| Writers must network with other writers in order | | | | - art schools |
| to learn and grow. My local writing group serves | | | | - art stores |
| as a passion support mechanism for my writing. It | | | | - New-Age stores |
| is invaluable to me because it is the sacred place | | | | - YMCAs |
| where I share my experiences, triumphs, and | | | | - and online discussion groups |
| struggles as a writer. To form and promote a | | | | In addition to the above, you can spread the |
| writing group in your local area, follow the steps | | | | NEWS about your local writing group by circulating |
| below--before long you will have an energetic | | | | flyers/brochures in the following ways: |
| passion support mechanism for your own words. | | | | - giving to therapists for distribution to their clients |
| Good Luck and Have Fun! | | | | - leaving in motel rooms when traveling |
| Vision and Purpose | | | | - sending to magazines and/or organizations you |
| Have in mind a vision and general purpose for | | | | feel have similar interests |
| your local writing group. Your vision and purpose | | | | - sending to local radio and television personalities |
| should be created based on the needs of your | | | | Where to Hold Your Meetings |
| members. This can be a bulleted list of the | | | | - homes of members |
| reasons your group exists. At your first meeting, | | | | - libraries |
| openly brainstorm with the new members by | | | | - bookstores |
| passing out a questionnaire. After your meeting, it | | | | - churches |
| is very easy to type up the purpose and vision of | | | | - schools or colleges |
| your new writing group from reading your | | | | - community centers |
| participants' responses. | | | | - coffeehouses |
| For instance, the purpose of our local writing | | | | - restaurants |
| group is to: | | | | - art schools |
| - Support Each Other In Our Writing | | | | - and YMCAs |
| - Share Information Pertaining To Our Writing | | | | Tips for Structure in Your Meetings |
| - Edit Our Writing | | | | - Introductions: To get the creative juices flowing |
| - Critique Our Writing | | | | for the participants, ask them to write a short |
| I also asked a question on my questionnaire about | | | | paragraph about their interests, their writing, their |
| what each new member wrote. This helped me | | | | hopes and dreams. Let your meetings be a group |
| to understand their writing needs and allowed me | | | | or team function. Try not to be in charge after |
| to create a description of what we write as a | | | | the first meeting. In the beginning, you will need to |
| group. This information is also useful to share with | | | | provide guidance to get the group going...it really |
| potential future members. | | | | depends on the personality types of the various |
| Organizational Suggestions | | | | members. |
| The following organizational techniques might be | | | | - Ask members when they would like to meet |
| helpful as you start and form your own local | | | | and set your regular meeting schedule. |
| writing group. | | | | - Do not forget to ask your members about the |
| - Keep a notepad by the telephone to record | | | | type of structure they are looking for in a writing |
| names, addresses, and phone numbers of people | | | | group. (See below for Writing/Sharing Structure |
| as they call for more information about your | | | | Suggestions) |
| group and meeting place. At the meetings: | | | | - Remember to publicize this structure in your |
| - Use name tags. | | | | brochures/flyers after you are meeting on a |
| - Use a sign-in sheet to record names, address, | | | | continual basis. This allows new members to make |
| phone numbers, and e-mail addresses. | | | | an informed decision as to the appropriateness of |
| - Share your favorite writing books/magazines in | | | | the group for their needs. |
| a display formation for new writers. | | | | Writing/Sharing Structure Suggestions |
| - Have plenty of flyers, brochures, and | | | | |
| questionnaires to distribute. | | | | 1. You can write together and share without |
| - Consider a donation jar to cover cost of printing | | | | critiques. |
| flyers, meeting place, etc. | | | | 2. You can critique each other's work. |
| - If you choose to offer refreshments, keep it | | | | 3. You can do a combination of sharing and |
| simple. | | | | critiquing. |
| Where to Find Writers | | | | 4. You can start the meetings with writing news |
| The best places to pass out information are: | | | | such as: |
| - writing conferences | | | | 5. - Personal writing achievements |
| - workshops | | | | 6. - Professional news (conferences, markets, and |
| - women's clubs | | | | contests) and then share and critique, etc. |
| - libraries | | | | Promoting Your Local Writer's Group |
| - bookstores | | | | - Tell everyone: word-of-mouth is the best way |
| - post offices | | | | to spread the NEWS about your new writing |
| - churches | | | | group and you might be surprised at the contacts |
| - schools or colleges | | | | you will make along the way. When I told the local |
| - news stands | | | | Barnes & Noble bookstore about our local writing |
| - office buildings | | | | group, they donated FREE gift certificates. |
| - local newspapers | | | | - Post and pass out flyers/brochures (see above |
| - community centers | | | | for locations) |
| - coffeehouses | | | | - Issue press releases |
| - poetry readings | | | | - Give writing workshops/seminars (this will also |
| - literary lectures | | | | promote your writing!) |
| - concerts | | | | - Organize reading events |
| - hair salons | | | | - Produce publications/newsletters |
| - gyms | | | | - Fundraising: Writing groups can put together |
| - health food stores | | | | professional collections of holiday short stories, |
| - gift stores | | | | cookbooks, or how-to articles. Be creative and |
| - museums | | | | professional with the products you produce. |