AUTHOR Anne loiselle

If you’re a writer, it’s pretty much de rigueur to belong to a writers’ group. Actors take acting classes; retirees join rotary clubs; upwardly mobile professionals head to toastmasters – it’s just what you do, and for good reason. Whether it’s your hobby or your profession, joining a group of confreres is almost always the way to go. You’re sure to learn something you wanted to know, and you’ll also probably discover things you had no idea you needed to know (but you do). This was an obvious tick on my writer’s experience list, but the idea was admittedly antithetical to my ultra-introverted nature. If that’s you too, and you’re procrastinating or outright avoiding taking this step, you are not the only one. In fact, aren’t all writers introverts? For that and other reasons, joining and adhering to these groups can be difficult. It was for me, but I just had to know: what is it like? What do they do? Is it worth the effort?

Step one, of course, is finding one. I decided to start with a local organization because I wanted to meet some writers in person, and because I felt that as an experience, engaging with live people would have the biggest impact. These things are advertised all over – social media and local newspapers will almost always get you there. Barring that, check with nearby libraries or independent bookstores for connections.

I live on a lake, so I joined the aptly named Lake Writers. For a small, rural area this group turned out to be unexpectedly large and eclectic both in genre and accomplishment. There are over a hundred people on the member email list. Fortunately, only 10-15 usually show up at any particular meeting, which feels to me like a perfect size. Some of them have written several books and have impressive fan bases; some have never published; some are complete newbies. The one thing other than writing that I’ve noticed our group here has in common is that we all tend to be on the older side, with very few people under 50 showing up for meetings. I don’t know if that’s normal or specific to my group, but there you go.

So, what do we do? The Lake Writers meet for two hours twice a month, and for the most part people read a few pages of something they’re working on, and everyone else comments on it. It’s very simple, but surprisingly informative. You can hear in other people’s writing things you want to avoid or incorporate in your own: that subtle note of humor introduced by just the right word at the end of a sentence; the attention to detail in what could have been an offhand description; or beware the ensuing reader bewilderment if you add too much detail to things that don’t matter. The critiques are interesting too – sometimes I am surprised at how much people seem to like things that I find off putting, and vice versa. I file such observations under “notes to self” as I develop my own works. Of course, the same thing happens when others comment on my material – anything from recommending a change to a single word, to telling me a character is coming off in a way I did not intend. Something that I think appears funny or youthful may come across to readers as foolish or not believable. Yes, this can be crushing but it’s something I need to know.

In our group, reading is an option, not a requirement, but pretty much everyone will tell you that in addition to receiving preliminary commentary on works in progress, this is an excellent venue to practice reading aloud to an audience, and it is. Speaking in public may not be something a writer thinks he or she will ever need (or want) to do, but that is not necessarily the case. If you’re lucky, you may get asked to read to a book club, or be a guest on a podcast, or join a panel at a book festival. These are all promotion opportunities, which may be uncomfortable but can reap big rewards. Starting small, reading your work to your writing group, is something to consider seriously even if it feels scary. Unfortunately, if you’re not up for the occasional uncomfortable stretch challenge, the writing game may not be for you.

Not incidentally, being in a group isn’t just about the meetings. These fellow writers often act as beta readers for each other, providing early insight on a completed draft. Beta readers can alert you to things that are confusing, trite, or disruptive (or really compelling!), so you can start honing your story even before it gets into the hands of an editor. Other benefits to being a member of the Lake Writers that I appreciate include:

• Local Opportuities to sell books
• Advice on area stores willing to carry books by new and / or local authors
• Advice on publishing (especially self-publishing) and promotion
• Opportunities for writing experiences that would not have occurred to me: assist at a summer writing camp for kids? Could be fun! (watch this space)

If you’re unable or disinclined to join an in-person writers’ group, there are, of course, online options. The best compilation of the main national groups that I’ve found, which includes descriptions of each, is from Clever Girl Author (specifically their 2023 post 19 Online Writing Groups and Online Writing Communities). My niece has loved NaNoWriMo for years, attending their virtual camps and participating in challenges. The breadth of information and assistance available on some of these sites is impressive, and I’m leaning toward adding this experience onto my list as a supplement (rather than replacement) for my local group.

There is so much more to writing than writing, and it can be overwhelming. Remember that there are a lot of fellow authors out there who are willing (and able!) to help. Joining an association – whether virtual or in person – is a good way to find them.