Write Stuff members are all respectful of the written material shared at the meetings, both in terms of not distributing it and commenting on the craft of writing, no matter how personal the subject matter might be.
That's why it's distressing when something goes astray. A mistyped email address, perpetuated and amplified by cut and pasting, and who knows where your work and thoughts might end up.
Well we do know, since someone receiving a full broadcast by mistake recently took the trouble to reply.
So here's my suggestions:
- Send email only from your own distribution list. Yes, it is a pain to set up and some new members may get missed at first, but is that really a bad thing, given the nature of some subject matter. At least until everyone is comfortable.
- If a piece is particularly controversial, personal, or let's be honest, not ready to face the world at large (and I do mean world), then don't distribute it by email. Bring hard copy and feel comfortable asking for all copies to be handed back after discussion.
They are your words after all, at least until you decide to make them public, by email or any other means.
