Last year, having wished for a writer's group, I excitedly joined one only to discover that it wasn't what I wanted at all. Not because the group was bad - but because it didn't offer what I was really looking for.

And that was the problem. I didn't know what I actually wanted until I recognized what I didn't want.

The conclusion? Joining that group was invaluable and it gave me the motivation I needed to start my own.

And I did. In fact, we had our very first meeting last Monday and I'm happy to say it was an inspiring success.

Here's how you can make that happen too:

Know your reasons. Why are you compelled to start it? What is your motivation? Who is it for?  

I have realized that even though writing is a very personal, intimate undertaking there is something powerful about taking that vulnerability and sharing it with a group of like-minded creatives. As we learned yesterday in Why Non-Writer's Will Never Understand You, writer's are a bunch of weirdos BUT put them together and their weirdness forms this beautiful thing that makes you feel like you can do anything because you have a team behind you who understands and is rooting for you just as you're rooting for them. That's a beautiful thing and it gets missed if we convince ourselves we're content in our little bubble of writer's silence.

2. Know your mission statement.

Without a clear mission it will be hard to get people excited about your vision.

My mission was this: to create a time dedicated to working, discussing, pushing, encouraging, and supporting one another. To welcome writer's of all walks and designations. To celebrate the craft by doing it together. To challenge one another in our shared pursuits. To provide a space free from agendas and distractions in which we can all be made better by being weirdos together.

3. Be brave and cast out your net.

All you can do is ask and hopefully, if you've done a good job of #2, people will connect to your vision.

I did this through a blog post but you could do it any number of ways:

If you're willing to take the risk and let people in on your dreams, chances are, someone will respond.

4. Have faith.

If you build it, they will come.

My goal was to find three writer's but six people contacted me after the blog {with 1 other maybe that I'll continue to encourage to join us}.

There's always the fear that everyone out there will think you're crazy and not understand the merits of a good support group but if I hadn't taken the leap and tried I would have missed an incredible opportunity to build relationships with people who understand me and that's a priceless gift.

Come back tomorrow to get my recipe for a Writer's Jam {and learn the reason behind the name}.