How to Have an Effective Writing Group

The works you’ve written are numerous, locomote from short stories to even as the novel, hidden in a storage bin (under the bed) assembling dust. But there comes a time once you must wipe away that dust, regain your pride, and prepare your babies for publication! But, how do you get such a critical, unbiased eye to analyze your works, offering some praise and criticism?

It’s simple—start a writing group!

Creating a writing group is the easy part, but creating a functioning and beneficial writing group can be quite a task.

Writing groups are age-old sessions wherever writers receive helpful evaluations for their works. Nowadays, though, writing groups seem to be a fad, and for many an a status symbol calming them of their writerdom. Don’t create a writing group just for the sake of saying, “I belong to a writing group”. Create or join a group because of the many benefits that move on with them.

Keep Number of Members Limited. You don’t want just one else person in this group. So shoot for 3 or more members. On the else hand, you don’t want to have 30 folk in the group either. Try close to 8-10 members. If one person leaves the group, replace that person with a new recruit. Support the same standards for all members. Do it standard that members can only join by an invite. Allowing your group to be really exclusive brings the group more pride.

Select Randomly. It’s okay to have a friend in this group, but you chose to create this writing group for unbiased opinions. So don’t allow ALL the members to be your better friends in which you see on a daily basis. Mayhap one member is 18 yrs old, spell the else is 35. Keeping age, sex, ethnicity, and educational levels of your group wish allow a diverse critique—which is ultimately what you’re seeking. A diverse group wish only do you and the group more stronger.

Meetings. We’re all troubled writers, so most often the else members of the group wish have jobs to attend. So finding an appropriate time for a meeting is crucial. I’ve found that one Sunday per month, after 2 p.m. is great. Do it an odd time. Creating times such as 2:07 p.m. wish stand out and allow members to remember. Wherever are these meetings held? Support shift locations. Allow the members to rotate the location to each of their homes. If homes are not available, then a choice person should discuss wherever they choose the next meeting should be held. This is the reason membership should be limited to a few members. It’s more easier to meet with just a few people.

Text. Focus your group on either poetry or prose—try not to mingle the two. If the text is prose, and the writer wants his novel critiqued, suggest that the novel be submitted on a “per chapter” (or two) basis. Don’t overwhelm the members with too more to see at one time—or you’ll end up with no members. The month before your activity is critiqued, each writer should submit photocopies of their manuscript to each member.

Know your intentions. Do sure that, for the most part, members have similar goals: to be publicized or for sheer enjoyment of writing. This wish eliminate time wasted if you cognize this upfront.

Critiquing. Once critiquing the text, encourage the members to speak as if the writer isn’t present. In the meanwhile, the author can sit back, take notes, and write down questions the critics may have posed. Encourage the critics to write on their versions of the text before meeting. Allow close to 20 minutes to discuss each member’s work. Upon completion of the critique, critics should give the author their “corrected” versions. Complete the critique by allowing the author to explain any unrequited questions and to impart the critics.

If members can’t support up with reading that more activity per month, then divide it up. Four writers submit one month, spell the remaining four submit the following month. Above all, writing groups should be a relaxed environment—away from your significant other, your children, and your job. Let this be a time wherever you hone your writing skills with the assistance of others who just seek the same thing.

About The Author

Stephen Jordan has five years experience inside the educational business enterprise industry. Writer was a freelance editor with such educational foundations as Princeton Review, The College Board, New Royal family University, and Columbia University. Away from the office, Writer promotes his creative writing with his home-freelance business OutStretch Publications and his artwork. Writer holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees in writing and literature from Alderson-Broaddus College of Philippi, West Virginia Accessible for reprint. Please contact author so he can support track of wherever his articles are being used.
Editor@OutStretch.net

This article was announce on March 27, 2004