by Lindsay Price

Created on: April 13, 2009

Networking: a system of things or people; the sharing of information among individuals and groups with a common interest; connection and communication within a group; the development and use of contacts.

Writing can be a lonely profession. It's you, your imagination and the page. There is no automatic built in communication system with others, as there is in a traditional office: There's no admins, no accounting, no human resources department, no fellow worker in the next cubicle, no one to take breaks with or go to lunch.

For the most part that's a good thing. Writing is not office work. But the solitary life can be equally helpful and hurtful to the writer. Every writer can benefit from networking and keeping in contact with other writers. For example networking can be used to:

Share concerns: no one understands the plight of the writer like another writer. Writers block, character issues, deadlines. Further to that, networking with writers can be a great way to share concerns about a contract, get feedback on a company, share issues you've had with a certain individual. Use your contacts to prepare yourself for every and all situations.

To share triumphs:

No one understands the triumph of finishing a draft like another writer. It's hard for an outsider to realize how exciting that can be! Connect with other writers and share your successes, however small.

To realize you're not alone:

Because writers are alone so much of the time, it can feel like every issue is happening to you and no one else. That's simply not the case. Every issue you've ever had has been felt by another writer. When you connect and communicate with others, it becomes easier to feel a part of a community and harder to feel alone.

To find work:

One of the best way to get leads on jobs is through networking. Pool your resources. Pass on an opportunity that perhaps is not right for you, and another writer will do the same in your direction. This sharing of resources is an excellent way to clarifying the tone of a particular networking group. The core of networking is the sharing of information. If you find that nobody wants to share, then move onto another group.

To provide a structure:

Working alone can be hard in that there's no 'boss' pushing you to finish projects. And if you write at home, there can be many distractions. If you network with writers who meet regularly, and who present excerpts from their work, this could give you the outside pressure needed to keep writing.

But what happens if you live in a remote area? With all the social media available (twitter, facebook, egroups) there's no reason you can't find writers to communicate with.

Connect, communicate, share resources, set a structure. Networking can be quite an important part of the writing process.

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