I’m not shy about saying that joining with other writers is a good thing. Over the last few years, I’ve found great comfort in the wisdom and ideas I’ve received from other writers, and I encourage others to join groups as well.
What’s Unique About Them
As I’ve mentioned in my posts about finding your tribe, there are general writers’ groups, such as the Maryland Writers’ Association, and others that are more specialized. I’m a member of both Sisters in Crime and Crime Writers of Color, two organizations that support people who write crime novels. But even within the broad category of “crime,” there are people who write police procedurals, thrillers, romantic suspense, private investigator novels, cozies and on and on. And that’s just in one sub-genre of writing.
One reason I find spending time with other writers so satisfying is because in all honesty, as writer’s, we’re not normal. Here’s an example. I was attending a graduation program for a non-profit in Maryland and parked in a garage a block from the event hall. There are often signs in parking structures that admonish you to “remember where you’ve parked,” so I looked up and noticed I was on the fourth floor, in section C. I looked up, said to myself “C-4,” and started to laugh. When I told this to my associate the following day, she looked at me like I had lost my mind. But when I told this to another writer of crime novels; he burst out laughing, because C-4 is a well-known plastic explosive. I still think that’s funny.
Some Benefits
Besides finding that the people you meet in writers’ groups may be as warped as you are, associating with them is valuable for other reasons. I’ve learned about writing contests from other writers, and about their contacts with agents and publishing agencies. They’ve also given me tips on finding resources for editing and beta readers. And their encouragement has been valuable, too. In fact, the default among the authors I’ve met—some very big—is to bend over backwards to help you, even when you’re writing in the same genre.
People have told me that I’ve helped them as well. Though I have little experience in the world of writers, there are those who have less experience than I. Some of these writers doubt their writing and feel they are probably wasting their time by even trying. It doesn’t matter to me whether their writing is great yet or not; what matters to me is that people can express themselves and feed their souls through the process of writing. Being part of a group helps nurture that spirit of cooperation in me. For that reason alone, I’m glad I’ve found my groups.
How about you?
