Birds of a Feather

My last post was about finding a writing BFF to support, console, and motivate you to writer more and better. I briefly mentioned writing communities which deserves its own post. And now is the perfect time. Any time is the perfect time, actually.

If you like solitude, as do many creative types, then the notion of joining a community may turn you off or cause you consternation or heartburn – mild or otherwise. I don’t blame you one bit. I think of myself as an independent, solitary person. I don’t generally like crowds, small groups, meetings, or networking. It’s just not my thing. I like email over phone calls. I like writing over talking. I like thinking over socializing.

So it’s strange that I’d even entertain the notion that writing or creative communities, networks, groups, socials … whatever… are good. But they are. And I can always think of 10 thousand excuses for why my schedule won’t accommodate such activities when in truth it does. And my schedule will accommodate a get-together – if it’s important enough to me. And writing is important enough.

Communities and group events, like NanoWrimo, or even online Forums, like Goodreads.com, can help ground you. When you float up into that ether space where your ideas live, you can count on a group to help you make sense of those thoughts. They can make you feel not so alone – and not so strange and crazy. Writers have this commonality – a bit of insecurity (maybe a lot of insecurity), a smidgen of doubt, a hypercritical inner editor, a sense of frustration, and a longing to be heard – that a community identifies with. As important – they can inspire you. A community gives you a sense of normalcy and also a sense that what you’re doing has a purpose that you should pursue. It matters what you write and what you do, otherwise those communities wouldn’t exist.

Not all communities are created equal and you should spend some time finding one that’s right for you. It’s not enough to join a community. Like the saying goes, “You have to give in order to receive.” Even if what you give is a look-see and find out that the community isn’t right for you – you have to give at least that much. Try out a few. If you’re a writer, check out NanoWrimo or Script Frenzy. You can also check out online forums, like Goodreads.com or LibraryThing – sites which cater to readers but also have forums for writers. You can find like-minded people on Twitter, FriendFeed, and Facebook.  Check local classes and seminars to see if other communities exist. Not all will work but if you’re lucky, you’ll find one that does.

Do you have communities/networks/forums to recommend? What are they? Leave me a note and let me know – or if you want to bounce ideas off of me, I’m always happy to listen and “commune!” Look me up :

Twitter:  TheDebster

FriendFeed: TheDebster (although I don’t spend much time here)

Facebook:  Debbie Talley

Goodreads: TheDebster (I’m new here…)

LibraryThing: DebbieT (I don’t spend much time here either)

NanoWrimo: Debster