Writing Groups
If you are not already part of a writing group, I am going to encourage you to join one even if you think it’s not your thing. I’ll give you some idea of some of the plusses and minuses of putting yourself up for criticism. You get free editing. You do get a number of readers all at the same time Probably you won’t like all the suggestions that members of the group make, but that is part of the editing process. Even a small query may help you to clarify a point in your work. You’ll learn who in the group spots things and who can help you progress. Some people won’t ‘get’ what you’re saying or where you’re coming from, but some will. But when it happens, it’s great to get positive feedback from your group. As writers preparing pieces on you own, it is a wonderful feeling when you realise that your thoughts and words have resonated with a reader. Through being in a group, you will learn a lot from others who are trying, like you, the crafting process. In a way it is a support group where the support, ideally, is mutual.
Writers work on their own usually, and even if you like the solitary occupation, it is healthy to touch base with other artists. There have been a number of famous circles of writers (and painters). You may have heard of The Inklings who met in a pub in Oxford: Tolkein and C S Lewis were members. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was born out of a writers’ holiday abroad, with other famous writers like her husband the poet and another poet Lord Byron. Their circle took turns telling scary stories. I think Mary came up with the most fascinating idea that holiday.
So many more forums are virtual. One of the groups which I take part in started meeting by conference call. It is quite exciting chatting about your writing with participants from other time zones on the call. Because of this, I have found it easier to attend meetings of that writing group, as well as others. I don’t have to take whole evenings out to go into town, in order to participate. Zoom or the phone has cut the time investment considerably.
I have also recently started to use Twitter more, as there are a lot of writers out there posting interesting reviews and ideas. You can sign up to thousands of different groups around the world, in whatever genre you are interested in.
Informal writing groups can be the best. I like to take a weekly walk with my writing buddies. We exchange ideas while getting a bit of exercise and taking time out from sitting at desks and being cooped up inside. However, maybe you are the journalist type who favours writers’ meet ups in beery pubs with hazy atmospheres. Alcohol and bonhomie do free tongues, and have the benefit of getting that exchange of ideas flowing.
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