Finding a Writing Group
Search for the Right Group to Improve Your Writing Skills
A writers group can focus on critiques, marketing and networking, or simply be a social support group. What kind of a group are you looking for, and how do you find one?
Writers groups run the gamut from social support and networking to focused critique groups. The important thing is finding a group that meets your needs. Do you want a group to give and receive critiques? A group to help with marketing ideas? Or a primarily social group?
Critique groups
For critique groups, it can be good to have writers in the same genre. Mystery writers can share tips on planting red herrings; children’s writers can help with authentic, age-appropriate voice; sci-fi/fantasy writers have experience in creating worlds and the rules that govern them. Once writers in a critique group are established, though, it may be appropriate to branch out.
It can be difficult to find a local critique group to join. Membership numbers have to be kept reasonable or there won’t be time to critique everyone’s work, so established groups may not welcome new members. And groups with room may want a certain level of writing from you before they want to spend time with your work. Don’t let that put you off, just be prepared to turn in some samples so they know you have a working knowledge of what it takes to craft a story.
Social and networking groups
These writing groups can work on a general basis or within a genre. While it’s fun to sit at a bookstore and discuss your plot woes with other romance, historical, or fantasy writers, it can also be fun to talk to writers in totally different areas. And because they’re thinking in different ways, they may come up with new ideas for you to try.
Either way, it’s a chance to get away from the computer desk, connect with real people, and see what they’re working on, what conferences they’re going to, and share successes and disappointments. You’ll come away refreshed and ready to plunge back into your own work.
You’ll generally find writing groups in two areas: local and online. Local groups provide the synergy that comes from a face-to-face discussion, not to mention the chance to get away from your computer. Online groups let you critique on your own schedule and make connections with people across the world.
Local writing groups
- Check the library bulletin boards, in surrounding communities as well as your own.
- Go to writers conferences and find people who live near you.
- Check with writers organizations at the national and state/provincial level to locate local groups.
Online writing groups
It’s actually easier to find an online group than a local one.
- Do a Google search for “writers groups,” and then refine the search with your genre.
- Go to YahooGroups and search for one that fits your genre and is open to new members. "Restricted membership" only means that you have to tell them about yourself first.
- Go to writing websites (Google again) and join the discussion boards or groups. Orson Scott Card’s Hatrack River Writers Workshop is a good example of this.
- Check the discussion board of your writers organization.
Writers' discussion boards are good places to find a lot of help. Some do actual critiques. Some allow you to post a few lines and ask for critique volunteers. And all have areas to read, post and answer questions about craft, style, marketing, formatting, etc.
One additional resource is “The 101 Best Websites for Writers,” from Writer’s Digest. You’ll have to browse through the list, but it includes online writers groups, a few local groups, and websites focused on articles or market information.
Writers groups can be a lifeline in this solitary pursuit. If you can’t find a group, form your own!
