Writing is a
solitary occupation. Unless you’re co-writing a book, a writer must tackle the
project alone, getting words on paper/screen until the work is done. Then comes
the polishing and the submission process, which is also essentially something
that is done alone.
If you’re
feeling alone or lacking support from your nearest and dearest joining a
writing community is the answer.
So why do I think writing communities
are so great?
1. Networking
– a community gives you the chance to meet likeminded people who are going
through exactly the same trials as you. They “get” what you go through during
the writing of a book.
2. Opportunities
to attend conferences – writing communities often organize conferences with
guest speakers and more opportunities to network with other writers. These
conferences can be either in person or online.
3. Opportunities
to pitch to agents and editors.
4. Market
information – Communities pool information and are excellent places to learn
about the various publishers or self-publishing.
5. Opportunities
to learn with online classes
6. Opportunities
to learn from guest speakers
7. Making
friends and finding critique partners
But I can’t afford to join a
community. What then?
While it’s
true that communities like Romance Writers of America and the RWA chapters cost
money to join, but there are others out there that are free or have a basic level of membership that is free.
Check out:
Absolute Write and the Absolute Write Water Cooler Forum—lots of information for writers
of all genres.
Romance Divas – mainly for romance writers. The Divas forum
is periodically closed to new members, so you might need to check back. Lots of
market information for traditional and self-published authors.
Savvy Authors – they have basic membership for free and
premium membership for $30 per year. They run excellent online courses and have
lots of opportunities to pitch to editors and agents.
Other writing
communities
Romance Writers of America - This is the biggest community if you're a romance writer. Once you join the RWA you can also join your local chapter or a special interest chapter as well.
If you live in Australia, Britain or New Zealand all have
groups especially for romance writers.
Romance Writers of Australia http://www.romanceaustralia.com/
Romance Writers of New Zealand http://www.romancewriters.co.nz/
Romance Novelists Association http://www.rna-uk.org/
Are you a
member of a writing community? If so, which one and what made you join?
Shelley Munro lives in New Zealand
with her husband and a rambunctious puppy. Her next release is Past Regrets, an
erotic contemporary romance from Samhain Publishing. If you would like to learn
more about Shelley and her books visit her website at www.shelleymunro.com
4 comments:
Great list of resources, I'm sure they will come in handy to writer's looking for that information.
In addition to our group, I've joined Writers Write and Crime Fiction on Linkedin and writersweekly.com (submissions for magazines) Im never lonely when I'm writing--find the characters too interesting.
Thanks, Mary!
Elise - it's when the writing isn't going well that we need our writer friends. :)
Thanks for sharing the great list of resources for writers...I use Savvy Authors and love it there.
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