6 Ways to hook up with other writers -- even if you're insecure

Writing can be a solitary task, but it doesn't need to be. There's lots of support for writers if they know where to find it. Get to know other writers, form alliances, give each other feedback, encouragement and advice. The writing community is one of the most generous with sharing of information. So where can you hook up with other writers?

1. Join a Writers Group -- Best thing I've ever done. We meet once a week and take part in writing exercises, share our work and discuss the industry. This is an intimate, safe environment to share your writing with people you trust for an honest critique.
2. Blog -- I never realised there were so many writing communities until I started blogging. Start your blog on whatever you like. I enjoy blogging about the craft of writing, but also love reading marketing, education and reading blogs. It's a way to interact. Turn off 'captcha' or 'word verification' in your settings. These are horrible torturous tests visitors must endure just so they can leave you an encouraging comment. It's not polite. If you are worried about spam (yes, I'm rolling my eyes), then use comment moderation instead.
3. Sign up to Blog Groups and Challenges -- Such as Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group. You put your link on a list and everyone posts on an agreed topic or event. You'll meet lots of blog friends very quickly.
4. Pick your Favourite Social Media Platform -- You don't have to do them all, so don't be overwhelmed. Best to pick the one that suites your style and use it effectively, than to flounder on half a dozen different sites. The top ones seem to be Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn, but there's also Instagram if you're more of a photo person, and Pinterest if you like sharing websites and online photos. Browse through and read posts to see which platform suites your lifestyle. 
5. Visit your Writer's Centre -- There may be one not too far from you. Writer's centres have plenty of advice and contacts to get you on your way and most charge a reasonable yearly membership fee.
6. Attend Writing Festivals/Seminars -- You'll be educated, entertained and get to network with other professionals in the writing industry.

Most of all, it's important to get out there with a positive attitude. Be thoughtful and reciprocate. If you want followers for your blog, then go follow other blogs. Don't hide in a corner and expect all the introverts to come to you.

By offering a place where followers can comment without obstacles,
you'll increase the number of people who stay long enough to say hello.

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A Writer's Idea of Souvenirs

Supanova was a new experience for me. I loved seeing so many people in costumes, ranging between store-bought, elaborately designed and homemade with sticky-tape and cardboard. Loved them all. Lots of pop-culture like manga, anime and dvd's, but also lots of books. Oh yeah, books *rubs hands together*.

My day started off with Jennifer Fallon's writers workshop on how to write a series. I'll share more about that soon. Today, I just want to share some of the souvenirs I bought home. The girls got loads of cool manga stuff, including this must have fox hat for Emily:

And for Matilda? Something less subtle - mittens to match your ears:

But my favourite purchases were the books! 

We got this series, signed by both the authors:

Matilda found these cuties:

I couldn't wait to try something by Jennifer Fallon, and she generously signed them:

And I am absolutely in love with these books by Kate Forsyth:

Emily was so excited to meet Kate Forsyth and get her books signed, she can't wait to read them and blog about them in the book review site she shares with her sister, Paper Dolls.

And to top the day off, the lady hosting the Penguin Books stand was so impressed with Emily's choice of costume (Katniss from The Hunger Games, complete with silver arrows and bow and golden mocking-jay badge), she gave Emily a free copy of Marie Lu's Legend. This novel won't be released until November, so Emily's quite excited about reviewing it early.

Now we need to look for more shelves for Emily's room as it fills with yet more books.

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Taking Writerly Advice

I received so much good advice on writing from the recent conference I attended, that I figured I should follow some of it! Most experienced writers suggested joining critique groups, writers associations and groups. 

This week I joined up with ACT Writers. Almost straight away, I got a groovy newsletter filled with tips, news and upcoming workshops - why haven't I done this sooner? On Sunday I'll be attending a workshop for writing thrillers, so I'll be sure to let you know how that goes.

Other advice I received was to continue doing courses in creative writing - sure thing! I've signed up for a course with the Sydney Writers' Centre: Online Writing Books for Children and Young Adults. This is my first week and I have to write a memory from my childhood, then I have to write the same scene from a different character's point of view. Also as part of the course, I'll be re-reading The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe (on my Kindle!).

Other news for Wagging Tales - our first ever author interview will be coming up in October!

K.M.Weiland from Wordplay will be joining us and talking about her upcoming release: Conquering Writer's Block and Summoning Inspiration. Be sure to come by and check it out!

In the meantime, I have plenty more advice to pass on from the writers conference 

:-)

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Writing Animal Characters

One of my latest reads has been Dog On It, a mystery series by Spencer Quinn, featuring the detective duo, Chet and Bernie. The narrative is told in first person by the point of view of Chet. Chet is Bernie's dog.

Telling the story from the pet's point of view has been done before, but has the potential to be too cheesy. Chet wouldn't mind, he likes cheese. But, this book does not become corny, thankfully Quinn resists any urge to have animals carry on conversations with each other.

I write dogs. In Dog Show Detective my mystery-solving duo are 12yr old Kitty Walker and her Miniature Schnauzer, Spade. I love dogs, watch dogs and feel I know dogs pretty darn well. I try to capture the character of my dog's size, breed and individual personality. Too often, I read stories where the dog is just 'there', loitering on the pages and yapping occasionally (or worse, saying 'woof'!). Quinn has captured the essence of the dog perfectly utilising Chet's strengths (good sense of smell, strongly loyal, and, can take a bite when necessary) and his weaknesses (memory gets a bit foggy and events get blurred, plus, he has no will power when it comes to food - or urinating on interesting objects).

Quinn captures the dialogue of a dog perfectly: "I hopped out and trotted around, lifting my leg on some of those spiky bushes and a round rock with a flat rock sitting on top of it - couldn't ignore something like that."

The mystery is interesting enough to carry the story (this one is about a missing girl) and I loved it enough that I'm currently reading Thereby Hangs a Tail (the next mystery in the series).

Tonight I fly to Brisbane, I'm a nervous flyer, so I've packed lots to do on my short 1hr40min flight. I've got my Kindle (my Chet and Bernie mystery waiting on it), a book on Mystery Writing, audiobooks on my iPod and various snacks. It will be worth it. Tomorrow I'll be attending the CYA Conference at the Brisbane Writers Festival - I'll try to take lots of pics and notes to share with you all!

stay calm, stay calm, stay calm...

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8 Reasons To Attend Writers Festivals

Promotion from Previous Melbourne Writers Festival

Writers Festivals - what's the appeal? Hate crowds and not much of a mingler, plus, time is such a valuable commodity in our society, I'm very frugal with mine. This is why my form of socialising and undertaking courses is usually done online. But...

Writers Festivals. I want to attend. I've never been and it seems a mysteriously creative and joyful event. There are workshops, seminars and festivities (otherwise it wouldn't be called a festival - right?). As mentioned in, A Writer's To Do List, I've decided to go to the Brisbane Writers Festival. It's going to be a bit costy with the workshops and travel expenses, but I think the festival will get me writing more productively.

Festivals provide:

1. Deadlines - The date of the festival is set, so, I'll want to have my WIP edits done and as much written for my next MS as possible. I always work better with deadlines (as you can see from No Time To Finish That Novel?)
2. Enthusiasm - This is so exciting for me (my first festival)..
3. Professionalism - I'll feel like a real writer (maybe I'll get a name tag!), I like tricks that make me feel like a writer - see my post Getting in the Mood.
4. Contacts - Festivals provide a great opportunity to network with authors, agents and publishers.
5. Industry Knowledge - I'll learn how the querying process and publishing business works. I'm almost up to the query process, and found some great links: Q is for Query
6. Role Models - Speakers provide examples of how they overcame the common obstacles to become published. I often look to established authors for great examples, see Effective Websites for Authors
7. Marketing Advice - Writers need to do more than just write their books now, so I'll learn a lot of tips on how to market myself as an author and my work. For more on marketing see earlier posts: Give Readers Something More and Niche Markets = Loyal Readers.
8. Socialising - I'm sure to meet other writers and bloggers and form life-long friendships.

Have you attended a writers festival, and if so, what did you get out of it? Have a link to a festival you want to share? Mine is The Brisbane Writers Festival.

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