Hi, writers. So, I go on AWWC sparingly and irregularly not because I dislike the community but because I feel isolated and out of place. I'm posting this thread because I'm a writer of YA in her 20's who doesn't have anyone to talk to about writing, especially YA. I'm wondering how you all meet other writers and, more importantly, how your online acquaintances turn into bona fide friendships. To be honest, I'm at a very lonely point in my life and I will gratefully accept any advice you have to give. Thanks!!
Networking in YA-- a call for help
- Thread starter sincerely_anna
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My local writer friends have come about through supporting each other with blog comments/Twitter conversations until we decided to meet in real life. I also joined a Facebook group for local writers in my area and attend occasional readings, SCBWI cons and other events.
I have a tough time now that I have a baby and need to get back into socializing myself, but that's how I've gotten to know people in the past.
I have a tough time now that I have a baby and need to get back into socializing myself, but that's how I've gotten to know people in the past.
Well here is a great place to meet other YA writers and talk about writing and such. I've met several great writers who I now chat with on twitter, ect. I find I meet beta readers here and they turn into internet friends.
I'd be more than happy to chat or email back and forth if you want to talk about writing (I never shut up about it). Message me on here and we can swap emails, if you're interested.
Well, I'm not actually friends with anyone here but I treat them all like my friends anyway because I feel like we are all family since we are writers. You should come here more often! Everyone is very nice and you will definitely feel included and less lonely!
Becca C.
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Seconded! We're very nice people here
I've met a couple good writerly friends on AW that I keep in touch with on Facebook as well, so it's a great place to meet other writers. I've never met writers I've clicked with in real life as much as I have with the people here.
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I fully sympathise, large writing forums can be quite daunting. But all I can suggest is that you get stuck in. Concentrate on the areas that are of most relevance to you. Most of my online friendships were forged through exchange of critique so I would recommend you try that aspect of the forums. You'll probably find you learn a lot as well.
There are two ways it happens for me: either meeting on a forum followed by online contact under our own names (emailing drafts to each other or becoming Facebook friends) followed by meeting up in real life, or else chatting online then meeting at an open meet-up and then staying in touch. (I've never been to an AW meet-up but I believe they exist.)
It does take time though. Be patient.
It does take time though. Be patient.
I've made friends here. I also joined Twitter and made friends that way. I went to some local SFF conventions and made more friends that way. And I'm in my 20s, too!
In person, I have two friends and we all started writing together on Tuesday evenings. It's really cemented our friendship.
In person, I have two friends and we all started writing together on Tuesday evenings. It's really cemented our friendship.
I just joined, so I haven't built much here, but on other communities, I just communicate directly with writers. On Twitter I comment on people's posts and join big chats, like #YALITCHAT or #blogchat or something like that. On my website, I blog several times a day and do my best to respond to commenters. I will go on the Wordpress Reader, read people's stuff, and leave comments. I form bonds that way. So I suppose what you can do here is just comment on threads, give out rep points, perhaps direct message a person when you like something he/she has posted. It's all about giving back and expecting nothing in return.
I think most of us have been in that place where we were a bit overwhelmed by everything going on at AW and weren't sure where to jump in.
I recommend hanging out here, and commenting on the threads. Join in on the Old People Writing for Teens thread (we're really anything not a teen, so 20s counts as "old"). Other than my CP (who I met in the beta reader thread), the people I am closest to on the board I met through OPWFT.
Other ways to get involved: critique over in the YA SYW forum, offer your thoughts in the Sandbox, hang out over in the Movies/TV forum and discuss your favorite shows, comment in Politics & Current Events if you're politically minded, or cheer people on Goals and Accomplishments. Basically, the more you post and talk to people, the more you'll get to know each other.
Twitter is great for interacting with other writers too. Most people have their handle in their AW signature. Before I signed with an agent, I participated in writing contests and interacted with the other writers involved on Twitter and their blogs. (For example, this year, I'm not in the Writer's Voice contest on Cupid's Literary Connection, but I'm following the action, added the writers on Twitter, and am trying to stay connected).
It takes some time to build the connections, but don't give up!
I recommend hanging out here, and commenting on the threads. Join in on the Old People Writing for Teens thread (we're really anything not a teen, so 20s counts as "old"). Other than my CP (who I met in the beta reader thread), the people I am closest to on the board I met through OPWFT.
Other ways to get involved: critique over in the YA SYW forum, offer your thoughts in the Sandbox, hang out over in the Movies/TV forum and discuss your favorite shows, comment in Politics & Current Events if you're politically minded, or cheer people on Goals and Accomplishments. Basically, the more you post and talk to people, the more you'll get to know each other.
Twitter is great for interacting with other writers too. Most people have their handle in their AW signature. Before I signed with an agent, I participated in writing contests and interacted with the other writers involved on Twitter and their blogs. (For example, this year, I'm not in the Writer's Voice contest on Cupid's Literary Connection, but I'm following the action, added the writers on Twitter, and am trying to stay connected).
It takes some time to build the connections, but don't give up!
Twitter's been a good resource, especially with #YALitChat because you get writers who are all in different parts of their journey: newbies, veterans, published, unpublished, self-published, agented, unagented, the list goes on and on. You'll see the same people circling around for a while. Follow them. Interact.
Blogs are helpful, but I don't think they're as necessary as they were a few years ago. That said, I have connected with other writers by commenting on their posts and then recognizing them elsewhere online.
After I signed with my agent, I began building relationships with my agency siblings. Of my critique partners and beta readers, I've only met a few in person. Most came via the Internet. It takes time, but after a while, it becomes less about networking and more about supporting other writers and receiving support in turn.
Blogs are helpful, but I don't think they're as necessary as they were a few years ago. That said, I have connected with other writers by commenting on their posts and then recognizing them elsewhere online.
After I signed with my agent, I began building relationships with my agency siblings. Of my critique partners and beta readers, I've only met a few in person. Most came via the Internet. It takes time, but after a while, it becomes less about networking and more about supporting other writers and receiving support in turn.
Yes, come hang out in the Old People thread with us!
Ways other than AW? Comment on people's blogs you enjoy, get on twitter, go to conferences or workshops, join your local writers groups, join national writers groups like SCBWI or RWA.
Writing is such a solitary activity that I think a lot of us crave the interaction of having writer friends, especially since writing seems such an odd or boring or frivolous thing to "outsiders." (Take a look at the Stupid Things Non-Writers Say thread.)
Ways other than AW? Comment on people's blogs you enjoy, get on twitter, go to conferences or workshops, join your local writers groups, join national writers groups like SCBWI or RWA.
Writing is such a solitary activity that I think a lot of us crave the interaction of having writer friends, especially since writing seems such an odd or boring or frivolous thing to "outsiders." (Take a look at the Stupid Things Non-Writers Say thread.)
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AW is a fab place to meet people. I've made several friends here, some turned into critique partners, some I've met IRL--and I'm not even all that active on the forums!
I would also suggest Twitter. Start following people you see here who seem cool, start chatting, see who other people are chatting with... you'll build up a network in no time at all.
I would also suggest Twitter. Start following people you see here who seem cool, start chatting, see who other people are chatting with... you'll build up a network in no time at all.
I've been doing the whole "blogging and networking" thing for a year now, and I still haven't figured this out. I've thought about commenting on more threads/posts, and then realized it was stupid to comment on anything unless I had something to say.
Most days, the internet feels like a black hole. I guess that's what RL friends are for, right? *awkward laugh*
Seconding the Twitter suggestions - it's a really solid place to find people you'd get along with well, since you get a good sense of who they are from their tweets.
But I think the best way to turn writer-acquaintances into writer-friends is to offer to beta their writing when they need it (or see if they'd be willing to to beta yours). It's easier to connect with someone when you're both collaborating on an MS! And if it goes well, you can start a critique partner relationship with that person.
I'm pretty shy in real life and that translates into online life more than people think, so I feel ya. Shoot me a PM or an email if you want to chat! I always love talking to people about writing.
But I think the best way to turn writer-acquaintances into writer-friends is to offer to beta their writing when they need it (or see if they'd be willing to to beta yours). It's easier to connect with someone when you're both collaborating on an MS! And if it goes well, you can start a critique partner relationship with that person.
I'm pretty shy in real life and that translates into online life more than people think, so I feel ya. Shoot me a PM or an email if you want to chat! I always love talking to people about writing.
I only just joined the AW but I end up being such a lurker because I read through threads and go, 'Yup, that's what I was gonna say,' 'That's what I wish I said!' + "Damn! I would NEVER say that' and I feel like I have friends when I totally don't. Hmm...the last bit is basically every writer's life story.
Also, I need to join Twitter!!!
Also, I need to join Twitter!!!
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Ha ha ha I'm with you all the way there Elle. Each time I spot a thread that I might have something useful to contribute to all the good advice has already been given!
Thank you everyone for the kind words and suggestions. Let me also offer up my inbox on AW for writerly (or other) conversations. Many of you will be hearing from me!
First of all,
Secondly, all the friends I've made on here (and I've made a couple good ones, including a critique partner who is literally made of gold) I've made by putting myself out there. Things like going on the SYW threads and, if I see something I like, saying, "Hi, I'd like to beta this." Or if I post a thread and someone gives a really good critique, I say, "Hi, will you please oh please beta my manuscript?"
Thirdly: In my day-to-day life, I'm a bookseller at an independent bookshop. I meet a lot of (famous and wannabe) writers that way. Just talk to people. Anyone. Everyone. Even (read: especially) if you think you might sound dumb (I say silly things all. The. Time.) And that doesn't mean you have to be a bookseller to meet people. Go places where people like books. These are Your People.
And this isn't just in writing. This is in life. Good luck
!
Yes to everything said above especially SCBWI. Adding, talk to your librarians and the folks at your bookstore. You may not be the only lonely YA writer in your neck of the woods.
I've felt the same about AW at times. I love it but it's just so damn big. And a lot of people know each other already so it's hard to stand out and make friends unless you're a naturally lovable/funny person. But then I started doing blog contests, met some awesome friends and found a HUGE community of writers. I'll give you some links of great blogs but first the real gold- and this has been said in almost every post above-- TWITTER. Seriously, I never used it until I started doing contests now I follow all writers, (published and not. It's amazingly inspiring to watch their journeys. Many of my friends are now agented or contracted) agents and editors. Honestly, I'm kind of obsessed. (Follow me @trombolii if you want to. If you have a query ready novel there is so much going on. Including a twitter pitch session on the 28th. If not It's fun to cheer others on and will inspire you to get ready)
Brenleedrake.blogspot.com is the best blog for contests, she has one going on now.
Yamisfits.com is fun
And CPseek.com is cool too, a newer forum made by the runners of a lot of cool contests. Its smaller than AW which is good and bad. A little less intimidating but still filled with some great writers.
Good luck.
Brenleedrake.blogspot.com is the best blog for contests, she has one going on now.
Yamisfits.com is fun
And CPseek.com is cool too, a newer forum made by the runners of a lot of cool contests. Its smaller than AW which is good and bad. A little less intimidating but still filled with some great writers.
Good luck.
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You know, this is something I used to wonder about. When you read the author's note in a (published) book, there is often some kind of grateful shout-out to X and Y and Z... all of them published authors in the same genre. But when and how did they become friends and crit partners? The only version I've got so far is agency siblings. Just because it happens too often to be the result of random friendship where you just happened to write in the same genre and get published during the same time period.
I know that Kiersten White had quite a few crit partners who went on to be published around the same time, most recently here:
http://kierstenwrites.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/transparently-elated-contest.html
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I didn't realize Twitter was such a goldmine. I've largely kept my twitterverse focused on my day job (coffee), but maybe I should branch out. Anyway, I just wanted to say to anna that this was a wonderfully warm and vulnerable post. I applaud your courage. It's not easy to be vulnerable, but people who are willing to explore uncomfortable and scary things make good writers. I hope you feel more connected from this.