A Writing Community Will Change Your Life

Yesterday, I performed a few of my never-before-seen poems to a small crowd of people and, well, it was interesting.

We were in a courtyard, out in the open for everyone to see, and after a lot of convincing I finally got up and grabbed the mic. You see, no one screamed or foamed at the mouth or anything, but it was liberating nonetheless. Everyone watched, in silence, and paid attention to every word I had to say with interest and hunger. That's not something I've experienced...ever.

So, the whole ordeal kinda brought back to mind the importance of being a part of a community of writers. I mean, yes we can read what we have to our friends and our parents and they'll smile in support but they won't give you the satisfaction of critiques and finger-snaps from people that actually get you. So, today I think it's necessary that we talk a little about the importance of writers joining a community.

But before I get in further, welcome! If you're new here you should 100% subscribe so you can get notified every time I drop a new post just like this one! To my usual readers, welcome back! I missed you and your beautiful faces! Oh, and one last thing, be sure to tap the heart icon at the end of this post because it's free. Yeah, like $0. Try it. While you do that, this is: A Writing Community Will Change Your Life.

Takes A Village To Raise A Child

Writing can often feel like a lone sport. A one-man play. But it doesn't have to, nor should it. Being a part of a larger writing community means being able to bounce ideas off one another and discuss the struggles that not many others endure. Plus you can beta read each other's work and give advice that just comes naturally. The bond you can build with other writers can last forever and it guarantees you'll always have someone to call up every time your draft makes you want to throw yourself into a wood-chipper (been there).

Networking

Also, the clear upside when you meet other writers is that doors will begin to open for you. There are many instances where writers throw in a good word for other writers to help get their foot in the door. Not to mention, by being involved in the community it'll be that much easier to find graphic designers, editors, beta readers and even widen your own reading audience. Now don't get me wrong, you should not seek out other writers just because its beneficial. Seek them out because they are like you. All the benefits are just icing, if they happen at all.

The New Age

With the emergence of social media, finding a writing community has become that much easier. I think because many of us are introverted, we naturally flock to the best substitute for actual social interaction. Sad, but true.

So here are a few key social media apps you need to have if you're a lone wolf that wants to join a pack:

Wattpad: Well, duh. I've been on Wattpad for ages but I didn't start to really connect with the community until I started writing later on. Wattpad is a great space that is literally built for community involvement. There's the forums, book clubs, competitions and even just making friends in the comment section is easy. If you're still hesitant about getting Wattpad, don't be.

Twitter- Perhaps my favourite social media app solely because of the wit of its users, Twitter is the home to many writers. As in, it's the go-to. Writers generally lean toward Twitter becuase it's a space where words are glorified and shared. People go on Twitter to read. So, if you're a writer and you still don't have Twitter, you're like Dumbledore without a wand (capable, but still really lacking).

Instagram- Where aesthetically pleasing feeds are all the rage, Instagram has kinda made itself a home for the more artistic ones of us. Not to mention, InstaPoetry is everything these days. I've actually met a lot of cool writers on Instagram, they're supportive and really nice, even though sometimes it feels like the algorithm is working against us.

If It Ain't Broke...

The original places still work, readers. Social media isn't the key to being social. It's a tool we use to help us, but it cannot monopolize out social interactions. Just in case your forget that, let me jog your memory.

The Library- How'd you think they did it before the internet. In fact if you go the library now, you're way more assured to find another book lover because no one goes there for research anymore. Everything has been digitized. So, if you walk into a bookstore and you see someone browsing for books, you've found a real one, my friend.

Book stores- So your local library is collecting dust. I get that. But your local bookstore? That can never be defeated. It is practically crawling with book worms, just search for the person muttering to themselves while looking a shelf up and down. If you're living in Jamaica, I highly recommend Bookophilia, they're a cafe/bookstore and it's catered to fiction so you're destined to find readers and writers just like you (no this isn't sponsored, but I wish it was).

Conclusion

It's really hard to explain but every writer needs that family they can rely on. If you want to be great at what you do, you cant expect to do it alone. Think of all the acknowledgements you read the end of novels, there are a lot of people behind a good writer.

If you guys agree with all this be sure to drop a like by clicking that little heart icon below and feel free to leave a comment letting me know about your own experiences being a part of a writing community.

Lastly, don't forget to follow me on Wattpad to read all my works (Wicked, Wild, Wonderful is back and upload are ever Friday) and Twitter and Instagram where I occasionally rant, share music and discuss the pains of being a creator.

P.S. Today's aesthetic is brought to us by thezavarka