A creative writing group is more than just a place to get your work out. It can be a place for critique, collaboration and most importantly, fun! Here are the basics you need to know to get started.
Set Up the Space
The first step to any creative writing group is to set up the space. There are a few things to consider here. First, decide whether you will use a physical space or the internet for your group. The former is usually preferred as it provides a sense of community. You can also design a physical space where you and your members can interact both professionally and socially. A physical space is also suitable for hosting events such as reading sessions, film showings and so on.
Next, decide how much room you have to work with. Most writers will be better off working collaboratively in a shared space rather than individually in their own homes. When deciding how much room you have, take into account your living situation and whether you are located in a house or an apartment. The more room you have, the more members you can comfortably fit in.
Pick A Name
Once you have your physical space set up, it’s time to pick a name for your group. A name can help establish the identity of your group and keep things simple when referring to your organization. For example, you may want to call your group the Romantic Literary Society or the Fantastic Fiction Writing Group. You could also use the word ‘group’ as the last name and go by the name The Authors’ Group.
Decide Who Will Be in Charge Of Marketing And Fundraising
One of the most important roles in the early stages of any organization is that of fundraiser and marketer. This person will be responsible for securing sponsorships, sponsors and donors. They will also be in charge of creating marketing material such as a website, social media accounts and so on.
Usually the founder of an organization will assume this role, but if you have a team of people who will be working together on the project, then one of them should take on this responsibility. Consider having a board of directors who will help oversee the project, decide on policy and take a hands-on approach to the fundraising phase.
Set The Dates
Now that you have a space, someone to lead it and a name for your group, it’s time to set dates for your meetings. You will want your group to meet at least twice a month, although this can vary based on the needs of the members. One of the biggest issues that can prevent a creative writing group from meeting regularly is a lack of interest from the members. If you find that a lot of your members are not particularly engaged by the topic, you may want to consider shifting your focus to another area of creative writing or literature. If this is the case, then you can decide to meet less frequently or even cancel some of the meetings if necessary. However, it is preferable to have as many meetings as possible to give everyone the opportunity to contribute and participate.
Create Rules And Regulations
No group will thrive without rules and regulations. This is especially important for writing groups as there is always the opportunity for disagreement and differing opinions. Without rules and regulations, you leave the door open to disagreements and inconsistent behavior. The best way to avoid this is to come up with a code of conduct and stick to it.
Promote The Group In The Right Way
The members of your group will be more interested in your efforts to promote it, if you approach them in the right way. You can start by simply having an introduction to the group in the first newsletter you send out. You can also set up a page on social media where you and your members can showcase their work, meet others interested in creative writing and stay in touch with the community. A lot of writers will be more interested in getting involved in a group than in simply getting their work out there for others to read. Your job is to approach potential members in a way that makes them feel welcome and interested in what you have to offer. Once they have joined your group, you can continue to promote it through a newsletter, blog, social media accounts and so on.
Don’t Forget To Reward Your Members
Creative writing is all about sharing your work with others and getting feedback. While this can be fun, it can also be rather frustrating if you don’t get the feedback you’re looking for. To encourage your members to contribute, you can offer prizes and give away books and other rewards. Feel free to come up with creative ways to reward your members for participating in the group. This will help establish trust and goodwill between you and your members. It will also make it easier for them to see the value in what you have to offer and be committed to helping you grow your group.
Setting up a creative writing group can be fun and rewarding, but it requires some time and effort. If you want to see your group succeed, be sure to put in the work now to establish clear communication and understanding between you and your members. With these simple steps, you will be able to get started creating the group of writers you and your members deserve to be a part of.