The Audacious Art of finding a Writing Community
Writing is a lonely profession but you don’t need to be alone as you write.
A writing community is a that company misery loves. Everyone in the group is going through different shades of the same problem. They are celebrating similar milestones. Everyone gets what you’re going through. Much to a writer’s dramatic chagrin, we are human beings who thrive on companionship. A writing community is a supporting tribe that writes together. If you aren’t a part of one already, you should consider joining one.
I have joined multiple writing communities over the years. Some of them are suspiciously specific with the things they discuss. Whether it is 5-hour conversations of an alien’s physiology or it is a month-long argument about the ethics of shapeshifting, writing communities form based on niche writing interests. These are a passionate bunch. You want to surround yourself with people who inspire you with their passion because while the rest of the world says no, they’ll continue to say yes.
What is a Writing Community?
It is a global group of people who meet virtually and in-person to read, write, discuss, critique, encourage and complain. Good writing communities form around constructive criticism and healthy internal competition. The feedback and the support you gain here is priceless.
It is intimidating to join a writing community because you have to trust strangers to go through your most intimate thoughts. Being vulnerable is a risk that reaps rewards when you find the right people. To discover these people, you have to be willing to explore the writerverse.
Let these be your guiding lights:
- You’ll get constructive feedback that’ll help you refine your story.
- You’ll get publishing advice that’ll help you find your distribution channel.
- You’ll get a supportive ear which’ll listen when everything else is not working in your favour.
- You’ll get an accountability partner who’ll kick your ass out of that conveniently placed writer’s block.
- You’ll get encouragement to just keep swimming. (A Finding Dory reference: no matter what happens, even when Dory forgets everything, she remembers to ‘just keep swimming’ and that’s how she survives.)
- You’ll get free (and credible) alpha and beta reading done (in exchange, you have to reciprocate the favour).
- You’ll always have help; any kind of help.
- You’ll motivate yourself to become better because positive peer pressure is a thing.
How to find a Writing Community?
This is not as difficult as it looks. Take a dive into the infinite ocean and maybe you’ll find something. I’ll offer a few dive-boards:
- Local Writing Groups or Clubs — Every city in the world has a local artistic community. Find it. They’ll help you locate the writing community. Join it. Attend a meeting or two, and then decide. There are no downsides to a group of people that meet up and write together.
- Local or Virtual Workshops — Writing workshops always contain people who are working on something. They have a story. They’re attending the workshop to understand the tools of the trade. They’ll keep you company.
- Writing Retreats — If you can afford to attend writing retreats, these are the best places to find community members. You will be going to a destination which will push you out of your comfort zone as is. You’ll be able to connect with fellow writers, one-on-one. You’ll form memories together. You will also write a lot.
- Writers’ Associations — There are many writer associations in the world. Most began based on genres. Romance Writers of America, NaNoWriMo, etc. — when you attend activities conducted by these associations, you’ll find micro-tribes. Writing Sprints are the best place to locate your people.
- Type ‘writing community’ in a search engine — All search engines are optimised to show you results based on your browsing history and location. They’ve violated your privacy but then they’ve given you this gift — writing communities you’d like near you.
- Virtual groups on Social Media — Almost all social media platforms have writing groups. Join a lot of them. See which one suits you and then start contributing to the discussions.
- Start your own writing community — I am not starting my own writing community yet. But I will, someday soon.