Helpful Writers Groups I’ve Joined
Since I started in this fiction writing business a few years ago, I’ve been seeking out email groups so I could learn more about the craft by asking questions and reading what other writers talk about. I’ve found several which happen by email, which is fabulous because I don’t have to go to a website. Every morning messages are just there waiting to be read. Most members are from America, but I’ve also seen more joining from the UK and Australia, as well as some obscure interesting places like Trinidad and Tobago (that’s one country, by the way).
The value of these groups to me are:
- exchanging ideas with people at various stages of their writing experiences,
- reading a range of writing abilities, which has made me more aware of my strengths and weaknesses
- testing my beliefs and discoveries, as well as sharing them
Most of the groups are on Yahoo Groups. However I have found a few other webforums that aren’t. All that I’ve found archive messages and have space for posting writing samples for comment. Some have strict rules, but others are looser. Most have moderators of varying heavy to light handed control. Some groups require application to join, others are open with immediate access upon subscription. All of these are free unless otherwise noted, although there are those on the web which charge a fee. Yahoo Groups have archives and many other information store areas like photos, links, files, calendars, and databases. Not all groups have enabled all features. Anyone can start a Yahoo Group. Google has similar facilities, but I haven’t explored there (yet).
Here are my current ones:
[Australian_Writers_Online] - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Australian_Writers_Online/
This is one of the few groups I’ve found for those of us who live here. Traffic is light. 605 members. Includes a helpful list of links to Australian related writers services. Some members have put up files. There is space for authors to list their works and how to purchase by genre.
[Born 2 Write] - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/born2write/
This seems to be a mix of general discussion and short submissions for critique. Traffic is light. 780 members. Recent topics have included print on demand publishing options and a few poems.
[Crimescene Writer] - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crimescenewriter/
I stumbled upon this group either through referal or snooping. What a find! The members are a mix of former and practicing law officers, FBI and other agencies; forensic scientists and criminalists; medical professionals; weapons specialists; and writers. Writers post questions for factual information related to their current work in progress (WIP). Fun to read, even if you’re not writing crime novels. Moderate traffic. 896 members. A wealth of info in the files and links section. Recent topics have included poisons, youth crime, antique handguns, and cell phone surveillance.
[Weapons Info] - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Weapons_Info/
Hand in hand with Crimescene Writer is this one. If you need info about any type of weapon, this is the place. They are gun geeks. The photo collection is fantastic. The links aren’t bad, either. Traffic is light. 281 members.
[Motivated Writer’s Life] - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MotivatedWritersLife/
I’ve just recently joined this group and they seem very nice. Mostly women. Each day we receive a motivator like ways to instill the writing habit or share what you’re reading or what goals have you set or met this week. Companion to TheMotivatedWriter.com ezine. Low to moderate traffic. 145 members. Recently we identified our most helpful books on writing novels.
[OWW-SFF] - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oww-sff-writing/
One of my favourite groups is this one: Online Writing Workshop - Science Fiction/Fantasy (in case you were wondering what the name of the group stands for). Although I’m not writing either, the quality of discussion in the group is very high. Many members are published authors. High traffic - but worth every word. 1402 members. This group is a complement to a for-fee workshop where the members critique each others’ work. One member is posting blog articles that he is writing about writing topics. Others have raised topics that apply to any fiction project like ‘what is a good critique’ and ‘how to write a synopsis’. Most recently we have been discussing character emotions and different types of protagonists: must they always be the ‘good guy’?
[Writers Resource Central] - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/writersresourcecentral/
This is a relatively new group. Topics are varied. The main aspects are sharing websites and references of value to writers and occassional inspiration quotations from well-known authors. Some items posted to the other groups are cross posted here and vice versa. Low traffic. 107 members.
Not all groups send direct mail by members but are ways to distribute periodic newsletters. One of these is:
[FictionFactor] = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FictionFactor/?yguid=116535087
According to the info on the sign up page:
Fiction Factor offers aspiring writers tips on getting published, articles on improving your writing, free ebook downloads, paying market listings, writing contests, author interviews, book reviews, lots of writer’s resources and much more!
It accompanies an excellent website: http://www.fictionfactor.com
Another forum that is huge is:
[Absolute Write Water Cooler] - http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php
There are discussion areas for Newbies, Oldies, by genre, by problem, with agents, and on and on and on. You can sign up for areas of interest and post questions and samples for critique. When new messages are posted in the areas to which you’ve subscribed, you receive an email alerting you that there is new info. I started out reading heaps in here, then posted. I’ve gone off it some, but it’s still a very large, vibrant community. It has over 15,000 members.
I hope you find these descriptions and reviews helpful. If you have favourites of your own, please leave a comment to share with others.
Jan