Networking: The Writer's Meat and Potatoes

When you look through your list of persona contact, how many of those associates are a part of the literary community? Of that group, how often do you touch base with them just to "kick it", "shoot the breeze", or offer a complimentary service? How close are you to those few individuals? Do you know their spouses? How many children they have? What genre of writing do they favour? Their mother's maiden names? Okay, so maybe you don't need to be that "in the know" with them, but you should always try to keep a select conglomeration of writers, editors, publishers and the like close at hand for fortification and networking purposes? Why you ask? Well let me give you a personal example.

My husband is a mechanic who just so happens to be my story guinea pig. Whenever I share a concept for a piece with him or read to him something I have just worked on, I get the customary response of "Oh that's good honey" followed by a kiss on the forehead. No suggestions of sentence structure change, grammar correction, concept reconstruction - none of those things you expect when you share your work with someone. Or how about this one (I know you all have experienced this): you have been working on a story for two weeks straight and then hit the "wall". You know the one that has "Thou Shalt Not Write Another Word" painted on it in Day Glo yellow. At times like that I am almost in tears and cursing like I was born on a ship, but all Mr. Smith does is look puzzled saying "Well, it's not the end of the world sweetie." Is he blind? Does he not realize I have a deadline to meet, goals to reach, and a mission to be completed? No publication will accept two lines of story with "To Be Continued" at the end. This is the very reason to arm yourself with acquaintances of like mind who have been at this point too, and may have just the thing that helps you cope.

In this day and age finding other budding writers is as easy as entering words in a search engine and clicking a mouse. I found most of my online groups through Yahoo, and trust me there are a million of them out there. I also did a search for offline organizations, because a writer cannot live on message boards alone. Face to face interaction is just as important as and Email chat or telephone conversation. And don't just be silent once you've joined those organizations that suite your personality and style. Get out and mingle with the other participants. Let your name and works be known! Broadcast your events and aspirations. You will be amazed how many people in those groups share you vision or can link you with someone else who does.

Once you have made those friends and influenced some people don't think your work is going to be done. History tells us that our society was built on a bartering system, and there is no more powerful resource in the life of a writer. If you write poems and know someone starting a Web site or publication showcasing poetry, send in a couple. When they are selected, or even before, tell everyone you know not just that your poems are being featured, but sell them on the Website itself. If another friend has a newsletter, offer an article. Someone else dong a book signing? Become their town crier and help spread the word. It will surprise you how far that will go when it's your turn in the spotlight. Those same people you showed that kindness towards will return the favour without you having to ask.

In general, networking with like minds can take your career to heights you never dreams because there will always be something fresh and new coming from another source. That one friend who runs the newsletter may be a top-notch editor who helps you with that structure problem you've been having. Mr. or MS. Book Signing maybe a good PR rep that develops a killer marketing strategy for your next book. But you will never now, until you get out there and meet them.