May 1, 2018 4 min read

In a corner of Monongahela Area Library, stories of ghosts, romance, mystery and history are being created. Twice a month, a group of seasoned and novice writers meet to create and support each other. The group varies in writing experience and genres, and welcomes all writers.

Moderator Cindy Bartolotta said the group started in 2004.

“I attended the first meeting and have been here ever since. There is always something to learn – some new way to say something. I am not a great writer, I am just a writer,” Bartolotta said. “I write because there are stories that need to be told.”

The group helps to hone the writer’s craft through constructive critiques. During every meeting, a writer’s story is read aloud by someone else, allowing the writer to hear the story.

The critiques helped Tara Manderino, who has self-published and traditionally published books, and says the group helps her succeed.

“One of my book’s dedications credits the group. Without this group, I would not have finished the book. They were with me every step, every rewrite,” she said.

Critiquing helps the writers improve their pieces, said Bartolotta.

Participant Caroline Gessner said authors have to be open to receiving criticism, even if it stings.

“Critiques are like attacking your children. That’s what your writings are: your children. You gave them life from a grain of an idea. So when someone says something bad, you take it as a personal insult. You can’t. Just accept it, make whatever changes (if any) you choose to make, and move on. No one is saying you have to make changes, but if others in the group are saying the same thing, something is obviously wrong and needs addressed,” Gessner said. “To ask for critiques and not make any changes is a waste of time for all involved.

The group is a mix of new writers and seasoned. Bartolotta was a novice when the group began. Since joining, she has been published in an anthology, “After Forever,” short stories in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, a poem in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and an online magazine, “The Verb.”

“The biggest aid is the critiques. When I was younger, I used to draw. Sometimes the proportions of the subject were off-kilter and not right. An art teacher explained about negative space and how when you are too close to a subject, you can’t see mistakes but others can. He told me to hold my drawing before a mirror and look at its reflection the way others see it. Sure enough, I could see what was wrong. I made the changes and the drawing was much better,” said Bartolotta. “Writing is the same way. An author is too close to his (or) her writing to see what is wrong. The biggest help is to read aloud. Better yet, have someone else read your work aloud. You will catch repetitious words. You will hear ‘bumps’ in the flow. You will hear what just doesn’t work.”

The group also enables those with the same passion to meet and share ideas. Walter Seal said that it’s a fun group that welcomes all writers, even novices like him.

“It gives me a place to learn and grow,” he said.

Gessner, who helped to start the author series at Monessen Public Library, has a master’s degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University, and has self-published books. She said when she joined the group, she considered herself a novice.

“I didn’t get serious about it until I graduated from undergrad,” she said.

Seal said he joined to have his writing critiqued and to form a comaraderie with fellow writers.

“It is fun and relaxing. I get to hear different stories with different topics,” he said. “It is an opportunity for any writers. I encourage, especially novice writers, to join.”

Jessy Kunz said joining the group is one of the best decisions she ever made.

“I suppose in a lot of ways, I’ve been writing since I was 11, and I never really shared anything I wrote. Afraid of negative feedback, I think. But I just woke up one day and said, ‘I’m not going to get published if I never share anything,'” she said.

Lia Cook said sometimes, as a writer, you live vicariously through characters.

Kunz advised other writers, “Don’t be afraid! Get out there. Find a group of amazing people to help you grow and improve your talent.”

Those interested in joining are encouraged to bring something to be read, but writers can also just come and listen. The group meets the first and second Wednesday in Monongahela Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m.