Writers' Groups

It can be difficult to find a writing group. But, one of the best benefits of taking an in-person (as opposed to online) writing class is that some or all of your classmates might become writing group partners, after the course is over. That way, you'll have ongoing (and free) writing instruction, feedback, encouragement, and community.



You also get to set your own rules. Maybe your group meets monthly, rather than weekly, as you would in a class. This will give you more time to work on your writing between group meetings, and it will also make it easier to critique group members' work.

You can even decide that rather than each person's reading everyone else's work, each group member swaps work for critiquing with only one other member.

And, if my writing group experience is anything to go by, you'll meet in the comfort of one another's homes and enjoy fabulous food. Either the host prepares all of it, or members bring something tasty to each meeting.

One thing to watch out for, however, is a situation in which someone (or several people) in the group does not do any writing, but turns up at meetings mostly to eat and critique others' work. That uneven participation eventually leads to resentment in those who are actually writing.