Side Benefits of Writing by Allison Symes
Coming Out of My Shell I’m not an extrovert, far from it, but one side benefit of writing is that it has brought me out of my shell. I’ve had the joy (and continue to do so) of making friends across the writing genres and have deeply appreciated their support for launches etc. When I was starting out as a writer, the thought of networking terrified me. That monster, Imposter Syndrome, would raise its ugly head and tell me I could not do this. I got fed up with said monster. I started going to writing conferences, just to attend the classes you understand so I could learn my craft. I hadn’t planned on talking to anyone. I was too nervous for that. That thought fell apart at the first tea break time. Why?
I have literally only come across the odd writer who is happy to talk about what they do but won’t engage with you.
Because everyone loves a natter over a cup of tea or coffee and what do writers like to chat about? What they’re writing, what you’re writing, the publishing industry, competitions, markets etc. And we all learn from each other here. No one writer can know it all.
Fine, I’m not having a repeat conversation with them then.
Writing is about engagement. We’re seeking to engage readers with our stories and articles. It is a two -way process so, for me, it is pretty pointless not engaging with fellow writers. Writers are not in competition with each other. Even if we write in the same genre, our style is our own. Our voice is our own.
So the moment I cottoned on to the fact that networking simply means talking about what you love - writing - with other people who understand your “obsession” with it because they’re obsessed too and you can learn useful things from each other… well the barriers crashed.
I can only write as Allison Symes. I can prove this too. I’ve had the joy of being one of the winners of the Waterloo Arts Festival Writing Competition three years in a row. For each year, a different theme was set. The winning writers had to work to 1000 words maximum and clearly show the theme. We all did. Fifteen different writers came up with
It’s my experience that 99% of all writers, once asked what they write, will happily tell you and then ask you what you’re writing. Before you know it, you’ve got a good conversation going and you’re well on your way to making wonderful writing buddies for life. Now what is there not to like about that? - 72 -
