Creating a Writing or Reading Group
When creating a writing group there are more than just literary techniques to think about. Creating a group requires leadership, boundaries, group dynamics and safe spaces to consider. We’ve put together a list, assisted by Monica Dawson from Creative+ Business, on how to create a functional and positive writing group.
The main elements to consider when starting a writing group include:
Choosing your purpose, theme and format
Creating a safe space
How to engage in literary discussion
Providing constructive feedback
Fostering belonging and community
Getting started
The first aspect of creating a group is defining what the group is going to be. Consider if it will be a creative writing group or a critique group?
Will writers share their work and receive feedback or is it similar to an accountability group where members attend with the sole intention of completing their own writing projects?
Defining what the group will be at the early stages helps create a clear vision for yourself and for other group members. It also reduces confusion and aligns the members of the group with a uniting purpose, whilst also reducing the probability of conflict further down the track.
Create a vision for the group starting with ‘to’:
‘To provide and receive feedback and support’.
‘To engage in weekly literary review and discussion.’
‘To craft science fiction stories to share with the group.’
Trying to be all things to all people and cover too many bases will be exhausting for you and the group members. Having a focus will streamline expectations for participants and allow you to remain focused on the group’s vision.
Once you are ready to begin, Monica Dawson suggests creating a relaxed agenda so people have an expectation of what will occur and what to expect. Keeping it consistent across sessions and readily available for members will maintain the clarity of the group vision.
Format
After creating a vision for your writing group there are more questions to be asked about the group's format.
You need to consider the required experience level, the application or selection process, what leadership will look like, the number of members, how members are admitted and what roles there are within the group.
Each writing group will differ so there is no perfect number when it comes to size or leadership style. However, from reflections of writing group members and hosts, smaller numbers generally allow for greater connection and feedback.
One writer, for example, recounted problems with working in a larger writing group, “Because there were so many people we just had to rush through everyone’s work. And I felt the quality of the feedback we had to give or receive just wasn’t there.”
Leadership is another important aspect to consider. Determine if a single person will lead the group or if it is more suitable to have a rotating leadership. Additionally, delegating responsibilities to group members is a great way to keep everyone involved and ease the pressure off one individual.
Duties to consider and allocate include:
Booking a space
Co-ordinating members through email, social media etc.
Writing group session itineraries
Organising guest speakers
Monica Dawson suggests writing a process that members can follow themselves if need be so the responsibility can be shared.
Determine what tools will best align your group. Social media like Facebook groups, Google Docs and WhatsApp can be advantageous communication tools but it is important to assess whether all group members can access these tools. Figure out what tool works the best for your group and implement it to your advantage.
Making a Safe Space
A safe space refers to a place where people feel supported and accepted, emotionally secure, culturally safe and comfortable expressing themselves.
There is no one size fits all approach to creating a safe space. There are many variables to consider such as physical or online location, but creating a safe space is crucial for all members involved.
An element to consider is an acknowledgement of country which respects traditional owners of the land and creates cultural safety within the group.
For online meetings, making it clear to participants when they will be recorded or shared, and emphasising that they don’t have to turn cameras on if they aren’t comfortable creates a safe environment.
As Monica Dawson explained, introducing yourself using pronouns welcomes others to do so if they feel comfortable whilst also respecting people who aren’t familiar using gender pronouns.
Key to establishing long-term safety is the creation of house rules. These will vary for each group but should be 5-10 broad guidelines that create boundaries for the whole group. Rules constitute the culture of a group and reduce the possibility of conflict.
They should extend to how to communicate with each other, give constructive feedback, trigger warnings for sensitive discussions and the boundaries of group discussion.
In conversation with Monica Dawson, a group member Barry recalled an incident that demonstrated the importance of setting group rules in advance:
“There was a conflict coming from a particular person but we had rules and it was basically arbitrated by the fact that these are the rules and they were well known at the time you entered the site… and then it stopped just by referring back to the original rules.”
In conversation with Monica Dawson, a group member Barry recalled an incident that demonstrated the importance of setting group rules in advance:
“There was a conflict coming from a particular person but we had rules and it was basically arbitrated by the fact that these are the rules and they were well known at the time you entered the site… and then it stopped just by referring back to the original rules.”
Giving feedback
When rules have been established the boundaries and expectations for giving and receiving feedback should already be known in the group.
The feedback sandwich is the most common way to give feedback.
Begin with positive comments, follow with constructive comments in the middle and closing with reaffirming the positive comment or providing a new positive comment.
“I really enjoyed the main character’s arc, however, I was a little bit confused by the ending, but I was very engaged with the character throughout the whole story.”
The COIN formula is also a popular method of giving feedback.
COIN (context, observation, impact and next) encourages people to define the situation, describe the behaviour, clarify the impact and make the next suggestion.
“When reading the chapter I noticed there was a plot twist at the end of the chapter. I didn’t understand the ending so maybe more details could be added so readers like me aren’t confused.”
Fostering community
Running a successful group requires fostering a sense of community within the group. This should build on the house rules already established and extend to creating an encouraging and supportive culture. Successful groups are filled with people who are happy and supportive of each other.
Encouraging regular attendance and celebrating milestones and success together will foster a community within the group. Offer non-compulsory extra time for members to chat and have refreshers before or after the group to encourage positive foundations. Getting your group to brainstorm strategies on how to keep things fresh as well as having housekeeping sessions will evaluate areas where members are happy or where improvements can be made.
Explore educational options and give homework and content to further develop learning. Look for resources outside of the group and Invite guests and speakers to talk with the group to keep it engaging for members.
The South Coast Writers Centre is always open to new reading and writing groups.
Get in touch with us to get assistance with setting up your new group!