At The Inkstone, we’re here to help you become the best novelist you can be. The task of writing a novel is difficult and often fairly isolated. Having work critiqued is another challenge, learning to pitch, networking, and knowing the industry are all additional hurdles to the ever evolving process from page one to publication.
That is why we created The Inkstone. Many local groups meet monthly or bi-monthly, which is great for smaller stories. However, for the novelist, the arc of creation is longer. Our goal is to help you find the resources and grow the skills to write, become published, and keep writing.
Our group structure is always evolving to meet the needs of our members.
At the very least, we meet once a month for networking, pitching, and goal-setting:
The meeting is be held at the Kingsdale Giant Eagle in Upper Arlington’s cafe (3061 Kingsdale Center Columbus, OH 43221) on the last Wednesday of each month at 7PM. Come prepared to talk about your writing and your goals.
Varied workshops, courses, and outings.
The needs of a writer are ever growing and change, so we do too. Members have presented workshops and short courses to hone their speaking/teaching skills. We’ve hosted a craft reading book club, to encourage technique building and application. We have outings to cultural, artistic, and writing events in order to network and be exposed to new ideas. Join us and become the best writer you can be.
While Gigi and Tom have founded the group, we see our role being that of moderators. At the end of the day, we’re novelist, just like you.
Why ‘The Inkstone’? In Eastern calligraphy, ink was traditionally made as it was needed by the writer. A large stone basin would have water dripped into it. Then a smaller stone, an ink stick, would be ground against the stone basin with the water. The grinding of the two special types of stone releases fine black particles into the water, turning it to ink. It is our hope to help novelist polish their stories and presence, taking the raw elements of first drafts, taking off the rough edges, until it is published ink on the page, be e-ink or ink on the pages of a book.
Questions, comments? InkstoneCbus@gmail.com