I've never met a writer who didn't want to connect with other writers. Especially when you're just starting out, making the decision to take your craft seriously and try to sell your work, you crave support and validation. You want to improve, and you want to know what you're doing right. You have questions about the industry and the best path to take to reach your goals. All of these things are daunting to try to figure out on your own.
If you're like me, you searched for writing groups on the Internet, and you found out about our IWOSC satellite meetings. The beauty of our group is that you don't have to submit writing samples, don't have to pay membership dues, and you can drop in on a whim. You can try us out, and if the group doesn't suit you, you're free to move on.
But the sticking point is actually attending that first meeting. It's a scary prospect. You don't know anyone. You have no idea what other people write, or what stage they're at in their career. You wonder if you'll fit in, if you'll be ignored, if you'll be put on the spot to share something brilliant, if it will be a colossal waste of time.
You really won't know until you try.
But if you're wondering about our meetings, here's what you can expect.
Expect to be greeted warmly and for your presence to be appreciated. Everyone is welcome, and I mean that sincerely.
Expect for your experience, no matter how little it seems to you, to add to the group. The best contributions can be in the form of questions - you're not expected to have all the answers, or even any answer. We're all there to learn.
Expect to participate as it suits you. I will not put you on the spot, except for at the beginning of the meeting, where we all introduce ourselves and share why we're attending and what we're writing. This is only a thirty-second blurb: "Hi, I'm Jane. I write romance and am looking to get published, and I'd really love to meet other writers I can connect with and trade critiques with." Beyond that, you don't have to say a word. Of course, I hope you do! You'll get the most out of the discussions if you participate, but this is something you can work up to over time.
Expect to give if you want to receive. A lot of writers attend our meetings looking for critiques. That's great. But do not show up to one meeting hoping to get editing services for free. If you want critique, you have to give critique. Make a commitment to be a part of the group for longer than one or two meetings.
Expect that parts of the meetings may not apply to you, but there's always valuable information to be had. Maybe you're set on traditional publishing and the meeting topic is self-publishing platforms. Maybe you already self-publish, and the meeting topic is agent queries. We are an all-inclusive group with varied interests, goals, and career levels. BUT, and I have to stress this, topics outside your writing bubble can still have value. You might learn about opportunities you never knew existed. You will meet people you can add to your network. You might be able to study fellow writers and turn one of them into a character in your next book.
Expect opportunities to push yourself. As I said, I won't put you on the spot. But if you're open to it, there will be opportunities to better yourself as a writer, a speaker, a marketer, whatever. Attendees may be given an opportunity to read their work aloud, or share rejection letters, or receive an in-person critique. All those things are scary, especially for writers. We put our hearts on the page, and writing is a vulnerable, oft-lonely endeavor. Many of us are introverts. But the goal of the meetings is to help writers grow and learn. Put your fear aside and take the leap. We'll help you get to other side.
If you're like me, you searched for writing groups on the Internet, and you found out about our IWOSC satellite meetings. The beauty of our group is that you don't have to submit writing samples, don't have to pay membership dues, and you can drop in on a whim. You can try us out, and if the group doesn't suit you, you're free to move on.
But the sticking point is actually attending that first meeting. It's a scary prospect. You don't know anyone. You have no idea what other people write, or what stage they're at in their career. You wonder if you'll fit in, if you'll be ignored, if you'll be put on the spot to share something brilliant, if it will be a colossal waste of time.
You really won't know until you try.
But if you're wondering about our meetings, here's what you can expect.
Expect to be greeted warmly and for your presence to be appreciated. Everyone is welcome, and I mean that sincerely.
Expect for your experience, no matter how little it seems to you, to add to the group. The best contributions can be in the form of questions - you're not expected to have all the answers, or even any answer. We're all there to learn.
Expect to participate as it suits you. I will not put you on the spot, except for at the beginning of the meeting, where we all introduce ourselves and share why we're attending and what we're writing. This is only a thirty-second blurb: "Hi, I'm Jane. I write romance and am looking to get published, and I'd really love to meet other writers I can connect with and trade critiques with." Beyond that, you don't have to say a word. Of course, I hope you do! You'll get the most out of the discussions if you participate, but this is something you can work up to over time.
Expect to give if you want to receive. A lot of writers attend our meetings looking for critiques. That's great. But do not show up to one meeting hoping to get editing services for free. If you want critique, you have to give critique. Make a commitment to be a part of the group for longer than one or two meetings.
Expect that parts of the meetings may not apply to you, but there's always valuable information to be had. Maybe you're set on traditional publishing and the meeting topic is self-publishing platforms. Maybe you already self-publish, and the meeting topic is agent queries. We are an all-inclusive group with varied interests, goals, and career levels. BUT, and I have to stress this, topics outside your writing bubble can still have value. You might learn about opportunities you never knew existed. You will meet people you can add to your network. You might be able to study fellow writers and turn one of them into a character in your next book.
Expect opportunities to push yourself. As I said, I won't put you on the spot. But if you're open to it, there will be opportunities to better yourself as a writer, a speaker, a marketer, whatever. Attendees may be given an opportunity to read their work aloud, or share rejection letters, or receive an in-person critique. All those things are scary, especially for writers. We put our hearts on the page, and writing is a vulnerable, oft-lonely endeavor. Many of us are introverts. But the goal of the meetings is to help writers grow and learn. Put your fear aside and take the leap. We'll help you get to other side.