Good morning, Readers!
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I have some thoughts about writers groups, and what they should and should not do.
I generally recommend that writers should find a group. It helps with motivation and keeps writers honest. It's really easy to get carried away by delusions of genius (there are some writers... oh boy) or squashed by the crushing lie of inadequacy.
That said, it's wildly important to find the right group of people to form a group with. You're there to help each other become better writers, to motivate one another and provide support.
So, you don't want a group of writers who stare down their noses at your stuff and deem it wholly unworthy of their time or consideration.
This also does not mean you want to surround yourself with sycophantic supporters who only fawn over your stuff (either in fear of reprisal or they're expecting the same of you, and you better fawn damn it). That would be as wrong as the dickheads in the first group.
The point is to improve yourself and your writing. Not to read something for unmitigated praise, to read something so that you and your writers' group can workshop on how to improve it, make it stronger or identify and fix something that isn't working.
In short, if you're going to be part of a writers' group, you must expect and be prepared for constructive criticism. The key here is constructive, by the way. If you're a reader, and you are unprepared for people to make critical comments on what you've written, you're not ready to read it.
Constructive criticism can range from repetitions of words or phrases, wrong word usage and grammatical errors, to timeline confusions, inexplicable character trait changes, incongruous character actions, plot holes etc. Everything is under the microscope during these sessions.
This requires those who are not reading to pay attention, and to listen with a critical ear. You're not there to be entertained. If you are going to be part of a writers' group, be prepared to show up and do the work. The work is not just reading. It's listening. It's putting your mind to work while others are reading to help them become the best writer they can be.
Note that I said "they can be." This isn't about telling the writer what you'd have done with their story. It's about the reader, their work. It's important to be aware of and sensitive to their individual voices and intentions and preserve those.
If you can't hack constructive criticism, you are not ready to be part of a writers' group.
If you're unwilling to work while being read to, you are not ready to be part of a writers' group.
Personally, I signed up to be pushed, challenged and forged into the best writer I can be. I need the criticism and tend to get suspicious and frustrated when I receive none. Nothing is ever perfect. There is always room for improvement.
And I want to be good, better, best.
Putting your work out there for others to pick at is terrifying, and can be traumatising if you're with the wrong people. But it is a really good way to strengthen your writing, and it's also a great place to find your own personal cheer squad, to be inspired, motivated, and improved.
So, if you think you can hack it, get thyself a writers' group.
You'll be better for it.
I generally recommend that writers should find a group. It helps with motivation and keeps writers honest. It's really easy to get carried away by delusions of genius (there are some writers... oh boy) or squashed by the crushing lie of inadequacy.
That said, it's wildly important to find the right group of people to form a group with. You're there to help each other become better writers, to motivate one another and provide support.
So, you don't want a group of writers who stare down their noses at your stuff and deem it wholly unworthy of their time or consideration.
This also does not mean you want to surround yourself with sycophantic supporters who only fawn over your stuff (either in fear of reprisal or they're expecting the same of you, and you better fawn damn it). That would be as wrong as the dickheads in the first group.
The point is to improve yourself and your writing. Not to read something for unmitigated praise, to read something so that you and your writers' group can workshop on how to improve it, make it stronger or identify and fix something that isn't working.
In short, if you're going to be part of a writers' group, you must expect and be prepared for constructive criticism. The key here is constructive, by the way. If you're a reader, and you are unprepared for people to make critical comments on what you've written, you're not ready to read it.
Constructive criticism can range from repetitions of words or phrases, wrong word usage and grammatical errors, to timeline confusions, inexplicable character trait changes, incongruous character actions, plot holes etc. Everything is under the microscope during these sessions.
This requires those who are not reading to pay attention, and to listen with a critical ear. You're not there to be entertained. If you are going to be part of a writers' group, be prepared to show up and do the work. The work is not just reading. It's listening. It's putting your mind to work while others are reading to help them become the best writer they can be.
Note that I said "they can be." This isn't about telling the writer what you'd have done with their story. It's about the reader, their work. It's important to be aware of and sensitive to their individual voices and intentions and preserve those.
If you can't hack constructive criticism, you are not ready to be part of a writers' group.
If you're unwilling to work while being read to, you are not ready to be part of a writers' group.
Personally, I signed up to be pushed, challenged and forged into the best writer I can be. I need the criticism and tend to get suspicious and frustrated when I receive none. Nothing is ever perfect. There is always room for improvement.
And I want to be good, better, best.
Putting your work out there for others to pick at is terrifying, and can be traumatising if you're with the wrong people. But it is a really good way to strengthen your writing, and it's also a great place to find your own personal cheer squad, to be inspired, motivated, and improved.
So, if you think you can hack it, get thyself a writers' group.
You'll be better for it.
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