The Inkbloods

I work with an amazing writer's critique group. Why so amazing? Because they are very serious about their writing and growing, not only as individuals but as a group. I was introduced to them by my husband, George, who became a member quite a while before I did. It was a Who's Who of people, as far as I was concerned. The first night I was treated to writing of such quality and such diversity that it took my breath away. Yet no one has made the jump to publishing yet. Their personalities define their work. First there is Joe, the patriarch, who is everyone's friend.(Everyone in the world, that is!) Joe is a retired Air Force Colonel whose combat stories and recollections frame a tenderness of heart. It is an amazing combination. Matt, currently a commercial pilot, likes quirky adventure, laced with perhaps pirates, zombies and talking birds. Fast paced, funny and rather irreverent in his views on life, Matt is pretty much of a wise ass, which is why I like him. You never know what you're going to read from Matt. Jane writes lovingly of people that could be people from her past, sometimes they are, sometimes they are not. Her European roots add character and dialogue to her stories that is realistic and entertaining. Her heart shines through in her work.
Another writer is Adrianna. Of Brazilian and Italian descent, her writing reads with a beautiful accent, lilting and reading almost like poetry. Her stories are memoirs of her beloved family and friends during very trying times during the political unrest in Brazil. Her words read like music to our ears.
Pat, a retired teacher, which I long to be, writes beautiful and full stories with amazing plot lines, characters that should not be real but are, such as colonies of mermaids and mermen. Her writing also transcends ordinary language and flows in beauty, dialogue being a particular strength of hers.
Then there is Sara. Sara, who writes with subtle humor and grace. Her stories of boomer humor have us sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for the next installment. Her word choice and her dialogue intrigue us, as she appears to be the proper lady at all times, yet she manages to titillate and enthrall us with her heroine's hijinx.
Then there is George, whose writing has been labeled "noir." I am not sure what that all means but he has a dark kind of humor, full of surprises and encounters with devilish type people. Characters may die unnatural deaths, and twists and turns keep you wondering what could be next.
Then there is Miette, who is a retired judge. Her writing mostly resembled that of lawyer's briefs (no pun intended) until not too long ago, where we found that the writer in Miette had taken over the court reporter. And we can't wait to find out what happens next in her suspenseful and exciting book.
Last, but not least, is our moderator, Sue. Sue is an environmentalist who is passionate about nature and animals. Her writing's soul reflects her own thoughts and priorities. Sue is a nurturer, kind-hearted by nature and knowledgeable about so many things, due, in part to her voracious appetite as a reader.
Then there is me, the hard-core humor writer. My writing is always sure to have a bad word in it, a pun, a tacky word choice, you name it, it is there. But despite our differences, we are this wonderfully close knit group of people who know each other's writing well and are willing to help.
Other members come and go, but this group of people tends to have staying power. The Inkbloods! I love them.