The Willow Glen Resident Photograph by Skye Dunlap Writers Talk: Millie Messineo, Frederick Semken, Susan Nicolsen, and Al Van Hise discuss writing at the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company. Aspiring novelists meet in the Glen to critique writing Most members of writer's group have novels in progress By Sharon Parks Members of Willow Glen's writer's group sit around a long metal table on a cold night sipping tea and coffee. Once everyone in the group is seated, briefcases flip open and marked-up manuscripts are set on the table. A few more sips of tea and the critiquing session begins, complete with intense expressions and hand gestures. This Willow Glen writer's group has been meeting for four years every other Tuesday night from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Willow Glen Bookstore. Although the members of the group change, the format stays the same. Four to six people continue to show up, with copies of their writing, mostly fiction, but also some poetry and nonfiction. "Each time we meet we pass around each other's work, take it home and write comments and suggestions for the next time we meet," retired technical writer and college professor Al Van Hise said. "The pieces of work are between one and two pages in length to novels." "We encourage each other to write so we give positive reinforcement," adds Millie Messineo, office manager for the Elks Lodge in San Jose. "It is fun and relaxing." According to the writer's group, the main focus for meeting is the mutual love of writing, motivating each other, and growing and learning in their writing from good feedback. Most people involved in the group support themselves in other work, and have only dreamed of working as full-time novelists. But they work hard toward that end, at each group session. "We're not a cookie and punch group, we are here seriously to hear honesty," retired business manager Susan Nicolson said. Only one member of the group, Frederick Semken, has had his fiction published before. "I've had 15 short stories published in literary reviews and magazines, some connected with Santa Clara University," said Semken, who is a retired attorney. "The last story published, 'Vacant Apartment,' appeared in the 1997-98 issue of SCU Winter Review." Semken has been in the group for a year, and during that time he has been working on a novel about the life of a Brooklyn priest. Others in the group are working on novels too. Al Van Hise is almost finished with a novel about a 55-year-old man who adopts his illegitimate daughter after she seeks him out. Van Hise says the structure of the writing group has really helped him plow through the editing of his novel. Although he could have asked friends or family for editing help, Van Hise says that other writers offer much better critique. "The difference between a non-writer and writer is the writer can make suggestions on how to improve your writing by objective criticism," Van Hise said. "By doing this it helps your own writing." The group wants to stay small but is always looking for serious writers who can contribute positive input. "We all have a different point of view," Nicolson said. "We're not clones. Our group works well together because there are no ego problems." [ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Willow Glen Resident, November 18, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.