A reader asked, “Can you or one of your authors give new writers guidelines for how to find a writers’ group? I’m interested in finding a group where I can get feedback from experienced writers and have an opportunity to read and comment on their works in progress.  (Learning how they build their stories will help me build mine.)”

Good question. But it’s a dilemma, too.

First, successful writers groups are difficult to break into since they’ve done the hard work of establishing, culling, and shaping a group into something that works. You often have to be recommended by a member. Some are more open than others, but if you are seeking something with experienced writers, they often confine themselves to…established writers.

I have belonged to numerous writing groups, and this is what I found. If you are diligent about writing, you work your way up. When you get published, and your writing gets more seasoned, you may reach a point where those who are hobby writing, or just getting started, cannot contribute much to your improvement. The beginners are gleaning tons from the experienced writer, but the experienced writer is mostly doling out instead of receiving. That why seasoned writers eventually winnow their group down to a handful of like souls at a similar stage in their careers and break away.

I used to belong to two solid writing groups. I ultimately published and my career was taking off. The in-person group no longer contributed to my writing. Some were too intimidated to critique. In my second online group, we were more substantial, but that too wound up with my separating into a smaller group of similar minds and talent. It’s just the natural order of things.

You start with general writers groups of all caliber. Anything goes. Then you gravitate to kindred spirits and launch your own group. Each of you then knows the unspoken parameters of what your group wants to incorporate into the fold. One day you may wind up with just beta readers you trust, but it is awfully nice to have a small group of trusted allies who share each others work.

Start with your state’s writers organization. Most states have them. Or ask your library and local bookstores. Look on Facebook and social media. Realize that it’s a process. If the first group doesn’t excite you, find another. Belong to several. Then learn to define what really works for you.