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Thinking about joining a local writing group or club but are not sure if it’s a good idea? No matter where you may be on your writing journey you may be surprised at what results can happen when you join writer’s groups that meet in person.
Here are 10 Reasons Why You Should Join a Local Writing Group:
1.Motivation
Knowing that you will be meeting with other writers and have the opportunity to share your work will motivate you to write during the week and to bring your best to the table.
2. Inspiration
You will have the opportunity to read what others have wrote, ask them questions, share ideas and brainstorm. You will gain a great deal of inspiration when you have the opportunity to carry out these activities on a regular basis with other writers.
3. Gives you Time to Write
Life is so busy and often writers find that they put off writing in order to complete more pressing matters throughout the week. However, being part of a structured writing group will provide you with the time you need each week to work on your projects and meet your writing goals.
4. Provides you with Constructive Criticism
You will have an opportunity to share your work with others and get feedback from them. By having a group of other writers look objectively at your work and offer their honest opinions, advice and feedback you will be able to see where your strengths and weaknesses lay. This will provide you with the information you need to hone your skill and improve overall as a writer.
5. Offers You Guidance
When you run into writers block, can’t figure out how to move your story from point A to point B or can’t choose between two possible endings you always have a place to turn. By asking various members of your writing group they will provide you with the guidance you need to write your best possible story.
6. Offers you Support and Encouragement
When writers come together a unique thing happens – they quickly become like a second family, readily available to encourage, uplift and support you. You will gain wonderful new friends that will truly be there for you through all of your writing challenges and achievements as well as life’s ups and downs.
7. Networking
You will find writers from all walks of life and at different levels of skill and success within each writing group. And many writers will agree that it is a truly rewarding experience to be able to help other writers achieve their writing goals. They are more than happy to provide you with resources, connections, valuable information, important names and to put in a good word for you in order to help you succeed. This is one truly priceless aspect of participating in a writing group and can make the difference between being an unknown writer to published author.
8. Is Evidence of Your Professionalism
When querying agents and sending in cover letters to editors you will be able to note that you are part of a structured and established writing group. This will prove to them that you have connections, are serious about writing and have been able to develop your skills with the guidance of other successful writers in your area. This will give you a better shot of landing a publishing contract – always a good thing!
9. Allows You the Opportunity to Critique Others
People in general often learn best when they are put in a position to teach or apply knowledge they have been previously taught. By critiquing others’ work you will quickly be able to see your own mistakes in others’ writing, apply the skills you have learned as a writer and become better able to use these skills and avoid mistakes in future writing projects.
10. Enables you to achieve your Writing Goals
In meeting with a structured group on a regular basis you are sure to gain the insight, tools, motivation and support you need to finish your stories and attain the writing goals you have set for yourself. Your group members will keep you accountable and will encourage you during rough patches, give you the inspiration you need to overcome writers block or waning excitement toward your story, and will be there to celebrate with you when you reach your goals!
There you have it – 10 reason why you should join a writing group TODAY!
Are you already a member of a local writing group? If so we would love to know what you feel has been the greatest benefit to you of joining the group. Please share your experience with us in the comments below.
