Insidious Plot: 7 Reasons to Join a Writers Group

In our last writing chat session, Jon Stars and I discussed writers groups and critiques. Tune in Mondays at 7:00 to see the next live session. If you'd like to be a part of the next discussion, tune in or drop a comment!

Should I join a writers group?

If you’re a shy writer like me, you’ve asked yourself this question before. Is it worth it to put myself out there? Can it really make me a better writer?

In short, yes!

Last Monday on our Facebook live chat, fellow Lansing author Jon Stars and I discussed writer’s groups. As long-standing residents of local Lansing writers groups ourselves, we’ve both learned the value that these micro-communities of authors can offer. We’ve also learned some of the best techniques and practices from other authors. If you’re considering it, here are 7 reasons to join a writers group. I’ve also included some helpful links and resources to find writers groups in Greater Lansing to help you get started.

7 Reasons to Join a Writers Group

1. Learn Other Styles

Just like we all have a certain way of talking or walking, we also have a certain style of writing. Your style may be detailed, descriptive and poetic. Or it may be sharp, sudden, and striking. Or witty, casual and familiar. It’s difficult to actively change your writing style. That’s a bit like trying to change your handwriting; you can do it if you focus on it, but it’s hard and it won’t last.

(28:27) “You’re not stealing their style, you’re borrowing the things that they do really well.”

You can get a taste of another writer’s style by actively and attentively reading a book, but it’s difficult to enjoy the story and give it in-depth analysis at the same time. At some point, you’ll probably get lost in the story and forget what you’re looking for. In a writers group, you get to ask the author about their style face-to-face and take a moment to analyze, sentence by sentence, what they do and why it works. Since you read a series of small sections from different authors one after the next, you also get to compare several different styles. The similarities and contrasts between them can help you see more clearly which elements are particularly striking, and which you might like to borrow from. This will help you to evolve your own style as well.

2. Build Your Confidence

(25:00) “It was hard to heard. But when I thought about it, I realized they were right.”

My first day at writers group was, I’ll admit, pretty jarring. But, I also have social anxiety and I’d never shared my work, in person, with strangers before attending writers group. Though it’s true that that sort of isolation will protect you from anything critical, it also prevents you from gaining any confidence. If you’re afraid that you’ll hear bad things about your work, you’ll never heard praise either.

Regularly going to writers group, reading my work, hearing critiques and approval, giving critiques and being listened to has all helped me to believe in my work, stand behind it, and feel good about sharing it. Part of what makes this possible is listening to critical comments as well as positive ones. With a balanced view, you know your fellow writers are being honest, so you can really feel good when you get the coveted “I really liked this.”

The other important part of this is giving critiques and being listened to. When other writers respect your point of view and trust your knowledge, you can trust yourself.

3. Improve Your Writing

The most obvious and common reason to go to a writers group is to improve your writing. Even the most famous, prolific and successful writers in the industry don’t know everything there is to know about writing. Besides that, best practices and trends are constantly changing. A writers group gives you the chance to combine the knowledge of every member—every book they’ve read, talk or conference they’ve attended, every book they’ve written and critique they’ve heard. Whether you’re debating about the Oxford comma, whether to use “said” or “exclaimed,” or wondering whether your entire plot works or not, your writers group can help you.

4. Get Encouragement and Solidarity

(26:20) There are many different kinds of writers groups, and each dynamic is a bit different. Some prefer fewer critiques and more enthusiasm, with a focus on what the writer does well instead of what they can improve. Others focus on the opposite, pointing out mechanical errors, improving or removing descriptions, adding action or smoothing the pacing, and so on. There are benefits to either one. The first will keep you going, and is great for finding encouragement when you just feel like burying your notebooks forever. The second will actively improve your writing and help you work on errors. The ideal combination might be a bit of both.

Writing, like anything you’re passionate about, has some frustrations. Either writers group, whether focused on enthusiasm or improvement, will provide solidarity. If you’re frustrated about getting readers, appealing to publishers, finding time to write, balancing your job and your creative energy, and a dozen other obstacles, your writers group will sympathize in a way that no one else can.

5. Personal and Professional Growth

(16:00) Learning to take and apply a critique is a universal skill everyone should have, however many do not. Though my day job also involves writing, being able to listen to and learn from others is a skill that is imperative in any profession (and a valuable personal skill too). This is a valuable listening skill, but it’s also an exercise in patience and personal confidence. To effectively apply a critique, you have to set aside your own pride and what you think you know in order to listen to others. You also have to have the confidence and patience to understand that your critic is trying to help, not trying to personally insult you. Learning not to take critiques personally and using them instead to improve will help you learn and enjoy any pursuit.

6. Learning How to Disagree (Silently)

Most writers groups have a rule: You have to be silent while the group offers critiques. This means you don’t get to voice your defense or explain whatever you were doing or trying to do. Since you wouldn’t be able to sit in a room with a reader and explain yourself, this makes sense. .

(9:45) Going to a writers group means listening to others, knowing you’re not the smartest person in the room, and shutting up about it. However, it’s also important to know when to stick to your own style, message, and even your own quirks. Finding this balance is perhaps one of the best reasons to join a writers group, because it will help you better understand your own style, the reason you write, and what you want to say.

“If everybody liked the same books we wouldn’t have any variety of books.”

Remember that everyone has different tastes, and some writers in your group may not enjoy your message, style, topic or characters. That’s okay. But this means you have to decide when to ignore a critique, and stick to what feels right for you. Generally, technical issues like grammar should always be fixed. If your fellow writers tell you something doesn’t make sense, or isn’t clear, that should also probably be fixed. It’s helpful here to look for consensus. If more than two people point out the same problem, especially if they have different tastes and styles, it probably isn’t a matter of opinion.

No matter what you chose, making this decision internally, silently, is a good skill to learn.

7. The Crap Sandwich

Giving critiques is an exercise in tact. Tact is another learned skill, and not everyone has it. The Crap Sandwich technique, in my opinion, is a quick shortcut to effective tact. Exercising this technique is also a great reason to join a writers group.

(6:00) “Say a nice thing to start, put in the crap—the harsh thing you have—then put in another nice thing. It’s the perfect package for a writing critique. And anywhere in life, really.”

The Crap Sandwich is a simple, but elegant construction. Before saying something critical, point out something the author did well. This softens the blow of something hard to hear, especially if it’s a major point, like a character that isn’t three-dimensional or a scene that turned out boring. Then, add another point of approval. This leaves the author with a good feeling, so they don’t dwell on an issue.

Where to Find Writers Groups in Greater Lansing

There are a variety of writers groups all around Greater Lansing. The first place to look is your local library. Ask a librarian if they know of groups that meet regularly. Most, including the Delta Library, East Lansing Library, and MSU Creative Writing Center. Many other libraries also host groups, though they may not be posted online. You might also ask your local bookstore, or even many cafes. If you’re not sure, these groups can also help you get connected to others. If you are a part of a Greater Lansing writer’s group that isn’t listed, leave a comment and I’ll add it!