The Benefits of Writing Groups

Writing can be a lonely endeavor, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic is causing many people to feel more isolated than ever! One way to help counter this feeling of loneliness is to join a writing group. Or, even if you do not lack social interaction, writing groups are an excellent tool for improving both the quality and consistency of your writing.

These communities come in all shapes and sizes, and regardless of your level of experience, confidence level, or preferred writing genre, there are groups out there. The focus of the group will vary on a case by case basis, but generally, the purpose of a writing group is to provide feedback, support, accountability, and a sense of community for the members.

Before joining a writing group, it is prudent to make sure the goals and composition of the group align with what you are looking for, but don’t overthink it, really! Find a group and start enjoying the benefits!

Here are the three main ways a writing group can positively impact your writing career:

1. Support. The other members of your writing group will understand and empathize with the problems you may be experiencing with your writing, and by coming together, you can encourage and lift each other up to maintain the outlook and motivation you need to thrive. The self-doubt, fear of rejection, or shame writers feel about their writing (or lack thereof!) is incredibly common. It is also a lot easier to overcome when we aren’t trying to tackle it alone.

2. The “groupthink” benefit. Another reason to join a writing group is to share your own expertise and glean knowledge from others. One of the first lessons we all discover in life (hopefully) is how to learn from our own mistakes. But almost equally as important is learning from the mistakes of others. Writing is a field where you are constantly editing what you have done—going back and correcting your mistakes and learning from them. In a writing group, you and other writers can pool your collective writing tips and lessons that have been accumulated over years of mistakes and revisions.

3. More practice. Finally, the hallmark of a successful writing group is, of course, writing. These groups are one of the best outlets for sharing your work and receiving honest, constructive feedback. If you are not confident enough to share, you can just read and be inspired and encouraged by the words of others. This practice of sharing and providing feedback is at the heart of what makes writing groups tick. Sure, maybe you already share your work with your friend, partner, parents, etc., but there are limitations to the benefits you get from feedback from friends and family. Objective feedback from a knowledgeable peer is a rare gift, and it is what makes writing groups so invaluable to writers of all stages.

So, there you have it! get out there on social media and find yourself a writing group! The support and community might be just the thing you need to get through 2020, and the feedback and tips you receive might be just what you need to bring your book to life.

Happy writing! 
Tim and The Inspira Team