Writing Groups Aid and Abet by Vivian Gilbert Zabel

If possible, writers and writer-want-to-bes should be a part of a writing group, not just any writing group, but one that meets the writers' needs.

Writing groups in real life have differences, just as groups online do. Some groups have speakers appear at meetings, while the members sit and listen. A question and answer session may be offered after the presentation. Other groups have a "lesson" with discussion afterward, or they hold discussion sessions over a particular topic. One type of group critique members' work. Another group of groups offers a mixture of programs. The one of which I'm president has discussions, critiques members' works, has member authors give information presentations, has "lessons" with discussions. So far we haven't had guest speakers because we would have to pay, and we have six published and experienced members, so far, who share their expertise.

One thing I've noticed, writing groups that grow too large lose their feeling of "community" and often become organizations that don't read or listen to the writings from members, but they do have speakers come in. Therefore writing groups, like any other organization, can become too big, and members can be easily lost in the numbers. However, writing groups, especially online, can be too small. At least in real life, a small group can still critique each other's work and be encouraging.

To find a writing group, see if there is a state writers' organization. Contact it and ask for any groups in your area. Read the newspaper and watch for articles about a writing group. Contact someone mentioned in the article, or the news reporter, ask if you can visit the next time the group meets. Hopefully, you won't discover, as a friend and co-author and I did, that the group isn't taking any more members. If that the case, or if there is no group in your area, you may need to start your own, as Jacque and I did.

How does one start a writing group? Find people with the same interests as yours at conferences, workshops, library groups, school functions (your school or your children's schools). I advertised in two newspapers after we decided to meet in the town library for the first meeting. Nine people showed up. The Pen and Keyboard Writers was born. We had volunteers for officers: I'm the president; Jacque vice-president.

The first attendees said that meeting on a Saturday morning worked best for all. So we decided the third Saturday morning of each month from 10:00 till noon would be our meeting time. The library charged for us using a room. We decided to use the meeting room of a local restaurant. We had a regular meeting time and place, which is a necessary ingredient for a successful group.

Once a group is started, then what?

Some writing groups have informal meetings and no officers. We wanted to be an affiliate of the state organization, which requires us to have at least five officers, all members of the state group. We encourage everyone to join the state organization, but we only require it of the officers. Our meetings are semi-informal. We keep minutes and read them at the next meeting so that members who weren't present the month before have an idea of what occurred. I also try to send an email to all members after a meeting to be sure all know what happened and is happening. Another email a few days before a meeting reminds everyone of the date and time and to bring a sample of their writing, etc.

Our group also has an online version on a writing site online, which makes doing preliminary critiquing easier. We also have some members on the site who are unable to make the monthly meetings in "real" life.

Encourage members to attend writing conferences, book signings and reading, workshops, anything to expand their knowledge of writing. The state organization, Oklahoma Writers' Federation, Inc. (OWFI), hosts a writing conference in Oklahoma City the first weekend in May every year. The conference is one of the least expensive around, yet it offers a high quality of sessions, agents, editors, and publishers each year. A majority of our members plan on attending. If anyone reader is interested in more information, go to owfi.org. The enrollment form is on the site.

Critique each others work, constructively and encouragingly. Being supportive will keep your group going and growing. I suggest that our members at least become a free member of Writing.Com to gain more feedback.

Use writing contests to help set goals for members. Our group is using the contests offered for OWFI members and awarded at the conference to jump start projects. Encouraging members to submit for publication, as well as enter contests, should be a major part of any writing group's duties.

Publicize each member's accomplishments, whether an article in a small local newspaper to a novel published. I take my digital camera with me to meetings just in case. Then I submit articles and photos to newspapers in the area.

Most of the same ideas and suggestions apply to online writing groups as for those in real life. Some are already organized and operating here on the site. Perhaps one is for you.
About the Author

Vivian Gilbert Zabel taught writing for twenty-five years, honing her skills as she studied and taught. An author on Writers (http://www.Writing.Com/ ), her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/vzabel. Her books, Hidden Lies and Other Stories, Walking the Earth, and The Base Stealers Club, can be found through book stores or Amazon.com.