I'm considering a writer's group but mostly because it seems "the thing to do". And while I know what's on offer (critiquing, commiseration, camaraderie... any other 'c' things?), I'm not sure of the value of it.

I visited a meeting of one local writer's group, very near to where I live. Maybe it was because it was just before the Christmas holiday and so they didn't have the usual speaker or the usual crowd, but.. well it felt like a support group. Like I could have expected the film crew from 'Fight Club' to have been in the back, shooting every second. I left feeling like I'd spent a few hours hearing "It's alright. We're all writers and we're all ok." Maybe that's what's needed?

Happy. I think that's it. I didn't meet anyone there that seemed happy about writing. It seemed like everyone felt like writing was this heavy burden but that they must march on. Why on earth are you writing if you don't enjoy it?

Anyhow, what's been y'all's experiences with writer's groups? Better I presume. For someone? Somewhere?

[ Parent ]