Writers' groups - are they beneficial?

On Tuesday and Saturday of last week, I attended a local writers’ circle – different groups in different locations though I class both as local to where I live. The Tuesday posse is an established group that’s been running for decades. It has an annual calendar with specific writing competitions, an annual subscription and a formal committee whereas, the other is merely a year old with very little structure and different people attend each session. When I posted on social media that I was ‘heading out to a writers’ group for the evening’ a follower posted the question ‘Do you find it beneficial?’.

It's not the first time I’ve been asked such a question. Each session equates to two hours out of your busy week, three if you count the travel time and what for? Heaps of creativity is my answer! I’ve never shared my work at the Tuesday group as I attend purely to mix and mingle with other creative types: writers, poets and other listeners. I don’t wish to take up their time asking for a critique on work which I know has an editor’s interest. Each session, I sit back and listen to their contributions and provide the odd snippet of feedback or advise, if asked. But it's invaluable to me what occurs when I’m listening to other writers read aloud – my mind begins to generate ideas, images and plot points for my own work. New ideas are formed, plot holes are filled and language choices that went awry earlier in my day suddenly spring to mind. I always have a note book to hand while attending and jot down my ideas throughout the evening. It’s amazing how many scenes have come into existence while I’ve listened to other creatives read aloud. The amazing part is my ideas are totally unrelated to theirs, no connections or similar themes and yet, my muse generates. Maybe my brain switches into a creative mode stimulated by the vibe in the room – who knows. 

The Saturday group, created by a local library so has no subscription fees, has some writers attend purely to chat and network amongst the group. I take my laptop to each session and sit writing my own manuscript whilst others are happy to simply nurse a cup of coffee. I never get huge amounts written as the stop-start nature of the discussions and questions interrupts my usual flow but I always produce something. The writing group is so informal that number aren’t high, one month just three of us attended but it became our most productive session as all three of us wrote and planned for the year ahead. Last Saturday, with five of us present, the discussion was as varied as ever and mainly revolved around indie authors and the various attitudes towards their work. The conversation flowed in many directions, highlighting various points of interest, some of which were new to me being a traditionally published author. 

Both groups are monthly occurrences and have become a stable fixture within my calendar enabling me to benefit from productive writing sessions in subsequent days. 

They say 'birds of a feather flock together' throughout life this has proved invaluable to me. Whether attending is beneficial for other writers – they’ll need to decide for themselves!​

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