OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
I love the community we have as writers online. I find it tremendously supportive to know you are all out there, and that we can share our lessons learned along the way. I primarily connect with writers through blogging and twitter, but have also transitioned into the ‘real world' at publishing events and also with the Alliance of Independent Authors. I'm sure you have your ways of connecting too. In this guest blog post Tina Blain talks about the many resources available to make writing a more sociable pursuit.
Connecting writers together
As writers, we can spend a lot of time focusing on how to connect with our readers.
This makes perfect sense as we want our readers to enjoy our work, recommend it to others and be inspired to read even more and undoubtedly a good connection with a reader can achieve this.
But what about connecting with other writers? Where' s the value in that?
In short, there are loads of benefits to surrounding yourself with other writers. You can share ideas and stories, get advice on things that you're struggling with and tips on where to find useful resources – all of which can positively affect your inspiration and motivation to write.
The main difficulty here is creating an authentic connection in often quite a short space of time (and word limit if you are connecting through social media!).
However, it can be done! Here are a few of my suggestions on how to get started.
1. Master social networking
Engaging in social networking is great first step to connecting with other writers.
Have a look on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn for your favourite writers profiles and use them as a tool to discover and meet new writers through the pages or groups that they offer.
I find that the best first step in initiating contact with a writer is to offer something – appreciation is a good start!
2. Comment on an authors' blog posts
As you have discovered through the www.thecreativepenn.com, there are some really useful, interesting and inspiring authors' websites out there.
Commenting on an author's blog post can be a great way to initiate contact with an author.
I would recommend contributing a useful comment, such as asking a follow-up question to the post or referring to something particular in the post that you liked and why.
Not only will this put you higher on the author's radar and more and likely to interact with you, it also gives other readers of the post something to build on and it may generate a dialogue between several writers.
3. Join an online writing forum
Personally I find online writing forums a really valuable resource for my writing. I particularly like their search function so I can easily find answers and advice on lots of different topics.
You can also post questions yourself and have other members comment on them. Members are usually a mix of published and non-published authors, complete beginners etc. So you can get a wide variety of perspectives on your issue and answers to your question.
4. Go to a local writing event
Are there any writing events happening in your area? For example, a book festival, a book launch, a writers festival, workshops on how to plan a novel or how to improve editing skills, a writers meet-up etc.
There are loads of benefits to the online writing community but sometimes it can be nice to have a good old face-to-face conversation and get away from your computer screen.
Local universities with Creative Writing programs, libraries and local newspapers are a good place to start looking out for writing events in your area.
5. Attend a free online writing seminar
Free online writing seminars or web conferences are another way that you can connect with other writers and hear from an author and ask them questions.
Usually you just have to register for the seminar or web conference in advance and then sign into the seminar with your login details at the specified time.
The tricky part is finding out when they are happening! So simply search the internet every now and then for ‘free online writing seminars/classes' and see what comes up.
It's important to remember though that to build authentic connections with writers, you need to have a mutual and regular exchange of information. This is quite different from connecting with a reader as they read your latest book.
How do you connect with other writers? Please do leave a comment.
Bio: Tina is passionate about writing and communicating ideas. She is the creator of the StorySimplicity free email series, designed to help writers finish the story that they've always wanted to write. More information about Tina's email series can be found at StorySimplicity.com
Image: Flickr CC / rent-a-moose
Good suggestions, Joanna. I heavily engage in the first two; but hugely celebrate #3 because of the take/make dynamic of helping. Helping other writers is intrinsically valuable and is a great method for personal branding.
Writers should not underestimate the slightest of social media notions. Personal example: I was led here by the tweet of another writer, who I began following because he was thoughtful enough to read and comment on one of my posts to start… One small notion of connection could flourish into a standing professional relationship, which is good on a personal and community level.
Thanks Anthony, and you demonstrate how social works with connections – it’s hard to quantify the benefits but it certainly snowballs over time. It’s amazing how people find their way here 🙂
I find this post very interesting because I just met a new writer not too long ago who had no idea about ebook publishing, print on demand or smashwords. He felt so grateful for all the information given to him and that he’d check out all of them. I, of course mentioned the creative penn with great enthusiasm and he checked out your blog right away! 🙂
I’m going to try the forum idea because people keep talking about it but I had no idea what it meant. Thanks so much Tina and Joanna
It’s amazing what information can pass us by sometimes when we are focusing on other things! One forum that I use and can recommend to try out is http://www.writingforums.org.
Does anyone know a good friendly writers forum community to join?
KindleBoards has a good writers area – I keep meaning to spend more time there but struggle. It’s specifically Kindle focused but lots of networking opportunities.
http://www.writingforums.org is worth checking out.
Thank you both 🙂
I found a really great group of chick lit authors by #ing my genre on Twitter. It lead me to an ongoing discussion that happens each week and now we have a closed FB group so we can talk more. It’s got some reviewers, readers and authors in it but we all love the genre and share our thoughts etc there. Maybe your genre has something similar?
These are great tips because it’s easy to feel alone in this business. I’d recommend attending a writing conference if that’s feasible or joining a local writing group where you can get face-to-face time with other writers.
Thanks for the article. It places the author relationship into a colleague category, where authors work alongside each other in the same field, supporting each other, as compared to a competitive one, where we’re vying “for the same job.” It is so much preferable to be colleagues and learn from each other, helping each other grow in our writing and also providing support along the way, than to hold back for fear someone else might do better than us.
I have written three novels and a poetry book, and over the years, have connected with several authors. Where did I meet them? At writing conferences, book fairs, writing workshops, and even through my church. Online websites like http://www.writing.com and http://www.youwriteon have been particularly useful because authors on those sites have critiqued my work, and have given me opportunities to read their stories as well.
I competely agree that a supportive working environment is much better than a competitive one! Thanks for sharing the links to the websites you like too, really useful and I hadn’t heard of them before, so a perfect example of why it’s good to connect with other writers!
Patty, thanks again for bringing me into this site and its wonderful tips!
I am still working on my first book. My manuscript is actually edited right now. It is about one specific year in my life as I go through the seasons trying to handle the challenges and hurdles the many lessons I learn the beauty I enjoy. I draw from memories, summer in Greece and the Greek diet, vent through poems, and nurture body and soul and those around me.
Actually I need feedback on one chapter and I would like to have some one of my Greek and religious background to help me with it. Would you read it and give me some feedback? If yes, where do I send it? My email address again is katiakanzia@msn.com. You can let me know there.
Thanks again! Have a great week!
Katina
I’m in a writers group which chats online and meets IRL once a month. I also love meeting other writers through blogging.
I read once on a blog that you shouldn’t put too much effort into your connections with other writers if you’re blogging to sell your books – but I totally disagree. My two reasons for doing so are talking with other writers gives you great connections and many learning experiences and if writers aren’t readers who is? Needless to say I ignored that bit of advice.
You’ve also reminded me to check out the Byron Bay Writers Festival – they should be announcing the program soon!
Byron Bay writers is good but it does focus on physical books, unless they have changed tack recently. I also sometimes find established festivals quite snooty about self-published authors – but again, the stigma is changing too… I do love Byron though:)
I grew up on a farm not far from Byron Bay, so it’s a great excuse to ‘go home’. They probably will stay a bit snooty about self- publishing for a while, but it’s still great to learn and network and eventually they’ll realise that not all self-published works are sub-standard, that in fact there’s an amazing amount of quality stories out there.
Unfortunately, I finish writing my manuscript without telling anyone that I was writing. Now that I decided to publish, I see how much I have missed by not opening up to others, especially other authors. I became a member of the Author Learning Center and it is unbelievable how many things I have learned in just one month and connected to great aouthors. My first attempt to connect outside the Center was throu Twitter and web sites where in only a couple of weeks have “met” interesting and wonderful people who share information and offer help. Actually, I found out about this article from a fellow Twitter who post it.
Tina, I found your post very interesting, informative, and useful…not sure however how the forums work. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Looking forward to your other posts!
It’s definitely worth connecting Katina, and we all need more eyes on our work. You should be getting a pro-editor if you’re publishing yourself as well. It all helps improve the writing.
Thank you Joanna very much for replying to me! We absolutely do need objective and constractive criticism! My friends, however, tell me what I want to hear and I am affraid to show to “strangers” because of what they might “tell” me. I do have a professional editor who is editing my manuscript right now and, anxiously, I am waiting for her comments and suggestions. Are you a new author or have you already published any books?
My best to you! K
Hi Katina, I have 2 novels that have sold over 38,000 copies as an indie author as well as a couple of non-fiction books. You can check out my fiction site here:
http://www.JFPenn.com
I wouldn’t be blogging about these things without actually being a writer – it wouldn’t be right!
Hi Joanna, Thanks for keeping in touch! I am so new at this that I feel limited and powerless, especially when I meet authors of your caliber. I don’t know what am I doing here, I am out of my league, trying to publish and promote a book that came out of nowhere and was only intented originally for my eyes and than for my family and friends. What I am saying is that I am so overwhelmed that lately I feel numb especially since my editor hasn’t come back with her comments. I will get over it.
Any way your book looks very interesting. Is it proper for young readers? My grandson, age 12..reading on 16…would have a field with it. As for me, right now I am just trying to stay afloat with too many things on my plate, but I will definitely have it in mind and I will tweet it to my friends.
Thanks for your comment Katina.
The forum I use the most is http://www.writingforums.org. Basically, you create a free account and then you start engaging in the forum. In this one, discussions are categorised into writing issues such as publishing, character development, plot development, setting development etc. You can also search for a topic to find older posts that might be relevant to your issue or you can post a question/post yourself for others to comment on.
You can also just google ‘writing forums’ to see what other forums are around.
Tina, thanks for the suggestions! I will definitely try this link.
I am having fun and learning tons from connecting with other writers through their blogs…like Joanna…and now you Tina:) However I don’t think I’ve tried an online writing forum before. Do you have specific examples of where I’d find that? I am a member of ACFW’s online critique and the historical author’s critique loop…so that’s been a big help. I’ve never tried an online writing forum before…so I’ll need to find that.
Thanks for the very helpful post, Tina:)
Hi Lorna. Thanks for your comment, I’m glad you like the post! For a start I can recommend http://www.writingforums.org.
I’m very lucky. Calgary has an excellent RWA chapter and our loop is worth the price of membership. We’re blessed with a wealth of information and the norm is to share and celebrate and inform. it’s wonderful.
i’m a member of a number of yahoo groups, I blog, I do social media and attend workshops our chapter sponsors (Michael Hauge last weekend) as well as a conference a year for networking.
oh yeah, and I work full time.
as I write this, i’m thinking “it’s no wonder i’m so busy” LOL
I have just published a romance novel about cultural and parental values versus love. It’s been wonderful using social media, especially Twitter and the Creative Penn to find other self-published authors/ blogs and learn about their experiences. I’ve learnt and read so much from like-minded people. As an Asian author, I’d love to share and hear from other authors. There has to be a balance with social media and writing though, as the former eats into writing time. So, I prefer Twitter – you can follow and be followed by followers who give you links to other blogs and who link to your links. We all end up being a supportive community. Mind you, I found the Creative Penn on the yahoo forums – so check them out too:)
ooh, exciting – I’m not sure how I got onto Yahoo forums, some lovely person must have shared the site there. It is indeed a marvellous global online world.
Alison, I am really interested in how the book markets in Asia differ from Europe and USA, so if you ever want to write a guest article, you’d be welcome.!
A great article and so true. I merely nudged an idea through updating my Twitter profile and have received wonderful offers of support.
Great! Brilliant result 🙂
Nice post, Joanna, and great reminders too. Kindleboards and Goodreads are both excellent networking sites, and I would imagine PubIt! has its own version too. And just showing up on a blog and commenting slowly builds a base too. I too, was led here via a tweet.
Best wishes in all your endeavors!
A great post. Reminded me that I hav yet to seek out a writing forum or two – something I have been meaning to do for ages. I will start with your suggestion Tina, thank you very much.
I must say, tweeting about writing and engaging with writers via social media is a real motivator. It helps mould you mindset which is another aspect that does not get talked about as much.
Thanks Matt. Hope you find the forum a useful tool, it would be good to hear your feedback.
Love this article!.. Personally, I am using the numbers 1 and 2 on your suggestions. Using social media is really a great way to know other authors. When it comes to the second suggestion, this currently what I am doing right now.. 🙂
Thanks Tina!
I’ve never used to comment on blogs and connect with bloggers because I’ve always feared that my comments are pointless and will be rejected! But I’ve been hearing more and more about the blogging community and I wanna be involved!
Now I know where to start! (:
It’s always good to connect Dinah – otherwise no one knows you’re there! welcome to the community.
Thank you for the tips. I just added you to my blogroll.
Hi Joanna,
I agree with you when you say you must focus on connecting with other writers as well as readers. I think it’s important to remember there is a potential opportunity for something good to happen if you connect with people. You must consider every avenue for opportunity. Last year I connected with a great editor from New Jersey. I took the chance to network with him because he seemed to be my sort of person. I didn’t consider for one moment that he would end up buying my book – that’s not why I networked with him. Now, after a year, he’s bought my book and will potentially edit the next one!