© 2026 Deryn van der Tang
I joined my first writers’ group nearly twenty years ago, a children’s writing circle in Cape Town, South Africa. I had no idea how profoundly it would shape my writing life. I arrived eager, curious, and unsure of myself, but the room brimmed with imagination, fun, and shared purpose. The door to opportunities was flung open. That early experience taught me something I’ve carried ever since: writers thrive in community.
Each group I joined over the years has been another steppingstone in my growth as a writer. A mixed-genre circle in England exposed me to styles I had never considered before: poetry, mysteries, memoirs, fantasy, and sci-fi. Listening to others read their work stretched my imagination and sharpened my mind. Offering feedback taught me to read more thoughtfully. Receiving feedback taught me to write more courageously.
When I later moved to the United States, it took time to find another “tribe.” I kept writing, but I missed the sparks that fly when writers gather. Then, during the COVID years, everything shifted online. Suddenly, distance no longer mattered. I joined a South African writers’ group, and once again, fellowship breathed fresh life and energy into my work. Together, we navigated formatting, editing, and marketing skills, which none of us had fully mastered. We encouraged one another through the writing and publishing of an African-themed devotional anthology. The launch party was the most fun ever! And in that shared space, creativity flourished again.
What I’ve learned is simple: we need different groups for different seasons. One may teach the technical side of publishing. Another may offer encouragement or accountability. Some groups help us finish a manuscript. Others remind us why we began writing in the first place. Each one contributes something essential.
Writing is often a solitary craft, but it is not a solitary calling. We grow as we listen. We mature as we share. And we find our voice more clearly when we walk beside others searching for theirs. We can also extend our empathy when things don’t go well, encouraging one another not to give up.
So, if you’re on your writing journey, whether at the beginning or deep into the adventure, I encourage you to seek out a writing group. Find a place where you can learn, offer support, and receive it in return. There is room for every writer, and the community has a remarkable way of turning quiet determination into lasting growth.
“We write alone, but we grow together.”
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Deryn van der Tang‘s writing journey be gan in childhood
when her grandfather encouraged her to write poetry and letters to the newspaper, igniting a lifelong love of words. She has since written newsletters and blog posts and contributed to anthologies. During COVID, she stepped out in faith to self-publish, and one of her books, The Journey, received a 2025 ChristLit Award. Writing communities have shaped her craft, reminding her that authorship is a shared, faith-filled journey. |
