What do you like to see in a writer's group?

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   Readmikenowposted 5 years ago

   
   I have been part of writer's groups before and even hosted one once.  I don't know if I ever got it right.  I've been to writer's groups that are very specific and only cover things like screenplay writing.  I've been part of groups that are so general nobody knew what the group was about and quickly lost interest.  I would like to know if anyone has been part of a successful writer's group.  What happened and what were the meetings like?  I know we all benefit from getting together.

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   1. 92

      Tim Truzy info4uposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I have never done online writing groups, but I've participated in groups where we met over dinner, usually bringing original works (poetry, short stories, etc.). We often would read our work aloud, or we would switch up, letting group members read our writings.
      Usually, the week before we agreed on a topic. If writing bloc persisted, we usually would throw a prompt out and write for about twenty minutes. I got some great ideas out of those meetings. I'm fortunate to live in an area where there are many writing groups, but now, I can get that same inspiration from reading HP writers' stories and poetry.

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   mactaversposted 5 years ago

   I've tried three groups over the last 20 years.  I think they could be helpful if you write fiction; however, if you write non-fiction that is research based, the other members were talking about and writing about something much different.  So, the longest I ever belonged to a writing group was three months.

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3. 92

   Kenna McHughposted 5 years ago

   Yes. I was with an online group. Some of us experienced success. I hooked up one writer with an agent/editor. Both were grateful. I published a book through a publisher, and I am self- publishing one, shortly, which they all gave invaluable input.

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   1. 95

      Readmikenowposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I belonged to a writers group in California for people who wrote screenplays.  They had speakers come in weekly who had movies produced from their screenplays.  Many were movies that were not filled with an "A" list class.
      
      It was still interesting to hear from people who had succeeded. 
      
      Are speakers who are successful writers important part of a writer's group?

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4. 92

   Kenna McHughposted 5 years ago

   I belonged to a group that brought in screenwriters. It was helpful. I networked with them and stayed in touch.

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