Case for Joining a Local Writing Group

Like so many, I have a passion for writing. I have written for years in private. From Journals in my youth, to school newspapers, to city newspapers and now I work on the all elusive novel. I am sure I am not alone in my research or quest for publication. Absorbing all I possibly could online and in bookstores or libraries over the years, I feel I have exhausted so many resources on publishing. But sometimes, all of that "getting published" focus takes away from a really core problem: Advancing your writing.

I recently moved, and I remember thinking "This is it. Now is the perfect time to join a local writing group." So, I did. I think my expectations ranged from a coffee house setting, to poem readings in front of a group. But the reality of the group I joined offered things unexpected.

So, if you are thinking of joining a group to advance your writing, I encourage you to pursue it. Writer's groups seem to vary based on what I have read, but there seem to be common threads among hearts that are following a similar passion. And that is downright inspiring week to week. Outside of being inspired, here are 4 great reasons to join if you are on the fence!

A Different Perspective

I moved from the Midwest to the South, so I was expecting a different culture of folks. But what I wasn't expecting was the number of those who weren't from the South. All but one person in the group were from extreme corners of the United States, each with such different belief structures and strong differences in background. In essence, I was confronted with extreme diversity.

So often, I totally disagree with them. However, after that initial uproar in your soul when faced with strong difference are thoughts that dawn which you may not have considered in any other realm. I may not change my mind about something, but I am constantly forced to consider how another may see things, or may view my writing. And that is a good thing. It helps me be more objective.

Sharing of Resources

I probably could have guessed that this would occur among writers each seeking their own way. But I would have never given huge weight to how truly helpful resources I never knew about - that are shared - have been for me.

Writers from different walks, learns different things along the way. You may be talking about something and someone in the group will say, "Have you ever heard of..." With that, all pens are writing furiously to capture the resource.

For example, one man in my group has self published and that is something I never considered deeply. But listening to him going through the motions week to week, I understand more about the process than ever. Another in our group has written a book and is now being commissioned for a screenplay. I have never wanted to write a screenplay, but with ever sentence I type on my own, I find myself considering it or just thinking of her and all she is learning...and sharing.

Each writer may be pursuing a different road and the education that is gleaned from their travel is a resource unto itself! Winston Churchill once said, "I love to learn, I just don't want to be taught." I think of that a lot in writers group, because that is exactly what happens. I learn, but I never feel particularly taught.

Help Developing Your Story

As we round robin in the group and open up about our weekly progress, I am convinced creative types are all alike in one way: A body in motion stays in motion. Oh yes, this time honored law of physics seems to apply to the brain among creative's. Very rarely can anyone talk about their story without someone else saying, "Have you considered..." or "You know what you should do next is..." Oh, everyone has their two cents. It's a complete charge because this is something I may not get at home.

We may share with friends or family, but the input of a fellow writer is passionate. They dive into your story as if it were their own. They just can't seem to help themselves. Something about that helps develop everything I write. I may go in a direction unexpected. I may take their idea and cut it in half, or develop it more. It may give me a different idea altogether, one that was much stronger than what I was thinking.

I find that I hit "writer's block" much left often than when left to my own vices. Should it be surprising that others spur on life? I think not. But to what end will others take your story? You just don't know until you get in the boat with them! A writers group is the perfect vessel.

Accountability

As a writer, there is often no accountability. Unless you are writing as a profession, or have signed a book deal, how hard core is the pressure to write? For me, it is tough to write under pressure. I hate it. But feeling that faint sense of, "I should write." seems to burn brighter when you check in with others week to week.

Every writing resource I have ever looked at is thematic: "Just write." The best authors and so many in history have written volumes of things unpublished (or published) but they are writing constantly. On average, I may want to write, but it has never been a hailing priority. I would say it falls somewhere between distant hope and therapy. But in a group, it has become a true focus for me this year, and I feel closer to my dreams than ever.