I've only recently realized how vital being part of a writers' group is to my writing's momentum--not to mention how much opportunity and knowledge about the business is offered.
But not all writers' groups are the same--you cannot judge the usefulness of them in general based on your experience at one. When I was part of my first group, I didn't realize that that type wasn't the only choice.
1) A critique group--This is perhaps the most common type found--a group that offer members the chance to critique each others' pieces as the primary focus. This was much like my college experiences in classes and it was familiar. This type is really good for people who need others' feedback, encouragement and direction. This is vital--for a writer to get many peoples' impressions and readings is an education. The longer I was at the work of writing, more and more I became really concerned about how people read my work--were they getting what I intended? Was I successful at my goals? My group could tell me this and that is very valuable. (Note--for writers who don't really want to change anything to better succeed at getting the audience to receive what he/she meant to say will perhaps be very frustrated by this type of group. I remember when I was younger and less mature about feedback and constructive criticism, I didn't really want to be told anything needed improvement!)
2) I attended a conference and in so doing was given membership to a large writer's group, which I never intended to attend. But I started getting emails about the who the guest speakers (all professional writers) were for the next meeting, and I found myself suddenly more than willing to drive an hour to attend! This group offers a monthly meeting with a guest speaker in the industry giving a workshop or talk on some aspect of the business, then after, writers break into small groups for critique on pieces members chose to bring. This has been invaluable to me as a freelance writer and a novelist, equally. Before, I was a closet writer not really driven to publish--but now that I aim to publish (and am publishing), these opportunities are gems! From a full-time freelance writer guest, Hana Hataainan Caye last month to Joyce Magnin, novelist, this month, I'm very appreciative.
3) Through the aforementioned group, I was given the opportunity to join an online critique group made up of three other novelists. Each month, I get the opportunity to send part of my novel manuscript to three other writers and can ask their feedback on questions and problems that concern me most in my plot's development. Writing a novel is such solitary work, and traditional writers groups cannot handle dealing with a novel critique! I'd already taken the beginning to my critique group, and as valuable as that is, I cannot continue taking future chapters, once a year! The only people who can really give good feedback on them middle and end of a book are people who read the beginning. Our little group (of people I've never met in real life) are still in the beginning of our journey, and I cannot assess how valuable it is yet, but just the opportunity to have readers is a gift.
4) A motivational/accountability group. A college friend's husband (a writer with a couple completed novels under his belt ) started this group in their home once with the purpose of letting writers set goals and know that in the next meting, they'd be asked how well they completed that goal. We didn't critique, but more aimed to keep each other on track. I recently read a review of the book 90 Days to Your Novel by Sarah Domet, and read an interview with her talking about how such accountability really makes the difference.
My writing life is so much richer, and more successful, because of these four types--though obviously, I'm not involved in all 4 at the same time. Try finding a group near you by searching your local paper's listings for groups, or try a meetup.com group.
Articles I've published:
Fight Breast Cancer with Salmon, Not Pink Cupcakes (And Other Cancer- Fighting Tips)
Postpartum Depression: Options for Medical and Other Treatment
Why is The United States Reacting Differently Than Other Governments to Cell Phone Risk Study Results?
Pampers' Myths and Facts Page About Environmental and Health Impacts: A Critique
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