Most of us are probably very familiar with the idea of an online writing group. There are numerous publications that allow for online collaboration through forums, blogs, and social media—allowing for writers to bounce ideas off one another and improve both their skills and their work-product as a result of the collaboration. But perhaps not everyone has considered the concept of an online writing group in the same way that we have, as the idea of working remotely can seem very appealing, especially with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.
The Appeal Of Online Writing Groups
If you’re a full-time freelance writer or part-time magazine editor, then maybe the idea of working remotely doesn’t seem as appealing as it would for someone without a steady, reliable flow of income. But for those of us who do have a steady income stream, the idea of working remotely can seem very attractive, as we have the luxury of choosing our own hours and being able to work at our own pace. Unfortunately, this can also mean that we can end up spending more time working than we do actually taking a break.
For those of us who love to write but hate to do it alone, there are various ways that we can get some help with our work, while still maintaining some level of quality. One option is to join an online writing group. As the name would suggest, an online writing group lets you join with other authors and bloggers in real-time, collaborating on projects as you work. Some groups also have members from different parts of the world, which adds an extra layer of interest to any given discussion topic. You can even find groups for specific needs such as pitching, brainstorming, or editing, which can help you determine exactly what you’ll need in your writing group, as well as what you wouldn’t need (such as a pitching group, as you’d likely already have an editor).
While many of us have probably already found the advantages of an online writing group, perhaps the most appealing aspect of these groups is that you don’t necessarily have to be restricted to a certain number of authors. Simply join the group and start contributing. If someone else wants to join and contribute, then great—more eyes can always help to improve any given product. And unlike a certain other type of group (namely, the traditional writers’ group), you don’t necessarily have to have experience in order to contribute. All that is required is a desire to improve your writing and a good internet connection.
How Do I Join An Online Writing Group?
If you’re interested in joining an online writing group, then all you need is a reliable internet connection, a microphone, and a computer/mobile device with a web browser. While many groups require that you have a specific device or internet access, many others will let you join through a web browser. Simply log on to the website, create a user account, and you’re good to go.
As a contributor to an online writing group, you’ll typically post your work to be critiqued by the group. Typically, the group will look at your work and either praise it or offer suggestions on how you can make it better. You don’t necessarily have to agree with the suggestions, but you should at least consider them, as they may help spark creativity and improve your work-product.
Many groups will require you to have some experience before you can join, mostly due to the fact that new members can sometimes be difficult to gauge, as they haven’t necessarily built up a reputation within the group yet. Typically, new members are required to participate in a brief training session or introductory lesson, where they’re taught the basics of collaboration, how to use software such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word to improve their work, and how to use social media such as Twitter or LinkedIn to promote their work. Some groups require that you participate in some sort of regularly scheduled activity, such as a blog post or magazine piece, in order to remain active within the group. If you feel that this is a bit much, then many groups are extremely welcoming and will allow you to contribute as little or as much as you’d like, simply giving you the sense of freedom to write as you feel inspired, without feeling limited by set quotas or writing assignments.
The Types Of Materials That I Should Work On
As a member of an online writing group, you’ll be required to contribute your writing for critiquing by the group, so it’s beneficial to determine what kind of materials you should be working on. Ultimately, it depends on what you’re most comfortable with. If you feel that nonfiction is the way to go, then you might want to consider looking into the following areas:
- biography
- history
- travel
- essay
- memoir
- military science fiction
- political science fiction
- adventure
- true crime
- investigation
- adventure
- biography
- travel
- essay
- memoir
- true crime
- political science fiction
- military science fiction
If you’re a bit of a science fiction fan, then you might want to consider looking into the following areas:
- hard science fiction
- transhumanism
- military science fiction
- futurism
- hard science fiction
- transhumanism
- military science fiction
- futurism
- transhumanism
- hard science fiction
- transhumanism
- military science fiction
- futurism
- hard science fiction
- transhumanism
- futurism
- hard science fiction
- transhumanism
If you’re more of a fantasy or horror fan, then you might want to consider looking into the following areas:
- horror
- demonization
- supernatural horror
- paranormal activity
- horror
- demonization
- supernatural horror
- paranormal activity
- horror
- demonization
- supernatural horror
- paranormal activity
- horror
- demonization
- supernatural horror
- paranormal activity
Once you’ve determined the areas of writing that you’re most comfortable with, then you can begin to look for an online writing group that suits your needs. And don’t be afraid to explore different topics or platforms, as there’s often more than one group for any given topic, and chances are, there’s at least one group on whatever platform you might prefer to use. For example, if you’re most comfortable writing about biography, then you might want to consider looking into the following areas:
- biography
- history
- travel
- essay
- memoir
- true crime
- political science fiction
- military science fiction
- adventure
- biography
- history
- travel
- essay
- memoir
- true crime
- political science fiction
- military science fiction
- adventure
- biography
- travel
- essay
- memoir
- true crime
- political science fiction
- military science fiction
Or if you’re a fan of the Netflix TV show, The Keepers, then consider looking into the following areas: