The Importance of Community
Confession: Next Monday I’m starting in with the sweating. I know I’ve been late, but between getting married, finishing an anthology, and doing the revisions for my last book, the timing wasn’t right for me. I’m so looking forward to getting back into the actual writing. For me, the writing is the fun part (almost as fun as the “going into the bookstore and seeing my books on the shelves” part). Editing is no fun at all for me. And yet, none of these things can be neglected. They all work hand in hand.
I’ve been so happy these past few weeks to know that I have friends and colleagues who have been available to dispense advice, help out when things got too hectic (thanks, Alison!), and just hold my hand when I got whiny. (Which was a lot.)
Writing can be a very lonely profession, even when you’re doing the “fun part.” It’s just the writer, alone in front of her computer or her pad and pen. I love writer communities, like this one, where the participants have a common goal. It makes me feel less alone, as if we’re all working toward something together. It was amazing to come back from my wedding and see my inbox crammed with congratulations from my fellow Sven sponsors, many of whom I haven’t even met in real life!
Even though we each have our own goals (our own books, our own speed, our own little problems with the project), a group like this makes me feel like we all have a common goal, as if writing books is somehow adding to the bulk of story in the universe.
And that is undoubtedly a good thing.
So as I sat down to Thanksgiving dinner last night, and reflected on what it was that I was thankful for, one of the things on my list was that I was friends with so many other writers — people just like me, who loved stories and wanted to see more storytellers out there. People who truly understood the nature of my profession, and can help me when I get tangled in some part. I don’t know what I’d do without them.
What is your support system for your writing? Is it the Sven check in group? Someone else? Who do you turn to when your work flags?
November 23rd, 2007 at 9:33 pm
I join challenges like Sven, but I also have my regular support system. The most important one being my boyfriend, family and crit group. There are other writing buddies I met online as well.
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:26 pm
I’ve been apart of Submission Care on eharlequin for most of the three years I’ve been writing. I know I can go there with my successes and failures and get support either way. I also frequent Cherry Forums (writers who love Jennifer Crusie) I’ve learned a crap load about craft. When National’s came around I spent a few hours with them in the bar. I can’t even start to describe how both communites have helped my writing and made me under who I was (not just the writer). For me every writer needs a community to go to. Writing is so solititary and sometimes that support is what will get you through those hard writing times. Hell, even you’re personally hard times. It’s fabulous.
November 24th, 2007 at 9:34 am
My writing support system… Mainly my Critters *waves at Angelle* who are indispensible to me. And since this is so nice and public, I would like to thank them, past and present, for kickin my rear when I needed it, for offering a shoulder when I needed one, for putting up with my habit of posting huge piccies of dragons eating Santa hats *cough* and mainly… for just being there. For letting me join this group.
Did I mention I love those gals? Each one of them in their own special way.
Thanks for being my net.
For emotional support.. my better half. Who cooks and cleans. Who feeds me when I get engrossed in something. For just being him, those past 20 years and putting up with the fact that… I won’t let him read what I write lol.
Ok away with me before I get even mushier here!
November 24th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I am lucky to have six siblings that also write (we even started our own writer’s group). One sister is particularly close and I turn to her often in my struggles.
November 24th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
I have my CP. We’ve been encouraging each other in our writing for about ten years now, so we’re very good at it. ;+) I also have the CBs, an online group of crazy folks, many of whom are writers. Although, even the non-writers are ready to weigh in with supportive words, or a good kick in the pants, if that’s required, too.