Brian’s fifth way to reboot your writing routine is to examine your support network. He asks, “Is it in place?” Regular readers of Pam Writes already know that I’m a devoted fan of RedBird-RedOak Writers in Milwaukee. And, I know that not every writer has the opportunity to attend critique groups that have an extremely capable and supportive facilitator. The group I’ve been in for six years is led by Robert Vaughan. At yesterday’s session, Robert asked us to take some time this month for self-reflection on our attitudes/goals for being in the group –why are we there? where do we hope to go with our writing this year? what do we hope to gain from the group? I’m still thinking about these questions. I know a few of the answers. I continue to go because I get valuable, useful feedback; I continue to go because it works for me as a deadline to complete something; I continue to go because I am always, without fail, inspired by something I hear in that group. I am blessed to be in a group with some amazing writers! But, some of Robert’s questions deserve further consideration on my part – maybe the answers will play into my writer’s statement? We’ll see.

In addition, I’ve developed a small online community that I turn to occasionally – and that turn to me occasionally – when we have writer ideas/issues to bounce off each other. My online contacts are in California, Georgia, New York and other states. These writer friends I found at writer conferences – Tin House, Iowa Summer Writer’s Festival and the New York Summer Writers Institute. I know not everyone can afford to attend these conferences – afford in multiple terms – money, time, family responsibilities. But if it becomes an option for you, please, please GO FOR IT – especially if you feel you need to develop a writing community.

K. Tyler Christensen wrote on the Tin House blog in 2011 about the recently completed summer workshop. In that article, K. Tyler writes:

“…Steve Almond: Tin House evangelist extraordinaire answered my question. Steve gave a speech on comedy in fiction, he said, comedy is what allows us to face the truth of ourselves. And, across the hall, the nodding began. Our affirmations were silent, but salient. Steve’s message came with fervor, but without hellfire: we all come from some fucked up place, wherein there is a personal truth we are beholden to. We are all seeking on some deeply personal level, permission to give voice to this truth. Workshops provide the place, the community, and the opportunity for this type of salvation. The truth is, writers need other writers, to validate, to say hey, you’re on the right track—keep going with this or that. Without one another, we are voiceless.”

And, in that evangelical spirit, I say again:

“…We are all seeking on some deeply personal level, permission to give voice to this truth. Workshops provide the place, the community, and the opportunity for this type of salvation. The truth is, writers need other writers, to validate, to say hey, you’re on the right track — keep going with this or that. Without one another, we are voiceless.”

Is your support network in place??? I love to think that perhaps, for some of you, this blog is part of your support network….. it’s such a happy thought.

Happy #writing.

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