This is the final part of this month's newsletter series on "balance". You can find the earlier newsletters here:
Writing is
very much a solitary act. I don't know about you, but I find it very hard to write creatively if I feel overlooked – I feel very uncomfortable at the idea of someone reading my scrappy, raw first draft material while I'm trying to get it down!
Most – though certainly not all – of the writers I know are introverts. That doesn't necessarily mean they're shy or dislike spending time with other people, but like me, they get their energy from time spent alone with their own
thoughts – and while they might enjoy the company of others, they can also find it draining.
Even if you're someone who enjoys a lot of time on your own with your words, being a writer can seem a bit too lonely at times. If you don't have any other writers in your immediate family or circle of friends, you may feel that no-one really "gets" what writing means to you ... and you may wish you had more support, both emotional and practical.
If you
feel that bringing other writers into the mix would help you find a better balance, you might consider:
#1: Joining – or Starting! – a Writers' Group
Meeting with fellow writers, ideally to workshop whatever you're currently working on, is a fantastic way to boost your skills and to enjoy the company of other people who value writing. If there isn't a local group that you can
join, you could get involved with an online one – or start a group in your area. (I'll be blogging about writers' groups and how to start one in a couple of weeks.)
The friendships you form through a writers' group could lead to closer writing alliances: in the past, I've swapped manuscripts with other writers' group members and we've beta-read one another's work.
#2: Helping Fellow Writers with Their
Work
I've been blogging since 2008, and in that time, I've met many lovely and generous fellow bloggers. Often, I've guest posted on other people's sites: a win for everyone, as it means they get a post they didn't have to write themselves, and I get more readers and attention!
Whatever type of writing you do, there'll be opportunities to co-operate with other writers for everyone's benefit. For instance, you might team up with other
poets or short story writers to do a public reading, or you might run a joint blog with another writer (or two or three).
#3: Writing at the Same Time as Other Writers
If you struggle with motivation or finding the time to write, it can be surprisingly encouraging to write alongside other people. You can all work on completely different things – you're simply getting together at a specific time to
write.
This might be in person or online, perhaps through Twitter or Facebook. You might do write at the same time as one friend, for a specific "writing hour" once a week ... or you might get together with a big group and write all day, once or twice a year. Whatever works for you!
All of us need time alone in order to create. But we also need the support and fellowship of other writers. If your writing life is missing that right
now, pick one of the ideas above to try as soon as possible ... and feel free to email me to let me know how you got on. :-)
