Paul Lamb recently chatted on his blog about craving fellowship with like-minded writers.
For years, more every other Wednesdays than not, I met with two friends for a writing group.
We kept it small by design, and while it lasted, it was a very good thing. Since the group has dissolved, I find satisfaction in chatting about writing with one of the members of the group I’m still in touch with, and with a friend I work with who writes. A couple friends in other states round out the people I really enjoy talking with about writing.
I also chat about writing plans with my wife on our walks. I “think out loud,” at times, by typing long emails to my mom in which I hope to clarify all that’s bouncing around in my head. I check out and reply to the blogs of other writers.
But nothing’s really felt like the old twice-a-month writing group.
Other Groups
Some people have suggested I go to other writing groups…but a writing group isn’t necessarily what I’m seeking. Like Paul Lamble, I’m seeking fellowship with other writers — not a formal critique group.
While the old writing get-togethers featured critiques, it was just as much a social thing. We’d arrive at a friend’s house, chit-chat, and then discuss writing. By keeping it small, we each had time to focus on each others’ writing and thoughts about writing. Then it would wrap up with more chit-chatting.
A large writing group geared toward reading and critiquing stories isn’t what I crave. I work on novels more than anything these days, and I’ve never been one to have a novel-in-progress critiqued as it’s written. But the thought of getting together with a couple like-minded writers and chatting about writing now and then appeals to me.
What about You?
What about you — do you like formal critique groups, the company of a couple other writers, or being left alone?
Who?
I don’t dig on critique groups much, myself. People who have read my stuff might say I need them, though. 😉
But just talking about the craft? All in for that idea.
I used to belong to several informal writing and art groups, back when I lived in a college town with a very small, but vocal, arts community. Now I live in an area that seems disconnected with art in general. If I had the opportunity to join an in-person writing group again, I would. But that’s not gonna happen anytime soon.
Paul: Just some guy who tacked “le” to the end of your name and is running around the Kansas countryside claiming to be you. He even won the copy of A GOOD AMERICAN I gave away.
He’s usually pretty focused on writing an not out making a lot of noise, but if you listen hard enough, you just might hear his name whispered on the wind…
Shawn: I’m with ya. I have people to read novels I’ve written before others get to read them, and I value that feedback, but I don’t crave a more formal critique group. The old group was good because the guys knew what I was trying to do…so if I got lazy or just fell short and they called me on it, I knew I needed to fix things.
I work with a guy who looks just like you — even shares the name…and I like chatting about writing with him 😉
CMS: The old group I belonged to was good, because the people understood what I was setting out to do. I’ve seen other groups that lean toward certain tastes or some people critiquing who have their own ideas how things should be. That kind of thing doesn’t appeal to me, but there are Wednesday nights that I definitely miss the old group. There’s something about being with other writers who get what you’re doing and chatting about things that’s nice.
While it sounds like you’re not going to find anything anytime soon, I hope you eventually find a good group!