A novel idea: French writing groups offer feedback, friends and fizz

Creative writing groups can be a great way for Anglophones in France to meet fellow writers, share work and socialise.

This has been the experience of Victoria Corby, who moved to near Cadillac-sur-Garonne (Gironde) from the UK with her husband and three children in 1993.

She founded the Bordeaux Writing Group in 2016 and has published three novels. She is currently working on a historical novel set in the Napoleonic era.

“We bring extracts from whatever we are working on, read them and then they’re discussed,” she said.

“These are works-in-progress, not the finished, polished article, so the emphasis is on improvement: small changes that can make a huge difference.”

The group meets once a month in a café by the train station and has proved popular beyond Bordeaux.

“We have members who come from all over, including those who live in Charente and Dordogne. Some are experienced writers, some starting out, most write fiction and there's a brilliant humorous poet.”

In the past decade, members have had several books published, as well as stories accepted in competitions. 

Above all, Victoria has found a strong sense of community in the group.

“I think what everyone likes about it is the support we give each other. 

“Someone said it was the most positive group he'd ever been involved with, which I take as a huge plus. 

“It doesn't mean we blandly approve of everything, but leaving a writer thinking the bin is the only place for this pile of rubbish achieves nothing.”

A writing group in Avignon

American Constance Bradburn has also set up her own writing group. She moved to Paris in 1974, working as a singer at the Paris Opera for 35 years.

She joined several Parisian writing groups and, after retiring to Avignon (Vaucluse), decided to launch one of her own, the Avignon Writers’ Group Scriptorium Sud. It meets every two weeks.

“Most of the people who come have a real writing project, whether a novel, a memoir, short stories or a screenplay,” she said.

Members bring copies of their text, so the group can follow along as the writer reads aloud. 

Like the Bordeaux Writing Group, the emphasis afterwards is on providing constructive feedback.

“We don’t expect our members to criticise viciously. On the other hand, I’ve been in groups where all people say is how wonderful it is, and that’s not very helpful either.

“We can give critiques that are insightful, intelligent and useful, and avoid the kind of language which condemns or tears down the writer.” 

The group has a small cohort of regular attendees, who have forged a strong community.

“I think what our members appreciate is the closeness between us. I feel I’ve met some of the best friends of my life there.

“I get energy from the other members, I get ideas, and I love having a deadline and polishing my texts with my colleagues in mind.”

Monthly meetings in Paris

Another American, Mary Duncan, founded the Paris Writers Group in 2008, inspired by a group she had joined in San Diego, which focused on the process of publishing.

“We began by meeting monthly in my apartment, and then rotated between other members' apartments. We found cafés too noisy and distracting,” she said. 

Today, the group has its own space near the famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop.

It meets monthly, on Sundays, from 18:00 to 20:00 and has regular guest speakers. 

“We have wine, drinks and light food; members mingle and drink for the first 20 minutes. 

“If we don’t have a speaker, each member has three minutes to update us on their writing project, a problem, or whatever they would like to share.” 

Members include published writers who have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, as well as in publications such as The New Yorker and Granta. 

Mary has found the group can be a valuable resource for writers.

“If you have a problem, one of us can probably help solve it – from finding an agent and brainstorming book titles to using AI, marketing and distribution.

“Our purpose is to provide a supportive community. No one is an island. Writing can be lonely.”

Just as important is the reaction members receive when they have a breakthrough: “We celebrate successes such as a contract or publication with Champagne,” said Mary.