Writing with a group?

Last month I joined a Writers Group. Some of you will already have discovered how amazing this is but it's all new to me. Don't get me wrong, I love my Sizzling Scribes and don't know what I'd do without them. However there is nothing like sitting in a room with a group of people who share your passion and just talk writing. My friends and family don't understand why I make the 80 mile round trip. It's the same reason I come back every year to the Romantic Times Convention (can't wait for Columbus in April!). Something about the creative atmosphere inspires me to be creative in return. It gives me a goal to focus on and gives me back my own passion for creating stories.

We meet every second Tuesday, I've only been twice so far and I already love it. The group has simple rules: anyone is welcome and you have to find something good to say about every piece of work before you say anything bad. There are poets, novelists and writers of short fiction amongst the people I have met so far of, all ages and stages. It is this open atmosphere that I love. I've looked at other writers groups before, many closer to home, and I've been put off by a general impression of snobbery. Given the kind of stories I write I felt that many of them wouldn't want me as a member or would look down on my work as not worthy. The very fact that this group was open to all writers, whatever they write is ultimately what prompted me to join. At the moment I think I am one of the only romance novelists and one of the few women in the group so the guys are getting an education. It's fun throwing out all their preconceived notions about the genre. Since they write in genre's I don't typically read, I too, am being educated. Inspiring me to take my work in directions I haven't considered before. So this blog is dedicated to the Glasgow Writers Group, thank you for making me welcome.

Are you a member of a writing group? Tell us about them. What is it that keeps you coming back?