Are you getting the most from your writers group?

[AWG News]

What are you getting from your writers group? And what do you give back?

Let's talk about the benefits that a good writers group might provide to you as a writer.

• Does your writers group share information that will help lead to your growth as a writer?

• Does your writers group inspire you by providing successful experiences, either your own or the successes of other members of the group?

• Does your writers group provide you with some kind of support if you feel as though you've failed?

• Does your writers group provide you with the encouragement you might need to continue in the face of failure?

• When you look around at the other members in your writers group do you have feelings of solidarity and connection?

• Does your writers group provide you with critiques and good feedback on your writing?

• Does your writing group establish some measure of accountability for your writing goals?

Let's talk about what benefits you provide for your writers group.

• Do you demonstrate some level of professionalism as a writer that other members of your writing group can appreciate and admire? In other words, do you prove that you're a writer by actually showing the determination and discipline necessary to be a writer?

• Do you take time to talk with other members about what they're writing and do you share the kind of knowledge and encouragement that they can use to become better writers? Do you prove that you're a friendly writer and a writing friend?

• Do you support your writers group? Do you contribute in some way to the group's “overhead” by way of paying dues or offering to share refreshments with the group? Do you suggest ways the group can be more informative or fun and then “step up” to volunteer to provide those things for your group? Do you prove that you're a supportive member of your writing group?

Writers groups often fail because of a lack of involvement or commitment from their members. The ones that succeed are those that have an active and productive membership.

Get the most out of your writers group: give it your enthusiastic involvement and support.