Engaging in Writing Communities: the benefits of making writer and reader friends

First of all, I know I am drastically late to the party writing a post, which usually comes out on a Friday. But when I tell you it was meant to be that the content of this very post has been completely bolstered up by the events of the last few days, you will think what I think: that the late posting was worth it and somehow meant to be.

Last night I arrive at my motel, ready for an event I am attending the next day and meet up with my travel companions. They are standing out the front of their room talking to a woman who declares she is celebrating some major successes, in her writing career including the final day of a tour across the country promoting her new book.

Turns out the woman we are talking to is Amy Andrews, a prolific Australian romance writer with over 90 books in her catalogue. And it also turns out the talk she is doing at the local library the next day, promoting her new book, Where the Wattles Bloom, coincides neatly with the event I am attending earlier that day.

We spent the night chatting and I got to know this woman who is living what I would call a dream life: making it as a full time author. How blessed I was to be able to share in her successes despite only just meeting her. For me, as an aspiring writer hoping one day to share similar milestones, it was inspirational. But she was also a fun and genuine person and I would’ve enjoyed meeting her even if I wasn’t a writer.

At my event the next day, connected to my other hobby/activity of bellydancing, one of my writer friends who I invited along and I connected with another lovely lady who was there. She is not a writer, but is an avid reader. So when I mentioned I was also making time in my weekend to go to Amy’s book launch, of course they were interested. It also meant a lot to Amy for bringing friends along too. Because we know as authors that if these events generate interest, it is more likely to entice the venue to invite the author back for their next book.

It’s not just the last couple of days that have inspired me to write this post either! Last weekend, I was at a wedding for one of my close friends who I have been friends with for years. But would you believe the two people I ended up making friends with there were, you guessed it, writers. These two amazing ladies, who came all the way from New Zealand to celebrate with my friend, met her through writing fan fiction and connecting over their shared love of books. They are also aspiring, like me, to write original works.

Instant point of connection!

The moral to this story is that talking books and writing with old and new friends, and celebrating the successes of a local Australian author have filled my cup. It reminded me of something I have valued so much since starting my journey as a writer: how it can connect me with others.

Writing communities can be such wonderful spaces to connect, share experiences and celebrate each other’s achievements. In my personal and humble opinion, it’s is one of the best things about being a writer.

I know there are so many options for engaging in writer communities on social media and I love when authors are generous with their advice, thoughts and journeys. Social media spaces are a highly accessible option for finding a way into the writing community or reader spaces.

I myself am part of a group that meets online regularly. What started as a way to stay connected during COVID has continued into a way to include and invite people into the community.

But I also love the in person experiences too wherever I can: meeting my favourite authors in the book signing line at a writer’s events or festivals; catching up with my local writer friends once a week for coffee and writing sessions; going to a book launch at the local library; asking people at a workshop I’m attending what someone else is working on; or going on a holiday or writing retreat with my friends to write and inspire each other.

All of these things help me to feel like I am not alone as a writer.

They make me feel full and happy.

And as I cheer on people like bestselling romance author Amy Andrews who are celebrating a win, I can only hope that down the track when it’s my turn to have a win that these connections I have formed along the way will mean there is someone there to celebrate with me.