Connecting with Other Writers

Recently I've been struggling with writing anything. I talk to friends, family, and the signification other about it but they all look at me with sympathetic eyes without really understanding how I'm feeling. I was aching to talk to someone who knew how I was feeling. 

So I did two things:

1. Joined a Facebook group of Writers

It's called YA Writers, and it's for anyone who is a writer and has graduated High School. (There is a Go Teen Writers group for those who are still in High School). It's nice because I am horrible and am glued to Facebook for most of the day. But this lovely group of people are constantly posting writer related stuff, so I'll read it and think "you should be writing right now. What are you doing?" and get back on track. 

It's also amazing to see other writers struggle. I know this sounds mean, but really, it makes me feel not so alone when I see someone else is having the same problem that I am having. I relate to them - and that's wonderful.

Most of the members have their own blogs, so I've spent the last week stalking all of them and finding out more and more about the projects they are working on (some really good stuff)! 

Also, they are all in a different stage of getting published. Some are just starting their books, some have self published, others have just been accepted by an agency, and others are biting their nails in anticipation of their next acceptance/rejection letter. It's wonderful to see the progress along the way, and to know that this actually is possible! 

What about you, do you have a favorite group you belong to online? Or maybe a close circle or friends that are writers, too? Leave a comment below!

2. Started talking to another writer I already know

Erik is my unofficially adopted little brother. He's a writer too, and currently living in Germany with his lovely fiance. For the past week we've been talking in the mornings, when our time zones overlap at a decent hour, about writing. It's been awesome to talk to someone who can relate to you, someone who actually knows the pain and suffering that goes into getting words onto paper.

It's also been nice to learn how someone else creates stories. For instance, I told him that when I write, it's like a movie reel in my head. I do my best to convey what I just watched into words, but sometimes even if I've watched it over and over again I can't get the words right. When I run into writer's block, it's typically because the movie in my head has cut off and I can't find the rest of the reel. 

Erik, on the other hand, does not see a movie reel. Instead, the words just come out of his fingertips as he writes and go their own way. (Not to say he doesn't have writers block at times, but I have noticed it is far less than I do). 

This being said, it made me curious. What do you (the reader) see when you write (if anything)? How does the story come to your mind and what does it take to convey that to the reader? Please let me a comment below.