4 Reasons Writers Need a Writing Community

When I was in college, my favorite class was Creative Writing 101. The professor was one of my favorites, and her bohemian, free-flowing style of both living and teaching permeated every encounter I had with her. One of the reasons I loved this class so much was the community she created within the four walls. Every class, she had us move our desks into a large circle, and we took turns critiquing the work of a classmate as a class. Feedback was never anything but constructive, and our direction was simple: underline what meant something to you, what struck you, or what elicited an unexpected response within you. When the semester was over, a small group of us decided we needed more of this kind of community in our lives, so each week, in addition to classwork, we wrote something to present to the group. We met at Starbucks, sat around a table outside, and shared our work. That little group was like a shot of inspiration and energy each week, and though we eventually stopped meeting, it changed how I viewed the art of writing. The act of shared vulnerability, being accountable, and building friendships with others who were different from me (and what I wrote) was priceless.

So, why do writers need a writing community, if writing is a solitary task?

A writing community is a mirror

When we write something, especially if we’re passionate about it, we can become so entangled in what we’ve made that we lose sight of how or why it came to be. Writing groups can serve as a mirror, held up to reflect back to you how your work is being perceived externally. So much of art is an internal process, once it makes its way outside of us, who knows how others may see it? Think about it? Be affected by it? This mirror becomes essential before taking a project to a wider audience, an agent, or a publisher.

A writing community is an idea factory

We often think as writers that it’s all on us to decipher our next steps or projects. When the way forward is unclear, a writing group often sees what you cannot (there’s that mirror metaphor again). They can offer ideas or suggestions you have never considered. This is the beauty of having a group that “gets it.” Perhaps your latest social media campaign fell flat, and you’re at a loss on how to get more engagement before you begin querying your next book to agents. Others can share what worked for them, or what you can try-or even commit to helping you by commenting or sharing your posts.

A writing community is a path to opportunity

Often in writing communities, a few writers will achieve their goals of publishing while others continue to work hard (and wonder when it’s their turn). If you’re in the latter group, this is the perfect time for you to watch and learn about publishing with a behind the scenes view. Perhaps you now have the opportunity to be on a book launch team. This is not only extremely helpful for you to gain the experience of helping an author to launch a book, but it’s also something you can mention to agents. We want to know that you know what it takes to launch a book into the world, and being a member of a launch team is certainly one way to get that experience.

A writing community is a…community

In a world that often feels isolated behind screens and keyboards, having a group of people that enjoy the same thing and one another is priceless. They understand why you continue to write, even when it’s frustrating or you receive rejection after rejection. They know the feeling of crafting the perfect sentence, or writing a paragraph that brings a sense of joy or accomplishment to your soul. Put simply- they just get it. Writer friends aren’t just nice to have- in the rough waters of publishing, they’re a shelter in the inevitable storms, and I encourage you to find some.

 

Are you looking to make some writer friends? I encourage you to consider applying for our upcoming Books & Such Writing Intensive, where you will meet a small and encouraging group of writers as they work with the agents of Books & Such. We will spend three days together learning, writing, and working to take your project to the next level. You can learn more here!