Toi here and welcome back to Lit Carnivale.
Today, I want to talk about finding a writer support system.
If you’re tuning in from Substack, be sure to check out today’s poll.
1. Community and support systems are not the same, though they could be. It’s possible to be part of a community and not be engaged with it simply by existing. I write therefore I am a writer; thus, I’m part of the writing community. So then, the question is, how do I take being part of the writing community and turn it into a support system? I’ll get to that in a moment but first, let focus on the community aspect.
2. Community comes from some aspect of common ground. It could be geographical, cultural, communicative, common interest or more. Writing makes me part of the writing community, but it doesn’t mean that I’m active in that community. To be active in the writing community I must do one of two things. 1) I must share what I’m writing. That doesn’t mean I have to pursue publishing, but I do have to put my writing in front of other people. I could publish, or I could share what I’ve written in a class or a club or on social media. 2) Advocate for the act of writing. This could be anything from showing up to local writer gatherings, networking with published writers, encouraging a friend to write a letter or poem just for fun, taking or buying a writing class, and so much more. As writer, you can do or simply one of these and better connected with the larger writing community.
3. There are two single activities that take a writing community to the next level and make it a support system. 1) Reading the work of other writers. Again, this isn’t about setting a yearly reading goal to complete a certain number of books, but it is about sharing in someone’s vulnerability and offering feedback, whether casual or more formal. You can critique or beta read for another writer, or you could simply leave a positive comment on a social media post. It’s really about engaging with someone else’s writing in the manner that works best for you. 2) Share your experiences and allow others share theirs with you. Talking about your interest, your struggles, and your triumphs with writing and allowing others to do the same, is what takes this to the next level.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have found a writing community and support systems, both online and my local community. I follow and support other writers online and offer my blog and podcasts as outlets to promote other writers. Locally, I attend writerly gathering, author vendor events, and even take classes. My most recent endeavor, has been to take my online support group and bring into the real world. Be sure to check my social media links if you’d like to learn more.
Question: Do you have a writer support system? I’d love to know. How did you find it? Where and when do you all me. Have you found it helpful. I know it’s made a difference for me.
If you, or someone you know, is an author or aspiring writer interested in being featured on a podcast, please click my Be Featured links on social media to learn more.
Until next time, stay safe, keep reading, and be blessed.
Credits
Lit Carnivale Season 1, Episode 15.
Staring Toi Thomas.
Featuring no one else at this time.
Topics Discussed: Writer community vs support system.
Produced by Toi Thomas in association with The ToiBox of Words and Lit Carnivale.
Directed by Toinette “Toi” Thomas.
Thanks again to the Lit Carnivale Community at Substack, YouTube, and wherever you can hear this podcast.
Your book fandom is here!
