Taking Advantage of the Community of Writers

We’ve just enjoyed the FWA Book Expo last month, and one of its most delightful aspects for me was the author interviews, in which I was privileged to take part. It was fascinating and affirming to hear other authors speak about their experiences and how they go about their writing! Thus I’d like to share a few reflections this month on the value of being part of the larger community of writers. I’ve spoken before about belonging to writers’ groups—inestimably helpful—but it’s useful to look beyond to the broader fellowship as well. This can make a surprisingly important contribution to the quality of our writing.

It’s a Small, Small World

There are many opportunities for belonging to the community of authors, and our own FWA is one of them. As an independent author, I can say there are excellent national and even international groups as well, all of whom have forums for members to ask questions and share information. Among these are ALLI (Alliance of Independent Authors). IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association) offers collective publicity and exposition opportunities, reduced rates to get prestigious reviews, and a contest, among other perks. The Authors’ Guild is open to all writers of any sort and alongside its in-depth forums, drawing on authors famous and otherwise from all over the country, offers connections to legal advice. Romance writers or mystery writers—even female mystery writers—gather in their own groups. Facebook and other social media have forums where authors can exchange ideas and suggestions… and warnings. Early in my career I was approached by a publisher whom I’d never heard of. And sure enough—wiser, more experienced heads warned me to run for my life. Who knows what I was spared?

So don’t feel you’re alone. Your brothers and sisters have your back.

E Pluribus Unum

And that’s the real value of such communities, apart from specific advice. They offer… well, community. Writing is an essentially solitary endeavor, but the going can seem grimly uphill at times. Your family may not want to hear your complaints about intractable plot problems or your painful lack of ideas. Even when they listen, there’s a limit to how much they can help. But take heart: there are plenty of fellow authors out there who know just what you mean—and understand. Compassionate. Can possibly even help. All that electricity a conference generates over a few days is out there all the time for the taking.

Anybody Out There?

Perhaps even more useful on a day to day level is the simple fact of inspiration and encouragement. Some of us are lucky enough to know personally some well-established writers who are willing to look over a chapter, offer encouragement, affirm our sense of competence (not to say genius!). But not everybody has such resources. Anyway, we’ve all almost forgotten what face-to-face contact is during this past Annus Horribilis. However, there are electronic ways to get to know fellow authors—like our FWA interviews. Like “The Authors Show” podcast or others online or radio who talk to writers about their work. I’ve met many a great book and its author through listening to NPR interviews.

There authors talk about their frustrations, what makes them feel good about writing, how close they may have come to quitting, where they get their inspiration. It’s like a vaccine against discouragement to see how even the famous have suffered for their art! So many lessons to be learned!

So, never think you’re all alone, or that no one has ever had this problem or that. Somebody has. Probably everybody has. And they’ve triumphed. And so will you.