Various leaders' methods in conducting workshops.

To control reading and comment time, one leader whose workshop I attended, kept a timer beside her chair as she conducted the meeting.  Each manuscript got 20 minues to be read and commented on.  When the timer rang, comment had to cease and the next reader was called on. This worked well under her leadership.  A 2000-word manuscritpt can be read aloud in five to seven minutes. This group was composed of about six good writers and little critique was needed. The group primarily made marketing suggestions.  I have never employed this timing device, but it certainly worked well in that group.

Another leader launched each meeting with "Write  for ten minutes about. . .  (your grandfather, your childhood, you favorite vacation spot, etc.)  Personally, I "freeze" if someone assigns me subject matter.  However, I was always gratified and impressed to hear the next ten minutes at these meeting cogent and interesting brief articles on the assigned subject.  I'm sure this leader used this device to "stimulate the juices" of the members.  I have never had to apply "stimulants." Members attending my workshops almost always have something to share.  Those who do not read attend in support of the group and because they enjoy sharing in the critique.

There are "many ways to skin a cat," as my dear father used to say!  More tomorrow.–Willma