Find Your Writers’ Group by Heather Weidner

Many thanks to the Writers Who Kill for letting me visit today to talk about writing.

Writing is typically a solitary activity, and it is very easy for authors to become isolated in their writing caves. I believe writers need to balance their time between the writing and social lives. They need to focus on researching, writing, and revising, but networking and learning from others are also important to the writing life. Writers need others to chat with, brainstorm ideas, and share celebrations (and setbacks). I am very fortunate to be a part of several writing groups (Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Guppies, and James River Writers).

Find your group of like minds. Locate a writers' group for networking and idea sharing. My groups provide classes, workshops, seminars, networking, and book signing opportunities. I'm in several online groups, and they offer me training and critique group opportunities. To me, these groups are invaluable. The members are so generous with their time, and they're willing to answer questions and provide guidance. Just make sure you're not over extending yourself by joining lots of groups. Many of these groups also offer publication collaboration opportunities with anthologies.

My critique groups are invaluable for their feedback and beta reads. I am in an online one, and we exchange critiques via email. My other group meets monthly at a local library. Both of my groups are made up of mystery writers. That's my genre, and that's where I want to focus my time and energy. Some groups are open to all genres. Find what works best for you. I agree to review and critique their work, and they do the same for mine. I like the feedback from different perspectives, and the time investment pays dividends with my writing.

Find authors who are similar to your style in your area to share author panels and book signings. It's more fun when there are others to share book talks and signings. I love going to events and meeting new writers.

Look for partnership opportunities with other authors (e.g. anthologies, boxed sets, special sales, guest blogs, and social media take-overs). These are great ways to share your work with readers with similar interests and to broaden your audience. Seek out volunteer opportunities. There are many groups that are looking for speakers and instructors for workshops. It's a great way to meet peoples (and readers). I am very fortunate that librarians and others contact our writing group with events that we share with our members. I've done programs at libraries, schools, senior facilities, and book clubs. Take advantage of your library. There are so many resources there. And many offer programs that need speakers and instructors. Get to know your librarians. 

Each of my writing groups offer me support, new ideas, advice, and comradery. And they also help me to understand that I'm not alone on my writing journey.

Heather Weidner’s short stories appear in the Virginia is for Mysteries series and 50 Shades of Cabernet. She is a member of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, Guppies, and James River Writers. The Tulip Shirt Murders is her second novel in her Delanie Fitzgerald series.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan College and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She blogs regularly with the Pens, Paws, and Claws authors.

Synopsis of The Tulip Shirt Murders

Private investigator Delanie Fitzgerald, and her computer hacker partner, Duncan Reynolds, are back

for more sleuthing in The Tulip Shirt Murders. When a music producer hires the duo to find out who is bootlegging his artists’ CDs, Delanie uncovers more than just copyright thieves. And if chasing bootleggers isn’t bad enough, local strip club owner and resident sleaze, Chaz Smith, pops back into Delanie’s life with more requests. The police have their man in a gruesome murder, but the loud-mouthed strip club owner thinks there is more to the open and shut case. Delanie and Duncan link a series of killings with no common threads. And they must put the rest of the missing pieces together before someone else is murdered.

The Tulip Shirt Murders is a fast-paced mystery that appeals to readers who like a strong female sleuth with a knack for getting herself in and out of humorous situations such as larping and trading elbow jabs with roller derby queens.

Website and Blog: http://www.heatherweidner.com

Pens, Paws, and Claws Blog: http://penspawsandclaws.com/

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Book Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077CSZ53X

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1310643581

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-tulip-shirt-murders-heather-weidner/1127425899?ean=2940155054696

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-tulip-shirt-murders

Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/363967058/The-Tulip-Shirt-Murders-The-Delanie-Fitzgerald-Mysteries-2

24Symbols: https://www.24symbols.com/book/x/x/x?id=2468512

Playster: https://play.playster.com/books/10009780999459812/the-tulip-shirt-murders-heather-weidner

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36591325-the-tulip-shirt-murders?from_search=true