I’m Not Networking, I’m Community Building

Your peers are your first real fans.

Someone used the “N” word on me. When I told them of all the literary events I’ve been attending, they asked me if I’m networking. My initial reaction was to post their comment on Twitter and let the social justice warriors bash them for ever using the “N” word, but then I thought I could put that energy to better use.

What’s the difference

To me, there’s a clear difference between networking and community building. With networking, you’re thinking about what you can get out of that person or community. There’s something they have that you want to take. With community building, my only consideration is what I can add. I’m observing these readings, learning new perspectives, meeting new people and trying to discern how I can add my voice to the fray.

When I’m out at literary events — book launches, magazine launches, readings, open mics, conferences — I feel like I’m part of something. I see the same faces at different events, I see people stand up and read for the first time, I feel the excitement of a new project finally going out into the world and can’t help but submit to the reality that I’m just a small part of something far more meaningful.

Your peers are your first real fans

I’ve said before that I write for two reasons — to inspire and to impress. The people I’m most trying to impress are other writers. They’re the ones whose opinion on my style, my syntax, and the way I transition in and out of sentences matter. To earn their support is one of my #goals.

Because of this, and because most writers are obsessive readers, they’re essentially your first true fans. I say true because your family and friends, bless their souls, can’t not be biased. So when someone from your literary tribe says they appreciate your work, there’s a different tingle in your heart and a more meaningful sense of accomplishment.

Real life still matters

I was taken back when I discovered the large majority of my audience is from outside of my own city (and country, for that matter). Part of me felt encouraged that my writing is stretching beyond my local borders, but the other part felt a bit disappointed I’m not deeply connecting with readers from my own backyard.

I had no one to blame for this but myself. I’ve been so concerned about my online presence that I forgot about real life. I wasn’t taking the time to put in the groundwork it takes to be known locally, and that was a mistake. More importantly, I wasn’t taking the time to discover local writers. None of their names or their work was familiar to me and that just felt wrong.

I’ve learned so much since dedicating myself to being present in real life. The face-to-face interaction with other writers, observing the creative ways they go about launching their work, reading new stories and engaging in conversations fills me with a whole new sense of appreciation for the culture. It also informs how my perspective can be valuable and add to this thread of great writing.

In the end, we support each other. It’s not about asking for favours, it’s about finding your place in the community and figuring out how you can contribute. And when everyone takes that mindset, we all benefit in some way. Of course some writing will stand out more than others, but that’s part of the beauty of being part of a community. If and when you’re ever lifted among the crowds, you know you’ve earned the right to be celebrated and your peers couldn’t be happier.

C R Y

I’m Not Networking, I’m Community Building was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.