the online writers group

the online writers group

The Impact and Benefits of Online Writers Groups

1. Introduction to Online Writers Groups

Writers have always needed support or guidance as they work their way through a project, given the solitary nature of written creation and the fact that, outside of educational settings, most writers are not formally ‘taught’ the process of writing or of developing their concept into an actual book or essay. Writers groups first began to appear in the mid-19th century as people turned to creating their own amusement in prose form; in earnest in the 1930s organizing around the idea of Brutality. Over time, as writers learned that other writers were not a bunch of oversized goons stalking the bars and back alleys of the world looking for non-writers to tear limb-from-limb, writers groups evolved, struck out on their own, became more than the weekend warriors of the professional authors we patronize today. With the advent of the world wide web, many of these writers groups relocated to the unfortunate individual who works classic authors and online advice seekers we read, marking, in my opinion, the first wave of ‘virtual’ writers groups. Today, because of the proliferation of the net, both serving and served, it is no longer possible to deny that the internet has changed the public perception of, and access to, writers. One only needs to Google ‘online writers group’ to have scores of contenders displayed, of all calibers and affiliations. In one manner, of course, the existence of a diligently maintained, conveniently located online group in itself is an expression of positive sociality and commitment to the field, just as advertising this website is at least a marketing measure. But practicing the social intellect can yield more explicit results that appeal to more than just our colleagues.

2. Advantages of Joining an Online Writers Group

An online writing group is an opportunity for writers to get together for critiques, advice, and more. Each has a unique personality, built from resources and individual feedback. While a typical piece of writing is a solitary effort, being part of an online writers group can make the writing process feel less isolating and help you access resources that may be beneficial to you during the publishing process. Members that are part of an online writers group often have the opportunity to have their works critiqued by peers, learn more about the “dos and don’ts” of writing their story, and have a space to form a community of around a hundred other writers to bounce ideas off of, get support, and join competitive juried programs. It can also be flexible for those who may not be able to attend the same time every month like a traditional/in-person writing group would.

There are a variety of benefits to joining an online writer group, the scope of which will vary depending on the specifics of each group. In general, there is the opportunity to improve your craft, become part of a community, and begin to network in the industry. Being part of a group can help you grow your book of contacts, participate in or read about first-hand industry efforts, promote your own work, and potentially find platforms to publish your work. Receiving encouragement, direction, and advice from peers at varying career levels can help you navigate writing industry best practices; from help on your query letter to tips on self-publishing promotion strategies – there will be someone who has been there, too. You will also be able to take part in meeting special bonus events, completed by indie organizations and traditional publisher imprints with the intention of grabbing the attention of readers.

3. Key Features and Best Practices of Successful Online Writers Groups

Here is a list of essential elements to the successful online writers groups discussed in this article. Each element is elaborated on further as the article continues. Successful online writers groups facilitate constructive critiques of each other’s work, create a safe environment where members feel comfortable enough to share and receive feedback, provide resources and useful tools such as the FAQ, have an organized structure including a schedule, provide writing prompts and exercises to get the creative juices flowing and jump-start a stagnant work in progress. An online writing group may not display all of these features, but many groups use or endorse these as best practices. Encountering them can help you think about what you would like from a writers group.

If you are seeking to establish an online writers group, it is useful to understand what makes them successful and why their structure attracts and sustains their membership. There are many virtual writing communities, and some of them are open to the public; attending one of these can help you experience the spectrum of online groups firsthand. A successful online writing group will have or engage with features like clear expectations, generous communication, constructive critique, structured activities, and a positive and affirming environment.

4. Case Studies and Success Stories from Online Writers Groups

As with pertinent quotes throughout, we’ll boldfacing things that we think could make engaging pull quotes, which can be featured in the conference report, on social media, and more broadly. Starting from a position where the writers joined the leadership programme at very different stages of their careers, take a look at some of their success stories to see just what can come from a combination of non-metropolitan location and an online group.

In gathering these stories, it would be helpful if writers could detail how the online group has helped them: the most substantial piece of work that they’ve shared – particularly when they’ve done something in response to asking for help – and any anecdotal experiences that have arisen as a result of sharing work: getting published, acquiring representation, winning competitions, including as a result of feedback from the group. Has the support of the group encouraged them to submit more widely, or have they begun to take steps towards becoming a published or performed writer? Have they written more and shared more than they used to, and has this led to any particular benefits? Any combinations of these – and more – may form case studies that help bring going outside of London very much to life.

5. Conclusion: Harnessing the Power of Community in Online Writers Groups

I love the humility, honesty, and hunger mixed in with the wit and oddballness in everyone here. I couldn’t be more grateful and picked up a better lesson: to just shut up and listen, because each of us is surrounded by armfuls of secret worlds and truths and stories, all equally inside your head or outside in the mess of living. We look forward to seeing how much our community will grow, learn, and create in these online spaces. No one can predict how we’ll push the technologies, conveniences, formats, mentorship, and services of the internet to new levels for the facilitation of writers and readers… Allow me to conclude by repeating myself: the best writing community is one of love in action. A writing group led by writers, celebrating writers. A place to write and heal and be in community. Halved expenses and doubled income.

Writers groups have always been about community. They inspire rather than instruct or judge. They support rather than compete. They empower rather than praise. Writers come together to become more than the sum of their parts. And nowhere is that dynamic of love in action more evident than in an online writers group. A permanent, international community of writers impacts dozens of lives every single day. In fact, nothing I’ve said about writers communities here is my own idea—every concept is borrowed from the thousands of brainstorms, conversations, and epiphanies we’ve shared. There’s no rule about what friendships and support will ripple from an online forum like ours—rather, community is one of the many deep privileges and a characteristic of infinity. Whether you’re at the fore or quiet in the ranks, your individualism here matters.