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Stay Motivated in a Writers Group

 

Page Updated: 07/02/2008 with these new or edited items:

 
Join a Writers group (top)

How to Find a Group

  • Check out InScribe's InSpiration Groups for one in your area
  • Check out the list of writers groups below
  • Look at the bulletin board in local libraries and bookstores
  • Call the larger churches in your town or city and see if they have a group

What to Take to a Group

  • A manuscript to be read aloud or enough copies for others to read.
  • A clip board, note book or writing paper.
  • Red pen for your comments (or blue -- is less intimidating)
  • Bible
  • Current Christian Writers' Market Guide and Writers' Digest Market Guide.
  • Thesaurus, dictionary, maybe a style guide (Strunk and White’s Elements of Style)
  • A loving attitude
Start a Group  (top)

Advertise the Group

  • Request our “Start Up Packet” which is full of good information. It is available free to members of InScribe, and for a small fee to others. To order, contact Marcia.
  • Use your contacts, including church. Put a notice in the bulletin, on the announcement board, tell your Sunday School Class, choir or whatever group you are involved with. Tell friends and family about your group.
  • Make a flyer with the information including your name, phone and e-mail.
  • Create a notice on blank business cards and use them when you are talking to people and the subject of writing comes up.
  • Put notices up at local Colleges, the Library, bookstores, Wal-Mart and even grocery stores. Get permission first.
  • Consider a small ad in the local paper.
  • Put public service announcements on television and radio stations. Newspapers and some publications have “event calendars” where you can put your group information free.
  • Go for a radio or television interview about your new group.


Pick a Place to Meet

  • Look for rooms without rent such as colleges, churches, libraries, lodges, community halls.
  • After the group gets going, you may want to meet on a rotating basis at one another’s homes.

Decide on what to include

  • Each writer should bring some of their writing to read or have read.
  • Critiques are usually included. Have guidelines so these do not become ’verbal attacks’ but are offered in ways that give help and encouragement to everyone.
  • Offer time for writers to share what is going on in their writing life, such as recent submissions, acceptances, rejections, accomplishments and challenges.
  • Include time to pray, even time for a short devotional. Take turns.
  • Consider inviting speakers who give instruction on various aspects of writing and the writing life.
  • Use videos or tapes from writing conferences.
  • Play word games.
  • Give writing assignments to complete and bring to the next meeting.
  • Complete short writing assignments during the meeting.
  • Food, refreshments.

Group Leaders

  • Once you have a 'membership list', post an e-mail reminder one week prior to your meeting date.
  • Or use a phone list and have each member call several others.
  • Or use a mailing list or form letter and fill in the date and topic.
  • Let writers know the location date, time, contact name, phone numbers, and that they can bring other writers.
  • Mention fees if you have any or if it is free. (Some people are afraid to ask if something costs because they might not be able to afford it. Others will not give the group value if it is free!)
  • Always consider new member awareness and the greater community.
  • Reminders are also good for those who normally attend.

Download: “How to Start a Christian Writers InSpiration Group” (.pdf file, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to get AR)
Writers Group Q&A (top)
Our group does critiques, but we are not sure what we are doing. Do you have guidelines?
  • First a suggestion: Before the manuscript is presented for critique, ask the writer what they are looking for. Some want help with grammar, or sentence structure, or flow, or other aspects of the writing process. Others may want only market suggestions.
  • As for a critiquing guideline, the following is only one of many that are available. Most critiques would not cover all these points.
    Title: Catchy? Clue to content?
    The opening: a strong lead? sets a tone? begins at the beginning? promises reader something?
    The body: well organized? good transitions? succinct? sticks to theme?
    Style: varied sentence length? shows rather than tells? action verbs? specific nouns? positive, lifts up? examples, anecdotes? suitable quotes?
    Grammar & Punctuation: punctuation used well, clarifying meaning? no clichés, jargon, platitudes?
    Ending: take-away: leaves reader thinking about what was said? fulfills promise made in the title and lead?
Our group critiques are short and to the point, but often we want more than “I like this.” or “You can get this published.” What  can we do to take it to a deeper level?
Again, ask the writers what they are looking for. Here is a list that you can print and use to give your members some ideas.
  • Is the idea important? Does it appeal to a wide audience?
  • What category of writing does it best fit: e.g., devotional, personal experience article, short story?
  • Does the title capture your attention and draw you into the piece? Does it indicate the content?
  • Does the manuscript begin in the right place? Is there too much preliminary material, or not enough?
  • Does this flow in logical sequence? If not, how should it be rearranged?
  • Are all my paragraphs related to the subject? Are there any unnecessary paragraphs or sentences?
  • Do I repeat myself?
  • Are my nouns and verbs strong enough?
  • Do I use too many adjectives or adverbs?
  • Have I offered enough anecdotes? Do they fit what I’m trying to illustrate?
  • Is my tone preachy or condescending?
  • How is the pace: moving? plodding? Does it sag anywhere?
  • What about clarity? Is anything confusing or muddy?
  • Do my transitions keep it moving smoothly? Are they the right length?
  • Does my ending wrap it up well? Does the piece have a “take-away” value? In fiction
  • Have I stuck to a single point of view? Is it the best point of view for the story?
  • Am I asking a “suspension of disbelief”? Is there any sense of author intrusion?
  • Is my plot convincing or contrived?
  • Have I included definite conflict? A good climax? A satisfying resolution?
  • Are my characters well-rounded or flat and dull? Are they credible?
  • Does my main character change or grow in some way by the end of the story?
  • Does the dialogue ring true? Does it move the plot forward?
  • How does this story affect a reader’s emotions? Is there passion in this writing?
How can a good critique be given without hurting the writer’s feelings? It seems that we go from one extreme to another.
  • First, honesty is important. If you save someone's feelings by withholding comments about weaknesses in their writing, that is not helpful to them. Harshly picking apart someone’s work is not helpful either. The recipient may not hear anything you say, only feel the sting of blunt words. Ephesians tells us to “speak the truth in love.” This is the needed balance. Have a loving attitude by taking the approach that you are helping them say what they say in the best possible way.
One of our group leaders can be strong-willed and forceful. How can we work with her?
  • Call leadership meetings and stress team effort. Also stress the importance of making decisions together. If yours is a Christian group (and even if it is not) explain how praying together will unify and strengthen your groups. It also has the effect of softening hard hearts and helping each person see writing as a ministry, and the group as a ministry team.
We have people come, but they don’t return. Any ideas?
  • Try a follow-up for each new person. Use cards, letters, e-mail, whatever works best for your situation. Also make sure you have something for them to come for: workshops, speakers, critique groups, etc. You might also consider yearly dues as many people will not place value on anything unless it costs them something. Use the fees for speakers and educational materials.
What is the best way to deal with a harsh critique?
  • Sometimes relatives or friends will give only praise. While that feels good, it will not help you grow as a writer. However, a harsh critique can make you feel like quitting. Some things to remember:
    * Most writers are deeply attached to what they write. If someone attacks their work, they feel personally harmed. As much as we do not like pain, even God will allow negative circumstances in our lives if they will help us become more like Jesus. The trial of being criticized can be profitable if you see God's hand in it, helping you to become a better writer.
    * Not everyone likes the same thing. What you write might not be their choice in either genre, style or content. Get more than one opinion, and ask writers from a variety of backgrounds.
    * If you submitted a first draft to the group, some may not be able to get past the mistakes that are often in a first draft. Be sure to say up front that you are aware of a few spelling and grammar mistakes, but would like the group to look at this for... its basic concept, flow, or whatever you want help with.
    • Jealousy can provoke a harsh critique. This should not happen, but it could. Get more than one opinion.
    • Mature writers may have moved past the "this is my baby" to a more objective view of their work. Unfortunately, some might forget that not all writers feel this way. The person giving the critique may have meant well.
    • Ask God to help you sort the true from the picky. Negative comments can hurt, but they can also point out genuine weaknesses. Pray about all the comments, then work with those you feel are valid. Anything else can be discarded. If necessary, practice forgiveness.
Most of us do not know how to mark a manuscript so the writer knows what to change. As a result, we give back a critique that is discouraging because it has so many lines and markings on it.
Use these for abbreviated critiquing
  • DEL = Delete
  • INS = Insert
  • ?? = unclear meaning
  • GRAM = check grammar
  • SP? = misspelled word
  • (draw an arrow +) MOVE - phrase, sentence, paragraph needs moved - indicate where with arrow.
  • Inverted V = insert space, or insert word (write word above line)
  • A short curved line like a U = close space
  • SPK? = who is speaking? (in dialogue)
  • PV = passive verb
  • G/IM = Good Imagery
  • “” = put in quotes
  • IT = Italics - or use an underline to indicate italics.
  • MMC = made me cry!
  • ROFL = rolling on floor laughing!
  • IR= I relate!
  • ¶ = New paragraph
  • STL = Sentence too long!
  • BV? = What version of Bible?
  • A line between paragraphs + the letter P= join paragraphs, or use a curved line with an arrow at each end.
Writers Groups – Look for one you can join! (top)
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