I've
heard some writers say that when they walk into a library, they think 'why do I
bother?' True, there are hundreds of thousands of books published each year. My
perspective is that readers always want more, so your book can join the
shelves.
What keeps me enthusiastic, even during slow writing periods, is spending time
with other writers.
I’ve
been fortunate to live in three states – Maryland, Iowa, and Indiana – that had
active local and regional writers’ organizations. They host conferences,
workshops, and less formal events. Even when I had a busy day job, I took many
courses and had a group of peers without looking far.
In Illinois, not so much, but I keep looking. If you can't find groups of
writers, join a book club. Every library has at least one. It can be fiction or
nonfiction. At least you will be with people who like to talk about good
writing.
You don’t need to join any groups – you don’t even need to tell friends you are
working on a book or trying to place articles in magazines. If your schedule is
chock full of work and family responsibilities, a local or regional writing
organization could seem like a chore. As in all aspects of creativity, there
are no 'shoulds.'
FINDING
LOCAL WRITERS
If
a Google search for local groups and queries at the library don't turn up local
writing groups, think about Twitter.
Twitter
lets you make lists of other users – I have them for mystery writers, cozy
mystery writers, Iowa writers, and many more.
Wherever I move (three times in ten years), I go through the Twitter lists I've
created to see which people noted where they lived. It takes a while, but I
find nearby writers (even if not in my town) and establish email relationships.
I eventually meet them.
We aren't talking about stalking here, just friendly self-introductions. If you
get no response, you haven't lost anything but a few minutes of your time.
LARGER GROUPS AND CONFERENCES
Professional writing organizations exist for every genre. Dues are usually $100
or less. Most have newsletters, some sponsor magazines. You learn a lot and get
a better sense of who writes in your genre and which publishers are best for
your kind of writing.
A lot of groups, such as Sisters in Crime, lead you to members who live in your
area.
(Assuming they have agreed to be listed in the members-only section of
SINC's web page.)
Even if a national organization does not publish a member list, a call or email
to the national office may garner local names.
I
generally go to conferences within a couple hundred miles, so I don’t incur big
travel expenses. Or I find one near my extended family, so no hotel bills.
(Thank goodness for family and friends.)
When
you go to a conference, there’s usually a list of attendees that shows where
they live. Voila – you’ve found local people. In fact, I was invited into my
wonderful critique group in Illinois because I’d met some of the members at the
Midwest Writers Workshop in Muncie, Indiana.
Finding
other writers isn’t as hard as finding a new job, but if you don’t live in a
town with an existing organization, the hunt does take concerted effort. If you
have limited time to write, perhaps that has to be your only focus. Spending
time with other writers can come later.
Whatever
feels right for you works for you. If you do reach out, you’ll probably find
other writers willing to share their experiences.
A FEW RESOURCES
Writer’s Digest Annual Best Websites for Writers
Some are websites only, some are affiliated with organizations. This is a link
to one year’s list. (Because it's a PDF file, you probably need to cut and
paste the link.)
www.writersdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/101-Best-Websites-for-Writers-2015.pdf
Romance Writers of America (RWA) is the
largest writers’ membership organization. It also has chapters throughout the
country. www.rwa.com
Sisters in Crime (open to sisters and
misters, with active local chapters).
The email monthly SINC Links is worth the reasonable membership fee.
Writers, Agents and Editors Network.
Website founded by Jeff Hermann. Hard to categorize this website, but it brings
a lot of people together online.
