Critiquing and networking
I love that as a member of different online writing communities/networking sites that I have an almost infinite resource for support. This support comes in a variety of ways. I have a new critique partner (after fruitless months of searching) I have friends near and far I can stalk call or email, or whatever. I find new people often. Just today I found one author in the city I claimed as my network for facebook. (Don’t get me wrong, I live NEAR that city, relatively speaking)
This is a remarkable experience that I find priceless as I stumble through my writing career. I’m at a slow start. Yet I know that without this wonderful network of colleagues, peers, supporters, and dare I say, Fans?, that I would have given up by now.
Can you believe that? I beleedat. Just an ounce of ‘you can do it’ makes all the difference. Really? You think I can? Someone believes in my work. Well, ok. I knew I did, but that you do too is awesome!
So it is due to this phenomenon that I have edits to do. I have progress to make. A novel to eek out. This fantastic little story is going to churn out and be all I hope it can be.
But the benefits of this endless web of supporters and fellow authors doesn’t end there. When I get to ‘the end’ I’ll know where to go, how to get there, all from this web of friends and confidantes. I’ll have an edge, a leg up, because of the sheer amount of knowledge of what is available, gained from my participation within said web.
I know that they say the world is a small place, and that the internet has shrunk it even more. But it is huge! There is so much out there, just waiting for me to tap into it. The writing world is spacious, and now, I too am a part.
How do you like networking? Do you feel you have a good fit into it?
We love you too Leigh!!!!
As for me, I’ve been writing since before I found a good networking site. Because writing is such a solitary thing, I felt I couldn’t look outside of myself for advice or support. I think that’s why so many authors never get published… they don’t have the support group to pull them out of the cell of isolation that is writing and help them identify where they’re going wrong (instead they repeat mistakes over and over again, digging a deeper hole for themselves) and to begin developing the under-pinnings of support that so many of us don’t realize we need until we have it.
There’s a reason why one particular group I know of sends out some of the best quality writing in the industry (at least that’s what I hear)… they all stick together and that is sometimes better than family!
April
Love ya too! Networking is good, but it can be bad too. Facebook, twitter, and email are addicting. They suck me away from my precious writing time. But, don’t get me wrong, they do serve a purpose.
I’m what you call a OCED – Obsessive compulsive email disorder. So bad that I just bought an iPod touch, so when I’m out and about and have wifi access I can check my email. And when there’s no WiFi, I have my trusty cellular phone with email capabilities. Ack!
But I’m all for networking. Conferences are a great place to network and schmooze with those editors and agents.
Off to write, or at least try to.
Arianna