Why Join a Writing Group? | SFF Writers Guide

What is the purpose of joining a writing group? What are the benefits? Are there any potential drawbacks?

Why Join a Writing Group?

Whether you’re a writing group veteran or a first-timer, feedback from peers (especially readers within your genre) is an invaluable resource.

As the author, you are often too close to your own work to know whether your writing is being received the way you intended it to. A writing group provides an opportunity to receive genuine reactions and responses from readers. Such a group also often provides encouragement, adding that little extra bit of motivation you need to forge ahead.

Even if you don’t present your work for critique, listening to others and critiquing their pieces will help you develop a better understanding of the craft. Finally, a writing group is a great place to meet and bond with like-minded individuals who share your passion for storytelling.

All that being said, there are some possible risks associated with joining a writing group. Reader reactions are subjective, and you may receive advice that doesn’t adhere to your creative vision or even feedback that may be discouraging or negative. We try our best to foster a supportive, constructive atmosphere, but sometimes being on the receiving end of critique can prove challenging. A group like this also runs the risk of creating a sort of echo chamber, where members develop similarities to one another in both critique style and writing style. 

The goal of any writing group should be to realize the benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls. To that end, we’ve developed our rules and guidelines, which highlight the group’s structure and values. The group succeeds because first, there are a lot of great people uniting to pursue a common goal, and second, there is a shared understanding of our values.

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