You know what's the best about teaching? You, as the teacher, learning something as well. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a school teacher or anything, those are the best kinds of teachers and have a much better understanding of the wonderful experience of teaching. I just know what I know from teaching my little seminars on writing.
Back on topic. On the twenty-first of November, I taught a seminar on critique groups and feedback (powerpoint available under downloads), having to explain to my class why a writing community was so important. It made me realize there is so much more on the topic I could share because, as a writer myself, I know my writing could never improve without it.
Here's the bottom line, as a writer you need to constantly be writing. Any spare moment you have available should be dedicated to writing. How do you do that however? Between work (or school, or both) and the rest of your busy schedule, how can you find time to write?
That's where a writing community comes in. Critique groups are a great way to stay motivated and surround yourself with like-minded writers to encourage you to dedicated to your writing. There are three kinds of critique groups out there: in-person, hybrid and online. When your busy schedule keeps you from committing to meeting with a group in person, online critique groups are your best bet for schedule-friendly writing communities.
That being said, critique groups aren't the only way to have a writing community. Surround yourself with other writers and you trust your writing with. Whether your writing community depends on attending a critique group or just exchanging word documents through email with a couple of friends, your writing career unquestionably depends on fellow creative support.