I received an email yesterday in which a new writer asked me what I thought about writers’ groups. Did I think they were helpful to my craft? How much impact did I allow them to have on my work?

To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of them – but that opinion is based, in part, on my experiences from many years ago when I was young and easily influenced. (One of the main benefits of aging is that you stop worrying about what other people think of you!) My writers’ group was large and boasted several excellent, well-known writers, but it wasn’t long before I realized we were little more than a small Peyton Place. Just as in high school, we broke off into cliques and continued to judge books by their covers. If a writer was ‘cool’, no one criticized his work. If he wasn’t, his evening was probably shot. 

I’m ashamed to admit it, but we had an ‘in’ crowd in my writers’ group, and it wasn’t very welcoming. I’m just being honest.

Remember, there wasn’t an Internet when I began writing, and social media was unheard of. We had no way to get our work read or critiqued, and no chance to compete against other writers unless we entered contests or attended nearby conferences. This ‘small world’ atmosphere, while cozy and soothing to our fragile egos, severely hampered our personal and professional growth.

On the other hand, I think the writers’ groups online today are, for the most part, absolutely wonderful. I have my favorites, of course, but the snarky comments and unfair criticism of yesteryear are now virtually nonexistent. (If they do appear, an administrator usually removes them without a lot of fanfare.) In my online groups, I’ve found members to be generous with their time, knowledge, and experience. Literary jealousy doesn’t show up very often and, if it does, other members are usually quick to extinguish it. 

The camaraderie of other writers is very important. Let’s face it: We need to be around other creative people because we’re so weird that other ‘normal’ types don’t quite know what to do with us. So, I’d say to the person who wrote to me, protect yourself – and your work – but make friends with those whose work you admire. Ask questions; offer feedback. You’ll gain a lot.

But even more important than that, others will learn from you.