La Manzanilla’s Writers’ Group is a friendly, welcoming, inclusive, and helpful group of writers, at least in my experience, and I have been a member of the group for 10 years (ever since I first came to La Manzanilla). Depending on the time of the year, the group can vary in size from a handful to as many as 16-20, ‘though generally at this time of year there are usually 10-15 in attendance.

After an initial ‘Meet and Greet’ (very brief introductions) and a preview of the day’s agenda, the group gets down to a writing session for half an hour - a chance to write something new, advance a pre-existing piece, and/or edit some work.

Then depending on the number in attendance and the number wanting to read aloud their piece, the time remaining is divided equally between readers e.g. if there are 80 mins remaining and 10 who choose to read, eight minutes is assigned to each writer/reader. That time allotment includes time for feedback to those open to it. (One can expressly exclude feedback prior to reading if one so desires).

The feedback is usually very respectful and supportive. It often contains comments on what the listener(s) liked and a suggestion or two for consideration in a review/edit.


Writers in the group typically write short stories, journals, memoirs, a travel adventure, or poetry, even occasionally song lyrics. Some may be working on a full-length book or novella.

During the two hours allotted, there are usually some announcements made about matters of interest to the group e.g. upcoming public readings and the next meeting date, time, and place.

(The above is not intended to be all inclusive and is just one writer’s experience of the group but I hope it helps to give you some familiarity with proceedings. For what it’s worth and in case it matters, the group is usually 80%+ female and up to 20% male, most in their senior years).

Padraic (Patrick) Slater