by Melissa Corliss DeLorenzo
Photo by thecause
Believe it or not, I have never participated strongly in either a writing group or a reading group. I know. I attempted membership in a book club once, but they kept choosing books that didn’t appeal to me. (Snob. I know.) I attended a local writing group for a while, but it always ended up being me and the facilitator or me and the facilitator and one other guy. I really enjoyed their company and talking about writing, but then I started working on this blog and my life got busier than it already had been and something had to give. It was the night out with the boys. Which I still miss. We met at a bar called The Boulder where they have super-cold Magic Hat #9 on tap. (Yum.)
On Her Circle this month, we’re discussing women and writing and reading groups and creative collaborations of all kinds. I keep thinking that someday I will join/create a writing group (and clean the garage permanently, organize my recipe binder, read all the books I buy, etc.) But, alas, not as of yet; although I do believe it would be in my best interest. I do have means of connection with other writers and readers, virtually and otherwise. Writers need artistic connection and feedback and if finding kindred spirits is difficult in your neck of the woods or if you simply don’t have time, there are other means of connecting with writers. I have a few ideas to offer on how to fill the void.
Join an online writing community.
I joined Fictionaut several months ago. I created a profile and uploaded some stories (after spending a good deal of time tweaking every word, nuance, comma) and held my breath. Now, prior to joining, I had never released my fiction to the Internet at large. I am pretty thick-skinned, but this is the entire Internet, after all. I received thoughtful and helpful feedback. It seems that within the community—and I am assuming this goes typically for online writing communities in general—the more you participate via commenting, reading, fav-ing, etc., the more feedback you are going to receive. I honestly have not had the time to commit to the site as I would like and as I truly believe would be most beneficial; though even at my limited level of participation, it is undoubtedly a beneficial use of my time. And, it does create connection. There are many established writing forums if you are interested: Scribophile, Writing.com, Writers Cafe, and Authonomy, among many others, including some dedicated to specific genres. Each have their own slant, so peruse them to find the right one for you.
Participate in online challenges with other writers.
Challenge yourself to events such as Story A Day which happens in May or NaNoWriMo in November. These challenges not only invigorate your writing but provide a real sense of community. Especially if you sign up with a friend or two—even if they live thousands of miles away. It has the affect of shortening the distance and making you feel as though you’re in it together, spurring each other on.
Another idea: sign up for a writing workshop online. Many groups, including Her Circle, offer special events with virtual writing workshops. Her Circle’s virtual writing workshop took place during the International Women’s Day Festival in March. The virtual writing workshop is an opportunity to enliven your work, but also to be inspired, energized and learn something new.
Subscribe to blogs by other writers or writing collaboratives.
I am sure that I don’t have to tell you about the abundance out there. Some of my favorites include: The Urban Muse, Write to Done, Live to Write, Write to Live, Writerly Life, and write it sideways to name a few. They provide a peek into the lives of other writers, often present solutions to writing issues and inspire ideas for your own work. With opportunity to comment on posts, the possibility of discourse presents itself and further opportunities for connection.
Maintain a staple of readers.
Create a nice little group of diverse readers—your go-to crowd for feedback on your work. You may not find many local writers with whom to create a writing group, but you can always find avid readers. To the extent that you can, share your work with readers who possess a variety of tastes in reading material so that your feedback will be well-rounded. Those who typically read work that is different in style, or even genre, from your own can provide surprising insight. My peers from grad school also continue to be an excellent resource for which I am most grateful.
Utilize books as companions to your writing process.
Many writers speak of the solitariness of the practice of writing and my practice is no different. I am a solitary person and the act of reading and writing is, by nature, as well. Perhaps that is why it appeals to me, pulls at me. Books have always been my companions, my teachers, advisors, mentors, a trove to which I turn to seek inspiration for my own work. I never stop reading and choose books I haven’t read yet or staples of my collection that may inspire the novel on which I am working. I think of using reading material as companion pieces and as a collaborative experience. I use them to seek guidance, to answer some unnamed mystery, to provide inspiration, to make a comparison and to find companionship.
Whether there are no writing groups in your area, or you lack the time to join one, for whatever reason, there are alternatives to writing groups that can provide some of the same benefits. It boils down to support and connection by whatever means is helpful and resonates with you.
How do you find connection with other writers?
About Melissa Corliss Delorenzo
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Such helpful advice, Melissa!