Join the Club

Writing’s a solitary business, which is why writers never need an excuse to turn off the screen and hurry to gather in groups to talk about…writing.

Finding the right writing group can change everything. Sharing your writing with like-minded people is helpful, but finding a good critic who doesn’t share your world view is even better. Even if the group doesn’t share work, you want to be surrounded by people who are serious, striving. A mix is good, but there needs to be someone to inspire, challenge and provide an example.

But. There’s always a but. Just like all relationships, you have to kiss a load of frogs before you find your prince.

One of the first writing groups I attended was in someone’s flat. It had to be in their flat, because they never left it. I didn’t mind that, happy to be supportive. So we all trooped in and found a space to sit. We started to chat before the session leader (let’s call him Jerry) arrived. I mentioned I was writing in the first person and there was a sharp intake of breath. The room fell silent.

“Jerry doesn’t really think that works.” I was told.

Oh. Thanks Jerry. The woman I was talking to told me she was writing a historic romance. Then she leaned closer and lowered her voice.

“I don’t read that kind of thing,” she said. “But Jerry thinks there’s a good market for it.”

Jerry again. He apparently had an unbeatable set of rules which, when followed, would result in instant publication and massive sales. Not so much a writing group as a complete cult.

Then there was the group which met at the same time every month. Once, two very posh women turned up. One a published author, one an editor. They hogged the conversation, though they’d never met any of us before. We all sat there, cowed. Finally they asked if we could change the time of the meetings to accommodate other things they needed to do. We agreed, meekly, furiously. You’ve guessed it. They never returned.

There was the fomal writing class taught by a “local writer” at the nearby college. The entire first lesson was filled with examples from TV and when a couple of us objected (on the grounds we didn’t watch television and would find references from novels more useful) the tutor told us firmly that most moden novels were not worth his time. Or ours. Sweeping statement? Some people saw it as a challenge. He was finally backed into a corner and had to name a specific writer he felt was “overrated.” Agatha Christie.

If you keep kissing the frogs, you’re bound to find your prince. And the beauty of these odd times is you can attend from anywhere in the world. Two groups I’d recommend are both based in the West of England, but you’ll be welcome from anywhere. Novel Nights https://www.novelnights.co.uk/ isn’t always at night and features break-out sessions and helpful hosts. The Write Day http://www.writeday.co.uk/ is usually based in Frome, but works just as well online, though you’ll have to provide your own cake. If you give either or both of them a try, I guarantee you’ll be inspired.