Author: Judy L Mohr

Group dynamics are constantly shifting. If groups are open to new members, the way certain personalities work together needs to be considered. But life experiences can also alter the way members interact.

It's rare for any group to remain static. Most of the time, the shifts in dynamics are evolutionary and easily navigated. However, there are times when the shifts are negative, ultimately resulting in a toxic environment. And these toxic shifts are not so easily navigated.

Writing groups are not immune to these shifts. But like many groups that are made up of those pursuing similar professions (and even the amateur writing groups can be considered a professional group), how we approach any shifts in group dynamics is a measure of our character. The influence that we have over the positive nature of the shifts will also be a function of our administrative connection to the group.

In today's post, I want to explore our options when group dynamics become toxic. We'll consider when you might be in an administrative position, but we'll also look at when you are just an attendee.

I'm not sure if it's my age, my confidence within myself, or something else entirely, but I've noticed that I'm no longer afraid to have an opinion on public channels about certain topics.

Maybe this is tied to my decision to self-publish. Or maybe I've just gotten tired of trying to be politically correct all the time that I'm losing sight of me.

Whatever the reason, I see this as both a good and bad thing.

It's good, because I'm being me and no longer hiding portions of myself that bleed into everything that I do. There are ways that I phrase things that always creep into my writing, because my writing is just my thoughts on paper… even if I'm writing in the voice of another character.

It's bad, because I'm opening up myself to the lynch mob. I could so easily say something that could be taken out of context, at which point, the "politically correct" mob would have a field day at my expense.

But that too can also be seen as a good thing, because I know that the people who get me will be willing to help me defend myself if a lynch mob ever attacks.

I can't please everyone, and I've stopped trying. Instead, I write what I feel needs to be said in the way that I feel my characters need to say it. I know that some readers might find the way I say things as offensive, but to quote my daughter: "That's a them problem, not a me problem."