Thoughts Revisited: Community
Highlighting helpful comments from the SXP community
It’s fun to reflect on what we’ve discussed here on Substack. This one is especially interesting since it deals with community and online interaction. Very meta!
I’ve summarized some prior comments, but the discussion shouldn’t stop there! I want to hear your thoughts on what community means to you.
Original Prompt:
I’ve embraced the term “community” when imagining the future of The Storyletter Substack and where we’re heading. There’s no end goal in mind, since it’s more about the daily love of the craft and those who engage in it. I seek to establish a place where people can be themselves, and publish and read together in a supportive environment. Communities can be a lot of things, but I’m curious what you think a community is or should be? What other communities do you enjoy being a part of? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Community Thoughts
These summaries are not verbatim and are out of context. For full context of members’ comments, consider reading them here.
Sandra pointed out that people are inherently drawn to crowds, so she tends to go down the less traveled road. Sandra also noticed that the digital world allows for voices and ideas to be heard without the same fear of rejection and that communities are essential for individuals to feel welcomed and heard. Communities can be built by like-minded individuals for the betterment of humanity.
Winston’s new follow-up: I love the idea that communities can be for the betterment of humanity. It’s comforting to know that even if a community is centered around something seemingly low-impact, obscure, or remotely niche, there is a sense that it’s improving the enjoyment of someone’s life in even the slightest degree to ease their everyday day-to-day struggles, producing an environment where they can potentially thrive and be themselves. That alone truly is for the betterment of humanity.
- states that she hadn’t participated in writing communities before but is finding it fun here on Substack. She especially likes that communities are often eye-opening experiences as other members have differing perspectives. And that having a division of labor within a community can mean that each member can bring their expertise into the equation.
Winston’s new follow-up: The division of labor concept strikes me as even more impactful now that I’m rethinking it. I don’t know where I’d be in indie publishing without the helpful books, videos, and articles from people who came before me. This handing down of knowledge is crucial in every aspect of a community. Without it, the walls go up, and the gatekeeping begins.
Additional Discussion
Let me know what your thoughts are on the subject. Have you written extensively about it before? Link it in the comments for us to benefit from your writing.
I hope the Storyletter XPress Publishing community has been a supportive place to get involved and write about the things that matter most to you. If not, please help us improve! Please email me at storyletter@protonmail.com or comment below with your suggestions.
What has been your experience with communities? Thanks for joining the discussion! ~ WM
I've had mixed experiences with communities. I've been involved with in-person ones that were very fun, social, and a good way to bounce thoughts around.
Online communities not so much. There's a couple of different factors. One is that the interaction is not in real time. The immediate back and forth energy of in-person, with its questions and clarifications is simply not there. Plus, you can't hear and see and smell and taste the air.
Another factor for me is that my writing is solitary. I suppose that's true of most, but more than that, I'm not looking to give feedback on the writing itself nor to receive it. I trust myself and my vision above all else. Maybe I’m just not good community material.
It seems that writers spent a lot of time and energy collectively coming to conclusions about how things ought to be done regarding this and that aspect of story telling or the writing process.
And while I understand the desire to be part of something bigger than yourself, a family, a neighborhood, a community, etc., the industry of writer advice (which is huge and popular) tends to promote homogenized rather than distinct voices. I’m just not interested.
In “Midnight in Paris,” Hemingway tells Pender that “you don't want the opinion of another writer.” Sure, it’s a movie, and kind of a comedic goofy one at that, but there’s also underlying serious themes, and I think that was one of them.
I really like Sandra’s comment and your follow up. I’ve never been much of a joiner, but there’s something special about finding a supportive community to share an interest with. When there is a sense of camaraderie among peers, the community can become a kind of sanctuary as well as a resource.