Q: I keep reading these books about freelance writing that say I should join a writer’s group, but I don’t know where to find one. What should I do?
A: You’ve got a couple of options when it comes to writing groups: meeting face to face with a group of people; meeting one on one with another like-minded writer; joining an online writers’ forum or critique group; and getting a critique partner are just a few of the options.
(www.inkthinkerblog.com) — If you’re a face to face kind of writer, you may want to check your local library to see if a writing group already exists in your area. Coffee shops and college English departments are also a great place to start.
For outstanding online support, check out the forums at a few of your favorite sites. My personal favorite is the forum at www.aboutfreelancewriting.com, which is moderated by the former Guide to Freelance Writing at About.com, Anne Wayman. You can find other good forums at The Rose & Thorn Literary E-zine and WritersWeekly.com.
I just learned about the critique partner option at eHarlequin.com, which may be perfect for you if you’re writing anything that could be even loosely described as women’s fiction. From what I understand, the eHarlequin program is a good one, but you can always get a critique partner on your own by getting in touch with other writers either in person or online to trade critiques.
If you check these sources and come up dry, another option is to start a writing group yourself. Lisa Rosenthal’s The Writing Group Book: Creating and Sustaining a Successful Writing Group is a fantastic resource. So is Writing Alone, Writing Together: A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups by Judy Reeves.
Good luck!
– Kristen
Do you have a question you’d like Kristen King to answer in her Notes in the Margin newsletter or award-winning Inkthinker blog? Send an e-mail to kristen@kristenkingfreelancing.com!
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