About a year go i started using Twitter actively. I’ve had an account for ages, but my use before then was limited to logging in every few weeks or so and shouting some random stuff into the void. then I began to be active and actually interact with people and suddenly I understood why people liked this platform. The main area that I started connecting with people was via the #amwriting hashtag and through that I found the #1linewed game. Through that I met a whole bunch of other writers and found on Twitter a community that I have yet to find in my local community. That is a collection of awesome people who shared the same passion/madness for storytelling that I do. They have been a community that I felt encouraged and welcomed by. A collective group that has given me advice and helped me out when the words weren’t happening and I have done my best to pay this stuff forward.
Needless to say. finding a community of other writers has been beneficial for me. One of the biggest things that I have gotten out of having a group of other writers to talk to is the will to keep working on my dream of finishing and publishing my novel. Of getting my work out there. Which brings me to the point of why I started this post in the first place.
Early on the majority of the other writers that I knew were unpublished. I remember at times while reading snippets of countless peoples work thinking that it was like being in the middle of a heap of great novels while they were being written. In the last few months particularly I have seen quite a few of my writer friends cross the line to becoming published Authors. Some have gotten traditional publishing deals and some have taken the Independent publishing path, both of which have their own pros, cons and challenges. I don’t personally believe that either is better or worse, just different ways to get to the same goal. Having your book out there for people to read.
It is incredibly gratifying for me to see my friends take that next step. I get really excited when i see somebody post about it and I just want to share that love basically. Because one of the things that i really believe in is that as writers we should support each other and not see each other as competition or any kind of bullshit like that.
So, this is me taking a moment to say congratulations and thank you and to encourage all of you to keep on doing what you are doing.
~ Unscheduled Trains of Thought ~ 
I just found your blog and wanted to share my two cents with you. I’ve struggled with severe depression that comes and goes all my life.
This last fall I hit a really low point. I mean, I could not feel anything but crushing darkness. Anyhow, writing has been my savior, and reaching out to the online writing community has helped get me back on my feet. I’ve committed the next ten years to following this crazy writing dream, come what may.
Take care, my friend. I’m glad you have found a space in this world where you can thrive.
– Josiah
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Thanks, Tarquin–that is so kind. Publishing a book all of my own stories was one of the hardest things I ever did. And I look forward to seeing your work in print. 🙂
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