Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Take the Suck out of Success

The road to success can really suck. Especially as a writer. It is fraught with critiques, revision, and rejection. 

Lofter Kyla (far left), me (2nd from the right) with our triathlon training posse, on the day of our tri, last September.
For some reason, I thought this sign was funny. :) This race was so much better because we trained together. It made the TRAINING fun. And that says a lot!
I still see success for my books as having them find a place with a traditional publisher. That definition of success for my writing hasn't changed. But for my own professional life, I've found other successes--and they all have to do with creating community and connecting people with what they need for their own success.

I enjoy building the Writers' Loft, a non-profit writing community. I enjoy helping to organize the NE-SCBWI conference. I find success when I connect with and am helpful to others. I might sound like a broken record at times--community...community...community.

But I think that some things bear repeating. Like this one--The Kindness Project. Because we are human. Because some things are universal. Because we need witnesses to our road of suck. Because we want to celebrate the successes--and the kindnesses. Because, ultimately, things are better when we aren't alone.

What is your perspective on community? What type of writerly community do you see as the most beneficial to your success? I am putting together a workshop about building community, and would love to know what has been important to you, or what you want to know about in order to build your own support system. 

3 comments:

  1. I love the on-line community of writers that is so easy to connect with. I've met several great writers on-line, including you, and I'm greatful for all of them.

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  2. I think that the online writing community is so open to sharing tips and what works for them with others. As well as swapping manuscripts for critiquing. Writers don't have a lot of time to write, yet they make time for other writers. I like that!

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  3. I love both the in-person communities and online communites. A few kind words, an "atta-girl" now and then, go a long, long way. I'm so impressed that you took part in a triathlon. I can see how training together would make it much better. Have been so busy these past couple years, my time with the online community and going to critique meetings and conferences has been cut way back. I really miss it, but we can only spread ourselves so thin, and then we disappear! Will be caring for Grasshopper (almost 22 months) and his baby sissy (three weeks old tomorrow) full-time when daughter goes back to work beginning of August. Am rushing like crazy trying to tie up loose ends before then. I miss my blogger peeps. You've been there for me since day one and you're definitely gifted when it comes to helping others in the community!

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