The Development Executive - Is Your Writers Group Worth It?

If I wanted to become a doctor, but I didn’t really want to go to school for it or do it full time, so I just joined up with a handful of other people who wanted to be doctors and twice a month we talked about what we would or should do in specific medical cases without any real doctors actually telling us if we were right or wrong - do you think a hospital would hire me? I would friggin’ hope not. And to me, this analogy is why I think most writers groups are pointless.

Now before you all jump down my throat, I am fully aware that there are some very elite and picky writers groups in LA, NY, Chicago, etc., that turn out great writers with great material. I know there are some groups where writers have to be in WGA or be produced or optioned or represented to even be considered. I’m not talking about these few super elite groups. I’m talking about the rest of them.

The blind leading the blind is an often used phrase because it applies in so many instances, none more perfect than with a writer’s group full of people who don’t have a clue. In doing events around the Country, so many writers pitch to me by saying their writers group thought it was the best and really liked it. Well…congratulations. But, the shiniest piece of shit in the pile is still a piece of shit.

I’m not saying writing groups don’t have their upside. They give writers deadlines, motivation and peer feedback. And if you are only looking to write as a hobby or as therapy or just for fun – then this is great! But if you’re stuck in Nebraska (or even if you’re in LA) and you want to jumpstart your screenwriting career, your writers group full of beginners isn’t going to help you. They don’t know the market, they don’t know what sells or what’s in production or development, they don’t know how to pitch, and many don’t even know how to write. So why do you care what they say about your idea or script? Yes, you’re getting a new perspective, but it’s probably an uneducated one, so what’s the point? They may be telling you to lose the ONE thing that makes your script stand out because they just can’t see it. Like being given a fruitcake at Christmas, just smile and nod and pretend like you love what they are saying, and then find someone who knows what the hell they are talking about.

If you want valuable, knowledgeable and professional feedback, spend the money and go to a real script reader or analyst service. There’s a ton of ‘em. They probably seem more expensive than your writer group, but if you add up all the chips, dip and wine you had to buy to bring to the meetings, it would probably equal what you’d pay a real analyst to make notes on your script, and you’d get much more out of it. Or find a mentor who can guide your career and your writing process – someone who has experience in the industry and is a professional writer.

For those who do want to be part of a writer group, make sure that at least a few of the members have sold or optioned something to a REAL company. Preferably, something that was produced. And hopefully some should have representation, because the best thing that can come from a writer’s group besides inspiration and perspective is networking. And if you don’t live in LA or NY, try to join a group online where members are in LA, because you need that perspective. But quite frankly, I’ve never known a script to sell because the executive was so impressed with the writers group the author was a member of.

And if you’re going to join a writers group do some due dilligence and make sure you are joining a group where you will actually get something out of it other than some decent snacks and polite conversation. Cause if that’s what you want, stop writing and start playing mahjongg.

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