How to Find and Use Online Writing Communities
Networking and Workshopping Writing on a Global Scale
Aug 18, 2009
Many writing students do not realize the numerous benefits of sitting in the classroom. First, there is a teacher/professor who serves as a wealth of information and advice as well as a group moderator. Second, there is an entire room full of like-minded individuals with whom ideas and proposals are tossed about. Third, the classroom is the perfect venue for workshopping.
Students find that once the bell has rung, the ideas stop coming and the motivation dries right up. So, where can budding writers go to replenish their muses? Some communities put together writing groups or book clubs and these can potentially be helpful for the struggling writer. They are also hard to stumble upon. So, where else can writers turn? The internet, of course.
Finding Writing Communities Online
The Internet has a plethora of sites tailored to writers, writing and networking. Such sites are usually full of helpful hints, writing prompts and above all like-minded individuals willing to lend a hand for the sake of art.
There are many different types of online writing communities to meet the needs of different types of writers. Some writers will prefer an open venue in which to place their work for critique, other writers enjoy writing prompts and contests and some writers even prefer being given goals and deadlines. The workshopping styles of writers differ so some trial and error will be in order.
The best way to find the abundance of writing communities out there is to do a simple web search. This will give writers a long list of potential communities in which they will hopefully flourish. If the hit or miss technique is not an option here is a short list of a few respectable yet diverse writing communities.
- AuthorNation.com is a wonderful place to start. It's a large community for both writers and readers. The writers who display work on Author Nation range from beginners to professionals. So, there is a wide variety of writing to dig through which also means there is a wide variety of writers to give critiques. Membership is free.
- WritersCafe.org is another great venue for writers of all levels and abilities. On a basic level WritersCafe offers a venue to display work. There is also an option to let other writers leave comments or reviews on posted work. Beyond this, WritersCafe hosts many niche writing groups where writers with similar interests can get together and chat about writing and toss around ideas. WritersCafe and its members even host contests in which any Cafe member may participate. It's a wonderful venue for writers who crave a community in which to express themselves. Membership is free.
- Perhaps the most structured of the writing communities is NaNoWriMo which stands for National Novel Writing Month. The site has spawned many similar communities such as JulNoWriMo and AugNoWriMo due to its smashing success. The basic premise of NaNoWriMo and it's compatriots is to complete a 50,000 work novel in the span of one month. There is no topic or prompt given, the subject matter and genre are at the discretion of the writer, but there are daily word goals to be met and a system in which to log word counts. NaNoWriMo also offers a forum where writers can chat about ideas and ask for help on their projects. It's a great way to keep writing on track and membership is free.
These are just a few examples of the wonderful support that is out there. Take a look around and use these communities to promote creativity and get the writing back on track.
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