About us
Writing a book? Let's MeetUp! Red Sands is a casual creative writing critique group open to all genres, from YA to mystery, literary to sci-fi, novels to poetry, screenplays to memoir. No fees or rigid structure. We get together to read drafts aloud and share feedback. Newbies are always welcome!
Don't have any writing yet? Just want to see how things work? Feel free to stop by as a reader. We always look forward to extra feedback!
***Recognized as one of the Top 150 groups in the world at MeetUp Togetherfest 2018***
Check out an incomplete list of published books by Red Sands members on this Goodreads List
Want more ways to connect? Join us on all the social media!
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Upcoming events
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Hang Out & Write at Starbucks: East Mesa
Starbucks, 10720 E Point Twenty-Two Blvd, Mesa, AZ, USRed Sands Writers Circle and Writers' Doubt Club have combined forces to help you finish that book! Struggling to meet your writing goals? Looking for some company while going through the agony and ecstasy of a first (or 50th) draft? Hang out with us -- and write! We'll be chillin' from 5pm to 8pm. Feel free to stop by whenever during that time.
This is a non-critique meeting. If you're looking for feedback on a draft, we host events for that too! Here we simply pull up a chair, connect to Wi-Fi and start writing. We might write in silence or enjoy a little conversation to move the process along. Occasional writing sprints may also be sources of inspiration. Whatever it takes to get words on the page!
Have questions? Leave a comment. See you there!
3 attendees- $50.00
Grammar Workshop
2627 N 3rd St, 2627 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA, Phoenix, AZ, USIN-PERSON EVENT in Downtown Phoenix
To sign up, please click here for our official website
Grammar is the DNA of all great writing. Skilled authors utilize the psycholinguistics of grammar to control their narratives and keep their novels engaging. They know which side of a verb to hug with an adverb; the key difference between an adjective that ends in -ed vs. -ing; the temporal effects of using the present simple versus the present progressive. They can frame a single sentence so that it puppeteers their audience to feel a certain way or expect a certain thing, and they use that same technique to deliver a mind-blowing twist later.
Join Mike Oppenheim as he reveals all the best grammatical secrets gained from a 15-year career teaching grammar and creative writing to students from Junior High through College. This fun and fulfilling 3-hour course won't make your head spin, but it will blow your mind. Writers of all skill levels will leave with new tricks to make their writing more captivating and marketable.
Here's a small taste of what to expect:
- Tips for how to trim sentences down to the most effective level.
- Advice for how to make small variances at the sentence-level to control your audience's emotional and affective experience.
- A full mastery of every nuance of English grammar so you have the exuberant confidence required to pen, edit, and release your very own book!
This seminar is not just for authors of fiction and non-fiction. It's for anyone who wants to feel confident about their emails and all other modern correspondence. Be prepared to see less blue and green squiggles in your documents!
This interactive seminar features engaging handouts, two short breaks, free coffee, and lots of learning, the fun way!
This event is hosted by Mike Oppenheim, an English, grammar, language, and creative writing professor with a 15+ year career teaching students from High School through College. He holds an M.F.A. from Mills College, an M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from The University of California at Berkeley, a Master's Level Certificate in Copyediting from The University of California at San Diego, and a B.A. in Film Studies and English from The University of Pittsburgh, summa cum laude. But as you can tell from his art, he’s silly and embraces humor!
To sign up, please click here for our official website
**Questions? Email Mike at mikeyopp@mikeyopp.com**11 attendees ![[Tempe Library] All-Genre Writing Workshop: Read drafts, critique](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/2/b/0/highres_532217072.jpeg)
[Tempe Library] All-Genre Writing Workshop: Read drafts, critique
Tempe Public Library, 3500 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ, USIN-PERSON EVENT @ TEMPE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Location address: 3500 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282
MEETING ROOM 7Welcome to our Saturday morning meeting in Tempe! Please bring paper copies of a draft/chapter you're working on. Consider the number of RSVPs to determine how many copies. Keep your draft under 1500 words. We'll read the draft aloud and offer suggestions. First timers are always welcome. If you don't have writing to bring yet, that's okay too! Feel free to join us to read, hang out, and offer critiques. Just comment I'm coming just to critique or coming but nothing to share. It's all okay.
FAQ:
What type of writing can be critiqued?
We read everything! Bring your novel, screenplay, non-fiction, poetry, short story, TikTok skit, or anything else.My writing is ____ genre, is that okay?
Yes! Bring your sci-fi, mystery, western, literary, or whatever genre you're working on. We love them all!Does Tempe Public Library have food and beverage?
Yes! Grab a coffee or snack from their cafe area.How does the critique work?
Writers will read their work aloud. The writer then silently observes and takes notes as the readers each share feedback in turn. The critiquer focuses on large issues, leaving minor correction such as grammar and spelling on the page. Afterwards the writer receives all the copies for later review. We ask that critiquers refrain from posing questions to the writer at the table as it delays the process of critique.
Do I have to RSVP?
Yes! RSVP if you have writing to share. If you discover you can't attend, move yourself to "Not Going" as soon as you realize you won't be able to make it. This is essential as fellow writers print copies based on how many RSVPs. Three no shows may warrant a block. If joining to read other work and share feedback, but not share a draft yourself, add a comment so we'll know to expect you.I'm on the "Waitlist" what does that mean?
If you're on the waitlist, you're still welcome to join us, but we may not have time to read your draft.I'm afraid someone will hate my writing, what should I do?
Don't be afraid! Rough drafts are always rough. Nobody will be perfect. We're here for support, which means pointing out the parts that are awesome and providing honest suggestions for improvement. You're welcome to ignore the suggestions or take them into consideration for the next draft. It's just feedback, and not all of our suggestions will be good. As the director of your project, you get to decide what's helpful and what isn't.I'm not good at giving feedback to others, what should I do?
Oh, sure you are! If you've ever thought "Wow, that book was great, but I wish there was more of ___ and less of ____" then you know how to give feedback. You're welcome to provide as little or as much feedback as you're comfortable with. Easy stuff.I want to attend but I don't have any writing to bring this time.
That's okay! You can still provide feedback. See you there! Just write in the comments, coming with nothing to share.Is Red Sands on social media?
Oh yeah! Join us on all these fun platforms:10 attendees
![[Central Phoenix] Hang Out & Write](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/6/4/highres_536583428.jpeg)
Past events
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