The Importance of Community
Writing is a solitary pursuit. Just you, your laptop or notebook, and the words. No one else can pen your stories. No one will write for you. It’s up to you.
And yet, writing is also a very community oriented endeavor.
I mean, you’re here, at Seekerville, which is a community of writers who encourage, instruct, support, and occasionally purse-whomp for one another. (Looking at you, Missy.)
As a group of often deeply introverted people, writers still need community. They can benefit greatly from having like-minded friends to accompany them on the journey. (Your family are great cheerleaders, and your church friends can be very supportive, but nobody gets a writer like other writers.)
Last night, I attended my local ACFW writer’s group (100 miles away) and presented a talk with my friend Gabrielle Meyer on Genre Swapping, the hows, the whys, and the why nots. It was so refreshing to be with other writers again for the first time in over a year at this particular group. Two weeks ago, I spoke at the Minnesota Christian Writer’s Guild on the topic of How to Avoid the Summer Slump. It was so great to see so many eager writers, to hear their stories, to see what they have planned for the coming months. It was like a big ol drink of spring water on a hot summer’s day!
What are the benefits of having a writing community?
I’m so glad you asked!
1. Encouragement. When things are tough, when the middle of your Work In Progress, or the middle of your career begins to sag, your writer friends can give you the boost you need to keep going, to write your way out of the fog, and to press on.
2. Education. I learn so much from talking with other writers, from hearing their experiences or their techniques. I learn every time I read a Seekerville blog post, because it is impossible for one person to know everything there is to know about writing fiction and this industry, but there are some really smart cookies here willing to share what they DO know and thus increase all of our knowledge.
3. Commiseration. They say misery loves company, and they ain’t wrong. When you don’t get that contract, when you don’t win that award, when you don’t sell through your advance, it’s nice to have some folks who ‘get it’ to commiserate with. (Just don’t let anyone wallow too long. That’s one reason we love Ruthy. She’ll bake you a cake, pat your hand, and then tell you to pull on your big-girl pants and get back to work.)
4. Celebration. If misery loves company, then happiness does, too. When you score that contract, when you win that award, when you hit a best-seller list…having other writers who know how hard and how rare those accomplishments are celebrate with you makes achieving them all the more sweet.
Where can I find my writing community?
I’m so glad you asked!
1. Right here at Seekerville. We love our writing community, and we’re always looking to grow it. If you’ve been a quiet participant until now, drop us a line in the comments so we can say howdy!
2. National groups such as: ACFW, The Jane Austen Society of North America, Western Writers of America, and so many more. There are writer’s associations for every genre imaginable.
3. Local chapters of national groups. You can often find a local chapter for a national group. If you cannot attend in person, there are often on line options.
4. Check with your local library. They often host writers’ groups in libraries, or they will know where local groups meet. And if you cannot find one, START ONE! The librarians would most likely help you out in this endeavor.
Writing is a solitary pursuit, but you don’t have to walk the entire journey alone. Write your words, but congregate with other writers, in real life and online, and join the writing community. You will be blessed, and you’ll have an opportunity to be a blessing, too!
Can Captain Wyvern keep his new marriage of convenience all business--or will it turn into something more?
Captain Charles Wyvern owes a great debt to the man who saved his life--especially since Major Richardson lost his own life in the process. The best way to honor that hero's dying wish is for Wyvern to escort the man’s grieving fiancée and mother safely to a new cottage home by the sea. But along the way, he learns of another obligation that has fallen on his shoulders: his uncle has died and the captain is now the Earl of Rothwell.
When he and the ladies arrive at his new manor house in Devon, they discover an estate in need of a leader and a gaggle of girls, all wards of the former earl. War the new earl knows; young ladies and properties he does not. Still wishing to provide for the bereaved Lady Sophia Haverly, Charles proposes a marriage of convenience.
Sophie is surprised to find she isn't opposed to the idea. It will help her care for her betrothed's elderly mother, and she's already fallen in love with the wayward girls on the Rothwell estate. This alliance is a chance to repay the captain who has done so much for her care, as well as divert her attention from her grief. When Wyvern returns to his sea commission, she'll stay behind to oversee his property and wards.
It sounds so simple. Until the stalwart captain is arrested on suspicion of smuggling, and Sophie realizes how much he's come to mean to her. Now she'll have to learn to fight, not only for his freedom but also for his love.
You know this is so true. Writers need community if for no other reason than to now wallow in grief alone when they have to re-write half a book! We've all been there, done that, and while the end product is so much better, it can be a bitter pill that often happens at the worst possible time.
ReplyDeleteSo knowing others experience the same thing and live through it heartens us!
And it's good to laugh together! To share the joys and successes and the downward spirals. Life goes on...
Thank you, sweet Erica!
I BROUGHT COFFEE!!!!
I'm so glad to be part of your writing community, Ruthy. You've taught me a lot about writing (starting with my first ever contest entry!) and even more about life and living it well.
DeleteErica this is good and so true. And you never stop needing it. I was pleased that you included the part about not selling through your advance. Even multi-published authors have disappointments, especially when the market is doing backflips. I don't get advances yet, but this is good advice for when I do. It's like Woody Allen used to say, now that he's famous he's getting rejected by a better class of women.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget crit partners. I still have one and hope I will still find time for one as my career advances.
These are strange times, if not tough ones, and the proverbial rising tide lifts all boats.
KB
Your Kaybee
Seeking fellowship in New Hampshire
Love the Woody Allen quote. :) And yes, crit partners can provide so much in the way of fellowship, commiseration, education, and celebration! :)
DeleteYears ago I stumbled onto Seekerville and through this group I found out about ACFW and the local chapter (waving to Jan!). During the last year-and-a-half I think the whole world has discovered how important connections and fellowship are in all areas of our lives. So I'll raise my cup of coffee to online and in-real-life friends who've all seen each other through good times and bad. What a great post to start the week, Erica!
ReplyDeleteWe need to start meeting again in person! Between babies and lack of venues, I've missed you!
DeleteGlynis, you're so very right about some of the lessons we've learned in the last year and a half. Toasting you with my Diet Pepsi! We're so glad you found Seekerville and thank you for sticking with us!
DeleteThank you Erica for this post! This very topic has been on my mind for a while now (I even wrote a blog post about it too!).
ReplyDeleteI love the online writing communities I've been able to plug into. Unfortunately, it seems that up here in Canada we don't have as many in-person writing community events even when NOT in lockdown. The CF writers I've met online are spread out across the country. Your post has got me thinking (again) that I need to do something about it, when rules are lifted allowing the opportunity to meet in person.
You're so right - it's like drinking water when we get to meet in person, to celebrate the ups and downs, commiserate and cheer each other on.
Great minds! :) I'm so thankful that we have online connections so we can hang out, even though you're in Canada and I'm in MN and Mindy is in Texas and Ruthy is in New York. :)
DeleteGreat post, Erica. I have been checking in with Seekerville for 7 years now and I love it. I've made so many writer friends through this group. It has been a blessing.
ReplyDeleteHis, Sandy! You can't know how it blesses us when we read posts like this! Seekerville is a labor of love, and we are so encouraged when we hear that we've been able to bless our readers!
DeleteErica, this is spot on. We need each other. To celebrate, commiserate... Iron sharpens iron. And while I'm grateful we can stay in contact virtually, there's something special about coming together in person. Where one or two are gathered in His name. Amen.
ReplyDeleteAmen! We MUST get that Seekerville gathering together soon! How much fun to see everyone's smiling faces??
DeleteHear, hear! Communities are so important, especially for introverts. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd being part of a writing community can change your life, and even lead to romance. Where would our two children be if we hadn't met through Seekerville?
The best part, though, is when a group of writers are sitting around talking. The conversation moves from one topic to another and ideas flow. I always come away ready to plunge into my WIP with fresh energy!
Then when you add a group of writers to a group of readers...WOW! I am SO looking forward to the Mississippi River Readers Retreat this summer! Only two months away!
I agree. You never know what might come out of writers getting together...novella collections, new ideas, and even matchmaking! :)
DeleteI always feel motivated when I'm with other writers. Everything is possible!
Hard to believe the MRRR is only two months away! That's going to be fantastic!
I miss the community side of writing...the conferences and reader events, even book signings! Getting together with other folks and talking about writing always boosts my spirits and inspires me to get that next story written. Sitting at home in front of my computer is good, but I miss my peeps! So thankful for Seekerville and all who visit the blog...and FB and all who like to talk about books on social media.
ReplyDeleteBut gathering in person is even better!
Thanks, Erica, for a great post!
I agree, Debby. In person is best! Happy birthday to you!! I hope it was a great one.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. If all the writer's conferences to forever more virtual, maybe we'll have to up our writer's retreat per year quotient.
DeleteThis is the quote that touched me most deeply, Erica:
ReplyDeleteWriting is a solitary pursuit, but you don’t have to walk the entire journey alone.
So so so so true. Great blog post.
Our last retreat really drove home for me how important it is to be with other authors. I loved getting to know new friends and being with those I have known for a long time.
DeleteI'm a rare extroverted author, so I totally love having my fellow authors around. I have a group of two others I get with several times a year. We make YouTube videos and support and encourage each other. I also have some local friends who have started writing and are great to bounce ideas off. And my publishing company is like a big family and we do zoom calls once a month to stay connected. As someone who thrives with others around, I am loving my communities, including the one here at Seekerville.
ReplyDeleteAh Amy, I'm glad you have such vibrant writing communities to feed your mind and heart!
ReplyDelete