Writing Groups

Blog 2010.01.13

Writing Groups –
There are four questions that have been asked concerning ‘writing groups’ and its effectiveness.
1. What are some things you would like to get out of writing more collaboratively with peers?
2. What are some things you'd be willing to contribute to a writing group?
3. Is it more important to you to work with friends, or with people who are writing the same types of things you are? Explain why.
4. What are some “rules” (or guidelines) you would like to see in a writing group?

Question 01: Things you would like to get out of writing collaboratively
Understand that writing collaboratively provides more accurate proofreading and editing (as opposed to reading one’s own writing). In this sense, we both reinforce our own knowledge in addition to receiving different perspectives on enhanced vocabulary, proper (or concise) grammar, accurate syntax, and formal conventions. Collaboration avoids writers’ block by giving the opportunity to communicate one’s topic and discuss his opinion. Collaborating increases the diversity of input, which can validly produce a prose with wide range of information.

Question 02: Things you would be willing to contribute to a writing group
Being a member of a community, from a community of a small group activity to a community of residents in a neighborhood, requires participation and contribution that is essential to make the best production of one’s time. Although I think of contributing in a writing group to be proofreading and editing an essay of one’s peers, contribution can come in many forms. He may provide topic on which to write. He may comment on the ideas of someone else (or constructively criticize). He may provide insight on the topic to move a conversation.

Question 03: Work with friends or work with associates…?
Working amongst one’s friends is always comfortable. For the most part, friends will be willing to contribute on one’s writing. However, friends are also a major distraction – especially when a topic of interest sparks. When collaborative development evolves into casual chat, a line should be drawn to mark a professional exchange to a social conversation. Working with associates (that is, those people who are partners – working with topics or styles in similarity) limits the amount of diversity in any one topic. Nevertheless, they can perfect their own specific style of writing which they share and meld ideas that all members of the writing group can understand. In the end, which is better: friends or associates? Truly, only the Zen Art of balance can effectively produce a study group. There is a shared interest, but not all the members can become socially disassociated from the group as a whole – assuming the outlying members maintain order.

Question 04: Guidelines or Principles
Guidelines are the key to any stable establishment. They provide order and direction. In a writing group, what guidelines should be in effect? Initially, the predetermined rules may (in the end) seem to be unproductive. Thus, the ability to alter the guidelines after settlement is crucially important. As far as I am aware, writing groups can only be beneficial if members actively participate to his fullest extent. It is respectable that one has no input (albeit unlikely) on a particular text. When group discussions (if any) are recognized by the floor, basic principles of respect would be appropriate. There will be order. If at any time the principles are unclear, they are to be reported for consultation.