W is for Writers

Colorado Springs Science Fiction Convention--Panel on Critique Groups

As an author, I've had the privilege to speak at numerous venues to include book signings.  In the photo above, I participated on the panel, 'The Benefits and Hazards of Writing Critique Groups', at the Colorado Springs Science Fiction Convention. 

For the most part, my group agreed writing critique groups are mostly beneficial. 

Anyway, the folks who attended this pane were mostly writers and interested in ways to grow their craft.  What I found very interesting, our answers were very similar to each other and we had never met until the panel stepped up on to the platform. 

Benefits:

I've talked about this previously in moredepth on another blog, but the basic are: 

*Everyone has the same goals--to obtain publication.

*No hand holding, but honest feedback to strengthen the writing.

*Catch mistakes we can't see.

*Collaboration and support.

Hazards:

*Stagnant groups--no longer giving us the hard critique.

*I believe a diverse group is best, but others find genre specific groups--which can be both a benefit and hazard.  Find what works for you.

*Not having a solid core of members.  Open groups are great, but make sure the group has at least two or more committed members.

How to find writing groups?

There are so many out there.  I found my group by googling 'Writing Critique Groups'.  Another way is to join Meetup.com and search writing groups in your area.  I bet you'll find one.  If not, start one (again, I blogged previously about starting a writing critique group--very simple).  Don't be discouraged when only one person shows up.  It will take time for people to catch on.  It took me at least a month to get the nerve to show up at my first critique group and I never regretted it. 

If you're local, I've started one in the Cheyenne Meadows subdivision at Mandatory Fun.  Although the title is Military Writers, you don't have to be military--I'm not.  :-)

Do you belong to a writing group?  What is your primary goal for your writing?