When I started writing I was under the impression that it was a lonely business, you know a la Earnest Hemingway, Salinger, Harper Lee, Dickinson, I was happily surprised when I realized that you cannot become a writer without a great writing group or groups supporting you. I have joined two writing associations and two writing groups and have learned so much from each of them.
One of the writing groups I belong to is a children's writing group- I don't write children's books but the woman who runs the group runs wonderfully informative and helpful training sessions.
I met another writer on G+ who recommended that I join the Romance Writers group because where he lives that is the group that has the best meetings and he has great praise for his local branch.
Don't limit yourself to writing groups that are only the genre you write, it is great to work with authors in your genre but if there is another group in your area that is not your genre don't rule them out just because of that.
Take the time to thank your writing partners and be an active participant in your local writing associations.
Happy writing!
I tried a writing group about twenty years ago, and found that it was not supportive. The published novelists were very negative and sometimes bitchy with the unpublished writers. My main objective for joining the group at the time was to be given some encouragement and positive criticism, but not insults!
ReplyDeletePerhaps I'll try again.
I'm sorry that your experience was negative. You have to find the right group and it can take some trial and error.
DeleteGood luck with your next try.
Hi Kat - that's great that you've found positive groups - and you took your time scouting around to find them ... good luck with that aspect of the learning curve ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilary. I hope you have found a group that helps you achieve your goals.
DeleteI loved your take on Writing Groups. That is how I learned to write. I found people I thought had talent, started a critique group and let them work me over. It sharpens writing in a way nothing else will. Hope to read more. Good luck with the A-Z!
ReplyDeleteLucky you. I'm so glad that I went out of my genre because that is where I found the best help.
DeleteGood luck with your A to Z challenge too.
There's some online writing gropus too, but I"m not familiar w/ them.
ReplyDeleteMaui Jungalow