Help wanted

I’ve heard of writers who meet with other writers in writing groups. How does one go about finding such people?

Reading around tonight, I’ve come across several entries from writers who mention doing this. It might be helpful for me because I need people to make me accountable. I can procrastinate endlessly. I don’t practice music many times until I have a definite date to play and/or sing. I don’t usually clean my house unless I know someone is coming to visit. And since I usually have no real reason to write, I don’t often find the time to actually do it. I know, my reason to write should be intrinsic, but I can do that kind of word manipulation in my head for hours and am quite satisfied with the process.

When I write a skit for church, I have a performance date looming in front of me. The idea comes, the words flow and pretty soon we’re in rehearsal. But just to write a story, I don’t know where to begin, or perhaps why to begin. I suppose after 16 years of school I simply got used to a teacher giving any assignment with a completion date attached, and I learned to work to a deadline. Years in the work world reinforced the concept. I need a teacher, a slave-driver, a boss, an outside influence.

The other reason I would like to find a writing group is I have confidence most of the time in the music I sing and the skits I write and the plays I direct. I have never written fiction (never once in those 16 years of school) and have no confidence that I could even do it. So I suppose I also need an encourager.

I keep asking myself if writing fiction is something I really want to do. It’s very complicated, but I know my answer is yes. I think if I ever start it will be like turning on a faucet. There is a tug-of-war inside me, has been for years, that has kept this avenue of expression blocked. I want it unblocked and I want to see what I can do or if I can do.

So, back to original question… How does a complete beginner go about finding a writers group if one has been out of school for many years? I don’t think it’s the sort of thing one advertises for in the newspaper.