Nittany Valley Writers Network

A few days ago I had lunch with Anne Cornell and Fran MacEachren, two of the three coordinators of the Nittany Valley Writers Network (NVWN). The third coordinator, Jack Williams, wasn’t able to join us.

 

The NVWN has been a resource for area writers since April 1990, when it was first called the State College Area Writers Group (the name changed in 1994).  Except for a few first meetings held in the home of the group’s founder, Sherry Hogan, the group has held its monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at Schlow Library.

 

The purpose of NVWN is to allow local writers network with each other.  Writing is a lonely business.  I, for example, work out of an office in my home, so during the work day, I’m not interacting face-to-face with other people very often. But writing is lonely in another way. Non-writers don’t always understand how long it takes to write a book or how difficult it can be to sell your work or why interruptions can be detrimental to your creative output.  Other writers understand, though.  But it can be hard to find other writers, especially since many of us aren’t writers in our day jobs.  NVWN provides that opportunity to not only meet other local writers, but to find other writers in your genre.

 

There are three primary methods of networking through NVWN: the monthly meeting, the critique groups, and the monthly breakfast (with a monthly lunch gathering in the plans as well).  The monthly meetings held at Schlow are programs that feature all sorts of writing interests. Recent and upcoming meetings include a panel of local editors, a poetry night, playwrights, and food writers.  In March, members had the opportunity to read from their own writing.  According to Cornell and MacEachren, it was one of the most successful programs yet. 

 

The critique groups cover all sorts of writing and interests, from novels to poetry to memoirs.  The groups meet separately from the general meetings. Speaking from experience, the critique groups can be the beginning of life-long friendships and invaluable advice and support.  At the very least, they can get your writing career moving in the right direction.

 

The monthly breakfast is an informal gathering on the third Wednesday of the month, bright and early at the West College Avenue Waffle Shop and is a chance for people to get to know each other.  Writing is certainly discussed but not the main point of conversation.

 

Currently there are 154 members (for more information about joining visit the website https://www.schlowlibrary.org/NVWN.htm).  There are members like me who write professionally, others who’d like to get published, and still others who write just because they love to write.  And there are success stories, like Jack Williams, who joined NVWN as a beginning writer, gained confidence and improved his craft thanks to critique groups and developing relationships with local writing professionals, and now he is getting published regularly.

Writers need to stick together and support each other.  NVWN is an excellent place to start.  I’ll be at the April 10 meeting.  If you’re there, come say hello.  I always like to meet other local writers.