A friend once asked if it’s true that writing is a lonely job. I was brand new to novel writing, so at that point in my journey, yes, it was lonely. However, if I knew then what I know now, I would have said, “No. Writers need people.”
One Small Piece
The statement of “writing is a lonely job” is rather common, however, I believe it’s a myth. Someone might argue that it helps when actively writing to be in a quiet room alone with your thoughts. I can agree to that, except the fun creative brainstorming of a new story idea is only one-quarter of the novel writing process. The other three-quarters require people. Once I started letting people in on my writing journey my skills matured. Here is why writers need people and how you can make that happen.
Perspective
Unlike music or art, where you can hear a flat note or see a distorted perspective, writing mistakes are quiet, and many go undetected to the writer because you’re so close to the project. You have a whole world inside your mind, and you’re zoomed in one hundred percent. Everything is crystal clear to you, but that doesn’t mean you wrote it that way, especially in the first draft.
A Writing Buddy
If you’re new to writing or feel stuck, I encourage you to find someone who is willing to read your roughest of rough drafts. It’s gotta be a special person. He or she doesn’t have to be a writer, they just have to be able to help you zoom out and hear where you’ve gone flat or see where your perspective is distorted. With practice, you’ll able to catch more and more of those “show don’t tell” lines on your own, and polishing your writing will become as thrilling as that initial burst of creativity. But a fresh set of eyes to catch your mistakes is a "thing" in the industry.
Writing Groups
A writing group is a great way to accumulate writing buddies. There are many national groups with local chapters, such as Word Weavers International, the Association of Christian Writers, and much much more. Then, there are the groups that aren't affiliated with a larger organization. And if you can't find any of those, you could start one yourself at your local library or coffee shop. All this to say, writers need people -other writers and readers- whether that be a single buddy or a whole group.
Side note: A writing group doesn't have to be the same thing as a critique group. A writing group could encompass a lot more such as speakers and mini-workshops.
I love my writing buddies and my Word Weavers group and wholeheartedly believe that a journey worth enduring is best with like-minded people traveling with you.
Keep on writing.