The group named itself Independence Inklings after Inklings, the Oxford writing group that famously included C. S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia fame, and J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings.
Its members are diverse. Barbara Howard is working on a historical novel, and Andrew Gordon penning a horror-suspense story. Monica Fritsch does crime fiction. Group leader Brenda Moffitt writes poetry and memoir. She is also working on a mainstream novel about a musician with a dark secret.
But it’s no secret what the group is about. The group focuses on improving its members’ writing. Compared with some groups, Moffitt says, “I think we’re more process oriented. We’re focused on learning the craft and becoming better writers. That’s why we not only offer critiques, but do exercises designed to teach fiction writing elements.” In 2016, for example, the group worked through the Writer’s Digest’s Crafting Novels & Short Stories