| Whenever I speak publicly about tips for fiction | | | | learning from one another. |
| writing, the question of whether it's worth joining | | | | 2) An experience level that complements your |
| a writers' group inevitably arises. In this article, | | | | own. |
| we'll cover whether this is an avenue worth | | | | If you're just starting out, you'll likely find that you |
| considering, and if so, some key things to look for | | | | get more value from a group that has a number |
| in such a group. | | | | of members at your experience level, or slightly |
| First, a confession: I have never been a long-time | | | | above. This is because these people are currently |
| member of a writers' club, yet I've managed to | | | | wrestling with many of the same issues you're |
| reach a respectable level of success in this | | | | facing. You can easily learn from one another. |
| profession. Does this mean that I think they have | | | | On the other hand, if you're a newbie in a round |
| no value? Not at all. | | | | table discussion with seasoned novelists, it may |
| One of the things I've learned about giving tips for | | | | not benefit you as much. While you can still much |
| fiction writing is that there are few iron-clad rules. | | | | learn from them, their comments will tend to |
| Every person is different. What works for you | | | | focus on issues that you might be years away |
| might not work for me, and vice versa. That is | | | | from confronting, and as such, won't be |
| simply a fact of the creative life. | | | | immediately applicable in your day-to-day work. |
| With that said, I know many well-known authors | | | | 3) A comfortable atmosphere. |
| who swear by writers' groups, and who feel that | | | | Novelists, published or not, can be notoriously |
| these clubs have played a critical role in their | | | | egotistical and competitive, especially when they |
| success. They enjoy the critiques, the | | | | sense an opportunity to shine. You don't need to |
| camaraderie with peers--the basic experience of | | | | be in a club where someone is boasting endlessly |
| connecting with others as earnest and sincere as | | | | about their publication credits, being excessively |
| they are about the art and craft. | | | | critical of others, or otherwise making you feel |
| This leads, us, conveniently, into what you should | | | | personally uncomfortable. |
| look for if you're interested in joining one of these | | | | Instead, look for a club that encourages honesty |
| groups. I suggest evaluating these three points. | | | | and mutual respect--disagreeing without being |
| 1) A committed membership. | | | | disagreeable. You should look forward to the |
| This is essential. A club will be worthless to you if | | | | meetings with a sense of pleasant expectation. |
| the members aren't all that serious about their | | | | And you should genuinely enjoy the company of |
| work. | | | | the other members. |
| The group should meet on time, individuals should | | | | Now that you're armed with this information, it's |
| participate in discussions and critiques--there should | | | | time for the next step. Get more free tips for |
| be a clear sense that everyone involved is truly | | | | fiction writing that can take your career to the |
| invested in improving their fiction writing and | | | | next level. Visit my web site now. |