The Positives of Community
Once you have found your community, it feels as if you fit right into place.
How it took me so long
In the earlier years of my writing journey, I took my time trying to navigate new waters.
I had no idea where other writers were. I’d made a Twitter account, a Facebook author’s page, and a Linked In page but it felt as if I were in an empty space. I was there, but I was waving my hands above my head while I screamed.
For people that were in the same boat as I was, I didn’t know anything about the writing community.
The things no one tells you
Once I started dipping my toes in the writing community, I found out that I was a small fish in the ocean.
At first, it was hard to get noticed. Like everyone else, I was hoping to gain not only some friends in the writing community but some book sales.
When you are new to the writing community on whichever platform you use, you are trying to establish yourself and your brand. No one else knows you yet or what you bring to the table, so show them.
What no one tells you first off is, it isn’t easy to start. You are going to post and only the crickets will be responding.
The best way to start meeting people is by answering and replying to other people’s tweets or posts. By doing so, you let others know you are interested in what they have to say.
No one tells you how many people are going to be negative. It's a sad truth, but, like every community, there are negative Nancy’s who feel the need to tell you whatever they think about your work, regardless of their tactfulness in their delivery of said opinion.
Let it roll off your back and consider it good practice for reviews from readers in the future.
What positives you gain
Just as no one tells you the negatives, however, no one is out there singing the praises of the positives either.
The writing community is full of seasoned writers who are full of wisdom. Although it’s true that one method of success won’t always work for another, it is true that talking to someone who has been there and done that is immensely useful.
Finding Your Tribe
Many writers find their tribe within the writing community.
This could be composed of like-minded authors, writers in the same genre, or writers of the same critique group. Whatever the reason, having a tribe of writers to bounce ideas off of, share your woes with, or even laugh with is a breath of fresh air.
I was fortunate enough to find my tribe of like-minded authors a few years ago. We don't all write the same genre, but they are people I talk to every single day. People that have taught me so much about publishing, writing, and just life in general.
If I hadn’t found my writing community tribe, I’m not sure how my feelings about my writing journey would be.
The Importance of Making Connections as an Author
Making connections
As a writer, you are going to make a lot of connections along the way.
I will always admit that I am no expert in anything. I learn a lot, I know a lot now, but I can always still learn.
Throughout your journey as a writer, you are going to befriend bloggers, book reviewers, other writers, and even podcasters. All of which are going to have a hand in the journey to your success as an author.
The philosophy I follow as I make each of these connections is to give as much as I take.
Despite how much I need each of these people to help grow my readership and brand, I can be a great ally to share your platform as well. After all, where would I be without these other people?
It doesn’t have to be a lonely journey
As writers, we have a habit of being solitary creatures.
We immerse ourselves with our characters and storylines, building brick upon brick. I know this all too well.
However, it doesn’t have to be a lonely journey. There are other people out there in the writing community with who you can connect and find real friendship.
And that is worth the time.
