How to Start a Writing Group

A writing group is a terrific way for writers to support, encourage, critique and motivate one another. Form a writing group and invest in your creative endeavors.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Yellow Pages
• Internet Access
• Pads Of Paper
• Printing Service

1. Determine what you want your group to be like and write down a plan. For instance, how big do you want the group to be? At what skill level should the writers be? Men and women? Poetry and prose? Will the group be a critique group and/or a support group?

2. Create a flyer that states you are forming a writing group. Provide a few details describing the nature of the planned group, and include your name and phone number.

3. Consult your telephone book and make a list of new and used bookstores in your area. Visit each bookstore and post your flyer. You could also advertise on a café bulletin board or on the Internet, or place an ad in your local newspaper.

4. Put a pad of paper by your telephone. Chat with each caller who responds to your flyer and take notes, then determine whether the person is right for your writing group. Jot down contact information, and tell each caller you will get back to him when you have enough people to form your group.

5. Before the first meeting, tell each member to bring a short writing sample to read aloud - it's a great icebreaker and a good introduction to everyone's writing style and skill level.

Tips & Warnings

• At your first meeting, have everyone discuss their expectations for the group. Determine together how meetings should be conducted. Stay open to input from others.

• Some people are more sensitive to criticism than others. Establish guidelines at your first meeting about how to criticize one another's work constructively.

• You might want to assign a new facilitator for your group each time you meet. The facilitator's job is to make sure the group stays on track and that the meeting doesn't turn into a chat session.

• Carefully screen the callers who respond to your flyer. It's easier to weed out the people who are wrong for the group before it gets under way.

• Avoid meeting too frequently. Allow at least two or three weeks between meetings so you'll have time to create new work.