Here's Why You Need A Supportive Writing Tribe
Writing can feel lonely. Not just the act of tapping away at the keys but the process of losing yourself in your work and wondering If it will ever be read by another pair of eyes. If the hours you’ve spent will feel ‘worth it’.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Creating a writing tribe can be a wonderful way to find motivation, encouragement, accountability, and community. Here’s how…
What is a writing tribe?
A writing tribe is simply a writing community. It’s a group of like-minded people, a group of writers that support each other, a group of friends or professionals with something in common – writing. We all need people. We can’t always work alone. Writing is tiring and it’s good to have a friend to lean on when things get tough, or a friend to give a strong word of encouragement if you feel your commitment wain.
It’s important to note that a writing tribe can look different to different people. It might mean a formal writing group that meets regularly. Or it could be quick messages to a writing friend. It could mean sharing work and giving feedback on the work of others regularly. Or it could be talking with someone you trust about your work in progress.
What matters is that the tribe understands you and what you need, and that you can support others in your tribe too.
Why do we need one?
There is lots of research that shows we become like the people we surround ourselves with. Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”. This is because we are greatly influenced by who we spend our time with. If we choose to surround ourselves with writers, we can learn and grow. Supporting each other to reach new heights.
A writing tribe can also offer motivation and accountability. If you know someone will ask about your work, it makes you feel more obligated to do it. This small amount of pressure can be helpful and healthy when we are working on such huge goals – like writing a book.
Writing is hard. We can often feel a wide range of emotions when we sit down at the laptop, but a writing tribe can understand this and can offer some positive words when things get tough.
You can learn so much about writing when you review and support others on their writing journey. Providing feedback on a friend’s work can be a way to help you develop your own skills, whilst helping a friend at the same time. It’s win, win.
Where do we find a writing tribe?
A writing tribe can be found in so many different places. You will have to put the effort in to keep your tribe going, it can’t be led by one person. Your tribe will need you just as much as you need them.
Join a course or a workshop. Courses can be a great place to meet people and network, you will have been learning the same information together at the same time and this can help you to connect and grow together. If you’ve been on a course, why not reach out to other attendees and see if they want to stay in touch?
Join a Facebook group. There are lots of free amazing Facebook groups that offer writing support and encouragement. You can join these groups to ask questions and learn from others. Just be sure to give back to the groups when you can.
Start a book club! A book club can be a great place to learn about writing. The more you read the more you can write, and the more you can analyse what you’re reading and bring these skills and techniques into your own work. Plus, a book club is a perfect place to meet a tribe of people with similar interests.
Start a writing circle with friends. Why not set up a monthly writing circle where you swap writing work with friends? It can encourage you to write a chapter ready to be reviewed and this regular habit can compound fairly quickly. If you don’t have friends who are interested in writing you could always join a professional writing group, which does something similar.
How can Derbyshire Writing School help?
We offer group courses, to help you meet other writers and network. Knowing that others are experiencing some of the same thoughts, feelings and struggles can really help put things into perspective. It can help you to know it’s normal to have self-doubt or to procrastinate, but what matters is how you deal with those things. Knowing that a friendly face is waiting for you on a group call or just a message away on the Facebook group can help you to feel less alone.
Our Time to Write online programme can also help you to feel part of a writing tribe. We join together for online writing sessions and show up for each other. We commit to the time and work together. Knowing that you’re typing away with others and knowing that someone will ask you what you’ve achieved can help you to focus.
Writing can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to. We love to hear from you, and we would love to know what projects you’re working on. Please tell us about your writing goals or projects at info@derbyshirewritingschool.com. Sometimes even just explaining your plans to someone else can help bring clarity and motivation. We believe in you and your story, so keep going!
