“I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.”
Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
Many people think writing is a lonely endeavor. You sit in a (hopefully) quiet space, all by yourself, staring at the computer, it's blank page daring you to "Go ahead. Fill me up. Make it good!" What's a writer to do?
If you're new at this game, that feeling of being all on your own can be so intimidating that you might quit before you've given yourself a real chance. So, I'm going to let you in on an open secret. You are not alone. There are many options available to you if you know where to look.
First, search the internet for writers' associations, both local and national. Many national ones have state or regional affiliates. I write for kids, and can highly recommend the Society for Children Book Writers and Illustrators. (SCBWI) It's an international organization that is well regarded in the publishing industry. There are also organizations for mystery, romance, historical, even memoir writers. Find one that fits your category and become a member.
Second, join a critique group in your genre. That take a little more effort, but if you've enrolled in an association, you can most likely find what you're looking for there. And if you can't find one, then start one. Hey, I never said it was easy.
Third, make friends with your characters. They're your creations. They're a part of you, but they also have a life of their own. And that life is fascinating. Your characters take you places you might never go on your own. I love my peeps.
Writing is not a lonely profession. It's one filled with people, both the ones you meet at conferences, et al, and the ones you bring to life in your books. Go ahead. Give it a try. Fill up those pages. And don't worry about making it good. That comes with time, practice, and the help of that association and critique group. Even if you never get published, you've accomplished something most people only dream about. Honestly, I can't think of a more exciting profession.
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”
Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
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