Guest Blogger: Tory Guyon, Salt & Stars Press
The Evolving Role of a Writing Community
"Writing is a lonely path." You've probably heard this phrase before, which means you probably know there's a degree of truth to it, too. Quiet, uninterrupted writing time is an essential component to anyone working on a book, but it's just one aspect of the overall experience.
I mean… Frodo couldn't deliver the ring without the fellowship. Manon couldn't defeat the Clan without the Thirteen. Personally, I could be given all the tools, all the time in the world to write a book, but I wouldn't be able to do it without community.
Before I met my writing group, I was floundering. I was lost, disheartened. I had no lifeline. No one to bounce ideas off of, no one to brainstorm comps, no one to gush about book boyfriends with. I needed people—not a one-off critique, not a passing comment on an Instagram post, but people I could foster long-term relationships with—even if it meant I had to put myself out there (scary!) it was worth it.
Over the years, my needs as a writer have certainly evolved. I've published two books in my urban fantasy romance series and have started drafting an enemies-to-lovers romantasy. My community has also changed and grown and developed little subsets, but the value remains the same.
This is a career where you never stop growing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re writing your first book, or your seventh, we’re all starting from the same place: a blank page.
What role my community plays is less of a where-I'm-at-in-my-career thing and more of a what-season-am-I-in thing. Because writing is cyclical; this industry is cyclical. So when I'm brainstorming, I send my chaotic ideas to my peers and it's their encouragement that drives me to put those ideas to paper. When I'm actively drafting, I lean on my writing group for critical but constructive feedback. And when I decide to self-publish, I rally with my indie friends who share their marketing strategies and commiserate over how tough the social media landscape is.
No matter what season I'm in, I can always count on my writing community for these three things:
1. Honest feedback
Getting (and giving) open, honest feedback is an integral part of the creation process. My critique partners help identify plot holes, refine my voice, highlight pacing issues, and flag inconsistencies in a constructive way that boosts my confidence.
2. Not just people to share the highs and lows of publishing with, but people who understand them
Rejections, self-doubt, creative slumps—no writer is immune to these. Whether an agent has passed on my work, or I'm battling imposter syndrome, or I've just written a scene where the MMC says “who did this to you”, my writing community is a safe space to celebrate and vent. I know I can count on them to offer empathetic words, encouraging advice, or go feral in the chat—because they get it.
3. Accountability
It's much easier to procrastinate when no one's watching. My writing group isn't just there to cheer me on, they're there to hold me to my goals and push me out of my comfort zone so I can actually achieve them. Group check-ins, sprints, critiques, and strategy sessions help me maintain a consistent writing schedule without losing momentum (ok, sometimes I lose momentum but my people are there to lift me back up—and remind me of my deadlines).
This is a career where you never stop growing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re writing your first book, or your seventh, we’re all starting from the same place: a blank page.
The importance of a writing community never truly goes away, it only transforms with your publishing journey. I hope you enjoyed this post, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my story with you!
What does a writing community mean to you?
You can find Tory and her books at Salt + Stars Press and on Instagram!