Top 5 Reasons Why You Need to Join a Writer's Group
Are you looking for feedback on your thesis? Do you need direction on where your story is going? Are you looking to expand your audience? Writer’s groups can provide all these things and more. Whether you think your writing is only a hobby or if you strive to be a bestselling author, this may be a path to consider. Allow me to enlighten you in a few reasons why writer’s groups can be worth their weight in gold.
1. Feedback
I don’t know a single writer who doesn’t have a half-written masterpiece hanging out in their closet, buried in a file on their hard drive, or on a Batman flash drive. Over time, the excuses pile up like dirty laundry, but in the back of your mind you are questioning whether your piece is any good. Don’t be afraid to share it. If you’ve taken the time to write your piece, it must have some spark of passion. Is it perfect? No. Probably not. But that’s where feedback from other writers will help you.
Have you ever heard the saying “you can’t see the forest for the trees?” That applies here. When you’re so invested in your own written work, seeing it through a clear lens is practically impossible. You are biased. You have spent so much time building a fictional world, developing your characters, and plotting your story that you overlook the possible flaws. You know what you’re trying to convey, but it’s impossible for you to judge if you’re conveying it clearly. A writer’s group can be a great place for feedback on your finished rough drafts, half-written works, or story development.
2. Goal Setting/ Skill Building
The good thing about writer’s groups is they meet at a scheduled time. Anything you want to read for the group needs to be prepared and ready to read by the time the next meeting happens. I don’t know about you, but I write my best stuff when there’s a deadline involved. If I don’t have a deadline, my excuse pile grows bigger than my collection of homeless Tupperware lids. All the while my manuscript waits for much-needed attention. As a regular member of a writer’s group you’ll dedicate more of your time toward writing; therefore, you’ll get more of it done.
Some writer’s groups focus on more than just critiquing and providing feedback. Others will focus on skill building. They might have “assignments” or projects designed to get the juices flowing and geared toward specific writing techniques (dialog, setting, plot, tension building, etc). If you find a group that does this, don’t be afraid to dive in and see if you can’t improve some of your weak areas.
Ideally a writer’s group provides both feedback and an environment where growth and learning are fostered and encouraged. However, there are no set guidelines on how a writer’s group should operate, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t find one that provides the type of support you’re looking for right away (but more on that in a minute).
3. Exposure
If you’re the kind of writer who has already found their voice and has their own style of writing mastered, great. If that doesn’t describe you, you’re still in luck. Belonging to a writer’s group exposes you to endless varieties of genres, styles, techniques, and individual voices. The more you go, the more you write, the more you make writing a part of your life, the closer you will be to finding your own unique voice. Exposing yourself to other styles from other writers will only broaden your horizons, prospects, and opportunities.
Also, your group is your audience. They are your guinea pigs, test subjects, and focus group. Allow yourself to take advantage of their experience, skills, and knowledge. In time, your writing will be ready for the exposure of a bigger audience.
4. Networking
Writer’s groups are filled with writers whose specialties, skills, and successes vary across different spectrums. Many of them will have experience and information about attending events such as conferences and workshops. Other members may know key players in the industry like authors, editors, publishers, and agents. The writing world is hard to navigate, and the invaluable tips other writers possess could save you time and headaches. Benefitting from this shared knowledge will foster growth your writing career.
5. Friendship
One of the unexpected benefits of meeting with like-minded people is the formation of trusting relationships. Some of my dearest friends are fellow writers I’ve met through writer’s groups. Over the years we’ve shared more than just writing tips and feedback. These people have been there for me through my triumphs and my setbacks. They are invested in me; not only as a writer, but also as a person. They’ve encouraged me, cared about my life, and have had my back. The group I belong to has been established for over ten years, and I can’t imagine my life without these folks.
A Few Tips: Now that I’ve convinced you to join a writer’s group, allow me to impart some wisdom about how you find and join the right one for you.
1. Shop Around
I suggest figuring out the basics of what you are specifically looking for before you start your search. Every writer’s group is different.
Some spend their meeting time writing. I like to use the distinction of “writing” group versus “writer’s” group. They exist to provide a scheduled time to write, and some are genre specific. If this is your challenge, this is the type of group you’re looking for.
Some writer’s groups are solely for providing critique and feedback. The actual writing itself takes place outside of meeting times. I recommend this type of group if you are comfortable with your style and technique, but require an outside perspective.
Some groups are focused on technique and skill building with the intent of publishing. At these groups topics of discussion can range from the writing process, to editing, to acquiring an agent or publisher. The focus of the group is more on discussion, rather than critique and feedback.
So, how do you find a writer’s group? Look at bookstores and libraries. A lot of times writer’s groups meet in places like these, and they’ll probably advertise it with a flier somewhere on the premises. Check local papers and circulars for ads for groups and when/where they might be meeting. Social media is a good place too. Not only do virtual online groups exist there, but a lot of real time groups that meet in person will belong to writing communities online. The possibilities are virtually endless, and it may take a little time for you to find one that suits you at your writing level and leads you to your writing goals. They’re out there waiting to be found.
2. Don’t Be Shy
The writer’s groups I’ve been to were totally cool with unannounced first time visitors. In fact, they were more than happy to have a potential new member. Don’t be afraid to show up and start introducing yourself.
Be mentally prepared before you read. If you’re not comfortable reading in front of others, ask another member read your work for you. This will also give you the opportunity to hear what your work sounds like as it’s perceived by someone else.
3. Have an Open Mind
You must be willing to hear feedback on your work. This means you need to drop your emotional attachment to your piece, temporarily, to hear what others say about it. Again, you cannot see the forest for the trees, but your fellow writers can. They have an outside perspective you don’t have, and their advice shouldn’t be dismissed lightly. Go in with an open mind, and come out with some new perspectives.
4. Give it a Real Try
If you show up to a new group (online or in real time) and they’re rude, they give you non-constructive feedback, or they make you feel uncomfortable in any way, then this is not the group for you.
Consider that writer’s groups go through ebbs and flows. Sometimes attendance will be low due busy schedules or the time of year. It’s important to attend a group’s meeting enough times to evaluate their structure and focus, critiquing and feedback skills, and personalities of the other members. Make sure you give the group ample opportunity to demonstrate what they have to offer.
Writing can be a lonely activity. It doesn’t require other people. We need to remember we aren’t alone in this. We need to be a community that CAN and SHOULD help each other. I can say, from experience, my writing improved after I found my current writer’s group. It is the second group I tried, and I’ve been a member for nearly 8 years. I’ve watched fellow members’ writing blossom by improving their techniques and skill sets. With encouragement and constructive feedback, we’ve all grown as writers. I’ve made friendships I know will last a lifetime. But, most importantly, I’ve made writing a bigger part of my world. It’s a passion that I love sharing with other talented individuals. I encourage all writers to find a group to experience the writing world with.
