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How to Start a Writer's Group
 
What is a writer's group?
A Writer's Group is a group of people that need ideas as well as support while writing. Working together on research, drafting, and editing can help all members of the group produce more effective writing.
 

How do I meet fellow writers/groups that already exist?
You can meet other writers that are writers on a similar subject in a couple of different ways. Look for information on existing groups at:

How do I form a new writer's group?

  • Post a notice about your new writers group on any student department bulletin board
  • Send emails to fellow students, professors, and peers that might be interested in joining
  • Develop a classified ad for your new writers group idea and post it in the UCF papers
  • Spread your new idea by word of mouth in your classes (often the most powerful and productive option)

Where do writer's groups meet?
A writer's group can meet in a number of locations. Your goal as a writer's group is to discuss topics of your choice, so you want a quiet location such as the UCF library, the grassy knoll by the reflection pond, online forums, and the Barnes & Noble coffee shop at the UCF bookstore.

 

Who can help me find a writer's group that is right for me?

  • The UWC located on the UCF campus is always a great place to start
  • Talk to your professors
  • Talk to other students
  • Talk to fellow writers involved in current writers groups

How can a writer's group benefit me?

  • Writer's groups give you an opportunity to discuss both strong and weak aspects of your work.
  • Writer's groups give you a unique opportunity to discover new friends that are interested in the same hobbies or subject areas as yourself.
How many people should be in a writers group?
3-5 writers per group: you may lose writer's group effectiveness if you have more than 5 people.
 

When should writers groups meet?

  • A writer's group should have a regular meeting every 1-4 weeks.
  • Members should have a commitment to regular attendance for the well-being of group morale.
  • You should meet at a time that is most convenient for all of your group members so that no one group member is left out of the regular meetings.

How can a writer be a good reader?

  • By offering supportive comments.
  • By sharing sources, ideas, and interests of a particular paper.
  • By staying involved in your readings and group events.
  • By keeping an open mind!
  • By reading a writer's work before a meeting time.

Is a writer's group limited to University students?
A writer's group can consist of your peers as well as fellow University students.

 

What are some web sites that can help me?