Gearing Up For An Agent, most graciously hosted by Deana Barnhart, is now underway! I hope everyone has fun! I'm super excited and totally nervous. Sort of like that feeling you get your first day at a new school, like you're afraid you're going to trip on air and fall flat on your face in front of everyone.
But I'm safe from all that embarrassment because Deana, in all her wisdom, has made our first objective pretty simple. All we have to do is to ask a question. Really, how hard can that be for someone like me? I'm a nosy, highly opinionated individual with more to say than the day has hours. However, as is my luck, every time I searched for a good meaningful question, my head only echoed back my to do list: laundry, vacuum, mow the cursed yard. Huh. Not what I want to hear right now! (or ever)
But then I remembered a post I'd read by our dear Jane Friedman, entitled "5 Things More Important Than Talent." Number 2 on Jane's list is community, where she stresses the importance of a support network. Which got me thinking (hopefully by the end of this, my tedious to do list will be buried deep under all these more important thoughts, never to surface again) about my own support network. While I have friends and family who are encouraging, I get more of that same echo when I need serious writing help. Sure there's a smorgasbord of terrific agents and other literary professionals who kindly post great tips online, but by their very nature they are forced to be more generalized.
So, my question is this: What is the best way to reach out to other like minded writers? Both to help, and receive help?
When I first started writing, I joined a local chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I don't know whether or not you right for children, but that's the best answer I've got. Twitter is a big help, too. I've met lots of other like-minded writers and found tons of helpful links there.
ReplyDeleteJoin a blogfest like this one!
ReplyDeleteGo to Absolutewrite.com or Authonomy.com! People there at both sites need help with queries and writing (and you can get help, too!).
ReplyDeleteLike-minded writer's are a great joy to me. I started my blog last month, and I'm already wondering how I did it without this incredible community. I now know community is a MUST! And blogging is a fantastic way to do it.
ReplyDeleteWell blogging is great, blogfests like this one also great but they have been mentioned :) There is another community called she writes. I just joined, but it looks like something we are both looking for.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shewrites.com/?xg_source=badge
I joined Writers on the Move, a Virtual book tour group that host each other monthly. I got to know several authors, editors and even publishers. When I have a question, I just ask the group. I also answer others questions when I can.
ReplyDeleteI also joined a great critique group Bridging the Gap which helps with edits, critiques, and encouragement.
I think that you blog, you tweet, you FB. You buy, you promote, you review on goodreads and Amazon.
ReplyDeleteBut don't be too sad if you can't do it all. We all must stop to write sometimes ;)
I've found things like Yahoo groups, Savvy Authors.com, blogging, and The CBI clubhouse really helpful in making connections. I've also found online workshops a great way of linking up with people doing the same sort of thing too.
ReplyDeleteCommunity is key! But be sure to find people who will be honest...sometimes I find that bloggie pals can be a bit...uh, nice. I feel, that especially with writing, you need honest criticism.
ReplyDeleteLots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com
That's easy go to #MyWANA on twitter, super friendly will answer anything.
ReplyDeleteVisit other blogs and connect with like minds.
ReplyDeleteForums and blogs! I love the community on QueryTracker.com Once you find a community of people, make sure you participate. Comment on blogs. Post on forums. Respond to other people. That's how you get hooked up.
ReplyDeleteThe blogosphere. When I first started, I'd check out the blogs of the other followers. When I had a question, I'd ask on my blog. I also used Facebook to make connections.
ReplyDeleteI'm not on Twitter, but I know many people love it.
Blogging and participating in blogfests have worked the best for me so far. I try to make sure my blog does more for others than it does for me. I've asked one of my followers to do a guest blog on my site, and I've had one of my followers ask if I'll do the same on hers. When I do a book review, I let authors know I'll also be posting a review on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com as well as listing the book on my Books by Blogging Friends page of my site. Hope some of these ideas help. :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle
I have to echo what a lot of other people said and say blogfests such as this is a great way to connect. Also, Twitter is a great way to stay in the loop. ☺
ReplyDeleteBlogging has been an awesome way to connect with other writers, especially taking part in blogfests and contests. Also, an online community like Writing.com is invaluable. I have the most awesome critique group there, and I couldn't write or live without them.
ReplyDeleteIf you write for children or young adults, Verka Kay's Blue Boards are indispensable. I've offered to read for people and then had the offer extended. One of my favorite beta readers came from there, along with my crit group. I have picked up another beta reader from Twitter during a month long writing challenge when we were all cheering each other on. She reached out to me through a DM, but it's been a great experience. It is trial and error though to find people who are compatible, but every reader brings a different perspective and strength.
ReplyDeleteI think offering to read for others is the best way to cultivate readers for yourself. It takes time, but I find it strengthens me as a writer.
Coming here and reading the comments has helped a great deal! I don't have a critique group yet, but think I'm going to join one. The forums on Amazon, B&N can be helpful. That's all I've found so far. I've met some wonderful people through these forums and receive a lot of feedback from them. I would think just being out there, using social media enables all sorts of connections. Thank you for sharing this post! - Anne
ReplyDeleteUmm...Kate stole my answer, and I don't have a better one...But I agree with so much of what everyone's saying - lurk for a while in any of these online places where writers hang, start commenting, jumping into the conversation...it's the best way to find like-minded people.
ReplyDeleteI've just joined two meetup groups focused on writing. My first meeting with one was last week and it was awesome! The second group meets this weekend - I'm looking forward to it. Community matters.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to help me with this! I had no idea that there are so many resources at hand. For some reason I had it in my head that I needed to meet with a crit group in person- a resource that's unavailable to me at this time. Living in a small town sure has its drawbacks. Thank goodness for the internet!
ReplyDeleteGah! There are soooo many ways:) I could be totally general and say the internet...because everyone has their own niche with community. Some blog, some FAcebook or use Twitter, some all of the above. There are also communities like Verla Kay and SCBWI (which is so important if you write YA or children). Critique groups can also be a HUGE help and you can get very close to them. For me, I do the critique thing on Dave Farlands Writing group and Writers Block which is also a forum for writers. And I blog and Tweet every now and then. These things keep me feeling very close to all my writer buddies.
ReplyDeleteOoo, I almost forgot, writing conferences are great too!
Thanks for joining in the fest, this is a great way to meet buddies too:)
I agree with everyone else but must add:
ReplyDeleteQuery Tracker!! There's a built-in community right there. You can get query crits, first five pages crits, read comments about agents from writers in the same place you are career-wise. Plus you keep all your query stats right there, w/ dates, submissions, etc.
Also check out Agent Query. It doesn't offer as much as AQ but the community there is a little more active.
Love your site - I'm follower! Come see me at foreverrewrighting.blogspot.com.
You have been given a lot of great ideas and places to look in your comments. I have been wondering the same thing and searching for critique partners as well. You saw that on my blog. What genre do you write?
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's through the blogs, but I also use Nathan Bransford's forums a lot. For purely writing advice from an editor's perspective, go to www.annemini.com. She's brilliant, if long winded. And the agent blogs (BookEnds, QueryShark, Rachelle Gardner, Suzie Townsend, Sarah LaPolla, etc.) are full of priceless advice geared specifically to writers working to get published.
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower & fellow Blogfester.
I've found wonderful critters and writer friends just through blogging and twitter, you just have to be able to put yourself out there.
ReplyDeleteI am a newish blogger and this is all great information. Thank you all for being "real" and encouraging to one another; it's heart warming. Hope you find the perfect fit, Lindy!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Christyh9.blogspot.com (Embrace the Journey)