Deb, darn it, I wish you hung out in one of the chatty threads. What is Adam's Rib? I was on bedrest quite a bit because of back pain for both of my last two.

I work with a woman who had the exact symptoms I have, and she had surgery at this back clinic -- when I asked her if it was horrible and did recovery just make her want to die, she said no, that day 1 after surgery was rough, but then she was up and walking around her neighborhood in 2 weeks. So I'm really okay with the idea of surgery, if it comes to that.

Also, w/r/t my class -- it's a wonderful experience overall. (The link to the Web site should give a clear picture of the mission, etc., which is essentially to give women writers a space to write what they want, tell the truth, and know they're sharing it in a venue that isn't going to criticize or judge for telling that truth. The modality is writing, and as such, the *writing* gets critiqued -- in theory -- but never the truth behind it. It really saved my sanity getting into this school at the time I was getting out of the freak-ass church.)

Deena, insent. An Adams Rib is a protrusion of bone from the rib, generally microscopic, generally on the outside of the ribcage. Mine, being different, is on the lowest righthand rib, interior, not microscopic (it's almost half an inch long, and can be clearly seen in x-rays), and down-pointing. So as the womb expanded, it pressed the nerve and during labour? On my side, because I could have fetched up paralysed: bone hitting spinal cord.

Steph, I did a writers group for about seven months last year, we published a very nice anthology, most of the people were wonderful, but alas, the woman running it is unpredictable and started trashing people behind their backs, in group e-mails. She'd send out emails to 11 out of 12 of us, and trash the 12th, some weird snotty comments. I can't stand that sort of thing, so I walked and started my own group. There are six of us, five women and one man. I find the input and simply exchanging air with other writers incredibly nourishing.

Deb, and replied. Once I do the edits, I might post it here for more response. I'm feeling a bit braver now.

I find the input and simply exchanging air with other writers incredibly nourishing.

YES!!! Exactly! That's why I love my class so much.As long the small-group issues are addressed next semester, I'm good.

It's wonderful. It's home to me.

Kewl! Hell, why not post it? I find it hard to believe anyone would trash it; I imagine if it wasn't someone's cuppa, they'd simply not remark at all. That's what I always assume about the bulk of response to my stuff, anyway.

Steph, for years, I was a very solitary writer. It's only recently that I've come to realise how much I like working with other writers. It isn't about the publishing, or the selling, or the whatevering; it's about the "whoa, you do it that way? Coooooool...."

I am one of the original organic writers; hell, I didn't know what Plainsong was about until I was halfway done, I just sit and write. But it's awe-making and very cool to me, to discover the myriad ways it can be done.

I'd love to read something you'd written, Deena.

Steph, for years, I was a very solitary writer. It's only recently that I've come to realise how much I like working with other writers. It isn't about the publishing, or the selling, or the whatevering; it's about the "whoa, you do it that way? Coooooool...."

Yes, this! And being with other writers who automatically understand what it's like to have words assault you such that you have to stop and drop everything to get them out of your head and onto paper. Other people who are obsessed with pens and journals. Other people who understand the relentless pursuit of that one elusive word, or phrase, or what have you.

I love you Ms. Lizard.