Rabbit Trailing during Writer Group Meetings

Happy Memorial Day!

Special topic for writer group leaders:

This weeks topic is all about writer group meetings and the pitfalls of "rabbit trailing" which can happen faster than saying "What were we talking about?"

As a writer group leader it's our responsibility to keep members focused on the reader and to give encouragement and helpful feedback after they read a portion of their current writing project. During a monthly two hour meeting, this goal is sometimes hard to attain when out of the clear blue, a member within the group "rabbit trails" with some off beat comment unrelated to the topic at hand and enlists others to respond.

How should you as a leader, deal with this issue without coming off as the "Time Keeper Freak" and keep your group happy?

* Actively seek feedback from your members as to how they feel about listening to non related input during the critique portion of your meeting. (Do not ask during the meeting, but use opportunities while schmoozing before or after meeting takes place.)

In my experience, (so far), the members regularly encourage me to continue keeping the members focused on the subject at hand. Gently remind the member that time will be allowed (if they wish) at the close of the critique session for chatting about unrelated topics, queries, agents, etc. This normally does the trick. Don't forget to keep your sense of humor within this process. We often laugh at ourselves during such a scenario and the meeting continues smoothly as a result of getting back on track. :D

* Remember that your particular group will have its own individual group personality. Although the group I moderate is considered a group of "serious writers" we also have enough levity during the sessions to keep members coming back on a regular basis.

* Don't be afraid to break stride once in a while and allow a rabbit trail to take place if all the members suddenly find great interest in the non planned topic injection. This is a fine line that must be controlled by the leader on a case by case basis. Our particular group has several members who have left other writer groups (none were FWA related to my knowledge) because the moderator did not keep the group focused on its intended mission and eventually members get discouraged with the lack of critique time.

I hope some of these tips are helpful for you. Have your own suggestions? Share them with us.