By Emilie Haney, @emhaneyauthor

I used to listen with envy when people would talk about their writers group. It was always most notable during award receptions when an author would thank their group of people and I’d think about how I wanted one of those so badly. At the same time, I wasn’t sure how to go about building one. 

I call myself an introvert who loves people so, while I have an extroverted side, I’m an introvert at heart. The thought of forming a group of writers I could trust not only to be there for me but with my writing seemed daunting. 

But I forgot about one simple thing: it only takes one. 

I found my first critique partner on a whim. I saw she was part of ACFW, an organization I was part of, and that she lived close to where I was moving. I reached out and, trying not to sound too stalker-y, asked if she’d like to connect. She did!

The others fell into place along the way through similar interests and a love of the written word until we found ourselves in a small but mighty writers group. While we don’t always meet in person regularly, we do keep up a group text chat and often do Zoom calls to workshop ideas, brainstorm, and encourage each other. 

If you’d like to build a group like this, here are a few ways to start: 

1. Decide what you want your group to be focused on. It doesn’t have to just be about critiquing your writing. The group can be more focused on encouragement and motivation. 
2. When broaching the subject to others, consider running the group for a limited time to start. Perhaps 3-6 months of regular connection like a monthly zoom call and message group. This will allow for people to ‘try it out’ and see how it fits in their schedule without a longer commitment. 
3. If you’re part of an organization like I am with ACFW, consider who you regularly chat with in that group. Have you connected on a personal level? Perhaps a smaller group would be a benefit to that friendship. Also, social media is great for finding other writers in similar situations who may want to form a group with you.
4. Be bold in asking, but also understanding. You never know who may agree to join, so don’t hesitate to ask. But, when asking, offer the chance for them to say no as well in case they are unable to commit at the time of asking.

If you find yourself drawn to this idea, here are a few things you can focus your group on for success all around:

1. Encouragement – In my experience, this is the most beneficial part of having a writers group. Yes, they are there to help with writing and hash out marketing ideas etc., but that pales in comparison to the encouragement I’ve found from my group. 
2. Motivation – When I’m struggling to get my words written or on a deadline I’m not sure I can meet my writing group is the support I need. We do writing sprints together, lock our phones together, and I know they’ll check in with me when I need that extra nudge to finish my projects. 
3. Support – This comes in various forms. Emotional support is huge when dealing with rejection or career uncertainty and my writing group has been hugely supportive in that. We also help each other in tangible ways by sharing book news or brainstorming marketing ideas.   
4. Critique – I put this last because, while our group does help with critiques, it’s not our main focus. You can make that a pillar of your group if you want, but I suggest keeping that part optional, or making it clear from the start that your group is a critique group. My group offers critique mostly on blurbs for our books or synopsis for proposals, all which are hugely helpful. 

I realize that the idea of starting a writer group can be daunting, especially if you are a new writer or introverted, but I believe the benefits can outweigh the challenge of putting yourself out there to ask. 

Take a risk and you may find a beautiful community as your reward!

 

---

Christmas Together

Vonnie Bradley is back in Winter, Montana to step in for local veterinarian, Doc Sandborn, while he undergoes cancer treatments. Still recovering from a bad breakup, Vonnie knows being home for Christmas and her brother’s wedding seems like the perfect balm for a broken heart.

Simeon Parker knows it’s his last Christmas in Winter. He’s avoided responsibility by escaping to the picturesque town in Montana to serve on the crew of Firetruck 17, but he know it can’t last. Daily emails from his adoptive parents are piling up, but before he can face his fate in Texas, he’s got one last job to do.

Paired together to host a fundraiser for Doc, Simeon wonders if this Christmas might not be so bad after all, while Vonnie does her best to keep her distance. Facing her unfulfilling role as a vet in a multi-doctor practice back on Boise, Vonnie fears failure is right around the corner. Will she admit defeat and quit her job, or is opportunity about to knock?

Their attraction is evident, but Vonnie throws up roadblocks at every turn and Simeon wonders if what he wants could become a reality. Will they go their separate ways, or could this be the first in a long line of Christmases together?

Welcome back to one last Christmas in Winter, Montana where sparks fly and kisses are shared during holidays together.

Emilie Haney (also writing under the pen name Bell Renshaw) grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has a love for the outdoors that matches her love for the written word. In addition to writing, she is a graphic designer who creates promotional graphics for writers, designs book covers, and has built a thriving community around her Instagram platform and brand CreateExploreRead. Emilie writes YA science fiction and fantasy as well as adult contemporary fiction with strong themes of romance and suspense and believes that–no matter what–love fights for what’s right. Connect with her: www.eahcreative.com, Instagram, Etsy