Meet My Writing Tribe

I just got back from the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in Colorado Springs—what a blast! The theme this year was “It Takes a Tribe,” because (contrary to popular belief) writing is not a solitary activity. We may sit at the keyboard alone, but there’s a whole network of people around us playing their own small role in our success.

The conference got me thinking about just how many people are in my tribe, and how much I owe them all. I’d like to use this blog to acknowledge a few.

• Critique partners, beta readers, and sensitivity readers. If you’ve ever provided feedback on a friend’s work, you know how much time it takes. If you’ve ever received constructive criticism, you know how crucial it is to improving your work. Don’t take your CPs for granted—thank them by providing thoughtful feedback in return.
• Mentors. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with two mentors over the last few years. They’ve given me not only critical feedback, but querying advice, insight into the publishing world, and a shot of much-needed validation when I’m having a breakdown (which, ahem, rarely happens). Mentors give hours upon hours of their valuable time to help people like me, often for little or no compensation. If you’re lucky enough to have one, tell them how much they mean to you. If you don’t, check out programs like Author Mentor Match and Pitch Wars, which match writers with mentors for free every year.
• Teachers. Every teacher at a conference, seminar, or workshop has something unique to share—and don’t forget those who teach on paper, by writing books or blog posts. Teachers share their knowledge and experience on topics like writing craft, pitching, and marketing. They broaden our perspective. They help us get to those light-bulb moments.
• Agents and editors. Not just the ones who sign you, but the ones who give their time and expertise at conferences, classes, and pitch sessions. The ones who let you pick their brain at lunch, who lead critique roundtables, who answer questions at panels. The ones who provide feedback on your submission—and yes, even the ones who reject you. Each agent, editor, or publishing professional you meet provides new insight into the world of writing.
• Volunteers. I’ll tell you a secret: RMFW, PPW, and many similar organizations are run entirely by volunteers. This means everything they offer—conference, monthly programs, online classes, newsletter, contest, critique groups, anthology, teen programming, and yes, even this blog—wouldn’t happen without a small army of dedicated, hardworking volunteers. As a longtime volunteer myself, I know how much time and energy it takes to put all these fabulous resources together, and how little thanks most volunteers receive. If you’re a volunteer, know that we appreciate you. If you’re not, we’d love to have you join our ranks.
• Family and friends. Take it from my long-suffering husband: Living with a writer is no mean feat. Our loved ones support us, and our writing, in many ways. They make us tea when we’re in a creative frenzy, and give us hugs when we’re in a slump. They may support us financially. They rarely get the attention they deserve, but you won’t hear them complaining—they know our characters need us as much as our real-life families.
• Fellow writers. Other writers are your number-one resource. This includes those going through the same drafting, revision, or query trench struggles as you, as well as those further along in their careers and those just starting out. And don’t forget the big names, the ones who answer your fan mail, who write the books you love, who maybe inspired you to start writing in the first place. We’re all in this together. A win for one of us is a win for all.

Who’s in your tribe? How have they shaped you and your writing?