Setting Up and Operating a Successful Writer's Group

As an active member, acting President and Treasurer, as well as the Co-Founder of Bayou Writers' Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana, I've discovered some sure-fire ways to set up and operate a successful writer's group.

In 2002 an aspiring writer contacted me via email. Turns out we were practically neighbors. He began visiting with my husband and I and one day the conversation turned to the fact that the nearest writing group was at least 1hr away and met on weeknights. Together, we co-founded Bayou Writers' group which has been flourishing ever since. In 2004 BWG held it's first Annual Fall Conference, which was by no-small-means, a huge success. No, we didn't make a fortune (about $600) but for us, that was a great accomplishment!

Here are some things we (as a group) have implemented to keep Bayou Writers exciting and new members coming back.

Schedule regular speakers that can do more than tout their own books. Now, every writer longs to talk about their book, but in order to be an invited guest speaker, you must have something to share! Research instructions, tax information, promotion/publicity tips, writing rules and procedures, query and synopsis etiquette; these are just a few topics aspiring writers need to learn and published writers sometimes need to be reminded of.

Have at least 1 business or planning meeting a year. January is always a good time to plan the rest of your year, but hey, any month will do!

Make critiquing a regular part of your meetings or schedule meetings when all you do is critique each others' work. This can be done aloud or silently. We pass around 4 (5 if complete story) pages in manuscript format (1" margins, 12pt font) and each reader writes their critique on a separate piece of paper and passes it on to the author.

Writing prompts: Here are a few ideas.

On colored index cards write different things that need to be in a novel and/or short story (setting, character, profession, and situation) mix them up. Everyone picks a card out of each pile and writes something to be critiqued at the next meeting.

Cut pictures of people out of a magazine and give one to everybody. Everyone is to write a story about that person. Try and use ordinary looking people who appear in ads, etc and avoid celebrities.

An opening sentence or scene; read aloud or bring typed on index cards or a sheet of typing paper. Again, each person must use that sentence or scene to build their story around.

Have a contest for members only that relates to a workshop (previous or upcoming). Example; you have a workshop on characterization. Each member that attends must write a 3page scene that shows their character to his/her fullest. Send those to the host/hostess of the workshop for critiquing. Pick at least 1 winner and 1 runner up. Make it even more special by creating simple certificates boasting the award and/or give a gift card to a local bookstore or office supply house to the 1st place winner and a certificate to 2nd place and 'honorable' mention to everyone else. Writers need encouragement as well as constructive criticism...this is a good way to provide it.

Grow as you learn. At less than 2yrs old, not many would have jumped into hosting a conference, but for Bayou Writers, this was not only a challenge, but a success. We had DiAnn Mills (CBA Author of the Year 2004) as our guest speaker, published authors brought their books to sell, and a book table with all sorts of books on writing, editing, publishing, etc. Had it not been for Hurricane Rita, our 2005 conference would have been even better and this year's is sure to be an experience!

Be willing and able to delegate. As a founding member, I feel a responsibility toward my group, my writers; my friends. But no one person can do it all. Members should be willing to volunteer also. Otherwise it's not a 'group' but one person running an organization.

These are just a few tips on setting up and running a successful writing group. Since its inception, Bayou Writers can boast that several of its writers have completed and submitted projects as well as some who have been contracted and/or published. Though some still consider us small, this year BWG consists of more than thirty paid memberships. For more information on Bayou Writers' Group visit our website at: http://www.geocities.com/bayouwritersgroup