in our little downtown area when school lets out, but otherwise, this in no way resembles a city. And yes, this is really where I live.
And that’s a good thing in many ways. People know your kids and your cars. It’s a great place to raise a family with blue ribbon schools and a culturally diverse population.
But it’s not a great place if you’re looking for writers to hang out with because (no offense to my very-long-research-paper-writing friend who reads this blog) they don’t exist here. Most people here are writing grocery lists or names on place cards or else they’re writing checks. The working moms are working and the at-home moms are at-homing, but no one here is writing.
I’ve googled and yahooed looking for writer groups nearby — and I am one kick-ass internet researcher. Nada. I’m not looking for a critique group (no worries, those don’t exist either) more for a gathering of like-minded people who know what a character arc, blog, agent and ARC are. All the groups I’ve found are well over an hour from me, and they are either 1) academic or 2) RWA. I’m neither, nor can I travel 90 minutes on a weeknight to go to a meeting or a reading or a roundtable, even if they promise brownies.
Last night I put a post on Backspace dot org and so far have found one writer about 30 minutes away – so time will tell if she and I are a literary match.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate my online writer pals – it’s where I do and get my critiques and ponder the worries of imaginary friends and foes. But real life is good too – as is conversation over a cup of coffee or glass of Savignon Blanc or a shared plate of Asian nachos at a local bistro.
Yes, we have a bistro or two. They both close at 9 on Saturdays.
Do you have real life writer friends outside a metropolitan area? Inside? How did you find them?
not to mention, no place to get sushi before 4 pm on a Saturday
And don’t get me started on trying to find sushi on a Sunday!
Its like the suburbs are taboo…especially when trying to meet people. No one wants to travel out of the city, if they live in the city (probably for the exact reason why we dont want to go into the city or travel over 90 minutes to get somewhere). Though thru the tabo-ness (non-writer here, sorry Amy, I know you want to meet writers! ;o)), I still like the suburbs. Two words. No. Traffic.
I like the ‘burbs too, Melissa – it offers much the city doesn’t – except the things I’m looking for!
Don’t feel bad hon. I live in a large Meteropolitan area and I can’t really find anybody or anything either. The closest I’ve come is “Sassy Southern Writers”. Call me a snob, but the name itself turned me completely off. There are lots of student groups, because the nearby University has a fabulous writing program. And there’s a professional writers group there as well. Neither of those fit me and I don’t fit them. I’m thinking of enrolling in a class called “how to get published” in the hopes that I’ll meet some like minded people my own age for socialization and support.
BTW, I LOVE Chicago. Aside from my own hometown, it would be my number 1 choice of places to live.
I have one or two “real life” friends – and even a SIL – who also have an interest in writing, but we’re at different stages. Not that that has to matter, I guess. I just get more out of my online supporters.
I’d love to join a group but, like you, live too far away from larger areas who might have them in abundance. I’ve inquired at our local library, and the librarian confirmed there aren’t any nearby, so I guess the next step is to try and form one myself. If I can break out of my shell enough to do it…
Amy, I long for the day when I live someplace (hopefully Chicago) where I can physically get together with writers. I’ve met a couple writers here in Zihua, but they’re always just on vacation and often I don’t realize our connection until I’m driving them to the airport. By then it’s too late to really talk.
I was able to chat with my aunt (from Backspace) for about an hour last fall and LOVED it. Now I want a writing buddy even more!
I joined a writers group that met at a huge B&N here many years ago. Then started my own group, reaching out to the writers I connected with there. We’ve hung together and met regularly (sometimes getting off track when life butts in) for about 6 or 7 years now. Nothing like it. I’m blessed to live in this big melting pot of Baton Rouge. The social part is fun too, and we often travel to writer events & conferences together.
You may have to start your own too. Post flyers at coffee shops, universities, bookstores and other places writers might hang out. All you need are two dedicated others to get a good core group started. (Will be glad to give you tips on starting a writers/crit group if you decide to…or you could move here. LOL) Good luck!
BA, I know I attribute the lack of writerly folk to my sentence – oops I mean my stint – in a lonely ‘burb, but in reality it happens everywhere. We need BloggerTown, where all like-minded bloggers can live and kick up the virtual dust together, but for real.
And the next time you’re in Chicago? You’re mine!
Amy
Janna,
That’s what I’m thinking I’ll try to do if I can find a couple of people at the same stage as me! If not, it’ll be something I’m open to should it ever happen.
Amy
Melanie,
Well once you’re back in Chicago – we are definitely going to be IRL writer buds. For sure.
Amy
Angie,
Your group sounds great! The problem here is that there are few “coffee shops, universities, bookstores and other places writers might hang out” near me. I did find a listing for an independent bookstore and I’m going to check it out, but I think I’ll find what I find here – moms in sweats with toddlers playing with old toys in the corner – or moms in after tennis or golf grabbing a latte on their way home before lunch.
Amy
“I could lie in the middle of the street for an hour with nary a worry of being trampled by anything other than a wayward bunny. ” Love this line!! Your town looks so quaint and inviting. I love the burbs and I love the city as well. I’m pretty much happy anywhere. As far as other writers go, none in “real” life only in blogville (where I spend WAY too much time!!!)
I don’t have real writer friends here either. I’m kind of excited to move where I know there will be a lot! Then I won’t feel so odd all of the time! LOL! No wait… I think i like being different, scratch that!
Debbie,
The town her is adorable and quaint – and quiet – which again is good unless you want something to do! I’ve lived so many place I know I can be happy anywhere too — maybe I’ve got that lived here too long itch — but I’m not going anywhere for a long while — so no scratching for me!
Amy
Jenni,
It’s great you’re moving where you know you’ll be able to connect w/ other writers. I’m sure that will be a whole new kind of adventure!
Amy
I’ve never been to Chicago but I’d love to.
That picture looks just like “downtown” Winnetka or Hubbard Woods.(where I grew up) You’re making me homesick.
Real life writer friends came out of the woodwork when I started my blog. Many are jouranalists that live nearby and travel for work occasionally and others are writing books, screenwriters, etc. I never realized I had or could have so many writer friends – and could make them via my blog, but then I live in Denver metro – officially a ‘burb but downtown is 20 minutes away.
I hope you find a group or at least a few RL writers to hang with.
Hey Amy, I don’t think we’ve ‘met’ but I found your blog through CMB. I just met Cindy Fey (also from CMB) last week and we were talking about the very same thing.
I hope you find a great fit for you. I have just started my search for some kind of group downtown. We’ll see.
Take care, love your blog!
Definitely!