Online writing groups have made it much easier for writers to find critique partners. No matter how isolated the writer is, a writing buddy can be there to lend support at the click of a mouse.
Some writers prefer to meet face to face with other members in their group. They like the social aspects of meeting with like-minded souls – and it's a way to get away from the computer for a while. However, whether writers meet in person or in cyberspace, there's one thing that is vitally important: that the group works for all members in it. These timely tips will provide a good guideline for anyone who is keen to set up a writing group.
1. Ensure That All Writers in the Group Want the Same Thing
Is the group meant to be mostly social or mostly a workshop? (Some writers value the social contact more than the feedback; others want to spend the whole session working.)
Will the group be open to writers in all genres, or restricted to one? (Mystery writers, for example, may be bored by children's stories; children's authors may not want to critique steamy romance fiction.)
2. Aim for a Balance in Writing Ability
If the group consists totally of beginners, there may be nobody with sufficient experience to give helpful critiques. Conversely, if there's only one published writer, that person might wish there was someone else around to discuss marketing and contracts.
Try to keep the balance fairly even. If the group has to be composed of beginners, look for opportunities to go together to workshops or seminars, and share good resources.
3. Decide on the Meeting Place and Time
Should the group meet in the same person's house all the time, or rotate the job of host between members? if the group will be large, would it be better for everyone to contribute to the cost of a community room or hall?
How often does the group want to meet? (Once a month may suit some, while others may prefer a meeting every week to keep them on track.)
4. Decide on the Format of the Writers' Group Meetings
It's useful to have a set agenda for each meeting, so everyone knows what to expect. For example (for a night meeting) the following agenda might work well:
- 7.00 pm: Start. Share any news (writing opportunities, new editors, new publishers, writing competitions, seminars, advice on contracts)
- 7.30: Writing Exercise. This is designed to help everyone in the group polish their technique and build writing skills. (This task can be rotated: a different person to lead each week.)
- 8.00: Critiquing Scenes. (Tip: Make it a rule that anyone with a scene to be critiqued must circulate it to the group via email ahead of time, so this session is dedicated to feedback, rather than time taken to read the scene and write comments.) Some groups may prefer to devote the whole writing group session to critiquing scenes, rather than having writing exercises.
- 9.00: Wrap up. Decide on next meeting's focus/exercises etc.
- 9.15 Social - tea, coffee and snacks.
The format for a writers' meeting can (and does) vary enormously. It's a good idea to ask around on forums to see what other writers have done.
It's possible to start a writers' circle from scratch, by advertising locally for interested writers. In this case, the person organising the group can structure it however he/she wants. For example, it could be a group totally devoted to writing books for children, or be even more tightly focused on writing picture books — or it could be a group of mystery writers.
A well-organised writers' critique group provides writers not only with a social outlet, but valuable feedback to make sure that the work in progress is as good as it can be before being sent to a publisher.
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