by John Neeb

Created on: September 11, 2009

Joining a Writer's Group

Aspiring writers in any genre simply must consider joining a writer's group as a way to hone their craft. These groups consist of writers coming together and sharing their works and experiences and offering helpful critique for others' writing. There are several reasons why joining a writer's group is essential for anyone who writes.

1. Creates deadlines. When you join a writer's group, you are expected to arrive at every session with something to share. This establishes deadlines you might not otherwise have if you are attempting to write the next great American novel at your own time and pace.

Many writers may veer towards procrastination and that is fine, as long as there is some semblance of a deadline. Joining a writer's group will create one and help keep you on track. You will not want to let your fellow writers down by showing up empty-handed and this provides great motivation.

2. Aids in editing your work. As a writer, you will find a need to edit and re-edit your works, probably multiple times. You should pour over your writing tirelessly to ensure the words are saying what you intend. Careful editing is a critical part of the writing process.

The advantage in editing when you join a writer's group is the value of having other sets of eyes studying your works. Gaining fresh perspectives will enable you to see things you may not have considered. Additionally, your fellow writers help catch mistakes which might have gone unnoticed.

Often, when we read our works on our own, our brains read them the way we want. This means your brain might see the cat pounced on a mouse, when in reality your piece reads the cat pounced on a moose. Other writers, though, will see the cat trying to attack a large mammal, instead of jumping upon a small rodent, and suggest making a change.

3. Emerges yourself in the writing community. This advantage is useful in two completely different regards. First, becoming part of the writing community will help your personal psyche and make you feel like the writer you are. You will become confident in your identity as a writer, even if you aren't published quite yet.

The second advantage to an emersion in the writing community is the social aspect. It creates networking possibilities. Perhaps someone in your group has contacted an agent who would be interested in the manuscript you've developed for a book on quilting. Or a fellow writer might know of an editor who is looking for the piece

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