One of the best sources of inspiration comes from the people in your lives. Friends and family can provide ample fodder for characters and stories, but can also pick you up when you feel down.
While it’s a bit cliche, it’s true the people around you have a profound affect on you and your writing. The right critique group can help your skills grows while also keeping your creative fires burning. They can also give you a place to vent your frustrations because they know what you’re going through.
Bad critique groups however can tear you down, depress you, and stunt your growth by giving bad or outright wrong advice. Often this is because group think has taken over and anything outside the approved subject matter is verboten.
In bad critique groups everyone writes in the same style , on the same subject, and no one dares say anything that doesn’t stroke the ego. No one is encouraged to grow or write outside of their comfort zone.
Finding the right group for you can be difficult, because you both need to be inspired but also given a reality check so you don’t become deluded in your abilities.
While the internet can yield results, it’s best to find a group that meets in real life because you can’t get the same chemistry online as when you meet in person.
Search around a bit and try out a few groups. If the group you joined doesn’t pan out don’t be afraid to leave. Not everything said in a critique groups is true. Take in what works for you and reject what doesn’t.
This can take awhile but you when find the right fit you’ll have a well of support, knowledge, and inspiration to draw from.