It’s that time of year when dues renewal notices appear from writer’s organizations, and I ask myself if I’m going to renew. I have joined and dropped RWA so many times I’ve lost count. I joined NINC, but am pondering renewing there, too. Because I’m not currently an “active” member anywhere. I can’t be.
Being an active member means writing articles, volunteering, doing workshops. And you know, I’ve done all that in the past, and I simply cannot fit it in to my current day that includes writing, doing school, keeping kids busy, picking up work from the husband’s business, keeping the house clean, laundry caught up, everybody fed, and making sure the cats don’t go into a decline from seeing The Bottom of The Food Dish.
And then I find myself wondering if it’s worth it to pay the membership fee when I don’t have time to read the newsletters, participate in online groups, go to conventions, etc. And thinking of all the other things I could do with the money instead.
And most of all, thinking about this: I didn’t become a writer because I was good at conformity, and the overwhelming message I get from writer’s groups is about conforming. Be good. Do what you’re told. Do what everybody else is doing. Shut up, don’t complain, be grateful you have a contract at all.
I’m tired of this message. I’m tired of paying money I could have spent on books to be told what I already know, or what I might see the point in but know I cannot apply. So this year, I’m not doing it. I have enough on my plate, trying to figure out who I am as a writer now and what books speak to me without the clamor of other voices. I want to listen to the still, small voice and see what it has to tell me. I think it’ll be interesting, and it won’t cost $200.
I totally agree. Put that money into something that inspires you.
Yes, something inspiring, like… CHOCOLATE!
Right now, I’d find getting the ducts cleaned pretty inspiring. Sad but true.
Considering the Halloween candy still haunting us, maybe not. But I love the way your mind works. *g*
>>The Bottom of The Food Dish.
WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?!?! OMG mine do it to. They act like they’ll just keel over and DIE because there’s no food in the bowl.
Anyway on to your blog topic. I totally agree. I just dropped my local chapter for a variety of reasons. I was an officer this year and on top of my contracted books, it nearly did me in. And I’ve decided I”m just not a nice person. THat said, I WOULD like to give NINC a try–just once.
MY RWA dues lapse in Feb or March and I THINK i might let it go. Then again, maybe not. I’d like to go to the DARA conference since my agent is going to be there, so we’ll see. But I’m with you on the “not a joiner” thing *sigh* it just never works out for me.
NINC is a good organization, but I don’t have time to participate. And the cats are such drama queens, sheesh. We have a feeder, and when they can see the bottom (it’s not empty, mind, they just SEE the bottom) you would not believe the way they stagger about, paw to head, as if reeling from the trauma, mewling piteously.
Ugh! I have so many memberships, and I hate letting go. But I have to ration money and time. NINC I have to keep because I volunteered to be the membership chair, and I like the fact it’s not strictly romance so I hear things other than what makes the loop in the romance industry groups. RWA, a must too, because I am the programs chair for my local chapter. And I hate to give up PASIC because so many of my friends are there. Ditto to Passionate Ink. I’m screwed.
I’m looking very closely at what I’m going to renew and what I’m going to give up. I’ve tried being the “good girl” and it hasn’t worked very well.
D., NINC’s cross-genre membership is a real boon. You get the bigger picture of publishing. And yes, when you start adding up all the RWA chapters, um, it adds up.
Darlene, the “nice girl” syndrome is particularly insidious because writing is full of things a nice girl wouldn’t say, do, write. The last thing you need is a voice in your head saying, “How can you write THAT?!”
I joined my local writer’s group, but that’s pretty much it for my membership. NINC? I’ve never heard of it.
Have a great weekend.
Ann, NINC is Novelists, Inc. Commercial fiction novelists of all genres. Thanks, and enjoy your weekend, too!
I’m staring at a similar pile of membership renewals. Probably had I not just entered the RITA’s, I’d consider dropping RWA this year. I like NINC, even though I rarely participate. I like the mixture and the business discussions. Can’t really get that kind of thing elsewhere. I’d thought about joining SFWA, but decided against it since they seem to be so anti-fantasy. I plan to join the Author’s Guild and probably PASIC because I hear good things about them both. As you can see, none of it is saving me money. Sigh.
I’m debating the Author’s Guild myself. I really should belong. I may keep NINC and just be a silent, absent member because there is a lot of good info and a good, broad perspective there. I’m not entering the Rita because there’s no chance in hell of placing and that makes it a total waste of money.
Do what’s important to you, and what helps you with your career, but also do what makes you happy. As much as I dislike writer organizations, I know they provide a venue for writers to connect and work together, and some of the members actually do that. If you’re not getting anything out of any membership, though, I’d drop it and invest your money in something truly useful, like new computer equipment. 🙂
I’ve actually connected with like-minded writers via blogging rather than organizations. And blogging is free. *g* And I’ve already invested in new computer equipment. *pets new laptop*