Who here attends in-person creative writing groups? 🙋♀️
TL;DR – They’re so varied. If you try one and don’t like it, try others.
Here are some reflections on the creative writing groups I’ve attended over the years.
⭐ A weekly group in a Leeds cafe after closing, perhaps a Thursday evening.
Great. Nice atmosphere. Good mix of chat and quiet writing time. The brain cleanse we’d start off with was particularly effective. The power of a free write! Good stuff. Stopped going because I had marking to do. (I was still a teacher at that point.) Or was it because I had family commitments? Can’t actually remember the specific cause, but it would have been one or the other.
⭐ A weekday group on a Wednesday in someone’s home in a glorious rural setting.
Goodness me, this one was excellent. I went only once as a taster, and I had a great time. These writers were committed to their craft. Time was spent on discussion and critique, which was very useful. We had lunch together. It was most civilised. Someone gave me a sourdough to bring home. It truly was a brilliant experience. But I didn’t commit to becoming a paid-up member because 1) it was too far for me to be driving up regularly and 2) I really was (am!) just a dabbler. I wasn’t working on any ongoing projects, and this group was more suited to actual committed writers
⭐ A once per month group on a Saturday morning in a community centre/Zoom.
Now, when this group was in lockdown mode, it suited me perfectly. I loved the people who attended. I had such a good time with them on Zoom. I went to a couple in person too, and the writing activities were spot on for me. Interesting prompts. Short pieces encouraged. Poetry. Loved it. But, again, it was a bit too far away for me. If I lived closer, I’d still be a member. Alas…
⭐ A weekly group on a Sunday afternoon in a disused shop.
I went only once. The activities were cool, but I spent a lot of time feeling uncomfortable. The venue was poky – I felt claustrophobic. And there was one person in particular who did not seem keen to have a new person in the mix. Hmm. Thought I’d leave her to it. Not for me.
⭐ A monthly group in an arts/community space. Evenings. Mondays/Tuesdays.
We have a winner! Not that it’s a competition. This group has been a real boon. I started attending last May and I haven’t missed a session since. It’s got a spot on combination of everything I’m looking for in a creative writing group. The social aspect is lovely. Everyone is really nice and we get time to chat. We also have the opportunity for quiet writing time to work on our own projects or do some impromptu writing based on prompts (which is what I always end up doing). There’s a great mix of people who all write for different reasons. Fiction and nonfiction. Poetry. All different genres. Some who are traditionally published, and others working towards indie/self-publishing goals. Others who have no desire to publish and who are just there to write. No sniffiness whatsoever, which is really refreshing. I lead a quiet life now that I work from home. Having the opportunity to get together with other creative people is a lovely thing. Does me good!
☕ And tonight I’m off to the group I’ve just mentioned. It’s our first one this year. Can’t wait!
👉 So if you haven’t yet found the right (write!) group for you, don’t give up. Hopefully your area has a variety of options, and if not, there’s always online.
Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary experience. I hope you can find a way to be an active member of the writing community.
❔ What are your experiences of in-person creative writing groups? Let me know in the comments or DM me. 😃
CherryEdits 