I've recently found this group

[Bettie]

I've been writing most of my life, but I never finish anything. My son pulled me into a writer's group in our town (created out of Covid boredom) and we decided to do a challenge for all of us. So, we joined a Zombie Fiction challenge on Wattpad.

I have, for the first time since writing papers in college, finished a piece of writing.

Today we have to submit and it makes me very nervous, to submit something creative to be read by strangers.

Not nervous. Terrified.

Thanks for listening.

[LisaM]

1. Good for you!

I'm in a writing group, it's very rewarding.

I hope that your group is constructive for you, and that the feedback is helpful and encouraging. In our group, even when I don't like what someone comes with, I try to focus on the parts I do like, or like most, and suggest that they play those up. They don't always take my comments, but I make them in good faith and it's overall been a positive experience being in the group.

Good luck, and don't be terrified!

[leftieNanner]

2. Well done, Bettie!!

Be brave and go for it.

[CrispyQ]

3. Congratulations!

It's a satisfying feeling to finish a piece. Even a first draft changes everything, IMO. I joined a critique group about seven years ago & my writing has improved dramatically. You have to find the right group, though. I hope yours works out!

This book has been very helpful for critique. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084WPN5PC/

[Bettie]

5. Ooh, it's Kindle Unlimited too!

Thanks. I'll feel better when it is all submitted, but we're doing that together on "The Zoom".

The group started with twelve members, we're down to four now.

[Squinch]

4. Nothing is scarier than that! But it's the best way to learn. Go for it!

[Guilded Lilly]

6. You have a lot of virtual support heading your way!

[AmyStrange]

7. It's better to have tried, then to have not tried at all

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thank you for sharing and good luck!
=========

[dlk]

8. Keep up the good work

The more you write, the easier it will get.

[SheltieLover]

9. Hi Bettie!

Don't be terrified! Be VERY proud of your work! We are, collectively, for you!

[Karadeniz]

10. Congratulations!!!

[Bettie]

11. Thank you EVERYONE! It reduced my anxiety to see

support from people who aren't my husband and kids!

I have submitted it and started working on another project.

[autumnmaunabliss]

13. How did it go?

I would be very choosy about joining a group and submitting writing to them. Why? A mediocre writer can mislead an insecure superior one. I think the first order of business is being secure within yourself. The blind leading the blind is how I characterize many writing groups.

[Bettie]

14. Submitting it made me feel less anxious about the whole thing

and it opened me up to write more and try more.

My group includes my oldest son, a friend of his, her mom (who passed suddenly a few weeks ago), and another college kid. It has been interesting seeing everyone's writing styles and seeing how differently the younger people process narrative than the two of us older women.

Now, I need to get back to writing more. Now that I have some quiet for part of the day, I will have time for it.

[autumnmaunabliss]

15. Yes, that's very true.

The group dynamic and support can be sustaining because writing is such a solitary activity. Look into self-publishing if you have something long enough to be at least a novella. It's a lot of fun to put your work out there!