Recipe for the Perfect Writers Group

Patti started a great discussion about the importance of critique groups, or writing groups, and I have to admit that the only writing group I am in at this time is Novel Matters. I have been in three different critique groups in the past 20 years, and they all deteriorated into social gatherings or dwindled in numbers. The reasons:

• No one had time to read the manuscripts ahead of time
• No one had time to write in general
  
• Members dropped out because it wasn't a priority
• Members dropped out because they were highly sensitive & wanted to hear that their writing was perfect
  
• The writing levels were at different ends of the spectrum
  
• Personalities got in the way

I met a wonderful lady on the plane trip back from a family reunion this weekend in Tennessee. She commented on my current read, How To Be An American Wife, and showed me her Nook. The conversation branched off into a discussion of her book club and she gave me some great suggestions for the new book club just starting at our church. She mentioned, as with a writers group, that her book club had become an extended family - providing dinners for her when she went through chemo and providing support when she had to find a care home for her husband with Alzheimer's. I began to put together my own recipe for my idea of a perfect writer's group:

1. Start with really good coffee. Add dark chocolate.
2. Gather the freshest ingredients of time, sensitivity and skill for each member to do a proper manuscript critique
3. Stir gently so feelings will never be hurt nor their hopes fall after processing
4. Fold members in to provide support for each other, even outside of writing
   
5. Stick to the recipe so that the group will stay focused on the purpose for meeting and not digress
   
6. Do not omit any ingredients. Each member should contribute and not become spectators or feel intimidated by the quality of writing of others in the group
   
7. Treat this unique recipe as a treasured family secret: What happens in the group, stays in the group
8. Research new recipes: Each member would read and report on a book on writing OR the group would read a book on writing together and discuss it
   
9. Follow the proper baking time, making adjustments for success: Consider the needs of the whole group in setting and date. Every member should respect the time and date of the meetings and be faithful in attendance.
   

What would you add to this description of the perfect writing group? What negatives or positives have you experienced? If you're not in a group at the present, what would make you set aside time for it? We would love to hear!