One of my writing groups has a two page limit on readings because of time constraints and the number of writers. This has been repeated on numerous occasions and we all abide by it. Well, not exactly. Toward the end of the last session, one woman announced she was reading her short story--the entire thing, which was over two pages. The facilitator, a nice fellow, should have stepped in and reminded her that there was a two page limit. He didn't, so she read the whole thing, which wasn't really a fiction piece, but a personal essay about a medical problem. She also blasted her ex husband for not being sympathetic enough.
The content is secondary to the fact that this woman willfully ignored the guidelines. Now that a precedent has been set, what's to prevent others from doing the same?
Because of her selective hearing, another writer was prevented from reading and getting feedback. It's amazing to me how often people look to bypass the rules and guidelines. What are they accomplishing? And I'd really like to hear her husband's side of the story. As one member said, two things that turn off others are showing vacation photos and whining about your medical problems.
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