by Elizabeth J Baldwin

Created on: August 02, 2007

Many think cats are solitary creatures all the time. The reason people think this is because most cats, lions being the most obvious exception, do not hunt in packs as dogs do. However, a cat needs other cats. They have friends and band together at times for the common good. I've seen cats bring a mouse or rabbit to another cat who couldn't hunt for some reason. Usually these felines are related in some way; but not always.

Writers are like cats. While they need solitary time to write, they also need others to help them with their endeavors. Moreover, if they want to sell their work, they need others in the publishing community. Editors, agents, publicists and myriad other people that get a writer's work before the public.

As a writer you need to make connections with others in the writing community in order to achieve your goal of being a published writer. I recommend joining a local writer's group and, through it, learn more about writing and selling. This group can be a source of jobs because sometimes other writers will be asked to put together a series of stories or articles and will naturally be inclined to select writers from among those they already know.
Though not too interested in the subject, when a fellow member asked the group for stories for an anthology called Ghostly Tales From America's Haunted Jails, it turned out I had a couple of stories for it. This led to other connections which have led to more sales to more anthologies and magazines.

Attending Fantasy and Science Fiction conventions led to the sale of my books, Horses For Writers and How To Have A Civilized Horse, which in turn have led to other sales. Fantasy and Romance writers use horses a lot and they like to have a handy refrence work to help them make their horses realistic. As a writer it is important for you to get out and meet other people who are in the publishing industry. This is why going to conventions is an important tool in a writer's arsenal.

I belong to several groups and through them keep up with current markets. This is important to know. While you might get lucky just sending your work out blindly usually sending your work out without prior research is an exercise in futility and hard on the ego besides. Find groups that are interested in the same type of subjects you are and join them. This will connect you to the people who are looking for this type of writing. Sister's In Crime is a great organization for the budding mystery writer as well as the established one. Romance Writers of America is a must for the Romance writer. There are national organizations for every type of writing there is and it behooves a writer to find them and join. It establishes a connection to the group and gets you acquainted with people who know the markets in your genre.

During really cold weather you will see dogs curled up in tight little balls, always separate from other dogs. Cats however will pile up together until you can't possibly tell where one begins and the other ends. Writers need this kind of community. While writing itself is an alone occupation, the selling of writing is a community project. A writer needs to find a group of like minded individual in order to present her work to the wider publishing community. So find the group or groups that suits your niche and join them.

Incidentally, writing for helium.com also leads to connections and sales so don't neglect this resource.

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