How to Support Your Writing Practice

Earlier I wrote a blog about how to find a community of writers. Now I am going to write about how you can utilize your writer’s community and writing practice.

Once you meet about two or three people that you trust to share your work with, make sure you set up a weekly time that you plan to meet. Mark this on your calendar and try not to skip or stray from this day and time. For some reason, once this shifts, it becomes easier and easier to skip or even forget to attend.

Use this time to set goals and accountability. As a group, research upcoming readings and calls for entries. Share these with the group and make sure that the group keeps checking in on the progress of a writing project.

In the group, set up awards for accomplishing a goal. Celebrating together will energize the group to keep going. Sending your work out is an important part of the writing process. But it goes a lot smoother when you have the support and energy of a group motivating you.

Also use this time with the group to write together using subject prompts. Do free writing exercises to keep the creativity flowing without the censor coming in. After the writing exercise, share what you wrote. Doing this is a great exercise in letting go of expectations and just enjoying the process.

Take the time at the beginning of each meeting to talk about writing. Using this time to check in and bring any concerns to the table will free up your energy to write later.

Use your group to send emails or make phone calls when you are stuck or stressed about a project. Getting outside feedback and advice may be a great way to jumpstart your writing process,

And remember to celebrate each goal that you meet.