I’m a strong advocate of writing groups. I should be, I learnt most of my techniques in such a circle. I was fortunate enough to join a crowd of people who were not only experienced but pleased to share their knowledge with novices like me. We had traditionally-published and self-published authors including one lady who’d sold over a million books. I remained with them for about seven years. I’ve shared experiences with writers elsewhere and belonged to other groups with assorted leaders since then, each with their own ideas on how things should work. There are several types of writers’ group to look out for, but if there’s only one, join it anyway.
o In some, people meet up to air their stories or poems, etc and get feedback from like-minded writers. Often this is more of a social exercise. Attendees tend to be transient and have low commitment. Sometimes no-one turns up for a meeting!
o In others, participants do the above but also want some ‘expert’ feedback from an experienced writer (not necessarily a professional, but someone with more experience). Members have more commitment because they’re trying to improve their skill.
o Those who want to learn how to write and are looking for structured tuition in addition to 1. and 2., may attend a different type of group and will treat the meeting more seriously. They will be willing to take on ‘homework’ assignments and complete them.
o Finally, there are some who are looking for a structured series of meetings, say four, six, eight or more, a bit like having a training course. This involves complete commitment because if they miss a meeting, the tutorial is gone forever! This is the complete opposite to 1. Sometimes the ‘trainer’ will want to charge a fee.
And, human nature being what it is, there are hybrids of these, of course.
Where do you find one? Ask in your local library and bookshop. Try the nearest college. Some local newspapers have lists of groups in the area. If you’re ‘of a certain age’, google the u3a website, a national organisation with groups of like-minded people everywhere. Ask work colleagues; you might be surprised to find someone you know is a ‘closet’ writer. We’re everywhere. Or, as one group leader I knew said to a member who was leaving the area, ‘If you can’t find one, start one!’ We later learned the man did exactly that and went on to write a non-fiction best seller!
So, writing groups, yes or no? I say join one, get stuck in and learn as much as you can.
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