Support groups are for emotional support, goal setting, and community building among writers. Members take turns discussing their project’s current status and their next goal for writing. Members also share their challenges, offer best strategies, and provide moral support for one another.
The group should in equal parts cheer successes, troubleshoot problems, and provide accountability for its members. For further inspiration, read these supportive writing activity ideas and these reflective writing activities.
Having members take turns leading the sessions keeps them feeling fresh and shares the responsibility of choosing the activities/leading discussion. This group works well with larger numbers with varying levels of time commitment as not everyone needs to come each time to be successful.
25 minutes: Individual check-ins; writers share updates and receive support (~5 min/person)
50 minutes: Members bring up writing-related or research-related challenges for the group to troubleshoot (~15 min/challenge) or run another supportive writing activity. (The activity could rotate and be announced beforehand.)
5 minutes: Members work on silent goal setting, journaling, or other reflective writing activity.
10 minutes: Members share their goals to finish by the next meeting. (~2 min/person)
*The example above is just that: an example. It is meant to give you an idea of what is possible as a source of inspiration rather than a one-size-fits-all formula. Adapt, mix, and match to suit the unique goals of your writing group.