It can't be about winning by Thea Atkinson

It can't be about winning

By Thea Atkinson

 

You're a writer. I know this because you're reading a post on the amwriting blog, and you're reading it because you expect, hope, or pray for some information.

I've been a writer for a long time. I've freelanced, I've judged, and I've taught writing in my time as a purveyor of words and the one thing I've learned that has made my writing life easier is this:

It can't be all about winning.

To get help,  you need to give help. To get critique, you need to critique.

And sometimes to get read you need to read.

Perhaps sometimes it's true that there is the pure philanthropist out there, who out of the goodness of kind heart offers some of these things without hoping for anything in return, but most of us are human. We like to be thanked, appreciated, and helped when we need it.

I've been involved in a variety of artistic communities over the years and I've found the writing community to be the most consistently supportive and encouraging.

Hooray for us.

We're communicators at the core and we know that the spirit of communication drives our words. It fuels our spirits more than the idea of fame or money.

And when we stop competing we can create networks so strong they will pay us back tenfold.

So. How to do this thing.

New writers hoping for critique from veterans are often unsure how to offer critique. Simple. Just tell the author what you like. Everyone loves to know what works so they don't accidentally edit it out.

New tweeters often have no clue about building followers at first. I know I didn't. Start out simple here, too. RT something you enjoyed. Share the love. Tweet to your follows that what they've said is interesting.

Promotion is tough for many writers. Not sure how to help pay it forward by promoting others? Easy. Start by asking those you wish to help promote questions about their books. Ask for links that you can RT, places where it's sold so you can suggest sampling to your followers. Little things like that can make a big difference to a writer's day. I know. It always feels good when someone does it for me.

New to blogging? Some new bloggers are uncertain how to build their network. This too can be as easy as offering comments in other blogs with good, keyword rich phrases. If this is over your head, just comment positively. Let the bloggers know you've been there.

You will get noticed.

I have news for you: we are in either in a network that spreads the wealth if we spread the love or we're in a race of one where there is no glory in winning.

 

-30-

Thea writes psychological thriller fiction that can sometimes be dark but that always has a glimmer of light.

 

Please feel free to follow her on twitter

http://twitter.com/#!/theaatkinson

or visit her blog for ramblings, guest posts, giveaways, and more

http://theaatkinson.wordpress.com

 or like her facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theas-Writing-Page/122231651163413