Meet-up Wattpad

Why You Need Writer Friends

viewers
Many new writers are wary (and even scared) of forming friendships with other writers. Creativity comes from living life, ideas come from getting out of your comfort zone, exploring the world.  But even the most introverted individual needs fellow writers to talk to, better yet a close-knit network of writer friends.  Having wonderful, (but not writer) friends, family, and writing to keep you busy is fine, but having professional discussions with other writers is essential, und it would make the writing process a lot less fearful.
.
Working in isolation might over time suck the life out of the writing, and you might hit a plateau. Having people you can trust and who understand the crazyness because they had endured it, too. Often writers really want to open up with someone about their writing failures and successes, but never having anyone to talk to. We need someone to tell us when our writing is good (and when it’s god awful terrible), someone to complain with, someone to pick us up when we feel like quitting.
.
Writer Friends are Not Only for Socializing…
Becoming part of a small writers or critique group means:

  • Writer friends know exactly what you are going through
  • Writer friends will help you to improve your writing
  • Writer friends will inspire you and teach you new things
  • Writer friends will be your first readers and proofreaders/beta readers
  • Writer friends will help you to promote your books

.
Proofreaders/Beta Readers
Beta Readers are not your editor or proof reader and don’t expect them to do the grunt work. That’s your job. They can help to strengthen your story from the beginning. But they could spot a few flaws BEFORE you release the book. They might discover passive voice, accents, cliches, misspelling, typos.
Beta Reading might save you a lot of money if the editor is charging by the hour.  Beta Readers also help to polish your book before the first reviewer or readers get their hand on your book.
.
Writer Friends are Helping to Promote Your Books
Building a platform, getting a follower-ship and being constantly present on social media are not a favored task by most writers. But with a little help from your friends…promoting each others books makes it much easier and not a chore anymore. Start with the basics and exchange this:

  • Recommend your writer friend’s books regulrely at Goodreads. You will find the Goodreads page dedicated for this under “Browse” and then “Recommendations”.
  • Recommend and share the books on all your social media accounts, as well as to your family and “real live friends.
  • Share her or his blogs posts, and use the sharing buttons on each of the Amazon pages and on Goodreads for all books she/he wrote.
  • Write guest blogs for each others blog or website, and help your writer friend to find book reviewers in your circles and online communities.

.
Where to Find Writing Groups and Writer Friends

  • Join writer communities at Wattpad, LibraryThings, Goodreads and Google+
  • Meet-up groups are practically in every large town and city and offer critique groups and writers circles
  • Find writer friends at workshops and conferences
  • Social media sites usually have writer groups in your genre, such as LinkedIn, Google+ or Facebook

No excuses! There is no shortage on like-minded writers that are all looking for pals. Just say hello!
.
Writers are usually really warm and willing to go out of their way to help each other. We’re all in this together, right?  Remember: you are in this for a long time – if writing is really what you like best in life. 

Read also: Why Authors Need Beta Readers
https://www.savvybookwriters.com/why-authors-need-beta-readers/

<><><><><>

 


Tagged: beta readers, Google+, Marketing, Meet-up Wattpad, Writer friends