Finding a Great Online Writing Group
By: Lisa A. Koosis
So you've decided that you want to join an online writing group, but you have one burning question. With the vastness of the World Wide Web, how on earth do you even begin to look for an online writing group?
There are several approaches to finding a writing group online. The first might seem blatantly obvious. Perform a search. Yes, a simple search can often turn up dozens -- if not hundreds -- of opportunities for you.
Choose your favorite search engine. Google is always a good bet, but any search engine will do. Start simple in the search criteria fields. You might try "online writing groups," or perhaps just "writing groups," and see what results your search generates.
Don't be shy about clicking links. Go ahead and check out the results of your search. Sometimes one link leads you to another, which leads you to another. That's one of the great features of the internet is the ability to skip from site to site, never knowing when you'll light upon just the thing you're seeking out.
If you're finding the general search too broad, then don't hesitate to narrow it down. Instead of using simply "writing groups" for your criteria, try a more specific approach such as "critique circles" or "science fiction writing groups." As with many searches, it often takes some playing around with search words to get the right results.
Many online communities such as Yahoo and MSN have a large selection of groups. A targeted search within their groups pages can generate a number of potential matches. Even better, online writing communities such as writing.com offer writing groups for all levels and genres.
You can also try browsing the classifieds and advertisements in writing magazines. Often, online writing communities and writing groups are advertised within the pages of these magazines.
The important thing to remember is this: don't go into it expecting to find the perfect group on the first try. Take your time and be creative in your search criteria. Much of finding the right writing group is trial and error.
Don't forget -- you aren't making a lifelong commitment by asking to join a group. Think of it as trying on the group for size, much as you would try on running shoes. Make sure it's a comfortable fit with enough support to keep you running for a long time.
About the Author
Lisa is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Poetry.