No Writer is an Island

God has been reminding me lately of this slightly-humbling-but-oh-so-true fact ---

I cannot do everything.

I really can't.

I'm not perfect.

I fail.

I'm not good at everything.

And even more than that, just because I CAN do something doesn't mean I SHOULD.

This writing life (and really life in general, but focusing on writing here...) is full of opportunity. Opportunity to fail. To win. To be rejected. To be accepted. To learn--both from failures and successes.

But one truth is this: I've yet to see one author who has made it by themselves.

Even in this age of indie publishing where we have an abundance of control, no one has done it without people that have offered a hand along the way, whether that be a paid hand or the hand of a friend.

I'll be honest. I like to do things myself sometimes (particularly when the other option is to pay for it to be done. I'm cheap, what can I say.)

But learning that this writing thing takes a village is a valuable lessen.

Your writing can always improve, and it will do so by laying down your pride and listening to others opinions on it.

Group blogs offer fellowship, friendship, and a relief from too-often.

Memberships in writer's groups like ACFW (and going to super fun conferences like the one coming up in August!! wahoo!!) offer fellowship with other writers, the ability to gleen from each others experiences, both the good AND the bad.

I just want to encourage you outside, ESPECIALLY if you tend to be an introvert like yours truly, coming out of your shell and walking with others will offer great benefits.

Let's chat! What are ways that you build community in the writer world? Do you go to conferences? Have a critique group? Part of a blog? How have those things helped you?