Why You Need A Writing Group And How To Start One
Back in 2012, I was fresh off my first post-MFA writing course, an online class called Story Is A State of Mind by Sarah Selecky. (It’s now called The Story Course and I’m one of the program teachers!)
At that point, I had already tried starting up a couple of local writing groups to fill the MFA-shaped hole in my heart, but those attempts ultimately failed because the participants weren’t committed.
But when Sarah held a live chat one day on her Facebook page, the conversation turned to the topic of writing groups.
I lamented my attempts at forming a local group when she suggested I form an online group with other Story Is A State of Mind students who were looking for a writing group, too.
A few of us then hopped on an email thread, organized our first meeting online (since we were spread across two countries), and the rest is history.
It’s been six and a half years and we’re still meeting on a monthly basis to give feedback on each other’s work. We’ve read short stories, plays, novels, essays, and more. We give one another honest feedback, we share resources, and we provide a space where we can each take risks and grow.
Here’s why you should have a writing group too, or at the very least a trusted writing partner, and how to get started once you’ve decided it’s right for you.
It Gives You A Break From Writing In A Vacuum
Let’s be real: writing is a solitary act. You’re alone in your own mind when you’re thinking through a project and you’re usually alone in your space when you’re writing.
Sometimes in the midst of that isolation, it’s nice to stick your head out of the cave and be seen, to have another writer to look at your work and share their thoughts. And it’s so much easier to have this need met when you’ve got a writing group or a writing partner you trust.
And when you experience writing wins, it’s so much sweeter to share them with your writing friends.
Workshopping Will Make You A Better Writer
If you’re not 100% sold on the idea that connection with other writers is important, maybe this will convince you of the value in having a writing group.
When you’re regularly reading and critiquing other writers’ work, you naturally begin to sharpen your own writing skills.
It’s simple: when you help another writer see what’s strong or what needs improvement in their work, your own editing eye will start to see those things in your own work, too.
You’ll start to better understand your own strengths and weaknesses. You’ll write stronger first drafts and have an easier time with revision. Your craft will become more refined.
And that’s in addition to helping your groupmates become better writers, too. Isn’t that worth it?!
How To Find The Right People
When I made my first few attempts at forming a writing group, I relied on Craigslist to put out a call for local members. (This was 2010 or 2011, so it’s really all we had!)
The problem with casting such a wide net is that our group was made up of people who didn’t mesh well and, frankly, didn’t care about each other’s work.
For example, there was one woman in the group who only showed up to meetings when her story was being workshopped. She didn’t contribute anything when it wasn’t her turn. The group only lasted a couple of months, and the meetings we did have were pretty disappointing.
Finding the right writers to connect with much easier today. You can potentially join a group that already exists if they’re seeking new members, or you can start your own.
If you’re starting your own group, first decide how many members you’ll have (I would say five or six is a good maximum number, especially at first) and how you’ll meet.
Do you want to see people in person? If so, search in your area for writers who will mix well together… and who are committed to the other group members. Don’t be afraid to tell potential members that you’re only seeking people who are as serious about giving feedback to others as they are about their own writing.
You might want to put out a call for members on social media, through people you know, or even other avenues like your local library or coffee shop. Those announcement boards can be cluttered, but they’re also a good way to connect.
If you’d rather start an online group like mine, you have a few more options.
Consider fellow classmates in online classes you’ve taken (that’s how my group began!) or find writers on social media, particularly Twitter or Instagram. Use writing hashtags or connect directly with people you think will be a good fit.
You can also ask friends and family if they know anyone who writes and might want to be part of a group.
Next Steps
Before your first meeting, decide on a few key things:
- How frequently will you be meeting? Monthly? Twice a month? Every other month?
- What is your workshop lineup? Who will go first, second, third, etc?
- How do you want meetings to be organized? In our group, we start the call with a quick hello and then dive right into our workshop. We each take a turn saying what we think the story is about, what’s working for us, and one thing we would recommend for revision. This helps us stay focused, but also allows us to organically jump in with other pieces of feedback as they arise.
- How long will your meetings be? Set this expectation early on to respect everyone’s time.
- What is the word count or page limit on workshop submissions?
- How much in advance of a meeting should the writer send their piece to the group?
- How will you be meeting, if not in person? Skype? FB Messenger?
After your first meeting, reflect on what went well and what you want to improve upon next time.
The first few meetings might be awkward as you figure it all out, but don’t get discouraged. It can take some time before a writing group begins to hit its stride.
And if, over time, you realize it’s just not working out don’t feel bad about calling it quits and trying again. When you have the right group, you should feel inspired, excited, and fulfilled after your meetings.
If you come away feeling anything less than that, maybe it’s not a good fit.
But the perks of having a writing group or a writing partner are so plentiful, it’s worth looking for the right people and giving them your all when you do find them!
Donna McKamy | 28th Mar 19
I would like to join a writing group. On line would be fine. I belonged to a writing group whose members would come and go. I became the only static one. One man began with us who wrote trashy porn (because it would sell he said, comparing his writing to 50 Shades of Gray, which I’ve not read) and expected us to read and review it. I left the group when I told him I wanted to throw up everytime I read his stuff. Before he joined we had a wonderful cohesive group that was very helpful to each other in reading and critique. We met once a month.