The town I live in is small--in population and actual size. A grocery outing is like the TV show Cheers: everyone knows your name, like it or not. One night each year during the holiday season, the town shuts down its main streets, sets up barricades manned by police cars with cheerfully flashing lights, and a huge tree, decorated by the elementary school children, is hauled in and set up right in the middle of one of the roads. There are lighted displays all up and down the street with pit fires burning brightly in the road so kids can roast marshmallows. The boutiques stay open late and serve hot cocoa and cider while people walk up and down the street, shivering in the chill and greeting each other warmly. It’s a real life Whoville celebration if ever there was one.
In a small town, no one is a stranger, unless, well, you really are a stranger. Whether it be in a church pew, the aisle of a grocery store or PTA involvement, we get to know each other. Once, on his way into school, my son’s car broke down. He putted and stuttered along frontage roads trying to make his way to the college where I worked so he could leave the car, and I could take him to school. By the time I got to work—and it's only about a 15-minute commute—I had three calls waiting for me on my work phone asking if my son was all right. People had seen his limping car and were concerned. One of the calls was from the wife of a local police officer. That evening, I reminded my son this ought to be a lesson for him: never try to get away with anything. I will know.
We are more than just a small town. We are a community--united by proximity, bonded by commonality and a sense of belonging.
The Writing Community
The writing community is a bit like my little town. The first week I wrote an article for She Writes, one of the members, Rebecca Forster, left a comment encouraging, “reach up for your dream but reach down to help someone climb.” That’s really what it’s all about, isn't it? We are a community.
In a profession that is rife with competition and where the economics of the supply and demand curve definitely weigh heavily in favor of supply, I have found writers to be extraordinarily supportive of each other.
After all, only another writer understands…
- staring at a computer for hours, trying to lasso words into meaningful and artful sentences.
- the stomach-clenching pressure of the simple question, “so what have you published lately?”
- how incredibly satisfying an acceptance for an article, short story or book is—money or not.
- how our heart sings when someone tells us, your words really spoke to me.
- the sheer joy when the muse whispers and sentences follow each other until a creation is born.
- why when people tell us once we sell a book our money worries will be over, we laugh.
Sites like She Writes help facilitate the community of support. I can’t imagine having to take the leap without the encouragement of writers like you.
Some of us are farther along the path, published and seasoned in the world of words. Others of us are new, just starting out, with barely enough faith to believe in our own gifts. Let’s remember Rebecca’s words and as we climb for our own dreams, pause to reach a hand out to help someone else along the path.
I will make this commitment to you: if you add me as a friend, jot me a note or leave me a comment, I will personally respond. I will be a venting ground for your insecurities if you need it or a one-gal cheering squad for your triumphs and successes. I will read your posts and respond to your tweets. Let’s make 2013 the best yet at She Writes. Let’s reach beyond competition, jealousy or insecurity and be the community that helps each other along generously and freely. Because together, we can and we will…
Keep writing,
Julie
Hi Julie! Thanks for this lovely post. I'm getting my first book published this year -- Fast Times in Palestine -- and things are going great, it's just a huge amount of work setting up the (five-week, mostly self-funded) tour and all that. Oh, and I'm getting married a month and a half after the tour is over. Gonna be a hectic half-year, but an exciting one!
And you're right, it's so gratifying after getting so much help along the way to be able to be that help when you meet other writers who are not quite as far along in the murky journey of writing heaven/hell... And to continue getting help from those who are yet higher up the mountain. That's what community really means: helping each other grow and be the best we can be. After all, who doesn't want to be around people who are growing and being the best they can be?
All my best to you and yours in the new year...
This article really moved me. Thanks for putting this out there. It can be so hard to plug away, day after day, only to be met with blank stares from people who aren't trying to write and publish work. It's so encouraging to hear from other writers on a daily/weekly basis.
I think you've inspired my one New Year's resolution--consistently reach out to other writers!
Hey Julie,
I can honestly say that of all people in my tribe, you're the most supportive, friendly, and keen to empathize with all writers who cross your path, blog, or barricaded street with the Christmas tree in the middle.
Your post really touched my heart. Thank you so much!
TJ-- You're a perfect example of a writer reaching a hand out. You graciously pass on what you've received from others. I know this first hand.
Susie-- I'm so glad to be a part of your writing community. You're right-- it's hard to explain to people how you can connect so closely with other writers online. It's a marvelous support system.
Julie, I live in a very small town and you even have me staring at the little photo because it sounds exactly like MY town! I also love the writing community I have found online. It is something that others cannot "get". They are shocked when I say that I truly feel love and care for these people I have never met in person!
I heart small towns. The sense of community. And how very appropriate to compare to the writing community. When I first decided to become very serious, I was clueless, terrified and convinced I did not really possess enough talent.
One blog by a wonderfully articulate author later, I began walking down a path - to find 99% of writers are committed to help others, to stand by them with hugs during down times and pom poms at the ready for every achievement - even if it is as small as getting around a speed bump. I do my very best to be supportive, always try to find a way to help others. I have made friends who don't think twice when I talk about an MC as if they are sitting next to me, understand when I want to hide under the desk, laugh at my klutz tendencies, share a glass of wine - and allow me to reciprocate.
I can't figure out why it took me so long to move into this wonderful, writer-ly community. If only the rest of humanity worked the same way :)
Hi Alexandra-- I love your perspective every time you comment. You have such thoughtful, heart-felt responses. I love how everyone has a gift to offer and like a fingerprint, no two gifts are the same. We each breath our experiences, personalities and talents into our writing. You made a great point!
Having a writing community is important in the solitary world of writing. For me my characters and my words have been my support group. Being a writer-what it entails- is not easily understood by those who do not participate in it. It is good to interact with others who live in the world of words. Sometimes you are surrounded by so many good ideas and accomplishments of others you wonder if you really do have anything to add. But then reading posts like yours and others helps me look at it from a different and hopeful perspective. We are all in this writing thing together.
Melissa-- you're the best, and I just felt hugged right back. And I love a good hug! Thanks for the affirmation. Writers make great word-huggers. (Hey-- going to make a bumper sticker with that!)
Julie, as always, your posts make me feel warm and fuzzy. They're like a big hug and I hope others will read this and feel the same sentiments. Godspeed, my friend.
Hi Barbara-- small towns come with all the good and bad implied. On the one hand, anonymity is almost impossible. On the other, knowing there is a "village" to look after your kids and deliver meals when a family member is ill is comforting. Having our comforters and cheer squad in the writing community is nice too. Good luck with your move.
I grew up in a town like you described and will be moving back to it within the next few weeks. My sister keeps reminding me 'there are few places to eat out, no place to get away from people who know you.' I've been away for more than forty years and every time I visit, I see people who barely recognize me and whom I don't recognize! It's going to be different, but I'm looking forward to the move. I love the analogy of the community; thanks for your unknown encouragement.