The Importance of Writing Groups

When I started getting serious about my writing a few years ago, one thing I knew I would need is the help of others. People who were like-minded in regards to writing and publishing and who were experienced at performing both. That's when I decided to seek out local writing groups and see if they would be a good fit for me and my writing goals.

As it turned out, they fit like a broken-in pair of shoes.

I was so eager to get started learning all I could that I joined not one but two writing groups. One was hosted at the local public library and was intended to serve as a critique group. Here, authors would read their own works, giving opinions and advice to each other afterward.

The second writing group I became a part of was hosted at a local bookstore. Since then the store has closed down, but the group has remained active, relocating to the public library as well. This group's primary function was as a writer's workshop, serving to help writers understand more about the craft of writing with bi-weekly topics of interest such as:

• Plot
• Character
• Setting
• Description
• Dialogue
• Marketing
• Digital Publishing

Looking back, I can honestly say if it weren't for these two writing groups, both of which consisted of generous and knowledgeable members, I wouldn't have had the fortitude to continue writing and publishing as regularly as I have these past few years.

In this article, I want to share some of the things I've learned as a direct result of being involved in local writing groups.

1. Encouragement, Motivation, and Inspiration

Perhaps the number one reason I find writing groups to be so helpful—nay, vital—is because every time I go to one I leave it inspired and motivated to write. It never fails. I could be having the worst writing day ever and, after only two hours of sitting in a room of writers who are struggling the same as me to get their words down on the page, get their books noticed, or a slew of other writing/author woes, I've forgotten about my own writing troubles and am instead itching to tackle them head-on.

And the encouragement I receive from other writers just reminds me that I too can create my own library of works. Several authors in each group have written and self-published over thirty books each. I feel so small only having two of my own, with a third one on the way. But if I keep at it and persevere, I know I'll be on the other end of the spectrum, having my own collection of books to be proud of.

And speaking of persevering...

2. Perseverance

Persevering in the face of writer's block, massive edits and revisions, overwhelming word counts, and the like is a skill that must be experienced to be learned. It's not something you can glean from books. Having a team of people whom you can look up to when the going gets tough is essential if you're going to succeed as a writer, especially one who intends to keep writing.

When I see the writers and authors who step into the meeting room every other week and hear their stories—the ones they write as well as the ones they experience—I know I'm among veterans of the craft who have traveled this road long before me and have stood the test of time, as evidenced by their very presence in the room.

It's encouraging to know that if they can make it in today's world as writers then I can, too. None of these writers are major award winners or wealthy, but they each in their own way bring the love of the craft to the table. It's this love of words that propels them to their own versions of greatness, usually in the form of persevering in the writing of more books.

3. Patience

Akin to perseverance is patience. Because let's face it: Writing's a waiting game. Writing doesn't just involve writing. It's much more than that, especially in the present day and age when independent "indie" authors are gaining ground on those who are traditionally published.

Not only do you have to write a new book every few months as an indie author, you must also:

• Edit
• Send it off to beta readers
• More edits
• Proof for punctuation and grammatical errors
• Final edits
• Format
• Create a cover or hire someone to do it for you
• Publish on Amazon and/or other platforms
• Market the book yourself

The list goes on for what seems like miles. With all this clutter to distract writers, it's easy to lose focus on the one thing that will guarantee you more books and, ultimately, more sales: the writing itself.

I remember when you used to have to wait at least one whole year to get the latest book from your favorite traditionally published author. Then, you had to wait another nine months to a year to get the paperback version. Now, most indie authors don't last long in the rankings if they can't crank out a new book every two or three months.

It takes patience—and lots of it—if you're going to make it as a writer in today's (and tomorrow's) world. As I said, writing's a waiting game, and you must be prepared to wait during the in-between times after the writing is done. There will be times when you're waiting on revisions back from your editor or critiques back from your writer's group or beta readers.

You'll go crazy if you don't learn to wait actively instead of passively. And that means writing more, being more productive, even researching and learning more about the craft itself. Learn to develop patience; it may be the difference between a writing career and a mere hobby.

4. Networking and Connections

One of the most important things I've learned while attending regular writer's group meetings is that building connections and relationships with other writers will help you long after you've published your first book. When it's time for you to create your next book, you'll need the help of your writing buddies as potential editors, beta readers, cover designers, etc.

Bartering services like editing and beta reading with other writers is a great way to get published much quicker than if you try to do it all on your own. This is perfect for the author on a shoestring budget who doesn't have much to spend in the way of so many cents-per-word or several hundred dollars worth of book covers.

Even if your writing friends themselves may not know how to create a book cover or upload your book to CreateSpace or KDP, they likely know someone else who can! So network with other writers and artists; see where it takes you.

5. The Quest for Knowledge

Maybe this last one is just in my case, but I've been able to keep my writing in top form by constantly learning about and researching the craft of writing, marketing, publishing, and related topics. Inevitably, someone in your writer's group will have an issue they can't quite wrap their head around, and you'll be the one who either has the answer or is inspired to go find it.

If your anything like me, your thirst for knowledge is only surpassed by your desire to share it. Helping others can be a significant source of meaning to you as a writer. And while you're teaching others, you yourself will be learning as well, in effect creating your own version of a "Master's degree" in your field and becoming an expert for others to look up to.

Finding Local Writer's Groups

If you're serious at all about your career as an independent author or any other writing field be it journalism, poetry, article writing, etc., I encourage you to check out your local newspaper, library, and other community events or calendars to see if there are writing groups in your area. And if you can't find one, start one!

Since I started attending the writing groups I've mentioned, I've written and published several short stories, a new series on setting and achieving goals entitled SMART FOCUS (the first book of which became a Top 100 Paid Bestselling book in its category on Amazon), a variety of articles for my personal website and blog, not to mention additional stories I've written for various writing competitions such as NaNoWriMo and The Writer's Games.

In Conclusion

As I've demonstrated, writing groups pay off in various ways, but you have to show up and be consistent in your attendance. Make a commitment to attend the group each and every meeting. Also—and this is an important point—be sure you know the ground rules for becoming a member of the writing group. Ask the moderator/leader questions like:

Is this a critique-only group?

Is it presented in a workshop format?

Do they charge dues/fees to become a member?

What expectations do they have for you toward the group as a whole?

As I've shared in this article, writing groups are of the utmost importance if you want to become a writer or make your writing better, thus giving your books, stories, poems, articles, etc., better chances of being read. Still, you must never forget that no matter how helpful writing groups can be, no amount of spending time with other writers will do the work for you—that is, of course, unless you hire a ghostwriter!