The Perks of Fellowship for Novelists

Who Could Say No to Perks Like These?

I'm having a great 2011 so far. It all started in 2010, really. Someone wrote to me on the querytracker.net forum wondering if I'd be interested in forming a critique group with her.

Best. decision. ever.

Coming out of the writer closet and joining the online writing community (and this is true of any writing community, really) started a snowball of epic sugary goodness. Here are some of the perks I've enjoyed:

• Having my work read by people who GET IT!
• Getting feedback that makes my writing stronger.
• Feeling less insane because everybody else is going through similar struggles (and blogging about them).
• Getting to read riveting stories BEFORE they're published!
• Being involved in making said riveting stories even better.
• Reading and writing a review for a friend's book (better than a backstage pass).
• Moral support during the query process (and when I get there, the submission process).
• Interviewing literary rock stars and generally getting to know some amazing writer people.
• Living vicariously through the successes of others.
• Being asked to contribute to a couple incredible writing blogs.
• Cyber-meeting literary agents and seeing how truly nice/savvy they are.
• Helping to match agents to writers through super fun contests!
• Brainstorming sessions with writers who love the same kind of books I do. 
• Getting a kick in the pants when I slack on my wordage or editing--motivation to keep going.

Is it any wonder I'm always extolling the virtues of a writing group? And hey, you don't even have to sell your soul.