The Importance of a Writing Tribe: Winners of the May SCWC Writing Challenge
Our May writing challenge asked the question: Why is a writing community so important?
Submissions to the contest included reflections on the importance of writing friends, instructions on why writing gatherings are important, and odes to the people who've guided our members along their writing journeys.
The quest to become a successful, published writer can be a lonely experience. However, it doesn’t have to be.
As an inspirational/devotional writer, I’ve considered the author and scholar Dr. Hollisa Alewine to be a great mentor. She wisely points out that God gathers us, scatters us, then brings those of us with “like mind and like kind” together again. That aspect of a Christian’s life is taken straight from the days of the creation. The principal is known as one of the principles of hermeneutics in the theory of 1-2-1.
I’ve found this same principle to be a valuable key to finding your tribe as a writer.
After years of hiding behind a desk I finally decided to venture out and share my ambition for writing with others. Family and friends, though they recognized my talent, were never that encouraging. The only person who took me seriously was my Dad.
On his dying bed, he encouraged me to pursue my dreams of being a published writer.
In the hospital waiting room my Mom became acquainted with a woman who was a writer. The woman, named Vona Elkins, gave my Mom her business card to pass on to me after Mom explained that her daughter also wanted to be a published writer. Vona encouraged Mom to ask me to send her some samples of my writing, which I did. She then began to communicate with me through emails, stating that she liked what she had seen of my writing. Vona told me she wrote radio scripts for Christ For The World. She was presently working on some scripts for a radio program called “Five Minutes With God.”
Christ To The World had requested a whole series of scripts from Vona. She felt overwhelmed, so she asked if I wanted to partner with her in the writing. I was thrilled to do so.
For three years, Vona and Christ To The World eidtor Art Criscoe sent me writing subjects. I composed five minute radio scripted stories for their review. They critiqued, made suggestions, and encouraged me to work until the scripts suited them. When we finished, those scripts were translated into other languages and used for Christ To The World radio broadcasts.
Vona and Art taught me so much about script writing and editing. We completed 32 scripts together. I’m not sure how many were translated or used in the end, because the writing part of the production was all I ever saw. (The radio programs were all in foreign countries.) Vona and Art were involved with passing the writing on for consideration for production and broadcasting in other languages overseas. I pray that our scripts have touched souls for The Kingdom of God.
I say this to tell you how wonderful it is to work with people who are dedicated to quality Christian writing. Even better are those who are also teaching others the art of the written word. Vona Elkins and Art Criscoe were amazing teachers. They made a huge difference in my entry into a world where it is hard to find open doors.
Of course, Christ To The World is a not-for-profit mission based ministry. I was never paid for my work. Still, I think that experience might have been more valuable than any college degree. They set my feet on the right path, honed my skills, and steered me in the right direction to find my dreams.
At the point in life when I decided to publish my first book, I let go of the volunteer work for Christ To The World. I knew I would never pursue my own publications if I did not let go of that work. However, I found this hard because we had become good friends, even though all of our work was done on-line or over the phone. We talked of meeting in person, but it just never worked out. I still think fondly of the folks from Christ To The World. My heart is very grateful for their participation in my growth as a writer.
Next, I went on to establish a blogging community. I also began writing and publishing books. Once again, I was aware of needing other more experienced people to encourage me.
To help with my blogging efforts, I found Ruth Soukup’s Elite Blogging Academy. Ruth became my “fairy blog mother.” Her advice and encouragement were amazing. Through her help, I became involved with many other bloggers who could identify with where I was at the time. I’m so thankful for having found that community. I’ve now been blogging for over thirteen years. It is a nitch which I’ve enjoyed tremendously.
On the way to publishing my first book, I found a group of writers in a small group from Kingwood Church in Alabaster, Alabama. One member was a friend named Sarah Tackett. She was one of the first writers to encourage me to keep writing. When I joined this group they met once a month to share their writing and talk of their writing progress with one another.
We all took turns listening to each other read their latest work. The group would give review comments and make suggestions as to what the writer needed to change, do next, or improve. They also gave positive feedback when it was well deserved. It was great getting to know others who were pursuing the same dreams. This group was active until the pandemic struck. Sadly, those wonderful meetings never picked back up again.
One day my old friend from the Kingwood group of writers encouraged me to attend the Southern Christian Writers Conference. Finally, I made that move and I will never regret it.
The people at the Southern Christian Writers Conference were encouraging and uplifting. The information they shared was valuable to me as I strived to become a better writer. Cheryl Wray and her family were amazing with the friendly and professional way they handled the conference. They also provided so many great follow-up opportunities for those who attended the conference.
All of the other writers were interesting and friendly to talk to. Even the keynote speakers were down-to-earth, very approachable and encouraging. I made life-long friends that weekend of my first attendance.
One person in particular has been the best of friends and chief of encouragers. Her name is Sandi Herron. Sandi and I have spent hours encouraging each other to continue writing. Just having someone willing to share both failures and progress has made a world of difference. Together, we have joined in with other groups and sold books at different functions. Just knowing Sandi and having her on my team has been a very uplifting experience. I’m constantly thanking God for her friendship and the way she has included me in her very busy life.
It was at the SCWC that I met Denise George and Rebecca George from Christian Writers For Life. After hearing Denise’s talks, I was encouraged to enter some of the contests offered by Christian Writers For Life. That opened a door for publication in some of their anthologies. Publication in my first anthology, Prayers That Move Mountains, also put me in touch with many other authors who have been encouraging and helpful to know.
Having a table at the Southern Christian Writers Conference helped me to sell some of my self-published books. All the tables are shared. So again, you get to know so many other writers just from being in that very busy and amazing room which is set up for selling books.
The writing conference gave me the confidence I needed to revisit some of the old places from my past which once seemed too intimidating. I was able to set up book signings at some of the local places where I grew up. They were all quite successful. Book signings became a very pleasant way to get to know my readers and share more of my work.
Writing is all about being part of a very give-and-take community. Sharing is definitely caring. Writers who want to stay the course have learned to appreciate the connections and encouragement that come from those of their own community.
Having such dependable and supportive people in your life is priceless. I’ve come to believe writers need two families, their native families, and the family that becomes a writing community for them. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says; "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
PRAYER: Father, thank you for community members who encourage us to be all that we can be. Teach us to recognize how you help us through connections to others. Show us how to give the same gift of grace and love to others whom we meet. Thank you for the sweet fellowship of like minds whom we meet along the way.
From the earliest storytellers who gathered around fires to the digital wordsmiths of today, the act of sharing our narratives has been a vital piece of the human experience. We are social creatures, wired for connection.
The romanticism of the lone genius, scribbling away in isolation, has been told for centuries. But when you pull back the curtain, almost every great work is a network of voices, critiques, encouragements, and collaborations that made it possible. While it’s true that we need those quiet moments to write and create, balancing that solitude with time spent among other writers is often the secret ingredient to actually finishing our projects and having the courage to publish them.
So, where does a writer find this vital network of fellow travelers? One powerful and simple answer for many is a writers' group. These gatherings can transform the often lonely journey of writing into a shared expedition. Whether gathering in cozy coffee shops, meeting in a home, or connecting online, writers' groups offer a powerful remedy to creative isolation.
I’ve discovered that one of the most important roles a writing community plays is that of a mirror. We need others to reflect back what we can’t see, the strengths we underestimate, the flaws we overlook, and the harmful patterns we don’t notice. Outside perspectives provide clarity and validation. Much needed validation. They remind us we’re not crazy—or if we are, we’re not alone:)
My writing group for women, The Crooked Crown Writing Society, has been this mirror.
This community has provided a steady rhythm for our writing. Regular meetups, deadlines, and shared goals provide accountability that many writers struggle to maintain alone. It’s easier to finish a draft, or even start one, when someone’s expecting it.
Celebrating each other’s wins have helped other members to reach milestones on their own. When we started the group, about a 1/4 of us had been published. Over a year has passed and now everyone has been published! It’s a beautiful display of ‘persistence equals victory”, reminding us that success is not just possible, it’s happening all around us.
That mirror has been a great resource to flesh out the intricacies of plot points, the agony of writers block, and the sheer terror of submitting our work to someone who isn't our mom. Lol! Our writers' group has been a sanctuary — a safe place where other writers ‘get it’. They understand the emotional rollercoaster, the late nights fueled by caffeine and self-doubt, the need to erase and rewrite, along with the triumphant dance of a well-crafted piece. This shared understanding has brought a sense of belonging to us. A sister-hood that exists in our hearts as only a writer would understand.
Constructive criticism may be scary for some, but the members of our group trust each other. We have put in the time and dedication to develop that trust. Honest feedback, delivered with care, has helped us to polish our craft and is pushing us beyond our comfort zones. As a matter of fact, we have grown to desire it — to welcome it. We make sure there is time in some of our meetings to read, out loud, a piece we are working on. A short piece so everyone that needs this time can be heard. It has been priceless. So many ‘aha moments’, as we listen and speak from our hearts. The goal is for the author to soar and succeed. We’ve successfully created a space where writers can freely express their thoughts and concerns without judgment, or fear. That is a huge success in its own right and one that makes us all proud.
“The group that prays together, stays together.” Allow me a moment to express this fact. We, first and foremost, take time together to give God the glory for our gifts. It’s the gas that keeps our engines going — the glue that keeps us from falling apart alone. Not only do we pray at our meetings, but we have started a Signal group (like What’s App) that includes a prayer thread. So vital! Our everyday life is filled with pitfalls, sorrows, joys, celebrations, death, and everything else life has to offer. As I always say, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the awesome. In between our bi-weekly meetings, we keep in touch. Encourage each other, pray for each other, push (gently) each other, and care well for each other. It’s a beautiful touchpoint when we are not physically together.
Our meetings are filled with knowledge. We learn new things together. The signature at the end of my emails is “Ancora Imparo”. In his late 80’s, Michaelangelo would write this at the bottom of his works. It means simply, ‘and yet I still learn.’ We’ve adopted this phrase and it embodies the spirit of curiosity and growth that we strive for in our writer meetings. How it works — I prepare a lesson, per se’, and that results in calls to action. Digging into my unlimited box of creativity, we learn in very unique ways. One of the writers calls each session A Chapter. There's collaborative writing, a lively experience filled to the brim with laughter and fun. Then there is individual writing, where we each create our own piece using the knowledge and insights we've just gained. We are building our own guide book of activities for others to glean from that are interested in starting a writers' group. The structure we’ve created works for us. Always learning, always writing — that’s our mantra. Finding one to attend that works for you, that fits in your wheelhouse is essential.
Writers write. It’s just been a natural evolution for us, as a group to co-write a book. We are currently producing a devotional together, comprising thirty-one reflections to guide readers as they navigate the twists and turns that are strewn on their own life path. A dozen views. Many of the ladies who first walked in the door struggled with self-doubt and uncertainty. I had my own healthy dose and others will second that. But as we continued to meet and write together in faith, our wings emerged. Don’t get me wrong, we still have doubts arise, but we have learned how to take them captive, one doubt at a time.
The collective energy of a community can be infectious, providing the necessary motivation to keep going when the solitary path feels arduous and long. We’ve become our own network. Many times connecting each other with potential critique partners, beta readers, editors, and even publishing opportunities. Shared projects, joint publications, co-written stories, or simply bouncing ideas around has led to personal growth in unexpected ways. We’ve even begun to absorb new styles, experiment with new genres, and think beyond the limitations of our own perspective. One of our members is a poet. Because of her interaction and fantastical twists in her poems, I’ve even written and published one too. Who knew?
Being part of a writing community has allowed us to have a balanced dance. One that involves the mix of solitude and community. Times of quiet and individual creation balanced with period of connection, sharing, and collective growth. We have discovered the best of both worlds. Two worlds that need each other to exist and flourish.
Being part of a writing community has enabled us to grow as authors. Most of us began as solitary writers, but The Crooked Crown Writing Society has shown how powerful it is to thrive together. We discovered to truly flourish we needed a tribe—a place where we could both give and receive the encouragement that keeps us putting words on the page. We don’t take this for granted. This space has offered the support we needed to keep writing from the heart. Encouragement has been our greatest asset. And perhaps most beautifully, smack dab in the middle of the word encouragement, we found courage.
In retrospect, I think I thought, at that first conference, I'd meet some fabulous person who would discover me and recognize my outstanding talents and offer me a contract on the spot. That didn't happen.
I was not discouraged however, because although what I expected to happen did not happen, things I didn't expect DID happen. These unexpected things led to a very different life, a life I'd dreamed of for a long time. I like to call it #writerslife after a popular hashtag. That conference changed the direction I was headed, as a writer.
So, why should you attend a writing conference?
*Workshops!
Whether you have yet to write a single word of the story in your head or have a finished manuscript in your hand, there will be workshops to direct you to the next step of your writing journey, whatever that may be in your particular case.
*Networking!
You will meet and network with people that will be an extended support group like you can’t imagine. You will discover fellow travelers at every stage of the journey. There will be those only beginning and those who seem to have arrived (although they’ll explain clearly why that isn’t the case at all). You’ll discover teachers, workshop leaders, agents, publishers, editors, independently published authors, traditionally published authors, industry legends, and perhaps even make a few lifelong friends. These folks will all become a part of making your dreams realities.
*Investment!
I have often heard that if you want to know what is important to a person, look at their checkbook. If you are ready to take yourself and your writing aspirations seriously, find an affordable conference and invest in your dreams. There is no better time than the present to stop procrastinating.
*Growth!
You will learn so much! Already have a book published? That’s great, but don’t let that stop you from growing and learning and honing your skill. Since that first conference, I have published three books, dozens of magazine articles, actually been paid for my writing, and led workshops myself. Still, I have so much to learn and I imagine that will always be the case.
*Inspiration!
You will learn about new venues that you may never have considered before. You will come to understand clearly that there is no substitute for hard work and determination. You’re going to have to pay your dues, stumble along the way and learn some valuable lessons that only experience can provide. Then, you get to choose to use those as building blocks as you keep on trying.
You may discover that your journey is worth enjoying along the way as you head towards your destination. How you measure success may change drastically. And finally you may find that your focus has changed. Your aspirations of writing will no longer linger in your peripheral vision. Instead, you’ll find it front and center. It will no longer be willing to be boxed up and put away for another day.
That day has arrived because you have attended a conference where you were given tools and tips of the trade. This beautiful calling we have been given to weave words, to make a difference, to encourage others and see our hopes being fulfilled is worth the time and effort!
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12 NLT)
Submissions to the contest included reflections on the importance of writing friends, instructions on why writing gatherings are important, and odes to the people who've guided our members along their writing journeys.
One thing's for certain: writing friends, mentors, and communities make the writing life richer and more meaningful.
Thank you to everyone who submitted to the May challenge. We hope you enjoy reading the pieces by our top contributors:
Gail Landgraf
Sue Mohr
Stephanie Rodda
"A writer needs two families"
by Gail Landgraf
As an inspirational/devotional writer, I’ve considered the author and scholar Dr. Hollisa Alewine to be a great mentor. She wisely points out that God gathers us, scatters us, then brings those of us with “like mind and like kind” together again. That aspect of a Christian’s life is taken straight from the days of the creation. The principal is known as one of the principles of hermeneutics in the theory of 1-2-1.
I’ve found this same principle to be a valuable key to finding your tribe as a writer.
After years of hiding behind a desk I finally decided to venture out and share my ambition for writing with others. Family and friends, though they recognized my talent, were never that encouraging. The only person who took me seriously was my Dad.
On his dying bed, he encouraged me to pursue my dreams of being a published writer.
In the hospital waiting room my Mom became acquainted with a woman who was a writer. The woman, named Vona Elkins, gave my Mom her business card to pass on to me after Mom explained that her daughter also wanted to be a published writer. Vona encouraged Mom to ask me to send her some samples of my writing, which I did. She then began to communicate with me through emails, stating that she liked what she had seen of my writing. Vona told me she wrote radio scripts for Christ For The World. She was presently working on some scripts for a radio program called “Five Minutes With God.”
Christ To The World had requested a whole series of scripts from Vona. She felt overwhelmed, so she asked if I wanted to partner with her in the writing. I was thrilled to do so.
For three years, Vona and Christ To The World eidtor Art Criscoe sent me writing subjects. I composed five minute radio scripted stories for their review. They critiqued, made suggestions, and encouraged me to work until the scripts suited them. When we finished, those scripts were translated into other languages and used for Christ To The World radio broadcasts.
Vona and Art taught me so much about script writing and editing. We completed 32 scripts together. I’m not sure how many were translated or used in the end, because the writing part of the production was all I ever saw. (The radio programs were all in foreign countries.) Vona and Art were involved with passing the writing on for consideration for production and broadcasting in other languages overseas. I pray that our scripts have touched souls for The Kingdom of God.
I say this to tell you how wonderful it is to work with people who are dedicated to quality Christian writing. Even better are those who are also teaching others the art of the written word. Vona Elkins and Art Criscoe were amazing teachers. They made a huge difference in my entry into a world where it is hard to find open doors.
Of course, Christ To The World is a not-for-profit mission based ministry. I was never paid for my work. Still, I think that experience might have been more valuable than any college degree. They set my feet on the right path, honed my skills, and steered me in the right direction to find my dreams.
At the point in life when I decided to publish my first book, I let go of the volunteer work for Christ To The World. I knew I would never pursue my own publications if I did not let go of that work. However, I found this hard because we had become good friends, even though all of our work was done on-line or over the phone. We talked of meeting in person, but it just never worked out. I still think fondly of the folks from Christ To The World. My heart is very grateful for their participation in my growth as a writer.
Next, I went on to establish a blogging community. I also began writing and publishing books. Once again, I was aware of needing other more experienced people to encourage me.
To help with my blogging efforts, I found Ruth Soukup’s Elite Blogging Academy. Ruth became my “fairy blog mother.” Her advice and encouragement were amazing. Through her help, I became involved with many other bloggers who could identify with where I was at the time. I’m so thankful for having found that community. I’ve now been blogging for over thirteen years. It is a nitch which I’ve enjoyed tremendously.
We all took turns listening to each other read their latest work. The group would give review comments and make suggestions as to what the writer needed to change, do next, or improve. They also gave positive feedback when it was well deserved. It was great getting to know others who were pursuing the same dreams. This group was active until the pandemic struck. Sadly, those wonderful meetings never picked back up again.
One day my old friend from the Kingwood group of writers encouraged me to attend the Southern Christian Writers Conference. Finally, I made that move and I will never regret it.
The people at the Southern Christian Writers Conference were encouraging and uplifting. The information they shared was valuable to me as I strived to become a better writer. Cheryl Wray and her family were amazing with the friendly and professional way they handled the conference. They also provided so many great follow-up opportunities for those who attended the conference.
All of the other writers were interesting and friendly to talk to. Even the keynote speakers were down-to-earth, very approachable and encouraging. I made life-long friends that weekend of my first attendance.
One person in particular has been the best of friends and chief of encouragers. Her name is Sandi Herron. Sandi and I have spent hours encouraging each other to continue writing. Just having someone willing to share both failures and progress has made a world of difference. Together, we have joined in with other groups and sold books at different functions. Just knowing Sandi and having her on my team has been a very uplifting experience. I’m constantly thanking God for her friendship and the way she has included me in her very busy life.
It was at the SCWC that I met Denise George and Rebecca George from Christian Writers For Life. After hearing Denise’s talks, I was encouraged to enter some of the contests offered by Christian Writers For Life. That opened a door for publication in some of their anthologies. Publication in my first anthology, Prayers That Move Mountains, also put me in touch with many other authors who have been encouraging and helpful to know.
Having a table at the Southern Christian Writers Conference helped me to sell some of my self-published books. All the tables are shared. So again, you get to know so many other writers just from being in that very busy and amazing room which is set up for selling books.
The writing conference gave me the confidence I needed to revisit some of the old places from my past which once seemed too intimidating. I was able to set up book signings at some of the local places where I grew up. They were all quite successful. Book signings became a very pleasant way to get to know my readers and share more of my work.
Writing is all about being part of a very give-and-take community. Sharing is definitely caring. Writers who want to stay the course have learned to appreciate the connections and encouragement that come from those of their own community.
Having such dependable and supportive people in your life is priceless. I’ve come to believe writers need two families, their native families, and the family that becomes a writing community for them. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says; "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
PRAYER: Father, thank you for community members who encourage us to be all that we can be. Teach us to recognize how you help us through connections to others. Show us how to give the same gift of grace and love to others whom we meet. Thank you for the sweet fellowship of like minds whom we meet along the way.
"We weren’t created to (always) create alone”
by Sue Mohr
The romanticism of the lone genius, scribbling away in isolation, has been told for centuries. But when you pull back the curtain, almost every great work is a network of voices, critiques, encouragements, and collaborations that made it possible. While it’s true that we need those quiet moments to write and create, balancing that solitude with time spent among other writers is often the secret ingredient to actually finishing our projects and having the courage to publish them.
So, where does a writer find this vital network of fellow travelers? One powerful and simple answer for many is a writers' group. These gatherings can transform the often lonely journey of writing into a shared expedition. Whether gathering in cozy coffee shops, meeting in a home, or connecting online, writers' groups offer a powerful remedy to creative isolation.
I’ve discovered that one of the most important roles a writing community plays is that of a mirror. We need others to reflect back what we can’t see, the strengths we underestimate, the flaws we overlook, and the harmful patterns we don’t notice. Outside perspectives provide clarity and validation. Much needed validation. They remind us we’re not crazy—or if we are, we’re not alone:)
My writing group for women, The Crooked Crown Writing Society, has been this mirror.
This community has provided a steady rhythm for our writing. Regular meetups, deadlines, and shared goals provide accountability that many writers struggle to maintain alone. It’s easier to finish a draft, or even start one, when someone’s expecting it.
Celebrating each other’s wins have helped other members to reach milestones on their own. When we started the group, about a 1/4 of us had been published. Over a year has passed and now everyone has been published! It’s a beautiful display of ‘persistence equals victory”, reminding us that success is not just possible, it’s happening all around us.
That mirror has been a great resource to flesh out the intricacies of plot points, the agony of writers block, and the sheer terror of submitting our work to someone who isn't our mom. Lol! Our writers' group has been a sanctuary — a safe place where other writers ‘get it’. They understand the emotional rollercoaster, the late nights fueled by caffeine and self-doubt, the need to erase and rewrite, along with the triumphant dance of a well-crafted piece. This shared understanding has brought a sense of belonging to us. A sister-hood that exists in our hearts as only a writer would understand.
“The group that prays together, stays together.” Allow me a moment to express this fact. We, first and foremost, take time together to give God the glory for our gifts. It’s the gas that keeps our engines going — the glue that keeps us from falling apart alone. Not only do we pray at our meetings, but we have started a Signal group (like What’s App) that includes a prayer thread. So vital! Our everyday life is filled with pitfalls, sorrows, joys, celebrations, death, and everything else life has to offer. As I always say, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the awesome. In between our bi-weekly meetings, we keep in touch. Encourage each other, pray for each other, push (gently) each other, and care well for each other. It’s a beautiful touchpoint when we are not physically together.
Our meetings are filled with knowledge. We learn new things together. The signature at the end of my emails is “Ancora Imparo”. In his late 80’s, Michaelangelo would write this at the bottom of his works. It means simply, ‘and yet I still learn.’ We’ve adopted this phrase and it embodies the spirit of curiosity and growth that we strive for in our writer meetings. How it works — I prepare a lesson, per se’, and that results in calls to action. Digging into my unlimited box of creativity, we learn in very unique ways. One of the writers calls each session A Chapter. There's collaborative writing, a lively experience filled to the brim with laughter and fun. Then there is individual writing, where we each create our own piece using the knowledge and insights we've just gained. We are building our own guide book of activities for others to glean from that are interested in starting a writers' group. The structure we’ve created works for us. Always learning, always writing — that’s our mantra. Finding one to attend that works for you, that fits in your wheelhouse is essential.
Writers write. It’s just been a natural evolution for us, as a group to co-write a book. We are currently producing a devotional together, comprising thirty-one reflections to guide readers as they navigate the twists and turns that are strewn on their own life path. A dozen views. Many of the ladies who first walked in the door struggled with self-doubt and uncertainty. I had my own healthy dose and others will second that. But as we continued to meet and write together in faith, our wings emerged. Don’t get me wrong, we still have doubts arise, but we have learned how to take them captive, one doubt at a time.
The collective energy of a community can be infectious, providing the necessary motivation to keep going when the solitary path feels arduous and long. We’ve become our own network. Many times connecting each other with potential critique partners, beta readers, editors, and even publishing opportunities. Shared projects, joint publications, co-written stories, or simply bouncing ideas around has led to personal growth in unexpected ways. We’ve even begun to absorb new styles, experiment with new genres, and think beyond the limitations of our own perspective. One of our members is a poet. Because of her interaction and fantastical twists in her poems, I’ve even written and published one too. Who knew?
Being part of a writing community has allowed us to have a balanced dance. One that involves the mix of solitude and community. Times of quiet and individual creation balanced with period of connection, sharing, and collective growth. We have discovered the best of both worlds. Two worlds that need each other to exist and flourish.
Being part of a writing community has enabled us to grow as authors. Most of us began as solitary writers, but The Crooked Crown Writing Society has shown how powerful it is to thrive together. We discovered to truly flourish we needed a tribe—a place where we could both give and receive the encouragement that keeps us putting words on the page. We don’t take this for granted. This space has offered the support we needed to keep writing from the heart. Encouragement has been our greatest asset. And perhaps most beautifully, smack dab in the middle of the word encouragement, we found courage.
"Is this the year I attend a writing conference?"
by Stephanie Rodda
I was not discouraged however, because although what I expected to happen did not happen, things I didn't expect DID happen. These unexpected things led to a very different life, a life I'd dreamed of for a long time. I like to call it #writerslife after a popular hashtag. That conference changed the direction I was headed, as a writer.
So, why should you attend a writing conference?
*Workshops!
Whether you have yet to write a single word of the story in your head or have a finished manuscript in your hand, there will be workshops to direct you to the next step of your writing journey, whatever that may be in your particular case.
*Networking!
You will meet and network with people that will be an extended support group like you can’t imagine. You will discover fellow travelers at every stage of the journey. There will be those only beginning and those who seem to have arrived (although they’ll explain clearly why that isn’t the case at all). You’ll discover teachers, workshop leaders, agents, publishers, editors, independently published authors, traditionally published authors, industry legends, and perhaps even make a few lifelong friends. These folks will all become a part of making your dreams realities.
*Investment!
I have often heard that if you want to know what is important to a person, look at their checkbook. If you are ready to take yourself and your writing aspirations seriously, find an affordable conference and invest in your dreams. There is no better time than the present to stop procrastinating.
*Growth!
You will learn so much! Already have a book published? That’s great, but don’t let that stop you from growing and learning and honing your skill. Since that first conference, I have published three books, dozens of magazine articles, actually been paid for my writing, and led workshops myself. Still, I have so much to learn and I imagine that will always be the case.
You will learn about new venues that you may never have considered before. You will come to understand clearly that there is no substitute for hard work and determination. You’re going to have to pay your dues, stumble along the way and learn some valuable lessons that only experience can provide. Then, you get to choose to use those as building blocks as you keep on trying.
You may discover that your journey is worth enjoying along the way as you head towards your destination. How you measure success may change drastically. And finally you may find that your focus has changed. Your aspirations of writing will no longer linger in your peripheral vision. Instead, you’ll find it front and center. It will no longer be willing to be boxed up and put away for another day.
That day has arrived because you have attended a conference where you were given tools and tips of the trade. This beautiful calling we have been given to weave words, to make a difference, to encourage others and see our hopes being fulfilled is worth the time and effort!
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12 NLT)
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What does your writing community look like?
How have others helped you along the writing journey?
Do you still need to find your writing "tribe"?
We encourage you to reach out to fellow writers and share your joys and struggles with one another; join a writing group, and if there isn't one in your community, start one; find ways to connect online with other writers; be courageous and look for that place where you can connect and belong.
The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes that "two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other" and First Thessalonians says to "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."
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We'd love for you to connect with the writers who are part of the Southern Christian Writers Conference! Join our Facebook group, and get involved and connected! (Our 2025 in-person conference is full, but you can still sign up to get virtual access. Register here.)
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