The Pro’s & Con’s: Moving in Writing Circles

This is a touchy topic. In fact, we can consider it  as the “elephant in the room.” It’s something that all writers, new or old, experience but will never really discuss it in open circles. When you begin to take your writing to the next level by making it a career, you try to find Writing Circles which you hope will put you in contact with other writers, tips, tricks and anything else which will help you succeed.  In time you learn the harsh reality that nearly every single one of us has come to face. “Its best to keep it professional, detach yourself and stay at a distance.” Because if you don’t, you soon learn that a great majority of time, it can become a dream killer and bitter pool of snarky remarks.

Perfect example…

 

A new writer asked for permission to post about a contest that he or she was nominated for. The writing circle she posted in is set up strictly for just that. To help writers reach readers, work PR (promo) and to help each other become known by teaming up for giveaways, tagging, blogs and so forth.

Now to the new writer, this contest was a big deal. In fact, it had her on a mile high. Someone NOMINATED her which was like hitting the lottery. As a writer you become thankful for every little thing. Someone who read her book, nominated her and that meant, SOMEONE not only READ her book but they LIKED it enough to nominate her. You can’t beat that.

So she did the polite thing, she asked but instead of getting a direct answer, yes or no, the messages in this circle became bombarded with the moral opinions concerning contests themselves and, to my shock, someone even mentioned ‘trolling for votes.’

Not only did they burst the new and excited bubble of someone who was experiencing something new, a contest with moral BS but those writers who were destroying his or her “moment” was forgetting a cold hard fact which made their trolling theory look utterly ridiculous in my eyes. The writing circle I am speaking about was CREATED to help writers endorse, sell, and advertise their work. Trolling can not be used to accuse someone of concerning votes, no more than it can be accused for “sales” or “selling” or “Promotion.” When you ask the more experienced writers for tips on how they get their name out there to readers, their answer is, always look for opportunities to “plug” your work. Meaning, if you can join a place which allows you to advertise, do it. If you join a place and someone shows an interest in a genre you write, announce it.  So considering that modo, how this new writer could be condemned or belittled because she/he was excited about a contest, completely floors me.

Then I remembered. I remembered why it is I avoid many writing circles. I stay in the ones which keeps me informed of the publishing world, like Mike’s Writing Group on Yahoo but other than than, I avoid, avoid, avoid. Mike, although I don’t know him personally, runs a tight shift. He doesn’t allow things to get personal. He doesn’t get involved but he stops anything which screams trouble. News which we need as writer’s gets posted. Information concerning publishers, promo ideas, critique (needing and giving) gets sent through. But the cutting down or killing of a writer’s “moment” doesn’t.

In many other places, writer’s on their own, can become a place of trouble. It’s as though we soon forget that hey, we were once there to or hey, this person is trying to advance. Maybe some writers join these groups or circles just to smash another writer’s self esteem or to rid themselves of competition. Maybe they get so caught up in the competition or the difficult road of getting your mark in the publishing world, that they turn bitter. I really don’t know the reasons. I just felt it important to blog about it.

 

So, find a legit and respectful writing group or circle BUT do not allow yourself to be affected by the ugliness that sometimes turns up in them. You need to be apart of one site which will keep you informed of what is happening in the writing world. You need to gain tips and knowledge so that you can succeed. But do not allow someone else to drag you down. You will make it! Determination and always trying to approve will get you there. Enjoy your moments! Don’t let anyone rain on your parade.