top of page
  • Writer's pictureShaun Anderson

Creating a Writing Group

One of the most fundamental and difficult pieces of writing advice that I have received is the advice to form or join a writing group. The advice is widely shared, although, pointers on how to form a writing group are less widely shared.

Finding a writing group can be challenging, but it is likely that your local library or book store has connections with local writers and local writing groups. In ordinary times, it's likely that you could find advertisements for local writing groups at these places, or you could post advertisements to form your own writing group. Since we're currently living in a pandemic, it would still be worthwhile to reach out either via phone or email to your local library or book store to see if they can help get you in touch with a local writing group.

I recommend starting in these places, because joining a writing group can give you ideas for how you would like to run a writing group when you are ready to begin your own writing group. Pay attention to the way feedback is offered in these early groups, the system that writers use to distribute their writing to the group, the size of the writing group, and how the size impacts your ability to participate and get the help and feedback that you want.

The more time you spend in your local literary scene (and I have had to travel to reach my "local" literary scene in the past, so keep that in mind), the more writers you will meet. I recommend reaching out to all the writers that you meet. Learn what they are working on, pay attention to their style and their skill. Look for writers who you admire, who also write on a skill level you are comfortable with. I have been in writing groups where I felt like the least skilled writer present, and I have been in writing groups where I felt like the most skilled writer present. Neither is where you want to be. In a perfect world, you would want writers on a similar skill level, who will push you without making you insecure.

In current times, I would recommend using Google Docs to share your work with your writing group. There's a function that allows you to annotate and comment on one another's writing. If you want to see one another, than Google Hangouts or Zoom are also extremely helpful to carry on the Writing group discussions.

5 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page