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From: Tuchyner5@aol.com<BR>To: kbpoet1@gmail.com<BR>CC: tuchyner5@aol.com,
jaybird@bluegrasspals.com<BR>Sent: 5/18/2017 6:52:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight
Time<BR>Subj: Re: The rest of the story<BR></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000
size=2 face=Arial><FONT color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Hi Kevin,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I’m taking your reply as an act of enlistment. That’s
great.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I’ll get your information
to Jay, and he will be in touch with you.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He’ll send you our special decoder
ring. (The group 1 conference telephone number, instructions for accessing the
recordings, and the group 1 e-mail address.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He’ll also do his
behind-the-wizard-screen magic and get the computers to recognize you as a
bona fide, official member. He’ll probably also give you some other important
pieces of information that I’ve just forgotten to include here. </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Our next meeting is 6/14/17 at 7:30 EST.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The pieces are due for submission one
week prior. I hope that works for you. Let me know.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When you have access, you might want
to listen to part of our last meeting to get an idea of how it goes.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you’d rather just observe the first
time around, that’s okay. Otherwise, I’ll have you go last in each critique so
you’ll have the benefit of listening to all the other members do their thing
before it is time for you to give your critique of the writing that’s being
considered.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">With your permission, I’ll forward this e-mail and the
mail you sent me to the other group1 members. I won’t until I have your
permission.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I’m looking forward to your participation. </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">My wife is a pianist.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She’s mostly retired now. I like to
accompany her on my harmonicas, but my playing is very amateurish and nothing
to write home about, but we have fun.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Leonard </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 5/18/2017 9:26:32 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
kbpoet1@gmail.com writes:</DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<DIV>Hello Leonard, The rest of the story has me more convinced that this
intensive critique group would be of benefit to my writing. </DIV>
<DIV>I grew up as an musician and was a member of a critique/performance
group near the beginning of my experience on the very active Philadelphia
poetry scene. As a result, I grew both as a person and a performer. I’m not
sure that my writing improved. But, I anticipate that the experience with
the intensive critique group will be much different in this regard. </DIV>
<DIV>Thank you,</DIV>
<DIV>Kevin </DIV>
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<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=mailto:Tuchyner5@aol.com
href="mailto:Tuchyner5@aol.com">Tuchyner5@aol.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, May 17, 2017 4:58 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=mailto:kbpoet1@gmail.com
href="mailto:kbpoet1@gmail.com">kbpoet1@gmail.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Cc:</B> <A title=mailto:tuchyner5@aol.com
href="mailto:tuchyner5@aol.com">tuchyner5@aol.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> The rest of the story</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
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<DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Hi Kenneth,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If I could give up sleep, I wouldn’t
fall behind.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I’d only be
senile.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">We have two groups. Their technical classification is
‘Small Intense Critique Groups’ there is Group 1 and Group 2. Each one has 5
members. We had our first meeting in July of 2016.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We did some experimentation and
ended up with what I’ll describe below.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The reason we started these groups was because we
were dissatisfied with the critiques we were getting over the general
PartyLine.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We wanted to go
further into depth and take more chances with what we said, trying to be
supportive, but also being liberal with suggestions as to how the submitted
pieces could be made better. We also try to communicate what we think the
strong parts of the various submissions are.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Working out the mechanics was difficult. We have a
special group phone line to do our conference critiques. Members can
communicate with each other via our own PartyLine or with one another
separately.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Each group has its
own e-mail address.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Every
member has to be put on the list by Jay. The meetings are recorded, and
these recordings can be accessed any time by members.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Members send in their submissions at least one week
before the actual meeting. We do this via the special PartyLine mentioned
above. The members then write out in-depth critiques for every submission.
For some, this is a few lines. For others, it might be more than a
page.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These critiques are not
sent to the PartyLine until after the critique meeting, so that nobody knows
what the critiques say until they are presented at the meeting.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Each member has their own method of delivering their
critique via the teleconference.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Those who have really good Braille skills, simply read verbatim off
their critique or use the Braille for notes. Others will transmit their
comments via screen readers. It is possible to pre-record a critique and
play it back in your own voice. Whatever technique you come up with is fine.
While a critique is being delivered, there is no cross talk. After everyone
has finished making their comments, the author can make comments, ask
questions, etc. Explanations are welcome, defensiveness is not. Cross talk
also happens at this point. It is much more relaxed than what I’ve just
described. We had to adhere to strict rules when we got started. Now we can
be a little more flexible, because we have been habituated.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">As proctor, I try to keep everyone on task.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am a participating member in group
2, but not in group 1 where you would be a member. The present members are
Marcia Wicks, Deanna QuietWater, Cleora and Mary Jo</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">After the meeting, the written critiques are sent to
the group via the PartyLine. All the critiques are sent that way so that we
all can benefit from getting a second chance to see how others critique and
what they have to say. Since the meetings are recorded, we can also listen
to the recording via the party line. I find that going over the comments in
the written form, regarding my submission, is very helpful. I certainly
can’t remember many of the important comments.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">The order of reading the critiques and the order in
which submissions are critiqued is set </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">up in advance of every meeting, and I publish the
order to the PartyLine.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">It sounds a lot more complicated than it is.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Oh, I almost forgot. Any genre is welcome.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">We are meeting now at 7:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.
We tend to meet on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. There is some flexibility about
these times.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">I thought of you as a potential member by virtue of
the fact that you were asking for critiques of your writing on the general
PartyLine, and I really like your writing.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I asked the group members whether
they could recommend a potential new member, and your name immediately came
up.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">My telephone number is: (434) 973-7632. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please feel free to call with any
questions or comments.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Leonard</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P></DIV></FONT></DIV></DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></FONT></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>