The Benefits of a Writers' Group

In a craft where spending a lot of time is the norm, writers need other writers for encouragement, help with honing the skills needed to produce solid plots or poems, and to share accomplishments. I am currently a part of three groups (Do What’s Write Writer's Group & Podcast, South Jersey Writers Group, The Village Authors), and each one offers something a little different that meets my needs for friendship, involvement, growth, and fun. I recommend joining at least one group if publishing is intended, but even if you’re just writing a memoir for the family, a writers’ group can be helpful with that endeavor as well.

Some activities include write-ins where a small number of writers get together to write whatever they like; retreats to get time focused on writing, attending classes, or meeting agents / publishers; participating in open mics to practice reading aloud to a group; and discussions regarding various topics, such as genres, POV, and show vs. tell.

Personally, I’ve benefited mostly from the critique group within the writers’ group where other writers / authors read my work and give me suggestions on how to make it better. Some of the suggestions fit what’s needed while others do not. There is no pressure to accept any of the suggestions, but it would be a shame to disregard all of them. My work has benefited and improved over time with my adapting and learning from other writers with different backgrounds and experiences.

Writers’ groups are also a great place to share those rejections. No writer likes to get a rejection letter from a publisher, but when a group of people cheer you on because you took the time to submit your creative work, the rejection letter spurs you on to try the next one and the next after that. Remember, some great authors in world history, even more recently, have received numerous rejections before landing that lucrative contract. Publishing one’s work, I believe, is all about the hope of affecting the lives of others in a positive way through the beauty of imagination.

Starting Again

I’ve been away for quite a while. I didn’t want to be, but grieving for more than a dozen people since the beginning of 2022 took its toll. And my sweet kitty cat died, too. I wasn’t inclined to write although that would have been the very thing to bring healing. I needed a break to allow myself some self-care. The losses continued into 2023, but after attending a grieving class (which I highly recommend), my disposition began to improve. Gradually, I eased back into the rhythm of planning a return to my writing projects. It’s interesting that even though I didn’t progress with the WIPs I had in 2021, I faithfully submitted work to a monthly critique group.

So, what happens now in 2025?

I am focusing on my poetry while I attempt to incorporate all the feedback I received from my critique partners. I am grateful for their patience as I take the time to recalibrate. I am encouraged that they enjoyed one of my short stories so much that they suggested I expand it into a novel or at least a novella. Time will tell, but I can already visualize a bit of what they said.

I am also waiting to hear about the results of my very first song submission to a publisher. How exciting! The process is a bit different than for a manuscript. A recording of the song is also required. It was so cool being present for the recording over two evenings. As usual, I had to wait a few weeks for news of whether the work will receive a contract. Since that didn’t pan out, the song was submitted to another publisher.

In November 2023 and 2024, I jumped back into writing during National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short, where the goal is to write 50K words in thirty days. I’d been gentle with myself both times. If I only managed one word, I was happy with that. At least I started writing again, which is more important.

 I am definitely a different person on the other side of this experience. I look forward to seeing how my writing will change.