I find that I grow as a writer by surrounding myself with writers. The problem is when I first recognized myself as a writer, I secluded myself. I told no one. I wrote in secret. Three years later (and after many self-sabotaging conversations with myself) I took a wild leap before I could change my mind. Bam!
Now, I have this blog, I have joined several online writing groups, and I am submitting and publishing my work. I don’t necessarily feel at ease calling myself a writer (all the time), but I am getting more comfortable with the idea.
What’s helping? Other writers. I am showcasing a few of them on my new Poetry Friends page: https://stepsinbetween.com/poetry-friends/
Here are a just a few who have cheered me on in my endeavors:
Yvonne Brewer
Pamela Hobart Carter
Tamara Miles
Melissa Steffy
Ann Christine Tabaka
I cannot thank these women from all around the globe enough for their daily inspiration. They are each an example of a strong woman and incredible writer. Again, I have a sampling of their poetry on my new Poetry Friends page. Take a look: https://stepsinbetween.com/poetry-friends/
I’ve posted before about the importance of joining writing groups. I haven’t been able to find an in-person group here in Seattle that seems to fit… yet. Typically, it’s a convenience situation. Seattle is big, and traffic is a nightmare. But online, connecting with other writers in groups has made a tremendous difference. Meeting, reading, and interacting with a variety of writers sharing their work, their ideas, their inspiration, books they’ve read, people and experiences that move them… it all motivates me. It helps me feel validated. And it adheres that sense of community, binding it to my heart. It’s what encourages me to keep moving forward in my quest.
I believe it’s worked well so far… I put myself out there this past November when I read at my first poetry reading. I was terrified, felt like a fraud, and was pretty sure I didn’t belong. Then, with the encouragement of the group, it soon felt as if the night had been awaiting my arrival. I received and accepted the moment, and took a few more steps forward.
I am certain I will meet some bitter cranky writers one day, but for now, the writers I have encountered have been like long lost members of a tribe. Maybe it’s because we all thrive on each other’s inspiration. We all experience self-doubt. We are all trying to live our lives pretending that “other” voice in our heads isn’t constantly putting words together, constructing and deconstructing sentences, scenes, stanzas, character arcs… and the list goes on. We all share similar hauntings, you could say, because writing tends to be something that happens to each and every one of us in our own unique way. And we can learn from each other.
I guess what I mean to say, is that I would not be where I am right now without other writers, especially the ones I am blessed to call my new friends. So, I encourage you to find yourself a group!
I am honored to share poems from some of my poetry friends on my new Poetry Friends page: https://stepsinbetween.com/poetry-friends/
Writing Advice: Resources and Other Genres
Find a book about poetry or writing in which to study from. As a life-long learner, it’s important to continue investigating what’s out there. We can’t grow if we only keep our eyes down one path.
I am about to start reading a new resource, Creating Character ARCS, a Masterful Author’s Guide to Uniting Story Structure, Plot, and Character Development, by K.M. Weiland. I was introduced to this book from one of my writing groups and am eager to read it. I will let you know how it goes in a later post. Never think you know enough. Keep reading resource books to improve.
Also, I am currently reading a novel from a genre I don’t typically read from. The book is, Commonwealth, by Ann Patchett, and I am absolutely loving it. The paragraphs are long (something I try not to do on purpose), but her ability to carry the words across the page in turn carries me, and before I know it I am several pages along and completely sucked into her world. I’ve even found lines to inspire some poetry. Although my own genre of writing is quite different, I am learning from her with every page I turn.
In short, read more and be open to everything!
By Celaine Charles, April 15, 2018
Image Links:
https://pixabay.com/en/photos/silhouette/?cat=education (together)
https://pxhere.com/en/photo/427815 (wood images)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/260408689/four-girls-sisters-best-friends-art-four
http://gclipart.com/friends-clipart/ (people crown)
Commonwealth, by Ann Patchett
Creating Character Arcs, by K.M. Weiland
Categories: Thoughts on writing...
Tags: #writinggroups, #writinglife, Accomplishments, authors, books, inspiration, lifestyle, motivation, poems, poetry, poetry friends, poets, projects, writers, writing, writing advice
Steps In Between 
So much here to unpack … and I look forward to going through it carefully. Good work!
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Thank you!
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You’re doing great.
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Thanks so much! We all need to stick together.
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Thank you!
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No, thank you! 😊
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I’ve been sharing unpublished work with my partner and some of our poet friends and it really helps all of us grow. I watched on very stubborn poet open their mind a bit and their work went from mediocre at best to incredibly impressive. Each poem got better and better. Now, we’re trying to start a little poetry club since there aren’t any where I live. I’d like some more poet friends as well!
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Great point! It does really open us up to be better.
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I never felt like a real poet until I shared my work and became vunerable. It’s the only way to grow.
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I was drawn to your page because I too am surrounding myself with writers. Am coming out of the closet and publishing my work and open for improvement. I would like to join the club.
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I’m so pleased to hear it! Welcome. Support and encouragement are important in creative fields. Keep in touch, and good luck in your writing.
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I often visit your website and have noticed that you don’t
update it often. More frequent updates will give your
site higher rank & authority in google. I know that writing posts takes a lot of time, but you
can always help yourself with miftolo’s tools which will
shorten the time of creating an article to a few seconds.
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Interesting, I update it every Sunday consistently. I also post a poem every Wednesday. It’s what works with my schedule and honoring others who have lives too. But I care about your feedback. I haven’t heard of miftolo’s tools, but will surely check them out. I would love to write my posts quicker. I know i take too long on them. Thank you for reaching out.
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