Writers Collective Read Write Review

Those of you who follow my blog (thank you!) will notice that I haven’t posted for a few weeks. Not because I don’t have anything to say, quite the opposite. I have been attending a U3A group The Writers Collective in the city. There’s always something nice about the city vibe and the building is old and mellow. It is also convenient for my bus travel. Gone is my car, replaced by City Council bus timetables and the jostle for a seat. Thank goodness for air-conditioning!

Anyway, I joined The Writers Collective to see what the format was all about and if it would be helpful for my writing: a young adult novel. There is no formal format. Each week we select a prompt word to write about or bring our latest composition. We can either email or read our work to the group in class for feedback and comments. There can also be general literary discussion, time permitting.

Currently we are a thoughtful group of eight novice writers which fluctuates each session and will no doubt change in the following months. Based on the Queensland school term, interested writers can ask to join but often The Collective is fully booked. As you will know from the title, a collective means everyone gets a turn at being the facilitator/convenor, a task which means sending and receiving emails, doing a bit of admin and prompting the group to choose a Word of the Week to creatively write about in any genre, format or style.

The Word of the Week prompt can result in some very different styles and stories. It is a good memory jog for novice writers, and often the beginning of a whole new story. My subconscious goes into overdrive and when I start to write some pretty unexpected short stories flow from my keyboard. Note: I will eventually post them on my blog. In the ‘classroom’ we The Collective read our work aloud as well as send by emails to keep in touch. When our group meets, some writers use their electronic devices but I usually print my stories out on good old white A4 paper. It’s smaller, lighter, no recharge, and I can quickly jot notes in the margin or write down the prompt for the next week.

I have been voted the next Convenor for Term Two. I will be introducing some of my quick writing exercises to stimulate our spontaneity – this is currently under wraps. It will also be informative to talk about why we write, writing organisations, writing competitions, reviewing, flash fiction, publishers, submitting a manuscript to a publisher, attending author talks and writers festivals and generally immersing ourselves in the literary world. For end-of-term we will discuss books and our favourite authors and have our regular lunch together in the nearby café. Consider starting your own Writers Collective and get those words written down!

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♥ © Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2026

Do Writers Groups Work?

Recently I joined a new Writers Collective. Ten Brisbane writers signed up and eight turned up on the first day. We were a quiet group, hesitant to speak up or indeed read out our work.

I read out my biography and reading/writing background, for what it’s worth not a long document, but it would have been nice if a structure had been decided prior to our first meeting. I guess we have to feel our way into a comfortable situation where everyone can read and share their work, give feedback, and perhaps do a quick (possibly themed) writing exercise in class. This can often turn into a longer piece in the comfort of one’s own home.

In a group, I would also like to talk about our favourite authors and how they inspire us to write. Perhaps sharing tips from those group members who have been published.

The following are my suggestions, bearing in mind that I have not organised a writers group, although I have attended one or two over the years. This one is shaping up to be good.

My Notes: I enjoyed our first group meeting. We were all a bit quiet but I am hoping that will change.

With regard to initial email questions from the group convenor, I forgot to speak up and say I had written a response to them so here they are:

No.1: Personally I don’t think The Collective is suited to self-organising sessions, we probably do need to develop an inclusive structure so everyone has a turn at offering their work, thoughts, opinions, etc, and give polite critiques.

No.2: I think it’s good to develop a more structured approach, e.g. each person has Comment time, Reading aloud time, Feedback time, etc.

No.3: Sharing writing styles, where we write (desk, park, café) and who sees/proofreads our manuscripts?

No.4: Why do we write? I would like to share the groups future goals; online presence, hopes for publishing, family only, personal?

No.5: Immersion https://australianauthors.com.au/
Read lots of similar books if seeking ideas and publication. Writing routines: Do you allocate time to write, re-reading, editing, following current trends, attending author events? Importantly, are we taking our own writing seriously?

No.6: What do we know about publishing? Do we have contacts in the book world, e.g. proof-reader, line edit, hybrid deals? Also do you have a beta reader in mind? This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to getting your book out there.

Disclaimer: Because I have only written short stories and I am only half-way through a YA Medieval novel (doing extensive research) I am not a well-seasoned writer and I have not been published but I have blogged for several years and won a couple of writing competitions for kudos rather than prize money.

If you have blogged about your own successful writers group, please send me a link! Whether it be notes, blogging, social media, emails or a special book for someone or yourself. Whatever the format, reading and writing is the you-time of your life. Always keep writing. I promise I will.