Covid really messed things up! In a lot of ways for a lot of people! I used to go to some writing groups before Covid. They were all very vibrant and social groups. We talked about writing, critiqued each other’s work and shared experiences with publishing.
I have not been to a writing group in years and decide to give it a go.
(In fact, I’m writing this while in a group meeting right now! 😁)
Let me preface this by saying that I wanted to find a group where I sat with people together in a room. Not a Zoom meeting. There still appears to be a preference for online meetings, but, slowly, in-person groups are starting to emerge.
And I’ve seen these groups fall into a couple of categories.
The first is a more social group. They set aside time to write, then take breaks to talk about whatever they want related to the writing/publishing field. They seem to shy away from the “Here’s what I wrote. Tell me what you think” format. Which, I get. The groups that focus on critiquing writing take a lot of time and are a challenge to moderate.
The second kind of group, (where I am now), is where the organizer sets a timer and you write. When the timer goes off, there is a short break where members can do whatever they want. Chat, go to the bathroom, refill their coffee. Then the timer is set again and you write. When the timer goes off, the group is over.
Members are encouraged to stay after the group if they wish to talk with each other. But the focus of the group time is writing.
I kind of like that format. I’m going to write anyway. Writing in a group of people, who are also heads-down writing, is motivating!
There are three groups near me that use that format and I’ve signed up for each one. It gets me out of the house. Most meet at a coffee shop, where I mostly work anyway. And it just feels different than when I’m by myself.
Yes, Covid changed things. But it didn’t kill our spirit, which I am happy to see!