Comparing Writers' Groups: Online vs. Offline

If you ask a well-established published author if it's important to join a writers' group, they might tell you not to bother. However, by the time you become a well-established published author, you probably don't need a writers' group anymore! The benefits for a writer just starting out on the path to becoming published include companionship, networking, moral support, improvement of writing skills, and motivation (just to name a few!)

So you've decided to join a writer's group. Where do you start? Well, first you need to decide if you want to joing an online group or an offline, local group.

Online Writers' Groups/Critique Groups

Nowadays, you can do just about everything online that you once did offline. One of the strengths of the modern-day internet is the ability to connect with people you wouldn't have met otherwise, and to form groups for the purpose of sharing interests or participating in hobbies together.

Pros of Online Writers' Groups:

• Online is Fast - In general, local writers' groups meet about once a month. This means that if you want to get a critique, you have to wait for the day of your meeting. Online response times tend to be much quicker.
• Online is Easy to Find - Want to find a good online writers' group? The magic of the internet brings a list of groups complete with site reviews directly to your fingertips. Offline groups generally take a little more work to find.
• Online is In-Depth - When your only contact with the author of a piece is through the words you see on your computer screen, you have to think them through carefully. You know you won't have a chance to defend yourself at the next meeting. In addition, when you don't meet face to face, everything is in writing, so you can't forget what your reviewer said about your work.

Cons of Online Writers' Groups:

• Online is Anonymous - Ever been in a flame war? The anonymity of the internet allows people to say and do things they wouldn't say or do in real life. You have to take everything you read, including reviews of your work, with a grain of salt.
• Online is Distant - Depending on which site you choose to use, response times to your posted work will vary. You might not even get a response at all. It can be hard wondering why people are ignoring you.

Offline Writers' Groups/Critique Groups

Real-life, local writers' groups have been around since the first author put pen to paper. Benefits abound for doing things the old-fashioned way.

Pros of Offline Writers' Groups:

• Offline is Motivational - You know what happens when you realize a deadline is fast approaching? You get the work done! With online groups, there isn't a whole lot of motivation to submit your work. Your online friends might question you if you go for a long time without posting, but in general there's a lot going on online. Showing up to monthly meetings forces you to have something ready for your group.
• Offline is Close-Knit - The fact that you meet with the people in your group every month in real life means that you get to know them. In a good writers' group, you nurture the fledgling writing careers of all the members, and celebrate victories together. This can happen online as well, but you're never going to get a physical high-five or shoulder pat. Not only that, but getting out of your house once in a while has great health benefits.
• Offline is Real-Time - When you post your work online, in general you don't get real-time feedback. It's more difficult to discuss your piece than if you're sitting in front of someone having a conversation. You can clarify, in words, exactly what someone is trying to say about your piece.

Cons of Offline Writers' Groups:

• Offline is Work - Being part of an offline writers' group requires submitting your work, reading the work of the other members, critiquing that work, and then showing up to the meeting. Make sure you can deal with the committment before signing up. People are more likely to notice when you don't show up to a meeting than when you don't show up online.
• Offline is Real-Life - When things go wrong in an online writers' group, you can always decide not to visit the group anymore. On the other hand, a real-life writers' group might involve members from your work, church, or community who you have no choice but to see on a regular basis. Sometimes, need for civility can eclipse the need for a deep, possibly unfavorable critique. However, if you keep these rules in mind, you should be able to maintain a solid real-life group.

If you're looking for a local writers' association, look no further.

Want to know how to find or start a local writers' group? Click here!

See my blog for more information on the process of writing and getting published.