Are You in a Writing Group?

Three sandhill cranes meandering through my yard. I think the one on the far right is the baby.

Over the years, I’ve been in a few different writing groups. In my last group, all of us were working on books for kids. Most of us found each other through our membership in the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

It was a great group of women. A few worked on picture books and poetry. A few on MG or YA novels. A couple on non-fiction. Quite a mix.

What we excelled at was supporting one another’s dreams. We encouraged each other to persist with writing projects we felt had merit and gave the best feedback we could.

Giving effective feedback is difficult.

It’s much easier to point out where someone slipped from first person to third or used the wrong verb tense or went overboard with description.

Being able to see what someone is trying to accomplish and then giving them supportive, honest feedback that helps them get there is something I can do now. My editing, teaching, and book coaching experiences have shaped me into an effective critiquer.

But back when I was still a member of a writing group, my feedback may have, at times, done more harm than good.

Phyllis worked on a YA novel briefly that was based on one of her granddaughters. I really, really disliked the main character. She was insipid and flat and stereotypical—kind of a popular mean girl. I didn’t convey my opinion as baldly as this to Phyllis, but even so, she never brought more of this story to the group.

Did I discourage her? Was I too strong in voicing my views? Maybe.

Another group member, Sarah, was working on a middle-grade novel with an excellent voice but couldn’t get the plot to work (and back then I didn’t know how to help either). She took a break from it to play with a new idea about a kid discovering his superhero powers. It seemed like she was chasing a trend rather than creating something new that she really believed in, which is what I told her.

I don’t believe that honesty is the best policy in every situation. But when it comes to writing that you’re putting your heart and soul into, then, yes, I think it’s important to be honest and open about my opinion of your work.

A writers’ group is great for support. Useful feedback is a bonus.

I think the best groups provide support for their members—fellow writers on this tough journey of completing a novel, finding an agent, getting published. Sharing information about all of these things is a great service.

Being accountability partners for one another is also a great function of a writers’ group. You can help each other continue making progress on a first draft or a revision.

Delivering honest, kind, and constructive feedback to group members is the hardest part. It takes time, energy, and knowledge to do this well.

By the way, this is where book coaches really shine. We’re trained to spot tough story problems and help you figure out the best solutions. The work is fun and energizing and helps you move step by step toward your writing goals.

If you’d like to see what that’s like, sign up for a free, 45-minute book coaching meet and greet with me.

Next time I’ll offer some tips about how can you get the most out of being in a writers’ group.

What’s your experience been like with writers’ groups? What do you get out of your membership? Tell me about it at bookcoach@micheleregenold.com.