How a writing group can help develop skills

I’ve been a member of my local writing group, Anderida Writers, for over a decade. I’d recommend anyone who wants to develop their writing skills to join a club or group and share their work and experiences with other writers.

Typically, a writing group will hold workshops and bring in expert speakers such as editors, agents and creative writing tutors. Members will normally share their work with colleagues (the very act of reading your own work aloud is itself an invaluable learning opportunity). Feedback from other writers is also a great help whether it be praise for what you’ve written or suggestions for improvement. Critiquing the work of group members gives the listener an opportunity to hear how a writer with different skills has constructed a piece of prose or poetry. And most groups boast an eclectic mix of writers, working in different forms and genres.

In Anderida Writers we have many published authors, not least our Patron, Tamara McKinley, who as Ellie Dean writes the highly successful Cliffehaven series. Other published members include Heather Flood, Tony Flood, Alex Hudson, John Newton, John Silverton and Francis Wait. Their work spans a wide range of tastes and can be found via the Anderida Writers website:

https://www.anderidawriterseastbourne.org.uk

And if you find there’s not a writing group nearby, you could check for one that meets virtually. Failing that, why not start one yourself?