I guess the very first thing I did after writing my first book was to look for a writer’s group in my area. Thankfully, my research took me straight to the Romance Writers of America and, much to my delight, I found the Vancouver Island Chapter of Romance Writers of America. (VIC-RWA) Without the guidance of others like me, I’d still be floundering around and wondering who to turn to and what to do next. All authors need support from their peers, and let me tell you, the input from their collective knowledge was invaluable.

In my last post I described the 13 steps I took to promote my work. Joining a writing group was #1 and maybe, for me, the most important of all. Right from the beginning, I met a lovely woman who is now a very close friend. She and I have formed an alliance of critique partner, brainstorm mate and supporter during the good times and bad. We all need that special someone who takes your writing seriously and is working toward the same goals. If you’re lucky, you may have a family who understands and will be there when your manuscript isn’t quite jelling, but they can only go so far into your world.

Workshops and classes that most groups present are also invaluable for an author trying to learn her craft. After all, we can’t expect to know everything about the profession without input from others who are having the same experiences or who are now published and have already gone through rejections and learning curves that we all eventually travel. It’s wonderful when a question arises and you’re only an e-mail away from getting an answer.

I not only joined the closest RWA (Romance Writer’s of America) chapter, but while befriending someone on Goodreads, lo and behold, if I didn’t find a member of a local writing group WIP that I didn’t even know existed. I joined them as well and it has been a wonderfully positive experience. I’ve met great new friends, quite a few published writers and others struggling that are very supportive. 

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2011/10/gift-card-giveaway-hop-sign-ups.html

for a chance to win a
$15