I’m lucky enough to have belonged to several writing groups since I’ve moved to Nashville. One of those groups has changed and morphed to fit the needs of it’s members, one I no longer visit (although I am thankful for my time there, and may go back to see them at some point), and one has had a pretty standard format since I’ve been attending, only altering length and number of pieces presented. But what is the ultimate purpose of having a group?

At it’s most basic, the purpose of the group depends on the intentions of the members. But I believe it’s healthy for a group to redefine and/or remind members of it’s goals periodically. Even perhaps ask for input on how members feel the group has been running, if they’re getting what they want out of it, and what they may or may not want to see changed. This doesn’t mean the group should try to please everyone, that’s impossible, but based on the majority, a direction for the group can be defined.

In large groups, often there are different goals. Some may want to be published, some may simply enjoy writing and want to continue to better their craft, or take the opportunity to have their peers read their pieces. Both of these things are fine and can coexist within the same group.

My schedule has been nuts lately and I’ve had to miss a few meetings. I was recently informed that I had missed some drama in one of my groups. After listening to it from a few sources, I realized that one of the members had written a piece that could be considered controversial. (I didn’t read the piece, I wasn’t at the meeting.) But several members jumped on her because of her topic and saying that she ‘couldn’t do that’ and my first reaction, coming from a place of someone who has just received critique on a manuscript from a publisher, was ‘well, she certainly won’t get published with that topic…’ but then I realized, I have no idea if publication is even her goal. Did she ask for publishing advice? No, she’s a new writer, she was probably just feeling things out.

I think it can be really easy for those on the publishing track, or those who have been published to get in the mindset that everyone is trying to climb the same mountain. (Now that I think about it, that is a larger, universal human issue.)

Just because you have a machete in your hands, doesn’t mean you should cut up the first person who steps into range.

When I was in martial arts, it was on the onus of the more experienced student to take care of the less experienced one. Just because you can beat someone to a pulp, that doesn’t mean that you should. It doesn’t mean you let them walk all over you either, but perhaps you pull your punches, perhaps you take a second to explain some things to them. Now, if they get nuts and start wailing, then perhaps you turn it up a bit. That can also be a learning experience.

I believe that this should be the way of the world. Let’s just take care of each other.

What's the purpose of a writing group?