Join a Writers' Group

With a basket full of anxiety, I decided to try attending a regular meeting of our local Writers' Group. It was the best and easiest decision I have made so far. You probably have such a group in your area but you may have trouble tracking it down.  Your local library, or community college creative writing instructor may know.  Or, they may make themselves known on Facebook or simply as a Google search result. 

Join them.  Both you and the Group will be glad you did.

I asked the long-time members of our local Group why a novice or experienced writer should join.  I received seven answers:  

1. The Group provides a writer, from the published author to the tentative new person, to share their work in a supportive environment
2. Even the most experienced writer will find that sharing, especially out loud, provides a unique opportunity to polish the work.
3. You get writing ideas - everything from potential genres and forms you never would have otherwise considered to structural, perspective and other technical feedback.
4. It keeps you writing.  Many go from a head filed with potential ideas to a binder filled with actual work.
5. It often generates enthusiasm, excitement or simply re-assurance.  
6. There's an accountability, absent unless you have been accepted for publication somewhere
7. There is the simple social aspect of sitting together with like-minded people.  This is a concrete benefit for writers who, typically, spend a lot of time alone.

Last week I received kind feedback related to Point 3 above that caused me to stop and revise.  So much so that I will need to confess to the Group I don't have anything ready for this week's meeting except my gratitude.