Writing is said to be a lonely business. But I disagree.
True, no one can write your story the way you can. You are the only one who can bring those characters within your head to life on the page. If you’re unpublished and not on deadline, it’s up to you to get that story written.
But I don’t believe we have to live up to the old writer stereotype. You know the one, a recluse writer, living alone next to his or her typewriter, the room filled with smoke from his or her last cigarette, surrounded by a stack of papers and grimy windows. If anything, we can’t afford to be that kind of writer. Readers expect to connect with the author, which is why the publishing industry pushes their authors to operate blogs, Twitter, Facebook or any other sort of social media. Plus, it makes you more accessible and more likely to sell your book if you get the word out this way.
But beyond all of those old stereotypes and modern expectations, I think it’s important for other writers to connect with other writers. They understand what it’s like to have those voices in your head at all hours of the day. They feel your pain when you are experiencing a plot hole or a particularly rough day when the words just won’t come. They can also help you see things in a new light. I know with my critique group, as well as with some of my online writer friends, they’ve helped me reevaluate where my story could use some improvement. I don’t know how many times where I’ve been stuck and a helpful suggestion from one of these writer friends has gotten me out of the hole and taken me down a path I wouldn’t have expected.
And who else can truly understand the accomplishment when you’ve made your word count for the day? 🙂
Remember–you don’t have to go it alone!
Tales from the Writing Front 
Comments on: "Connecting with Other Writers" (3)
It really is true that no one understands what you’re going through like another writer.
This is so true. When I first started cyber-talking to other writers, I felt this enormous sense of connection. My whole life I’d been someone on the edge, never really feeling a deep connection with others (even though I do love people and laughing). Writers just have a kinship that strangely enough goes beyond words. 🙂
Great post! I’m horribly guilty at becoming a recluse the moment when I really need to reach out to other writers. No matter how much I want to connect, my distrust and fear of judgement seem to override my need for understanding.
I think I need to print this post out and tape it up by my computer.
Now, I will say that I’m not guilty of sitting alone with my computer in a smoke-filled room. Rather, when I want to get a lot of writing done, I either take my laptop out in the field with my horses, or go sit at the pond under my favorite tree. Unfortunately, the drought dried up the pond, and it seems to have dried my thoughts right up with it. 😦 So, maybe I SHOULD take up smoking… (Just kidding.)