Writer's Groups: How to Pick or Form One

Issue #32, Writer's Groups 4 of 4

Oct 15, 2024

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Today we’ll focus on that operative term above: “find a group,” having already covered pros in Writing Rhythm Issue #30 and cons in Writing Rhythm Issue #31. Let’s start with some “Rules Tools” for your vetting process. Along the way, I’ll provide so many getting-you-started links that you may think me guilty of tossing out a surplusage (or, an excessive amount).

As a reminder, you’ve got two courses of action: join an existing WG or form one of your own. No matter which you choose, there are standard features to consider. These will help you avoid the pitfalls listed in the last issue as you either vet or create a WG.

Rules Tools

When considering standards, you can’t go wrong by starting with the ten commandments— or even the writer’s ten commandments, in this case, as reimagined by Writer’s Edit.

10 Writer’s Group Commandments

1 Thou shall approach politics with caution

2 Thou shall keep feedback friendly and constructive

3 Thou shalt not form cliques

4 Thou shalt not share stories outside the group (and other values)

5 Thou shall give and receive feedback

6 Thou shall select a meeting chair

7 Thou shalt not take things personally

8 Thou shalt not be prejudiced by my own preferences

9 Thou shall be reliable

10 Thou shall be generous

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Let’s review my tips on the mechanics behind a good WG from Writing Rhythm Issue #30.

A good Writer’s Group needs:

· A leader

· A timekeeper

· Limits on manuscripts based on time and member-number

· Limits on member-number

· To consider written critiques

· A reliable, quiet space

Good WG members should be:

· Punctual

· Able to receive and give gentle critiques

· Writing in similar genres

· All actively writing fiction, not “on hiatus.”

“A Practical Guide to Starting a Group of Your Own” in Poets & Writers Magazine gives additional helpful points, and more on the concept of a “no-reading writer’s group” noted in Writing Rhythm Issue #30.

The Scottish Book Trust gives a few core suggestions on “How To Start A Writer’s Group.”

Author Mary Lee MacDonald lists five cardinal rules of her own regarding setting up a group.

My Story Doctor provides some innovative suggestions in Rules for Your Writing Group.

Pointers and Links

Now for tips (and more links) on searching out an existing group or finding candidates for a new one.

· Come out of the writing closet! Let folks know you like to write and are looking for fellow writers. You are not the only one!

· Sign up for a junior college or community writing class and ask teacher and classmates if they know of any WGs or would like to form one.

· Check out and consider joining a writing organization, then find out what they offer locally. Here are places to start (apologies to my international subscribers; this list is admittedly heavy on American organizations):

For children’s books, try the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Mystery writers, join: The Mystery Writers of America.

Into horror? Check out the HWA.

Do you pen romance? Here’s the Romance Writers of America.

For general writing and poetry, try: Published Poets and Writers. This link brings you right to their page on WG.

The National Writers Association has a Critique Groups link on its homepage.

· Use search engines to find in-person groups in your area…or groups anywhere which operate online.

Search Meetup for local WGs.

For readers and writers, Goodreads has many subgroups, including WGs.

Facebook, also, has numerous writing-oriented pages.

Writers Critique is a free organization which allows you to post your material online for suggestions.

And, in case you haven’t had your fill of links, this Clever Girl Author article provides 19 more. These are geared especially for web-based critique groups and online communities.

Q: Do you like in-person groups or Zoom groups better?

A: There are undoubted conveniences to going online: no commute, no prep, no hosting and no reserving of space. But even with all those benefits, I prefer an in-person group any day. We solitary writerly types need to get out there and go face-to-face with other creatives. There is a loss of humanity with a computerized format, and in my mind, there always will be.

Background pic by Pisit Heng on Unsplash

This issue’s word has its root within the word itself. And if that’s not enough of a clue, let me riddle you this: hopefully you will think the word more vital than its meaning implies.