I truly feel blessed by my community of writers
When I started out on this journey, I was a hitchhiker on the road to realizing my dream. I didn’t know how to start out, so I just put my pen to paper and started researching. I read lit mags, searched out places to submit by reading the author bios, and started sending my work out, braced for rejection. But then, I got a few acceptances and started to “meet” other writers, and slowly my group expanded. Then, opportunities showed up and I grabbed hold. I was no longer the lonely traveller!
Now, four years later, I can’t imagine where I would be if I were still the lonely hitchhiker hoping for a ride between junctions.
The importance of community
Community creates opportunities to connect with people. It helps us feel safe, supported and secure–helps push us to reach for goals that would otherwise seem beyond our realm.
A year or so ago, I joked that I was going to write a manuscript. Through online classes and MOOCs, I’ve become a member of several virtual writing communities. These are safe places where writers can reach out for support, celebrate “wins” and share opportunities. Many of these community members have become trusted critique partners and have helped me bring my writing to a higher level. That manuscript? It wasn’t just me who wrote it–it was the community who helped shape it. Who still helps shape it.
Even in the virtual world, it takes a village…Now I have–it’s passed through the hands of one beta reader and is in the hands of another. They are part of my community.
A strong community is a place that creates opportunities and offers encouragement
So what can you do?
If you are a writer:
- If you are just beginning, reach out. There could be programs/groups at your local library. There are many classes and MOOCs available online, and there may a writing course offered at your local continuing education
centres . - Become a mentor. Remember what it was like when you started out? Now it’s time to pay it forward. If there are few programs in your community, why not start a writing group. At the very least, it will bring a new group of writers together.
- Share work you admire, craft articles that speak to you, and information on contests or calls for submission. I’m not big on social media, but most online lit mags have links to tweet on Twitter. Make sure you tag the author and the magazine. Don’t forget to add hashtags: #amwriting, #amediting, #writerslife, #CNF etc.
- Read community members’ posts and any personal publication they link.
- Jump at any opportunity to exchange work and participate in readings, but don’t forget to also share your knowledge.
If you are a reader:
- Send fan mail. I’ve started doing this–and you wouldn’t believe how great it makes a writer feel to know their work is being read an appreciated. It’s happened to me (and I actually cried).
- Share work you admire. This can be done on social media like FaceBook or Twitter. Make sure you tag the author and the magazine, and don’t forget hashtags, such as #CanLit #flashfiction #perseverene #CNF or whatever you think might be appropriate.
- Go to your local library and request books and literary magazines they should shelve.
- Go to local author readings.
I want to give a major shout out to my writing communities: here’s a huge thank you for giving me the courage to call myself a writer.
In case you are interested in reading more about the importance of communities, here is an excellent post that provides an indepth look at to how writing communities helps writers.
In case you missed it: