When you think of the personality traits most writers possess, what comes to mind? Creativity and curiosity are two common answers; sometimes, dedicated or disciplined might pop up. One trait that nearly always makes the list is introverted. It's unsuprising, at the end of the day it's just you and your writing implement of choice, and for many authors, that isolation is part of the allure.

However, the opposite is true for this week's persona. Unlike writers who prefer to think of writing as a solo endeavor, Social Sam's favorite part of the writing process is interacting with other writers. Ideas really start to percolate when they're situated in any sort of discoursive environment, and you'll find Sams are nearly always ready to contribute to a craft chat.

Sam is eager to discuss writing - the good, the bad, and the ugly. We'd go so far as to say that connecting with others who share a love of storytelling is essential to their own personal process. To them, the only thing better than writing great stories is talking about them.

Reading others’ work, and having a lively chat about it, can be a blast. However, in order for someone like Sam to feel satisfied with their practice, it’s important for them to find a group that shares a similar attitude toward writing. Sams naturally gravitate toward writing groups, seeking a sense of comradery with their peers. This is a good thing, as social support makes it easier to stay motivated from first draft to final.

That said, without the right kind of social interaction, Sam's writing life will feel incomplete and may even suffer. A Sam with no group may feel unmotivated and glum, but a Sam with the wrong, or poorly run, writing group risks having their creativity and passion squashed altogether. The same way constructive, kind criticism and thoughtful discussion can propel a Sam to greater heights, demeaning or destructive commentary can send them spiraling.

A nasty comment that might fly over a Grandiose Gary's head or leave a Learning Logan searching for a second opinion can derail a Social Sam entirely. All writing groups are not created equal. Inactive groups or ones brimming with overly critical people are not a help to anyone, and especially not to Social Sam. Overly harsh critique—or even reasonable feedback delivered inappropriately—can turn fledgling writers off of writing groups for the good.

At Bardsy, we're committed to providing a space for Social Sams—and all writers—to grow into successful novelists, memoirists, or picture book authors. We do this by making our groups different from standard writing groups in three ways:

Every Bardsy writing group is led by a trained educator and traditionally published author. They use these experiences, as well as training in the Bardsy Method, to offer expert guidance and support. Your group’s instructor keeps members on track during the session even as they are offering their own feedback, going beyond mere facilitation.

You'll see this in the way they filter group feedback, preventing misinformation from being inadvertently shared. Once all other members have spoken, your coach will establish a consensus, and help you determine the next step you should take. Your group’s leader will also model professionalism in offering feedback, ensuring the group remains a safe, empathetic space for all members.

Bardsy’s directed writing groups are carefully constructed—definitely not some haphazard collection of maybe writers you happen to know. Before being admitted, writers are evaluated to ensure their membership in the group will be beneficial not only to them but fellow members. We look at their potential, commitment level, and their attitude.

At Bardsy, group members are invested in their peers’ victories, knowing their contributions to the other group members, and the model they set benefits them as well. This mutual investment fosters a collegial environment. Since each writer is pursuing their own success, there’s no space for competition and one-upmanship. Should it occur, the coach is there to intervene. In sum, you’ll receive feedback from other writers—through the lens of the PI™— and develop your own skills in a supportive environment, while collecting data on the most marketable aspects of your work.

Last, but certainly not least, your group leader acts as your personal coach. You’ll meet with them one-on-one outside the group in monthly sessions devoted specifically to your needs. In addition to helping you set and achieve your goals, your coach will offer wisdom and encouragement during the querying, marketing, and publishing process. The journey from writer to successful author is a long one, and your coach offers you guidance and support every step of the way.

Don’t let unpleasant experiences with other writing groups deter you. Bardsy’s directed writing groups offer a supportive space to work toward writing success. Find the outside perspective you need to take your novel to the next level, improve your developmental editing skills, and learn how to leverage your novel’s best assets to find your ideal readers, all under the guidance of an experienced coach.

Whether you're a Social Sam or not, you could benefit from a supportive community of serious writers. If you'd like to schedule a free trial workshop, let us know at joinus@bardsy.com . If you’re not quite ready for the group experience, that’s okay too. Take our Success Plan assessment here and one of our coaches will create a personalized roadmap for success based on your personality, goals, and writing practice.