2024 Wrapped: Community is Everything

One of the most important parts of my life as a writer, aside from the act of writing itself, is connecting with other creatives. 2024 was not without its challenges but, with the support of my fellow writers, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.

One of the exciting milestones of 2024 was finally completing a manuscript I have been working on for a loooong time. There were plenty of moments when I wasn’t sure I’d make it to the finish line, when I wanted to throw in the towel and walk away. But I kept going, buoyed on by the support of my writers group. I made it to “THE END”, and that sense of accomplishment was the launching pad for the rest of the year. Finishing a first draft is a daunting challenge, one of many on the path to being published. You’re Frodo, making it to Lothlorien - it’s time to rest and recuperate, but you still have a long road ahead. It’s okay to take a breath and relish this victory.

Of course, writing isn’t all flowing words and final drafts. There were days when I struggled to put pen to paper, when the words eluded me, and the ideas seemed to dry up. I had to remind myself that these “off” days are just part of the process. The lows this year (self-doubt, frustration, that very loud inner critic) reminded me of the value of patience. I learned that sometimes the best thing you can do is step away for a while, give your mind some space to breathe, to gently coax the words back rather than force them. It’s easy to get discouraged when things aren’t flowing, but I knew I always had a place to turn when dealing with a temporary setback.

Having a community of people who know exactly what you’re going through is invaluable when navigating lows of your writing life. Be it a writing group (in person or virtual), an online community, or one-on-one conversations: find yourself a supportive network of writers to encourage you, share their experiences, and remind you that we’re all in this together. Writing can feel like a solitary pursuit, and having a tribe of like-minded individuals will make the journey so much more fulfilling.