Finding a writing group

You could try using www.meetup.com. It's possible, though, that there aren't any in your area. In which case you could start one!

Dave

You google 'your area+writing group' and find stuff like this:

http://grubstreet.org/

Also check with your local bookstores and/or libraries. If they don't have one, they might have info for you. Or check the local town papers which have local daily events.

I know why people join writer's groups in general, but may I ask why you want to join one, Don? ^_^ I'm kinda nosy. ^_^

-An

ooh! Here's a creative writing group that meets on Thursday evenings at the library (or A Library, I'm sure Boston has more than one, no?):

http://calendar.boston.com/boston-ma/events/show/84213885-creative-writing-group

I just googled Los Angeles Writing Groups, and found something interesting...

Save the date!
MAGAZINE EDITORS' SUMMIT
Monday, September 22
7:30 to 9 p.m. (networking follows the program)
Top magazine editors reveal the inside track on getting your work published. Find out how to get the attention of an editor with a winning story pitch or query. Learn about the most recent trends in the magazine publishing world and where to direct your focus to generate assignments.
Panelists will be announced at a later date.
Location: Veterans Memorial Building, 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City
(Corner of Culver Boulevard. Parking entrance on Culver) Map of location. Parking is free.
Admission: IWOSC members - free; Non-members - $15
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED — Call 877-79-WRITE (that's 877-799-7483) or email the IWOSC office for reservations and information. Reservations will be honored up to ten minutes before the meeting begins.
Please note: The reservation deadline is 12:00 noon on Monday, the day of the meeting.
If you reserve and can not attend, please email the IWOSC office to let us know.

Click to expand...

Whatcha think??? I may just go.

I found my group by taking writing workshop classes. It's a little bit more of a roundabout (and expensive) way of doing it, but I was able to find a few writers who I really gelled with, both personally and as writers. The workshop class itself was more like what I imagine you'd find in a "Meet at 7 pm at the library" sort of writers group - huge variation in level of development, literary tastes (and ability to be offended by content), writing habits, etc. This can also be good - it gives you a better sample of how readers will respond to your work. However, I found it more helpful to develop my own writing group, picking up people along the way who fit well with us. I imagine you may be able to achieve this through a public group (eg one at the library) - ie, attend for a few sessions with the ultimate goal of finding a few writers with whom you mesh well, so that you can start up a smaller, more intimately tailored group of your own. Or maybe not.

I found my group after attending a local workshop. Others have formed groups after taking writing courses.

Asking at the library does seem like the best idea.

Do you have stores or any places where they have public bulletin boards where people post up little want ads and notices and such? Our local supermarket has one, for example. That might be a good place to seek. And in the newspapers, too.

And perhaps through the school system. My high school started a writing group AFTER I graduated! *sniff*

The last suggestion here of course wouldn't apply to nonstudents, but there's a chance you could speak with a teacher who organized the thing and find out how to do the same for adults, if such a group doesn't already exist.

And check in neighboring towns, if they're bigger/more diverse. (My hometown is quite small but there are bigger towns nearby where there are surely such things as writing groups.)

OH! And bookstores! *slaps head* Of course. My bookstore has a book discussion group so it's not such a long shot. Some bookstores have cafes which would be a good place to meet.

Keep in mind these are suggestions from somebody who has never belonged to a writing group, and practically never leaves the house.

I belonged to a very strong writing group in England (Hastings Writers Group - former members include Catherine Cookson and David Gemmell). Then I came to live in Spain and missed it so much that I started one.

I advertised in the local paper and after three years we have a strong and committed group of writers.

Someone asked why people join writers' groups. One of the reasons is that writing is such a solitary occupation and it's good to share triumphs and frustrations with people who know what its all about.