One of my New Year Resolutions Bea-ing Resolved was to join a writing group. So far I have discovered three groups that meet locally. I have visited one, am due at another next week and still have to decide whether to look at the third. What seemed like a good idea at the beginning of the year doesn’t feel that way now. Why am I so uncertain? And how will I know when I find the right one?
One of my reasons for being part of a writing group is to socialise with like-minded individuals; the other is to seek advice on whether a particular piece of writing is good enough for submission. I already achieve both of these online.
I am a member of an online writing group, Fiction Addiction, which is wonderfully supportive. Mostly the stories we share and critique are intended for the womag market. Because they understand that market, I trust the members to tell me whether a particular story is working.
Socially, I ‘attend’ a weekly Twitter meet-up with fellow writers. (Each Wednesday evening, from 8pm to 9pm UK time, use the hashtag #writingchat to find us.) We talk about writing topics generally. There is usually a theme to start the conversation. It’s rather like walking into a crowded party where there are dozens of conversations happening. With Twitter you can flit in and out of them all. It’s fun, interesting and usually makes me laugh out loud.
So if I already have a critique group and a social circle, what extra benefits am I looking for by attending a local group? It would be good to meet real people who understand what it is to be a writer; to know that I am not alone with my computer; to be challenged and stimulated; to stretch myself and my writing beyond its narrow genre confines. I know it will take me time to feel comfortable with new people, enough to lay bare my sensitive writing soul.
I’ve never been a member of a local writing group before so am not sure what to expect. Are you a member of a writing group? If so, what benefits do you find there? Any advice for me?
I do belong to a local writing group. The other members are very pleasant so it's a nice way to spend an evening. At each meeting (it's monthly) we read something we've written inspired by prompts we all chose in advance and there are ocasional competitions. These can lead to pieces I wouldn't otherwise have written. We share news of local writing events, opportunities and competitions, some of which I wouldn't otherwise have known about.
ReplyDeleteI do think you need to try a few meetings first and, if possible, several groups and decide for yourself if you enjoy it and/or find it useful. Not all groups will work for everyone.
That sounds like a good group, Patsy. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
DeleteThey're based in Gosport, Hampshire and called Solent Writers (just in case anyone reading this lives locally and might like to join)
DeleteHi Beatrice. I'm relatively new to writing as a 'serious hobby' and have also wondered about joining a writing group. I guess it's about finding the right group but I worry about the focus being too narrow and being potentially bogged down by the opinions of a small group of people. (Obviously assuming the negative first!) The benefits online are being able to communicate with people all over the world with various viewpoints/backgrounds etc. To be honest, I find the idea of face to face groups a little intimidating but would be interested to hear what you decide. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOnline is a lot less scary. I'll let you know how I get on. Many of my (online) writing friends attend writing groups and seem to benefit from them. Somewhere out there is the perfect group for me and for you.
DeleteI had a great group, with a brilliant tutor. For me, I went to learn not make friends. Not that I'm unfriendly, but some went for a day out, others were far too serious, so it was a funny mix. Wiggy was named for childish reasons by me and another lady, who did turn up one windy morning as we'd been guessing with wiggy knocked to one side. Saying that I ended up making some good friends, and the tutor was excellent. Other than that I had a few writer friends and we took turns to go to each others houses. That was funny as well. I'm actually more productive when I work alone though, and my online buddies are the best ever.
ReplyDeleteThanks for passing by, Suzy. I too value my online buddies very much. But it would be good to meet some locally for coffee, and cake of course.
DeleteI agree with Patsy's comments. Groups vary so much. Ours meets weekly and we have a termly programme where we read out our work to the group. However, some people have to be brought into line as the conversation can easily steer away from the critique, which is what most people go for. I find this quite frustrating. On the whole I would recommend a good group. I know that most of my writing is triggered from homework projects and keeps me motivated. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Maggie. A weekly meet is quite a commitment. But as you say if it can trigger new writing and provide motivation then it is worth the time given. In fact one of the three groups I have tracked down meets weekly and I had discounted them for that reason, but perhaps I should think again.
DeleteUntil recently I went to a lovely, weekly group with a tutor. We did a wide range of writing, and it pushed me into areas I wouldn't have otherwise tried, like poetry. It's good to stretch yourself, because it all helps develop your ideas and skills. Even though poetry will never be my main thing, I've had quite a few poems published which I originally wrote for the group. I've also had stories published which started off as writing exercises set by our tutor.
ReplyDeleteA weekly commitment can be difficult, I admit. I'm not currently attending the group because of a lot of changes in my day job, but I may well return to it when things are settled.
If you didn't want the commitment of a regular group, then one day workshops can be very inspiring and motivating too. They can work out more expensive, but it's another good way to make contact with writers in your area and find out what's going on.
Thanks for your thoughts, Joanne. I have done writing courses but I'm really looking for a long term commitment, not just one-day stands! The search goes on.
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