Without People, You’re Nothing

Or how other writers make me a better writer.

A young person recently asked me to point him in the direction of writing resources. He is thinking of taking up creative writing and wondered where to start. I gave him all the usual advice—read Stephen King’s ‘On Writing,’ write every day, read widely, and join a writers’ group. He thanked me but baulked at the writers’ group idea. Fair enough, I responded, but if he gets serious about writing, he needs to seek and give feedback. It is the best way to learn.

Although I’ve been writing all my life, it’s only in the last two years that I’ve approached writing as a practice. I write nearly every day, have a range of active projects (a novel, short stories, and this newsletter) and I am a member of two writers’ groups.

I met the first group through the Write Your Novel course with the Australian Writers Centre. Our tutor was the marvellous Australian editor and publisher, Bernadette Foley. On completing the course, the participants formed ‘Writers Synonymous’, a virtual writers’ group. We have monthly meetings and weekly ‘write-ins’ (from our computers across Australia). Most essentially, we provide each other with constructive feedback on our current writing projects. Like my young friend, I was initially nervous about sharing my draft work and commenting on others’ drafts, but I find this is where I learn the most.

Through one of the Writers Synonymous members, I was introduced to the ‘All Write Club’ Sydney contingent (also alumni of a previous Bernadette Foley course). With these lovely people, I enjoy weekly in-person write-ins, interspersed with writing-related chats over a leisurely lunch.

From both writing groups, I have learned one essential thing: I have so much more to learn.

I find this exciting, knowing that I am still a student, and am still able to be open to new ways of approaching the craft of writing. It is also wonderful to see my peers grow in their skills and confidence and to see many of them place in competitions, have their novels considered by major publishers, or get short stories published in literary journals. Writing can be a lonely business, but being connected with other writers is dynamic and educational.

Opening myself up for feedback is an act of vulnerability, as is writing in general. Being trusted to give feedback is a privilege. Taking on feedback, or at least seriously considering the feedback of others, is courageous. Growing as a writer is only possible through trusting and learning from other writers.