Writing can get lonely. At writing meetup groups you can meet other writers — so you can be lonely together, sitting inches apart but not talking or making eye contact because, well, you’re writing.
If such get togethers appeal to you as much as they do to me, here are three to check out:
1. Writers Blok. The goal of Writers Blok is simple. You come, you buckle down and write for a set time, then you chat a little about your writing with other writers. The idea is that a little structure and a little company can work wonders for your writing habit — like getting you to actually develop said habit.
Located in the Culver City Arts District, Writers Blok is open every day and offers a break room with free drinks and snacks — including pour over coffee with beans roasted by the local coffee shop Bar Nine — and a sunny writing room with a mix of small and communal tables. More: Setting goals and finding community at Writers Blok.
Writers Blok. 2677 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. Cost: $80-$95 a month membership or $10-$30 for single drop-in sessions.
2. NaNo Los Angeles. National Novel Writing Month happens every November — and while that challenge lasts just 30 days, the local organizers in L.A. often keep writing meetups happening at other times of the year.
November really is the best time to get involved with NaNo Los Angeles, since most of the fun events happen then. Stay motivated by following the NaNo Los Angeles Instagram page.
NaNo Los Angeles. Cost: Free.
3. Shut Up and Write! Show up, do quick intros, then shut up and write for a solid hour, at which point you’ll get to pat yourself on the back and socialize. There are three different SUaW locations at the moment — downtown LA, San Fernando Valley, and Conejo Valley.
Shut Up and Write! Check MeetUp page for dates, times, and locations. Cost: Free.
___
As a sidenote — All three of the groups I’ve mentioned mostly attract genre fiction writers. If what you really want is to meet with others writing literary fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction, you’re more likely to find them at literary writing workshops.
There are many other writing meetup groups publicized on MeetUp and elsewhere; the above are simply three I’ve tried. Got another group to recommend? Let me know in the comments —
Originally posted 10/19/16; last updated 1/3/19