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.
