I’m full of writing energy! I have a new idea for a writing workshop. Several new ideas for articles. I’m dying to get to work on my novel tonight. There’s a new book on writing beckoning me from the pile of TBR by my bed. And I just feel more excited!
Curious about my secret? Yoga? Organization? A great new writing book? A Marine-turned-writing-mentor? No to all those(although I am learning yoga with my daughters’ new Wii program—apparently I’m very centered. Who knew?).
Saturday was my monthly writing group. Writing is a solitary business and many times I prefer that. The silence. The mulling over words in my head. The working in my pajamas. But, even though I belong to several supportive virtual writers group, I eventually long for the company of other writers. Writers aren’t like other people. Let’s compare:
If you give them a page with two sentences on it, alike except for three words…
Nonwriters: Will wrinkle their brows and say, “They’re different?”
Writers: Will smile and say, “The second one is so much better.”
If you tell a funny story as you drink coffee…
Nonwriters: Will squirt coffee through their nose in appreciation.
Writers: Will squirt coffee through their nose in appreciation. Then, they will give you a list of markets and encourage you to submit it.
When you tell the group about your monthly progress…
Nonwriters: Will frown and say, “So you didn’t publish anything?”
Writers: Will jump up and down and scream, “You got a personalized rejection from The New Yorker?”
There’s no denying that we’re a different bird. And, that we need each other to survive. Until I started attending a writer’s group I never knew how much I needed one. They speak your language. They cheer your successes and console your failures.
But mostly because they are always there waiting for the next thing. What have you written since last month? What have you submitted? Did you work on that book proposal like you promised at the last meeting? Even if they never ask those questions the fact that they HAVE done something spurs you on to the next accomplishment. Listening to the monthly reader with one half of your brain you have a conversation with yourself with the other half. “Why haven’t you polished your opening? You could write something like this! She has four kids and a full-time job. What are you waiting for?”
Some writers feel that a writers group can’t offer them anything because the members are all newbies or don’t write in their genre. There are classes and other resources for networking and learning. A live writing group offers you something different—a friendly push.
What’s the most important thing your writers group has done for you?
Here’s a terrible confession–I grumble about having to make up an agenda each month and I gripe about having to run the meeting every month (it would be great to just sit back and observe or contribute when the spirit moves me), but I would be lost without the writers’ group! It always gives me a boost whether I need it or not, and I’m finding that I can’t wait to catch up with everyone each month! I got some great ideas after Saturday’s meeting. Glad it does the same for you!
I completely agree. The first writers conference I attended (with a fellow writing buddy) all the while I kept thinking…’I found my tribe’.