By Jennifer Deibel, @ThisGalsJourney

A friend of mine commented on a social media post recently that she always thinks of writing as a solitary endeavor, but has been reminded by the writing community that that isn’t the case. Or at least, it doesn’t have to be the case.

When I first started pursuing writing, I was living overseas, far away from any sort of American writing groups, conferences, or the like. And yet, I experienced such rich community during that time.

And now that I’m a published author, I get lots of people asking me about various aspects of the publishing and writing journey. One question I get asked a lot is, “How do you find other writers to connect with?” Many budding writers express a deep sense of loneliness when it comes to their craft, and I must say, I’ve experienced that myself at times. 

But, thankfully, there are ways we can find, and build, community, and I’d like to share a few of them with you.

1. Join a writing association. I have found American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) to be an invaluable source of information, training, and community. There are lots of email groups, classes, and even critique groups you can join. It’s a wonderful way to get connected with writers that are both ahead of you on the journey, as well as plenty of folks coming up behind you that you can invest in. There are countless others out there that might suit your genre or needs better.
2. Check with your local library for opportunities. Many libraries host writing groups for adults, as well as having Authors in Residence available for critique appointments, offering classes, etc.

3. Take to social media. The Bookstagram community on Instagram is a wonderful place to connect on social media for both authors and readers alike. There are also lots of other communities available out there. A quick search can help you find some. Many local chapters of ACFW also have Facebook groups to join.
4. Reach out to your favorite authors. Yes, authors are very busy people. But they’re also some of the kindest and most generous I’ve met. Try connecting with your favorite author(s) through their newsletter, email, or social media. Express gratitude to them for how their writing has touched your life. And ask if they’d be open to you asking some questions about the writing process. They may say no, and that’s ok. They may say yes, and end up pointing you in a direction you’d have never guessed of doing on your own. 
5. Create your own group. None of the above working for you? No problem! Look around in your natural gathering places—work, church, school, etc—and keep your eye out for other writers. I promise, they’re out there! And if there’s a lack of writing community in your area, I can all but guarantee that they are also hungry for it, just like you are!

What am I missing? What other ways have you found to cultivate writing community in your life? How has having that support system helped you along the way?

Blessings on your journey, friends.

Jen

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The Lady of Galway Manor

In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family–descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family’s jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the lies the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the “other side” isn’t quite as barbaric and uncultured as they’d been led to believe–and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire.

Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel.

Jennifer Deibel, author of A Dance in Donegal, is a middle school teacher whose work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children. You can find her online at www.jenniferdeibel.com . Her sophomore novel, The Lady of Galway Manor, releases Feb. 1, 2022 from Revell and is available for preorder wherever books are sold!