Writing in community is a wonderful way for a writer to grow. Too often writers sequester themselves away from the nourishing fellowship of other writers. While there’s nothing wrong with writing in solitude, there are so many benefits to building camaraderie with people who also love the craft of writing. These people can turn into the biggest supporters getting the word out when your work is published.
There are two types of groups a writer might typically join. There’s the more general writer’s group and the writing critique group.
General Writer Groups
What are they?
A general writer group serves as a haven where writers inspire each other. Rather than having a focus on critiquing each other’s writing, these groups share resources, hold events on the topic of writing, and even meet together just for the sole purpose of writing in each other’s presence.
What I mean by this is, writer groups will sometimes meet at a coffee shop or through video chat literally just to write alongside each other. The groups are primarily social and focused on helping each other stay motivated to tackle respective writing goals.
The name of the game here is accountability. Knowing one of your writer buds will be asking you whether you’ve finished writing that one scene you were struggling with last writing session can really motivate you to actually resolve whatever writing dilemma is threatening to turn into writer’s block.
Since writing can be so difficult, sharing the activity with people who know the struggle can help remind you your goal isn’t impossible. These types of writer groups provide gentle incentive for writers to improve their craft. While writers may sometimes share work with each other, the expectation for feedback usually isn’t there and if even feedback is given it’s generally done in an unstructured manner. The focus is on encouraging each other to write more prolifically.
Motivational activities in these groups include engaging in writing challenges together, exchanging writer resources (like knowledge of new writing software or places to submit writing), doing writing sprints together, bouncing ideas off each other to complete a brainstorm, chatting about craft, and inviting guest speakers on the topics of writing, publishing, or book marketing.
How to Spot a Good Writer Group
-There’s regular schedule
-There’s a lead organizer or rotating roster of hosts
-There’s an open, friendly atmosphere
-Writer resources are shared frequently
-Engagement is high (it’s not a dead group)
What a Bad Writer Group Looks Like
-Cliquish (a bit hostile to new members)
-Members are defensive any time writing progress is asked about
-It serves as a complaint echo chambers (Instead of meeting to motivate each other, they meet to gripe about perceived gate-keepers or the insurmountability of writer’s block)
-There’s a bitter writer leading as strict, abrasive overlord by putting down others’ efforts
Writing Critique Groups
What’s the difference between writer groups and writing critique groups?
Writing critique groups are more serious than general writer groups in that there is a formal expectation for feedback. Rather than garnering motivation primarily from social engagement, writing critique groups derive their motivation from getting targeted feedback at regular intervals.
Most writing critique groups meet once or twice a month since the time and effort commitment is higher than general writer groups. One must dedicate time to not only produce writing but meaningfully critique the writing of others. Many critique groups are groups of novelists seeking consistent feedback on book-length works, but critique groups centered around short stories and poetry exist too.
Usually members will send a writing excerpt out to everyone by an assigned deadline and everyone commits to reading and giving feedback to each piece so they can discuss it together during the next meeting. Alternatively, some groups choose to rotate which members share their work for the next meeting and focus only on one writer’s work per meeting (which allows for more frequent meetings). This type of spotlighted feedback might make you very uncomfortable but it’s worth considering since growth often occurs in the presence of discomfort.
Some writer critique groups don’t actually meet to discuss their feedback at all and simply regularly correspond via email or chat room like pen pals. The ones that do meet to chat about feedback though can have just as buddy buddy an atmosphere as general writing groups. Many writers have found dear friends this way.
Feedback can vary from on-page feedback to a one-page summary of perceived strengths and weaknesses. Getting a chance to discuss things aloud can provide the opportunity for writers to ask questions about aspects of their work they feel they need more feedback on or to get clarification on feedback already provided.
It’s a good idea to try to match up with writers around the same skill level as you or above when searching for a good writing critique group. This is the best way to make sure the growth of your writing skills aren’t stagnant.
How to Spot a Good Writing Critique Group
-Feedback on writing is specific (“This is good” isn’t helpful if the writer can’t be sure what exactly about it is thought to be good)
-Actionable feedback is given (ie. No “This is bad writing” comments without details on how to improve it)
-Timers are used to give everyone a chance to talk
-A spirit of camaraderie and constructive feedback motivates members to keep putting in the work to come back
What a Bad Writing Critique Group Looks Like
-There’s an inconsistent schedule
-Writers tear each other down (verbally or in written feedback)
-There’s an atmosphere of petty competitiveness
-Feedback is inconsistent because members keep claiming they didn’t have time to read, while still expecting feedback for their own work
-People aren’t respecting group rules (such as page-limit guidelines) thus disturbing the equilibrium of the group
Where to find Writing Groups
Just talking to fellow writers is a good way to find out about existing writing groups, whether general or writing critique group. But if you’re looking for a more targeted way to locate writing groups, writing organizations often have lists of members who lead writing groups. The more niched the writing organization the better, since you’re more likely to find writers who are familiar with the expectations and struggles of your genre.
For example, if you write speculative fiction, search the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association for existing groups. Are you a romance writer? Check out your local Romance Writers of America chapter. There are places like Meetup.com that host all types of groups, including writing groups, so you might find a local one there. Libraries too tend to host writing groups alongside their book clubs.
You may also consider starting your own group since you could be in control of setting the rules for it and cultivating a healthy ambience.
One free site that’s a great place to find writers willing to give feedback on your writing is Scribophile.com. There you can post your work chapters at a time and wait for other writers to review it. In order to keep getting feedback though, you must earn points by giving feedback. There are also groups there that will post writing contests for points or break off and form writing critique groups off the site, so there’s a variety of ways you can engage with other writers there.
All in all, writing groups are a great way to make friends while improving your craft and there are many ways you can go about it.
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