Where to Get Writing Help
The Beatles sang “I get by with a little help from my friends.” We all need friends and they do help us get by, but can they offer writing help when we need it?
Most of my friends (out here in the real world) aren’t very interested in writing (or reading for that matter). So it’s not like I can just call any one of them and ask complex grammar questions, request feedback on a piece of writing, or engage in a lengthy discussion about narrative. Nope, not going to happen.
Some of us writers have to turn elsewhere when we need a little assistance. But where?
I’ve been thinking about the sources I’ve turned to when I’m need of writing help — whether I have a quick question or need to solve a complex problem. Turns out that in addition to being great resources, these places where you can get help with your writing are also places where you just might make some new writing friends!
Writing Help is Available…
… At Libraries and Bookstores
Libraries are great because the librarians are so resourceful. Here’s a tip: if you can, visit a university library rather than your city library. Librarians on college campuses are used to patrons who need extra help and who have lots of questions. At libraries and bookstores you can find tons of books on writing!
… With Writing Groups
This is one of the best ways to make writing friends — become an active member of a writing community. You can find writing groups online or off, or you can start your own group. Members of a writing group can help each other through discussion and peer reviews and can act as a support system for one another.
… In Classes and Workshops
Classes and workshops are similar to writing groups except you get the bonus of having an instructor present. A teacher can offer all kinds of writing help from correcting your papers to offering reading recommendations. Plus, you’ll be with other writers!
… On Forums and Blogs (Online)
The help available to writers online is astounding. Blogs, forums, mailing lists, and social media networks are just a few of the ways you can find writing friends and get writing help. You can even host your own blog and start building a network of readers that will become part of your online writing community.
… Through Professional Service Providers
Professionals (like me) also offer writing services, such as proofreading, editing, or professional critiques. You can even hire a writing coach whose sole job is to provide you with all the writing help you need. This can be a good way to get writing help, but you’ll have to pay for it.
Get the Help You Need
When you’re stuck and need help with your writing, it’s easy to become frustrated. But if you start establishing a collection of writing resources and people who can provide writing help when you need it, then you’ll know where to turn.
Where do you get writing help?
I am happy to admit that I have belonged to a writing group for about six years now. We are not always consistent with meeting because life gets in the way. But I don’t ever get as excited about writing by myself versus when we meet on a regular basis and discuss writing and current projects. It really helps me and my writing.
I’ve never belonged to a writing group, but I have a sense of the experience from the classes and workshops I took in college. I found that a group setting kept me motivated, held me accountable, and made the entire process more fun. Plus, it’s wonderful to connect with people who can give you helpful feedback. I think it’s great that you belong to a writing group.
A critique group is one of the best ways to stay motivated and get truly helpful feedback. And there are online writing courses available for low cost through RWA Chapters so there’s never an excuse to not continue learning. And of course, great blogs and websites help too!
I agree. Last night I came across a site called Scribophile. I didn’t have much time to get in and try it, but from what I saw, it looked like a good place for writerly discussions and to give/receive critiques. I’m wondering if anyone else has tried it.
I used to write for a college theatre company, so I was getting constant feedbacks from cast members, the director, and eventually, the audience. Nowadays I put things on blogs and people comment. (But of course, since blogs are usually read by people that already like your writing, these people are less likely to be critical.)
I have seen writers that have blogs that’s read by many writer friends though. And they do post up writing and have long discussions about it. So it does work. Not so much in my case but it does work for some people.
Wow Kelvin, that sounds even better than a writing group — feedback from cast, director, audience, etc. Yes, I agree that blog comments rarely address problems with the writing. In fact, I actually think it’s rude to leave a comment pointing out misspellings and grammar mistakes (much more appropriate to send a friendly email). I haven’t seen many blogs where the readers critique the actual writing, but I know there are many forums that serve this purpose. I’ve been looking at one in particular to see if I want to review it here.
Hi Melissa – I use most of those resources, aside from writing groups. I have struggled to find a local writing group. I was a member of an online group formed with some people I met on a writing course but it fizzled out too quickly.
Hi Cath, I think it’s easier to find an online group, but the fizzling out of such a group (live or online) is a problem. If you keep trying, I think you would eventually find a group that sticks it out.
Hi Melissa: I know what you mean. There are very few bookstores in Panama, and the few that do exist are very small. People here–for the most part–just don’t read. That’s one of the reasons why I enjoy twitter so much: I get to follow people who talk about books and writing.
Few bookstores in Panama? The whole country? Can you order books?
Hi Melissa .. interesting thoughts – I’m not free and am not sure if there’s a writing group here in Eastbourne, I guess there’d be in Brighton, so I must look into it .. once I have some time and am not tied up with elderly and hospitals or hospices. There are reading groups ..
A few pointers of forum sites, and blog sites would be helpful just to get a feel of the market .. are you able to let us have some? Just about to go to your grammar post .. should be interesting reading ..
Thanks – Hilary Melton-Butcher
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There are so many activities in which writers can participate; a writing group is just one of them. For people with very little free time, a writing group may not be the best option. Or, an online group might be more flexible in terms of scheduling. I am always on the lookout for forums. Recently, I’ve been looking into a site called Scribophile, but I haven’t had time to examine it enough to give it a solid recommendation; but it looks good so far.
I like your precision on the problem and solution.
For me, the best help has been finding examples to model from, or trusted friends that have just the right words to get me over a hump or see things a new way.
I used examples for a long time, until I started referring to style guides instead. Also, some universities have articles online about grammar, which I’ve found helpful when I need to look something up quickly (OWL at Purdue comes to mind). I think the key is knowing what you need help with, and then knowing how to find someone (or something) that has the answers you need.