5 Reasons You Should Join a Writer’s Group

ABAG Write Strong Writer’s Group featuring guest author Ava Blue Wilson

1. It’s Exposure Therapy for Feedback

If you want to grow as a writer, you’ll need feedback. As artists, we’re really attached to our work and can get defensive when we think it’s under attack. When someone gives a note that isn’t praising our creative genius, we might find ourselves over-explaining our motives and maybe even getting emotional. You have to let go of that attachment. In a writer’s group, you’ll be getting feedback from a wide range of people, and not all of them are going to be your target audience or even your cup of tea. You might think that some of the critiques are irrelevant, but keep an open mind. If you’re constantly defensive with your work, it will make others hesitant to share with you, and that can stunt your growth. A writer’s group gets you comfortable with receiving feedback.

2. It Improves Your Critical Analysis

Learning how to give feedback not only helps others with their writing, but it also improves your own. You get to listen to different voices, styles, and experiences to provide your thoughts. Critical analysis will help you quickly identify what works, what doesn’t, and why. You’ll be practicing this repeatedly in a group, and that will help you when you’re crafting your own works.

3. It Will Open You Up Creatively

No matter how old you are, there’s a lot in life that you haven’t experienced, which can cause a gap in your writing. Your group will be able to fill that gap and give you the different perspectives you need to make your writing connect. A variety of ages, races, genders, and religions all provide a different way of looking at things and will open your worldview, which will reflect in
your writing.

4. It Holds You Accountable

If Monday rolls around and I don’t have anything to share in the group, it makes me anxious. I’ll have to tell everyone why I was
slacking on my craft. And they’re not judging me; life happens. My apprehension comes from having to be honest with myself about why I didn’t write, and that’s a scary thing to do. It’s easier to avoid the feeling altogether and just write. Also, if I have something to
share, then I’m getting more value from the group.

5. It’s Fun

Writing can be really isolating, so a human connection can help get you out of your head. We get to know each other better, laugh, and joke around. It feels good to be around other creatives. They see the world differently, just like you, and it reminds you that
you’re not alone. It engages your mind by providing different exercises and even guest speakers to get your thoughts flowing.

I am currently in ABAG’s Write Strong. We meet virtually on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 EST. If you’re looking for a group
to join, consider stopping by.

By Leasia Cubberly