The Power of a Writing Community
Don't go it alone. Find your tribe.
Writing is a solitary endeavor. I’m currently at my desk, window open to the soft breeze now that the heat has finally retreated. I am tempted to text or phone a friend, or to scroll through social media, or to run to Target, but I’ve already exhausted those procrastination strategies. I take a deep breath, remind myself not to slouch. I am committed to staying at my desk until I finish a draft of this newsletter. I sit, in solitude, putting down words on the page. Willing my fingers to move as my brain wrestles ideas out of the thin air.
Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/
It's not easy.
What is easy? To feel frustrated, or inept, or uncertain. To wonder why you even try. To suddenly discover ten urgent tasks, such as going through the 50 pens in my desk drawer to figure out which ones actually still write, to put off just getting words on the page.
Just one of my actual desk drawers full of pens (and a wandering pencil or two). Also, old business cards and used up Starbucks gift cards.
But here’s the antidote to the poison of my procrastination: you. I’m committed to showing up in your inbox on Friday. You, dear reader, are part of one of the many writing communities I’m a part of. Writing to you each week keeps me accountable, gets words on the page, makes me think and organize the ideas that swirl in my brain. Reading your comments brings me joy. So thank you for being here.
Writers need each other. They need to balance the solitary practice of writing with time in community. They need to share what they’re writing, and cheer each other on.
I do this a couple of ways—one I just mentioned. I write this letter to you each week, to offer advice but also to keep myself writing.
Also:
I’m in a writers group with just two other writers, which meets online once a week. We take turns sharing what we’re writing and give one another honest constructive feedback.
I coach other writers to help them build their skills.
I attend and serve at a writers conference where I can meet and encourage other writers. And receive that encouragement from my peers.
Everyone, not just writers, was made to thrive in community. Humans are kind of herd animals. We seek out tribes, we’re social beings. (Even if we’re introverted.)
So if you want to take your writing to the next level, don’t go it alone. Find your tribe. Connect in community with other writers, who get you. Who can cheer you on.
Community provides motivation, encouragement and accountability. This is true not just with writing. For example, I am part of a lovely running group. Several days a week, I drive about 15 minutes to meet my running buddies and take to the trails in community. I can certainly run by myself. I live in a neighborhood where I can jog out my front door—and sometimes, I do that. But I’ve found I’m much more consistent with my running if I do it in a group, because it’s more fun to gather with other runners. I know they’re expecting me to show up. I think writing is much the same.
Writers, even though many of us lean toward introversion, need community as well.
Now, I’m not just talking about the kind of community where you just hang out and eat snacks and drink…whatever. Everyone needs that, not just writers.
Writers need something more: community committed to intentional growth. (Runners need this too. We may occasionally get together for a beer, but we also get together more frequently to actually run.)
What does that mean for writers? What does a writing community committed to intentional growth look like? What do they do?
It means you need to seek out and connect with other writers who will encourage you, read your work and give you honest feedback. You need to seek out writing mentors and teachers. And you write something, and let your community test drive it.
Wondering where to find that? I have good news. Thankfully, you can find all of those things at a writers conference.
As you may know, I serve on the board and faculty for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference. I’ll be one of the many faculty who are offering coaching and critique sessions, where you can submit a writing sample and get professional feedback on it. I’m part of a team teaching a CREW seminar.
This amazing gathering of writers provides a chance to connect with other writers, take classes from industry professionals, and meet with editors and agents to talk about your work. It’s a Christian conference so it also includes time to worship, to pray, and to talk about the intersection of our writing and our faith. It’s a safe place to ask questions about writing and publishing. It’s a welcoming and encouraging community.
This year, the conference dates are November 7-8, in Roseville, CA (a suburb of Sacramento). There are also in person pre-conference workshops on November 6, and online workshops November 9. Registration is open now, but only for West Coast Christian Writers Conference members.
The good news is, you can become a member today and register right away. You’ll get first crack at the classes and seminars you want, and be able to grab an appointment with an agent or editor (those are limited and go fast). And you’ll be part of a community that connects all through the year.
Members also have early access to agent, editor, coaching, and critique appointments, as well as CREW mentoring groups. (Click to learn more about those!)
If you’re wondering about how to find that writing community not just for a weekend but the whole year, becoming a conference member is a great way to do that. For a low annual fee of $70, you can not only get priority registration, you’ll also:
Find community in our private Facebook group
Get free registration for mini Master classes
Have access to a critique group
Be a part of Writer Connex, a hosted group for fellowship and encouragement.
And more! Learn more about membership by clicking the button below.
If you can’t swing the cost of traveling to California, the good news is, you can attend the conference online, at a reduced price.
But consider gifting yourself a trip to this conference. The energy of gathering writers, the unexpected connections you will make—it’s a lot of fun to hang out with people who share your love of writing. Investing in your writing career can help take it to the next step. It might be the place you make connections that might be the foundation of your own writing community.
If you’re not a member, registration begins with our flash sale July 1, where you’ll get the lowest price available. I hope I’ll see you in Roseville in November!
