Building Bridges on the Literary Journey: How to find, make, and keep valuable connections.
Writing is a lonely journey. True, we can all gather at writer’s events, take workshops and do poetry readings all the while guzzling down cheap coke or beer but at the end of the day we all go home. We all head back into our studios, apartments and huts and this is where the real writing takes place. This is where the magic happens.
Forgive me when I tell you then that writing is a lonely journey but like Jennifer Lopez sang in that fine movie of hers with Owen Wilson maybe we can find yellow brick roads as we walk the path.
The most successful of writers have been known to swear by their writer groups, circle and friends. This is not the regular critique gang but another writer or perhaps group of writers interested in you as a person beyond your art. Many call this a friend. Yes, we all need that friend that knows the craft so well he can tell when your craft is going weird places, he can look out for you in the online world and can send you writing based jokes.
How do we find, make and keep valuable writer connections?
>> Find them on social media: Use the search button, writers are everywhere on social media. Be deliberate in your search and with who you connect with via social media. Go for it, search!
>> Be Polite: A little kindness can brighten up someone’s day. Try to portray only the finer parts of you. In today’s world with most chasing clout and follows try to toe the path of politeness. Address others with decorum, respect and extend a hand of friendship first!
>> Show genuine interest in others works: Genuinely care for another writers work. I know you are thinking of the many things you need to sort out and the book promo’s and ad’s needed for your own work but take a minute to do something nice for another writer you genuinely care about.
P.S. Please do not do this if you just want a book swap share. There are a lot of those on twitter just search #writerlift #shamelessselfpromo and you can get someone to swap shares with.
>> Accept criticism with dignity, dish it out with grace: Learn to accept correction and criticism with dignity. You are never the target of any critic, your work is and your work is ever evolving.
On your part, learn to give criticism with a little bit of grace. We artists are a sensitive bunch and may need back patting in the face of a new work. Please give harsher criticism in private, maybe via email and not displayed on social media for all to comment and add more vile to.
Finally, Smile. Cheers to becoming a writer of value and more!
Stripes Literary Magazine issue 2.3 is out. Go take a peek!
Stripes Literary Magazine publishes poetry, prose (fiction and non-fiction), art & photography. Visit our store to read all our past issue HERE
