5 Simple Reasons to Join a Writers Group

5 Reason to Join a Writers

There are lots of reasons to join a writers group, but here are our top 5. They are simple, right to the point and true. If you are looking for groups in your area, try Meetups first, or check your local coffeehouses and library. There are usually groups within drive distance.

1. It’s fun
If you have the right mix of people, meeting new writers can be life changing. I’ve seen people go from shut-ins, writing in solitude to having a lively social life built around writing. It’s amazing, and rewarding at its best. Writing groups can be great fun.

2. Inspiration
Reading can be inspirational. Reading the work of someone just like you, living in the same area, writing, maybe, in the same genre, can have a profound impact on your writing, and it only takes one person. One person that you can befriend and make your writing something that you share and talk about. Sharing something you love with someone real, in the real world, will certainly open entirely new possibilities. I found that when I started writing for a group, when I knew someone was going to read it, changed my writing. It made me want to write, and it made me write better.

3. Learning
Being in a group also has practical benefits. It will teacher you how, in many cases, to write. In all the groups I have ever joined, I found people who were extremely knowledgeable of writing. There is always help, in a good writers group.

4. Proliferation
Most of the time, when you find a group that you like, it makes you write more. You become excited to bring your writing to the group. You are excited to create something new, so they can see it. You tend to start writing like crazy at first, when you first find a group you really enjoy.

5. Iron out the kinks
Having a real audience, with feedback, like a good writer’s group, can really help you get over those problems you couldn’t figure out. To you, the problem will be very complicated, filled with explaining and “it’s a long story,” kind of stuff, but to your group, the problem will be simple. They will tell you it’s simple, just do this. It will take you a long time to believe them, but they are usually right.