Writing is both a solitary and joint venture. Only you can write your book, but you're not the only one out there trying to get words on the page. I love the writing community. I've never felt like I belonged anywhere until now. Reaching out to other writers was one of the best things I did for myself and my writing.
The internet has opened up the writing world. I wasn't sure how to find writers locally, but it was easy to find writing blogs online. I love bloggers! I love that I can read the stories of so many aspriring/successful writers. It helps me feel less alone—I'm not the only person struggling or succeeding or working hard to make it.
I love the true friends I've made in the writing community. I never expected to have so many wonderful people in my life, and I feel blessed everyday for having people who get me and my writing, who've been "there," who are facing the same things I am. I would never have made it this far without their support and critiques.
I love the writers I've had a chance to meet locally. They've all been so kind and positive and smart. I can't wait to meet more of you guys. There's nothing like the energy at a writer's event. Even for this introvert, it's electrifying.
I love everyone who takes the time to visit my blog, and I constantly wish I had the time to visit everyone's like I used to. But I try to keep up, and it really does make my day when your comments pop up in my inbox.
The editors and agents out there are fabulous too! I love how so many take the time to help aspiring writers. They are there for writers—they really are. They aren't our enemies; they're our advocates. They love books, and I love that we have partners in this business, because I can't imagine trying to do it all on my own.
I love how helpful writers are in general. Sure, there's a few sour grapes out there, but I haven't run across many at all. Most writers have been more than kind—they go out of their way to give back. They're so hopeful, even through all the hard work and tough times. When I'm feeling down, there are so many people willing to help me back up. I can't express how grateful I am for that. You guys are freaking awesome.
I just love love love being part of this amazing community.
Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteI feel exactly the same way. Some of the bloggers I've met in the last few months, I feel like I've known them for years, and we're family. Not to mention my critique partner, who I met online.
Special thanks to you and Kiersten. When I grow up I want to be just like you two! (I'm 28 btw- lol)
Soemone sure is chipper today ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you - I love this community of writers. My first two novels were so solitary, I thought I was alone, struggled to find resources (once I realized they were out there) and to be honest - felt stagnant.
Now though, OMG - what a world of difference. Just knowing there are others out there with a similar passion, who can help me on this journey and I in return can help others - what a thing!
Great post - thank you!
Awww thank you for this great post Natalie! I really enjoy the writing community too. Hearing about your editing woes makes me feel like it’s not just me, it’s everyone. I think a community is really important because there’s no definitive way to write and edit a book, so I wonder if I am doing something wrong, or messing up, or whatever. Reading about other people, like you, lets me know that it’s not just me, and I am not alone.
ReplyDelete*hugs*
What a lovely post :) I'm happy you're happy Natalie. I agree with you, I've found nothing but support from other bloggers, writers, editors etc. I'm hoping this will continue when I come to release my own book.
ReplyDeleteI love being a part of this community too! It's absolutely great--and sometimes downright inspirational--to be with people who get you and what you're going through. It's a wonderful feeling to know I'm not alone anymore. I don't know how I would've been able to go on if it was just me and pen and paper, all day long. Being around other writers--and the people involved behind-the-scenes--has helped me tremendously.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post!
I love this post! It's so true - I'm so appreciative of the support I have through local writers as well as my on-line friends and critique partners. Also, on an unrelated note, I love the new look of your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't *not* give up (!!!) without my community of fellow writers.
ReplyDelete<3
I love being part of the writing community too! It's so amazing to share with others the ups and downs of the journey. A solitary journey isn't as fun but one that good friends are a part of makes it much more memorable.
ReplyDeleteI can't agree more. Blogs like yours help inspire me to keep writing, and I love catching up with your posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie, for spending so much time reaching out to fellow writers.
I lucked out early on in finding a writers group locally. I'd looked online and at first, it seemed that's all there was- online message boards and such...but I craved face to face interaction. I found it and have felt so incredibly blessed. I have since started my blog and began meeting all the amazingly talented writers out in cyber space and it's truly been a wonderful experience!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great community- it's nice to talk to people who understand what you are going through, and who can offer sound advice. Thanks for posting this and for being a strong advocate for us writers (who I believe are slightly solitary by nature- at least I am!) to break out of our shell.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Natalie I agree completely. I was fed up, depressed and frustrated by writing, publishing and all of it in general a few short months ago.
ReplyDeleteThen I started my blog, and now within a month I've got 100 followers, an agent giving an actual critique of my partial, and I'm exchanging emails with other writers, novice, agented and published alike!
I love this community and I am doing the very best I can to put as much as possible into it.
You get what you give.
The QQQE
GROUP HUG TIME! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm only half kidding. If we could find a way to do that, it would be totally sweet.
The more and more I "meet" authors through blogs, and other networking sites, the more amazed I am at how interconnected everyone is! I love my crit group and those who have been there with me for this whole ride; and I am so excited to continue to meet and get more involved in the writing community. Support from people who truly understand is priceless.
ReplyDeleteI didn't discover agent blogs (or blogs in general) until after I started querying, and author blogs after that. It was truly a revelation, and I completely agree with how wonderful the online writing community is. The fact that I've made real friends through blogs is amazing. Lives that would never have intersected before technology are creating permanent bonds. It's wonderful. And how open people are with sharing their struggles is humbling to every reader. We learn so much from each other and, for everyone who participates, this is the best classroom ever.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! We all need to someone to share in our passionate madness!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I agree! This community is part of what makes writing a joy for me. :]
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing community. One that I'm happy to be a part of and I love your posts, even if I don't always post a comment, I always read them.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly beats my previous strategy of propping up the bar in the the Duck and Whippet, waiting for an influx of learned bohemians...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I really appreciate the friends I've met from blogging, too, including you. It's so good to know we're not alone in this journey.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're here, too!
ReplyDeletesnifffff
ReplyDeleteActually, I tried this once before, in 1995. I quit my job, and figured that I would have plenty of time to just write.
I was sooo bored that I couldn't do it. I wasn't married back then, I had no writer friends, and the Internet was just starting out. I was lonely and I couldn't do it all by myself, so after a couple months I started my own consulting company.
Fast forward 14 years, and now I have a family, and the Internet makes everything easy. I'm writing like never before.
I like to think of all this as a rising tide. The more writers who can interact, and get the information they need, the better they will become.
Doesn't mean more books will be sold, but I think it at least provides us with more opportunities.
The internet is a miracle. I've never felt more connected with people, especially others with so many things in common with me, than now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
Yay, internet! I'd be totally alone on this side of the world without it.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. The internet gives the writer office friends without leaving home. And I have learned so much from other authors through their blogs. Great invention this internet thing! :0)
ReplyDeleteI'm coming up on my two month mark and I couldn't be happier in this community of wonderful people! The love everyone shows is more than i thought possible and I'm blessed to be apart of it!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I absolutely would have a harder time writing without my writing community. I need them! And I like that they need me too!
ReplyDeleteAh, that just gave me happy feelings. You're the greatest. I'm so glad I was able to meet you and that you keep me around. :)
ReplyDeleteI can very much relate to the sentiment in this post. Thanks for writing it.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
The writing community is the best! Some of my funnest experiences over the last year have been the times I've been able to hang out with you! We are so lucky to have such a great group of writing buddies.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. I doubt there are many industries as awesome and helpful as the online writing community. It just makes me so happy!
ReplyDeleteI love the writing community. It's the first place I've ever felt at home--the first place people haven't felt like I'm an awkward, odd giraffe. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree! The writing community is chock full of amazing people. And even though I'm sad I'll be leaving Utah in a year with all of our amazing YA writers, it's nice that even if I don't know too many writers in person where I'm moving, I'll be able to keep up with people via the internet.
ReplyDelete