Somewhere to Land: Finding a Writing Group that’s Just Right

Writing doesn’t have to be a solo activity. In fact, creativity and productivity are often stimulated by writing with company. We asked some of our participants to share their thoughts on finding the right writing group. Today, Christine Gatuiria shares her thoughts on finding fellow writers who are just the right mix:

Writing groups are like the porridge in the Goldilocks story: sometimes hot, sometimes cold, and sometimes just right. The key is to keep spooning the porridge into your mouth no matter the temperature because it’s good for you.

A writer needs to be around other writers, if only for the realization that they are not the biggest book nerd in town after all. You don’t even have to meet these fellow writers in person. If you prefer to maintain a hermit lifestyle, just log on to the internet and join one of the thousands of online writing groups. You will quickly discover that you are definitely not the biggest book nerd in town (unless you want to be, in which case, carry on).

What to Look For in a Writing Group

It’s important to find a writing group that you are semi-comfortable with, and by that I mean a league of distinguished wordsmiths who are not necessarily your friends but are not your enemies either. 

You don’t want to get too friendly with your fellow scribes; you want to keep them honest enough to give you critiques with constructive criticism (even if said criticism does nothing to spare your little writer feelings). 

However, you don’t want to be too aloof because then they might forget to even look at the sacrificial draft chapter you’ve so gingerly placed on the altar of critique…

Side-note: Do you harbor dark thoughts about the members of your writing group? Dark, depressing, and thoroughly judgmental thoughts about these intrepid writers you choose to spend random Tuesday evenings with, listening without interruption as they tear apart the opening paragraph of your (in your mind, anyway) soon-to-be New York Times Bestseller? So it’s just me? Fine.

Now, I’m not saying you can’t have a jolly good time with your writing group, just pointing out that one should always remember why one joined in the first place. If you’re like me, it was to find encouragement and motivation (and admit it, someone other than your mother to read your stories). 

Writing groups are good for the camaraderie, and all writers should commune and consult whenever possible. It’s the best way to reassure ourselves that the words we write will one day turn into a bowl of porridge that countless readers find just right.

Christine Gatuiria is a freelance writer with a penchant for tales of the weird. She is biased towards stories about serial killers, aliens, and serial killer aliens. When she’s not writing creatively and/or trying to get published, she works as a grant writer in St. Louis, MO. You can find her on Twitter @CWGHouse.

Top photo by Flickr user Sandi G.