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.
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.