Post #119 April 16, 2018

“Are Writers’ Groups Worth the Time?”

Recently I joined a small writers’ group.  There are 5-6 in the group and it’s led by a lady who is a professional, published writer, specializing in YA and children’s picture books.  Many of the others are novices to the world of writing; some are there to gain ideas for how to put their family histories or memoirs into book form. 

I’ve been in writers’ groups before.  I have mixed feelings about them, though this group seems like a good fit for me at this point.  In the past, I’ve encountered dilettantes, people who just want to be around writers and talk books, people with detailed agendas, people who want to pontificate about everything under the sun, and assorted others.

In the past, I found many of these groups to be a waste of time.   But not this one, so far. So why bother with writers’ groups at all?

I can think of several reasons why joining and attending a writers group might help.

1. Fresh eyes
   It never hurts to let fresh, and reasonably impartial eyes take a look at your work.  Other writers who make a daily habit of struggling with words will often have good suggestions for editing or making a scene work.  Sometimes, they’ve encountered the same situation themselves and can offer a way out, if you’ve written yourself into a corner.  This alone may be worth going to a writers’ group.
2. Networking
   I don’t think anyone would deny that, to be successful in this writing and publishing business, who you know is important.  Contacts are important.  In any given writers group, someone may know someone who can offer a referral, or some market insight.  Writers can and should help each other navigate the jungle that is today’s publishing world, with agents, editors, book packagers, etc.  Sure everyone has their own agenda, but a little help now and then can’t hurt.
3. Emotional support
   Let’s face it.  Writing in inherently a lonely, solitary business.  Andy Weir, before his success with The Martian, was a software engineer and quite outgoing in personality.  When he gave up his first job and concentrated on writing full-time, he said he missed the people, the camaraderie, the jokes, and the meetings and get-togethers more than anything.  He had to work to build into his new schedule time for social gatherings and the kind of social stimulation we all need.  A good writers group should provide emotional support, social stimulation, encouragement and a sense that there are people out there who know what you’re going through.
4. Fellowship
   Maybe this is part of emotional support.  I think of fellowship as friendship, companionship, a union of equals, at least this is how it’s defined in the dictionary.  Fellowship could be walking around the neighborhood with a neighbor and your dogs.  It could be coffee or a lunch with a fellow writer.  It could be taking in a play or a movie or a church function with your spouse.  I recently was asked to become an elder at our church.  This adds ready-made fellowship and a lot more social stimulation to my schedule of activities. 
    
   There are probably more reasons to consider joining a writers’ group than I’ve listed here, but these points seemed key to me.  Not every writers group is the same and not every writers’ group will work for you.  But it’s worth investigating as you look for ways to live a fuller life as a wordsmith.
    
   And it may just make you a better writer too.
    
   The next post to The Word Shed comes on April 23, 2018.  In this post, I’ll provide an update on current downloads and a peek at upcoming projects.
    
   See you then.
    
   Phil B.