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Writer's Groups: Are They Worth Your Time?

© Kim Kay

"Infinitely often it is clear that we appreciate, even respect - not a multitude - but ten people gathered in a room, each of whom, taken by himself, we consider of no account." - Giacomo Leopardi

Participating in a writing group takes time and effort. Time, which could be devoted to your own writing, is spent critiquing the works of others. Why should you waste your time helping others, some of who may even be your competitors in a particular market? Because you receive tenfold what you put in. Not only can you make new friends who share your interests, you get perspectives on your work which may help you improve your writing. For those who suffer from writer's block, lack of motivation, and/or lack of confidence, these groups can be a Godsend.

Finding a Local Writer's Group

Writer's groups are everywhere. If you don't already know of a group in your area, there are many places to look. Your local college or university is a good place to start. They usually have writing groups available as day or night courses. Attend writer's conferences and join writer's organizations to network with fellow writers who may know of local groups. Search the Life section of your local paper. Some newspapers list all groups for the week in their Sunday edition. Hang out in places where writers frequent, such as bookstores, film festivals, poetry readings, writing classes, etc. And while you're there, don't forget to check for a bulletin board which might list notices for writing groups and workshops.

OK, so you've looked everywhere and still can't find a group in your area. (Or you don't feel comfortable in the one you did find.) That doesn't mean you should give up. Why not start a group of your own?

Starting a New Group

Before you seek out members, you first need to decide how your group will be structured. One way to make sure your group goes as planned is to have a flexible agenda for how the meeting will go. This isn't to say every minute should be planned out, but having a focus can make the meeting more productive. I suggest your first meeting be a planning session to get input from members on the organization of the group. Future meetings can include guest speakers, writing sessions, critiquing sessions, member readings, and anything else that would benefit the group.

Once you've figured out what you want to accomplish, it's time to recruit members. The above section tells you where to find writers. You must now organize them into a group. Have instructors of writing classes put your name and phone number on the board so that those interested may call you. Exchange phone numbers with interested parties at conferences. Post flyers on bulletin boards at conferences, in colleges and universities, at bookstores, and other places writers visit. Place a classified ad in newsletters for writers.

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