Note: Somehow I missed signing up for Alex J. Cavanaugh's release day! I am so bummed, and so sorry, Alex!! So let me take a second to plug his BRAND NEW BOOK, Dragon of the Stars, which is OUT and available to buy. Head on over to Alex's blog for all of the info.
On to today's regular post...
Hey, A-Zers! You're through your first week of the marathon. Congratulations!!! I am wholly impressed by all of you.
Now, for something totally unrelated. Or, well, mostly unrelated.
I am at a loss. Not only that, I am lost. Being lost as well as at a loss is frustrating, not to mention confusing. Sort of like being stranded on a mountain with no idea of how to get home, and no idea of how to figure out how to get home. Maybe you have a compass but don't know how to use it, and you're staring at due north on it and wishing you knew what lay north of you if you walked that way, besides some fragment of Earth's magnetic field.
Before my metaphor gets stretched too thin (I know; too late), what I mean is that I know I am in desperate need of a writing group. Not just CPs or beta readers, although I love and appreciate them beyond words, but an actual, bona fide, official writing group. You know, people who meet up with each other on at least a semi-regular basis and exchange work, trade critiques and advice, inspire each other, and help each other. People who meet up just for writing dates. You know, my people.
See, I'm working hard on my non-fiction and am producing pieces much more quickly than I could ever produce a novel, and as a result I need other pairs of eyes on them often. Far more often, in fact, than I can ask my CPs and beta readers to do. I also need some face-to-face time, some writing dates, some pushes and inspiration and community. As I said, I need a damn group.
The problem is that I can't seem to find one. I go to some writing classes and I meet some cool people, but I haven't yet met anyone who could form such a group. Some people live too far to meet up; some people are casual, occasional writers who don't need a group; and some...well, in total honesty some I don't want to be in a group with. There, I said it: I'm picky.
This is one of the few times I really regret not going through an MFA program. I think many people form their groups that way, or at least get connected to them through their communities.
Anyway, I am also at a loss as to how find this group. I know I could put out an ad on craig's list or something, but as I said, I'm picky.
So, blogosphere, I put this question out to you: if you have such a group, how on earth did you find it? How did it get started? Do you have any tips you could share with the lost, dazed, and confused?
I wish I had any ideas to help you! I could probably use a writing group, as well. It would actually motivate me to get stuff done. Some people I worked with at a bookstore started one after it closed and didn't invite me. I know I probably could have asked and they would have let me in, but it just felt too awkward. I'm not entirely sure if they even meet anymore.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea. I've never even tried to look for a group in my area. I remember when I did NaNa a few years ago, they listed groups that met together for the month. Maybe their site would be a place to start?
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the mention! No worries, Liz.
I recently joined a group that is the regional chapter of the Sisters in Crime group for this very reason. But the group is two hours away from me so I'm not sure if it was a good idea or not. I've never had any luck finding anything local though. That's why I'm so glad to have all my blog buddies.
ReplyDeleteI'm not in a writing group either because I can't find one. Plus, I'm not sure if I'd be able to go to all of the meetings.
ReplyDeleteI'm not in a writing group either because I can't find one. Plus, I'm not sure if I'd be able to go to all of the meetings.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a really long reply for you. But rather than overwhelming your comments section, I'm just going to email you. :)
ReplyDeleteWish I knew how to help you find a group. I got lucky and met someone at a conference who happened to be in a group, and she offered to let me join (because it turned out I live only one town over). So I can definitely say it's been a great help and support, but I don't know how to find one otherwise . . . I have a couple friends who found groups at their local libraries, but it's a very mixed bag when you go that route.
ReplyDeleteI didn't find a writing group until I became a member of my local writers association. They have helped me so much in finding resources.
ReplyDeleteOh you are not picky but wise. The last thing you want is someone who wants to talk about their boyfriends and lost dreams-it would be nicer to stab the pen in your eye than listen to that. I have been there. It is so difficult to find a group like what you want. I wonder if one should start at the museum? Yes it is art but might be a good place to go. The library might be another but stay away from the people who seem to smell of feet...no one needs that. I hope you find the group you are looking for
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I know nothing about finding or having writing groups. I know some people have them, but to me they are a mystery.
ReplyDeleteI wish you lived closer to me. I belong to RWA which allows me to belong to my local chapter. We meet in a library once a month and keep in touch through a forum in between. I also belong to Pennwriters which is a state wide writers' group made up of all kinds or writers, poets, nonfiction, article, news reporters, short story writers and novelists. We have local area groups and a yearly conference. It's great. I have to believe there's something similar where you live.
ReplyDeleteI belong to a local critique group that meets once a month at the library. I was like shy and hesitant - picky too! - and it didn't help when the group I found had two most regular members that were over 70. Yet I stuck it out and I've learned so much from them over the past few years. Check out the calendars of libraries near you. A lot groups don't advertise anywhere.
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh, stay away from Craigslist! Too many murderers trolling that site. *ahem*
ReplyDeleteHere in Colorado we have several writing organizations. I'm a member of Pikes Peak Writers and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Both have organized critique groups around the region that people can join. There must be similar writing organizations in Boston. You do have to pay annual dues (mine are $45), but it's usually worth it. Though, for the record, I haven't joined any of our local groups, even though one meets a mile from my house. I prefer having just one or two people I exchange work with over the internet. That's just what works for me. But I hope you do find a group that you sync with and can get some good feedback from. :)
Good luck!
Sorry to say, but I found my group through pure serendipity. I guess all I can say is put yourself out there and it will come. When I decided to join a group doing a serial fantasy story for our local newspaper, I met the guy that invited me to join his writing group. Turned out it was the same group a coworker of mine had tried to get me join previously, but her offer never really seemed appealing, funnily enough. Anyway, all I can say is that the right group is headed your way, but you have to just keep trying and you'll know it when you see it.
ReplyDeleteWish I could help, but an actual writing group's the last thing I want. >_< I tried that out with friends years ago, and I spent all my time writing crap I didn't like and hearing that it wasn't very good. (I know they had some good things to say about my stories too, but I can't remember any of them.) The group thing killed my confidence in my own writing and it took me a while to recover.
ReplyDelete...but good luck?
You know, I found my group by volunteering with a larger writer's group (actually, at their annual conference). Even though I had been attending their workshops, I was just a stranger at them. It wasn't until I decided to volunteer at the conference that I became friends with My People. :D I hope you can find a great group.
ReplyDeleteLots of good advice here, but I'm in the same boat as you. Scratching my head and thinking 'huh. How do I do this?' I think the main jist is research and being open to what comes your way. If I lived closer, I'd be in your group! *fingers cross you'd accept me* ;)
ReplyDeleteHave you tried meetup.com? If there's not already a writing group in your area, you could start one on meetup. When I lived in California I found a million writing groups on there and even started one. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a group, either...so the comments people are leaving are very helpful to me :)
ReplyDeleteCheckout Meetups.com! :) That's how I found my group Shut Up & Write. I joined them because I too missed my writer's group. We went our separate ways after one of the key members passed away. It was a huge blow for me. I miss them dearly. Especially Jerry. I ended up dedicating my book, VS, to him because of the major impact he had over my writing and the novel.
ReplyDeleteBefore Meetup.com I did a general web search for "Writer's Groups" online and found a few other options. There's also Writer's Circle - http://mywriterscircle.com where you can join an online Writer's Group. :)
Sorry, I'm laughing because I was going to say I don't have a group either but, scrolling through the comments, I see this is a common problem. Hmm... A few good ideas, though, that I'll have to check out. Good luck. (And being "picky" is a good thing.)
ReplyDeleteevery time I think writing group, I think of the movie Author's Anonymous. In my experience, it's kind of been like that (sad but true!) so I tend to stick with the awesome betas/CPs...although I have to admit, I would LOVE to have a writing date once a week somewhere outside of the house with cool people, but finding that core group seems so hard. And I feel like a bad group can be more harmful than no group. :(
ReplyDeleteHaving an actual group of people who you meet face to face really helps spur your writing forward--at least it does for me. I always get pumped about writing after meeting with my group.
ReplyDeleteI found my local writing group (actually I have two now) by googling writing groups in Michigan. The other I found out about after joining SCWBI and learning about the local chapter in my area. Check out your local libraries, too. A lot of times writing groups either meet there or post notices about their group on their bulletin boards. Good luck.
I don't belong to a group like this right now, but I used to. We met face-to-face and we all worked on various things: poetry, nonfiction, novels, short stories. One of the thing I loved about that group is that it inspired me to try new things. It's probably the only time I seriously tried to write poetry. :)
ReplyDeleteI found the group through the online bulletin board of a local writing organization (Willamette Writers). It's state-wide and for all writers, even screenwriters.
Is there a writer's organization for your state? That's where I'd look first.