Part 2: Writing Groups -- a bunch of enablers
If you’ve been writing
for a while, and you write regularly, your undiscovered oeuvre could be
sizeable. Likely, you have a hard drive full of short stories in various stages
of draft work. Then there’s the Big Project you’ve been working on for a long
time: short story collection, novel, prison memoir. The point is, you’ve
got a lot of stuff, you’re steadily producing more, and you have an ongoing
need for feedback.
If you’re looking for
real critique – detailed comments, suggestions, observations, questions and
ideas – your fellow writers are a great resource. Many writers are part of a
writing group. Some meet in person, some online, some are more social, while
others are completely writing-focused.
Ideally, the group will
analyze, capture, and effectively communicate, the strengths and weaknesses of
your writing. A stimulating discussion will ensue and you walk away with a new
perspective, inspired to write your best draft yet.
To benefit from a
writing group, you have to ask yourself some questions. Are you comfortable
being critiqued in front of a crowd? Do you want a praise sandwich or do you
prefer the bad news straight up? Would you rather work with writers in the same
genre as you, or are you interested in a literary writer’s perspective on your
Lovecraftian splatterpunk romance? There’s also the issue of commitment. Can
you regularly attend meetings and turn in a thoughtful critique
of another person’s work?
Many of us have heard horror
stories: groups that are too harsh, too sweet, too disorganized, too rigid, damaging video etc. It comes down to a good
fit. Knowing what you want and what you can commit will go a long way toward
finding the group that’s right for you.
So how do you find a
writing group? Take some classes, attend readings and get to know your fellow
writers. Check out free fall
fridays or the prose critique group at AWCS. On the digital front, Google
is your friend. Sound the depths of your social media. Turn over some virtual
rocks and you’re sure to find clusters of writerly larva. More writers than
ever are connecting online.
If you've never been part of a group, it's worth trying. Your fellow writers are a
wonderful source of support, and meetings can be a lot of fun. There’s something to
be said for digging into the wine and nachos, toasting rejections and encouraging each other's madness.
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ReplyDeleteWell said. I like my praise sandwich with honey and mustard.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if I should be in a writing group and this blog gave me some good points to think about. I think it would be helpful to talk to other writers about the challenges in writing and the time spent alone. Thanks! Diana www.thoughtsbydiana.com
ReplyDeleteI am trying to start a critique group in Cochrane AB, contact me if you are interested and live in the area.
ReplyDelete