Finding Your Perfect Writing Tribe:
The Art of Matching Vibes and Words
Welcome writers, illustrators, and creatives to another exciting post on Teazurs Blog! Sorry, I have not been posting as often as I like as I have been researching and writing a new middle-grade novel. The one I finished has been with an editor and I just got back my notes. Excited to jump in and start revisions...but even as I love writing and revising - I absolutely LOVE supporting other writers. I hope this post guides you to a writing group that will not only love and support your writing journey but also fulfill a companionship need in this world of writing alone.
Today, we are diving into the literary world's equivalent of matchmaking: finding the right writing group, partner, or critique circle. It's not just about sharing your work. It's about finding a space where your creativity, critique, and camaraderie flourish.
How do you find this magical gathering of minds? How do you ensure you fit as snugly into this group as the perfect metaphor in a poignant paragraph? Let's explore!
Know What You Want
Before embarking on your quest, ask yourself what you seek in a writing group or partner.
- Are you looking for rigorous critique, gentle encouragement, genre-specific insights, or just a bunch of folks who understand why you talk to imaginary people?
- Does it matter to you if everyone is writing in the same genre?
- Is it okay to have one chapter looked at every few months, or do you need someone to read the entire manuscript and give feedback?
- Do you like big groups or small intimate groups?
- Do you work better one-on-one, or are more eyes on your material needed?
- Are you concerned about like-minded individuals, or do you want diverse ideas and ways of being in your critique group?
- What about positivity vs. negative talk about publishing or writing in general?
Understanding your needs is the first step in finding your tribe. Making a list of what you would love or not love in a group or with a writing partner is a great place to start.
Places to Look
- Local Libraries and Bookstores: Often, these community hubs have information or even host writing groups.
- Online Platforms: Websites like Meetup, Reddit, and dedicated writing forums can be goldmines for finding writing groups or partners.
- Writing Workshops and Conferences: These are not only great for honing your craft but also for meeting fellow writers looking for collaboration or critique partners.
The Vibe Check
Once you've found a potential group or partner, it's time for the all-important vibe check. Here's where you need to listen to yourself and observe your body language. It's like a first date, but with less romantic pressure and more creative synergy.
Sometimes this vibe check takes a while. You may have to go to meetings for 3-6 months or even a year before you really learn about the group as a whole and get to understand individuals.
But if the vibe of the group doesn't match what you are looking for, the critiques won't either. A grumpy group will tend to give grumpy critiques, or the writers might be defensive. An ungrounded group will be all over the place with their ideas. A newbie group will critique smaller things and maybe miss big-picture items. A well-seasoned group will be wise, caring, and help with guidance. A group without a strong yet compassionate leader might fall apart or seem lost. Your job is to notice what the group is showing you, not just with words but with energy and body language.
Comfort is Key
You should feel comfortable sharing your work and receiving feedback. If you're clenching your jaw or tensing up during discussions, take note. Your body might be signaling that this isn't the right fit.
Your body knows. Once you begin to trust it, it will be your best guide to whether you should stay or you should go. If you are getting headaches, backaches, tensing, or feeling jumpy in your seat, this might not be the best group for you.
Excitement and Energy
Notice how you feel during and after meetings. Are you energized and brimming with ideas, or do you feel drained and uninspired? The right group or partner should invigorate your writing spirit.
How do you feel about writing in general after the meetings? Is the group happy they are writers, or are they negative about their writing journey?
Now, practice patience when judging a group to be negative or positive. Everyone goes through feeling unsure of themselves or angry or hurt about rejections. What you should pay attention to is if it's happening at every meeting. Is someone always complaining about something - whether it's about publishing or the world in general.
For me, negativity kills my creativity. If I leave a group feeling negative about publishing, agents, writing, politics, and the world in general, my writing suffers.
Respect and Support
- Pay attention to how members interact. Is there mutual respect, even when opinions differ?
- Do you feel supported and valued? A nurturing environment is crucial for creative growth.
- Do you feel you can ask questions freely, or do you feel you are hiding an aspect of yourself so as not to rock the boat?
- Is the leader of the group kind and caring? Does she or he support the writers in the way they need?
- Are the writers supporting one another equally, or does it seem unbalanced?
- How much time does the group take from your writing and your time? This is an important one to pay attention to. We join writing groups to write, but if the group becomes more about being social and getting together and emails become overwhelming, it might not be the group for you.
Trial and Error
Finding the right group or partner often requires some experimentation. Don't be afraid to attend a few meetings with different groups or have trial critique sessions with potential partners. It's like trying on shoes; you won't know the perfect fit until you walk around in them.
Trust Your Instincts
Ultimately, your gut feeling is your best guide. If something feels off, it probably is.
Conversely, when you find the right group or partner, everything clicks into place—ideas flow freely, feedback is constructive, and you'll likely find yourself eagerly awaiting the next meeting.
You are Worth it!
The journey to finding your ideal writing companions can be as rewarding as it is challenging. It's a quest for your creative soulmate(s), and when you find them, the benefits to your writing and your spirit are immeasurable.
Remember to keep an open heart and an open mind and to always trust in the wisdom of your own reactions—both emotional and physical.
Happy writing, and may you find your perfect writing tribe!
Write~on
Angie
Remember, in the world of words, the right companions make all the difference.
Keep following us here at www.teazurs.blogspot.com for more insights, tips, and tales from the writing life.
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