If you’ve never been part of a writing group before, now would be a great time for you to give it a try! There are so many benefits to spending
regular time with other writers – encouragement, critiques, brainstorming
sessions, and let’s be honest, it coaxes you out of your writer’s lair to
actually see other people. You know
that thing, sunlight? It’s very good for you.
But how can you get the most out of being in a writing
group? If you’re new to the idea, here are five pieces of advice that will help
you navigate these new social waters. And if you’re already established in a
group, use these tips as a reminder for how you can increase the value of the
group as a whole.
#1 – Talk about Your
Struggles
Your group members can’t help you if they don’t know what’s
wrong. Don’t be afraid to bring up the places where you’re having trouble. If
your character feels off to you, talk about why. If you’re having trouble
getting through a particular plot point, discuss what is holding you back.
Often your writing companions will see things from a different angle, and they
might just have that one suggestion that will help get you through the barrier.
Just be careful that you don’t show up to every meeting
complaining about the same problem. This will be discouraging to your writing
group, and it will actually compound your struggles by entrenching them in your
mind (preaching to myself here). Your team isn’t likely equipped to help you
with chronic issues. They probably struggle with similar things, but if they’ve
found the way to deal with it and have already shared their wisdom, they can
only share it so many times. It’s ok to talk about writer’s block now and again, but everyone has to fight the same battle, and that one is
particularly better battled out at home in front of the manuscript.
#2 – Be Quick to
Share Encouragement
If you hear one of the writers in your group talking about
something that you have experienced before, be quick to let them know that they
aren’t alone! Writing can be an isolating practice,
and it’s easy for us to believe that we are somehow crippled in a world of other
artists who never have to struggle for their work. This is such a ridiculous idea
it’s surprising how universal it can be. Don’t panic – every writer under the
sun who has ever written for an extended period of time knows exactly what you’re
going through.
Make sure you give the person enough time to get their
troubles off their chest, and then share advice for how you got through a
similar situation. Try not to swamp their struggles with your own – no one
likes to feel like they’ve been one-upped.
#3 – Be Accountable
to Each Other
It could be your writing group is set up to regularly share
work with each other. This is a great way to force everyone to be on top of
their writing. When you have to arrive with new pages for review, it means you
are less likely to waste another week distracting yourself from the tough work. It also means that you’re going to get more out of the
meeting because you will go home with concrete critique that you can use to
make what you wrote better.
(3a) – Practice Good Critique
And on that note, remember that
your job as a critic is to be constructive.
Your suggestions should give people the opportunity to build their work up; so
don’t tear them down. You of course should be honest. If you think a section
could be improved, say so. If you think a character is unconvincing, mention
it. But always be courteous and come prepared to give concrete reasons for your
thoughts. Don’t just say “I hated it” – that is not useful to anyone. Keep in
mind where you might be biased against certain genre styles, and try not to
attack those things. Chances are, they’re in there for a reason. Try to provide
suggestions for how the changes might be done, and finally and most
importantly, step back. This is not your
work. If the author disagrees with you, or wants to handle your suggestions
differently, let it go at that!
When receiving critique, always be
gracious and flexible. Even if the critic is not catering to your feelings
exactly how you would like them to, keep in mind that they (probably) aren’t
actively trying to offend you. Listen to what the person is saying rather than
the way they say it, and you’ll be much happier in the end. And remember – this
is not their work! You don’t have to follow their advice, and even if you do,
you don’t have to do it their way. But always try to keep open ears and an open
mind. If you go immediately on the defensive, then you won’t be a good member
of the group.
On the other hand, if your writing group is less of a
critique group and more of an encouragement, socializing group (nothing wrong
with that) you should still make the attempt to talk about what you
accomplished since your last meeting. Don’t be a wall flower. Everyone would be
better served to share their successes and failures. It might be embarrassing or
painful at first, but being accountable to other writers is actually quite
freeing. And, once again, positive peer pressure does lead to real results. I
promise!
#4 – But Remember
that Everyone Works Differently!
While you’re being accountable, do not forget that the
writers in your group all have different methods, different goals, and
different stamina for writing. Absolutely never
judge a fellow writer if you bring in fifty pages of new material and they only
bring one (though you should probably not show up to a meeting with fifty pages
– be a good steward of everyone else’s time!). Remember there is no “right” way to write,
and the end results should be appreciated no matter how long or how polished
they might be. Everyone who contributes to the group is important, and if they
were only able to drum up a rough outline that week, they should be praised as
highly as the person who just finished their second novel.
Like I said before, writing can be very isolating. We all
have to stick together and give each other the support we need, regardless of
our skill level or experience.
#5 – Have Fun
Finally, if you are not enjoying your writing group, it’s
time to leave. Seriously – do not waste another minute. Being in a writing
group should be refreshing and energizing. It should give you a boost for your
next week, or month, spent working on your own. You don’t always have to be
excited about going (this might be impossible if you’ve had a particularly hard
period of writing). But if you leave each meeting feeling exhausted, or discouraged,
then you need to move on my friend. Find a different group of writers who
support you. Find the writers who inspire you to work harder, be better, try
new things. Find the writers who remind you that you are not alone and who
appreciate your work, even when you feel like it’s not worth it.
Writing is hard enough as it is without adding external
stress. If you feel that being a part of a writing group is actually damaging your goals, then leave!
What is the best thing you get out of your writing group?
Share in the comments! Do you have a writing group horror story? Let us know!
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