Writing Groups by Margaret Simon

Belonging is a basic human desire. Community is a safe place where one can belong. 

Writing is a solitary act.  A writing group provides a community for a writer, a group where you are honored and supported in your writing life.

A true working writing group is hard to find.  I've been through quite a few in my lifetime.  They don't all fall apart, but when they do, it's usually due to very normal every day things like a move, a new job, or a different direction.  I am one of the lucky ones.  I met with my face-to-face writing group last week, and asked "How long have we been meeting?" We figured it was more than 18 years, but less than 20.  We used to meet more often, but now we meet only once a month, and the place changes periodically.  The reason we meet never changes.  We love each other.  We support each other. We share a love of writing. 

I joined another writing group only 3 years ago.  We met at the Two Writing Teachers yearly dinner at NCTE. Some originals have dropped out and new members have joined in.  We meet by Zoom on the first and third Sunday night of the month.  This group started out as a picture book writing group but has evolved into more of a poetry focus. 

All this to say that I believe that I am a better writer because of my writing groups.  I belong.  We are on a shared journey.  

My writing groups do not follow strict rules, but there are some universal understandings.  We do not criticize without praising first.  We honor each other's unique voices.  We try to be equitable with time.  And we are, above all, kind.  This is not to say that we don't push each other because we absolutely do with gentle nudges into a direction we would likely have discovered ourselves along the way. 

If you are looking for a writing group whether face-to-face or online, be discerning.  Try to find someone whose writing you admire and that closely resembles your style.  And if it doesn't work, don't be discouraged, and don't take it personally.  Writing is an intimate act and we writers are sensitive people.  The just right group evolves with time, careful attention and dedication.  Belonging to a writing group is an important step in nurturing the writer in you.

Margaret Simon is a teacher-writer who lives on the Bayou Teche in New Iberia, LA.  She teaches gifted elementary students in Iberia Parish. With a Master's degree in gifted and National Boards in early childhood literacy, she offers her love of reading and writing to her students.  She writes about her teaching and shares her poetry at reflectionsontheteche.com. Margaret tweets @MargaretGSimon. You can also connect with her on Facebook at Margaret Gibson Simon.