writing groups

United States
February 14, 2010 11:32am CST
I am considering looking for and joining a writer's group in the bay area. I am not sure what to look for exactly. I am wondering about other writer's experiences with writer's groups. I have written all of my professional life as an attorney, researching and writing briefs. On the creative end, I tend to write short stories and some poetry. I am also beginning to write longer stories, more on the order of a novella. I am curious to know what people look for in a writer's group. Thanks much!
4 responses
@patgalca (18390)
• Orangeville, Ontario
15 Feb 10
I inquired at my local library about a writing group. You can look there first. I love my writing group. It has grown so much since I joined it, and I have learned a great deal. Check out my articles on the subject. They may help you with your decision making. http://writinghood.com/writing/10-benefits-of-joining-a-writing-group/ http://writinghood.com/writing/how-to-start-and-manage-a-writing-group/ http://writinghood.com/writing/beyond-the-writing-group/ I hope you find what you are looking for. As you can tell by my articles, I am a strong supporter of the writing group. If I wasn't in the group I probably would have given up on my writing a long time ago. Good luck!
@patgalca (18390)
• Orangeville, Ontario
15 Feb 10
The size of the group makes a difference if you want there to be a group every session. When there were only 6 members there was one Sunday where only two of us showed up. We just sat and chatted for two hours. With a membership list of about 20, we are guaranteed to have AT LEAST 8 people show up. The more members you have, the more varied the experience and knowledge. We all learn from one another. And, in our case, the more the merrier. We have fun.
• United States
15 Feb 10
Thank you so much! I haven't yet looked at your articles, but will do so. Do you think size of te group makes a difference?
@sirnose (2436)
• United States
14 Feb 10
I have not joined any writer groups as of yet but have been researching such groups. What I tend to look for in a writer group is updated posts, how many members of the group, and if they critique each other's writings. These are the most important factors if I'm going to join a writer group of any kind on the internet.
• United States
15 Feb 10
Thanks. I had not thought about an internet based writer's group. Do you think a larger group or a smaller one is better?
@sirnose (2436)
• United States
16 Feb 10
It depends on what genre you're writing in the larger the group there a greater chance of more members who are active in the group. A smaller group would tend to be for a specific genere of writing for example: short stories or poems etc.
• United States
14 Feb 10
Sounds like a great idea
@zar1963 (10)
• United States
21 Jul 10
You can try Meetup.com. It a place to find local groups on just about anything you want.