My mother writes short stories and poetry. She isn't all that Internet savvy, but she had a knack for finding local groups of writers to chum with. She managed to get published a couple of times that way, so it seems to work.
The human-oriented group has also the side effect of making the writer a better orator, since they read passages to each other during their meets, and then talk about the works and presentation. I never went to her meets, but I know for sure it helped her diction and use of metaphor big time.
That sounds really wholesome - thanks for taking the time to share.
I may have to take a page from your mother's book. Being digitally inclined left me blind to meatspace solutions. I happen to live in an alternative town, so writing chums are likely abound.
She lived in a small Ontario town where lots of writers abound. Now she lives 3 time zones away in Victoria BC, yet still maintains those friendships. Of course Victoria is a writer's haven, so I don't think she's ever coming back.
The human-oriented group has also the side effect of making the writer a better orator, since they read passages to each other during their meets, and then talk about the works and presentation. I never went to her meets, but I know for sure it helped her diction and use of metaphor big time.