An Ode to Twitter: #WritingCommunity

 

Hello, Readers! 

I have a confession to make– until October I didn't have a Twitter, nor had I ever been on the app at all. After hearing how it was full of drama, conflict, and all of the exciting side effects of people dumping their emotions out on the internet, I decided that it simply wasn't for me. I like to keep it simple! 

Cut to around October, when I suddenly woke up with a boost of motivation to set myself up for success in the writing world. I researched and researched, coming first to the conclusion that it was time to revive the blog– hello! Here we are!– and then reading up on the best social media for writers. There has to be one, surely, that best fosters an environment suitable for learning and connecting with other likeminded individuals. When the results all came up "Twitter," I knew it was time to steel myself and jump right in. 

Having been active on there for around three months now, I can say with certainty that though Twitter can indeed be full of drama, it also hosts a supportive and kind writing community. No matter at what point in the day I start to scroll, I see no less than five #writerslifts (threads dedicated to following along with and championing each others achievements)! If someone posts about how they are discouraged with their journey and don't know whether it's worth it to keep working towards getting published, writers of all genres who may have never viewed that person's content before jump to the comments, smothering them in encouragement and sweet words. And the opportunity to follow published authors who have already established a presence in the publishing and Twitter world is too good to pass up! Many of them are apt to interact with followers as well; I can't tell you the joy it brought me to see that Jennifer Nielsen has twice read and interacted with what I've been up to online! 

Though it can also be distracting– which I'll admit, it has at times kept my attention during my writing hours– it has the undeniable benefit of being a place that is full of people with a heart for the same things as yourself. I was thinking about the loneliness of writing the other day and how rare it is to meet people in real life that you can honestly relate to in literary career pursuits. No matter what raw emotion or experience you might share regarding storytelling, at least one person on Twitter will interact, telling you they understand exactly what you mean and are glad you shared. Regardless of how personal your revelations are, that is an affirming feeling to have! 

If you are a writer and are looking to get in touch with the social media side of being an aspiring author, there is no better place to go than Twitter. It might be because we are all better with our words than pictures or it's a quick way of putting ourselves out there, but whatever the reason, it's worth giving it a shot. 

Though I certainly can't claim to know everything there is to know about being a writer on Twitter, I have learned about a few of the hashtags that are most active and useful to follow/use to see the content you want: #amwriting, #amwriting______ (insert genre here), #WritingCommunity, #Writerscafe, #writing, #writerslift, and #writers. If you're looking to join BookTwitter as well (think Booktok): #booktwt, #amreading, #ReadingCommunity, #readingforpleasure. 

And if you happen to be looking for me on there, you can find me at @marissacwrites! I try to post encouraging thoughts, interesting questions, relatable writing content, current reads, and blog updates. I hope we meet on there soon! If Life in Longhand sent you, let me know! 

Wherever you choose to connect, I wish you a joyful and supportive community that rallies around you and pushes you toward your fullest potential. 

Let Life Fuel Your Writing

           

Hello, Readers!

What a rollercoaster life is, huh? As I've been reminded recently, it definitely is. A dance performance (it's true! I have a life away from the keyboard!) I was really looking forward to being a part of this month has just been canceled, leaving me with copious amounts of free time on my hands. I was already going to be running wild with a more open schedule than I'm used to, but now when I look at my calendar, I see a bunch of blank squares. 

When talking to my dad about the situation, he asked me what I was going to do now that I have so much free time. I answered instantly that I'd probably write even more than I'd planned to, to which he remarked that I probably haven't had the availability to do so in a while– scratch that, in ages. 

He's right! When I call to mind the last time I could write as much as my little heart desired, I was in late elementary and middle school, using my summers and lazy weekends to create some new, far fetched tale. As soon as my eyes opened, I'd race to the dining room and open up my computer, delayed my breakfast for as long as it took to finish my new, ingenious idea. At night, I'd lay awake ruminating over the next scene or a new character so that when I jumped out of bed with the sun– well, I was never an early bird, so maybe a little bit after the sun– and get to typing so I didn't forget it. 

Those early writing days were sweet and long before high school business, college preparation, and college itself took over my life. Though I was funneling my focus into other interests that excited and energized me, it took away the 9, 10, 11, 12, and even 13 year old motivation I had to do what I loved the most. I simply had to write, and I had all the time in the world, so that is exactly what I did. 

Writing is now not only my most heartfelt passion, but career I'm intending to launch into when I graduate this year. It's remained to me a necessary act, one that my soul needs, but now also one my wallet secretly wishes will fill it. Ha! And when else will I have the space, the empty days, and the time to myself to lean into my novel as I did when all I wanted to make the weird dream I'd had the night before and the character-developing-conversation I'd conjured into the start of an intriguing story? Will it be when the school year starts and I have homework, job applications, and graduation to worry about? Or will it be this blessedly free month in which I get to return to my old self? 

The answers are: never, no, and yes! And though I wish that disappointments and cancelled opportunities weren't the reason for this new schedule, I can't help but thank fate for how I now get to benefit from it. Each closed door means the opening of a new one and even disappointment can breed new opportunity. In this case, it means that I have a few more weeks to be a writer and a writer only. To return to my roots and create, living in the world that only exists inside of my head– at least, for the moment. 

When life happens, whether good or bad, it actually provides the fuel for us writers to reflect it onto the page, capturing our human emotions and experiences into our characters. At the most simple, it's an outlet for our feelings and a comfort in the form of our greatest love. So when the world lets you down, create your own and dive into it, escaping into something all your own. And whatever you do, don't let it drive you away from the page or discourage you. Push on, finding new discipline and new life in the words that pour out of you. 

Maybe like me, you could use a reminder of where you started and why writing called to you. Imagine that younger you, jumping up and down with glee at the thought that they have the power within them to make something from nothing. And when you can't help but smile with them, let them lead you back to your keyboard. 

2022: A Fresh Start, A New Chapter

Hello, Readers!

Welcome to 2022- the both literal and figurative new chapter of our lives. Though as my little brother told me, “time is not a staircase,” it does in fact feel that there is a step up or beginning of sorts. I like to think of it as turning a page; there are some already written, scribbled on, and edited in a stack next to you waiting to be learned from and reminisced upon one day, but for now it’s you, a pen, and endless opportunity. A chance to write something new!

This year is a big one for me as it is will hold a college graduation, hopefully a job, and the start of my “real” adult life. Knowing it’s going to be one for the books in more ways than one, it got me thinking about the kind of goals I can foster in order to be proud of my work at the year’s end! Though that means a few things in my academic, social, and personal life, I wanted to share the most relevant with you all so I can remain accountable as well as give you some ideas if you need them! 

The first is that for the first time, I want to set a reading goal. I used to be obsessed with my Accelerated Reading goals (did anyone else have those?) as a kid, but completely forgot about reading in the same focused way until this year. Thanks to friends, bloggers, bookstagrammers, and others, I have decided to give it a go this year! I am going to work towards reading, by the time the clock strikes 2023, 100 books! It might be ambitious, but given that my life and schedule will change as I graduate, I think this will help remind me that I can always turn to a book. 

I have always said to my friends and family that carving out intentional time to read or planning moments to open a book are the most important. Many people, including myself, love to read but struggle to find the time! The answer to that problem, in my experience, is to MAKE time. If you don’t set out to do something, you can’t simply wish it into existence. Tell yourself that it is a priority and then hit up your local bookstore or library! I believe in you! 

The second important goal begins with the month of January. Since I won’t have any class to take up my time this month, I want to create a consistent practice of writing my WIP each day (or at least most days!). I love finding quiet and designated times to sit at my computer and live in the world inside my head, so I know I will benefit from it in joy and in progress on my favorite story. With this month as a stepping stone, I intend to finish my novel by the end of the school year! It sounds crazy to type, but putting it in words is the only way to put it into action. I have the added pressure of my desire to use it for my capstone project (thesis, for you non-creative writing majors out there!). To complete this goal would fill me with such passion and pride!

When setting goals, it is important to note that they should always be clear and within your abilities but still enough of a reach that you’re challenged. You might have heard of setting a smart goal- specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time bound.  Though I wouldn’t recommend getting too in the weeds about hyper specific resolutions, I do believe that in one’s writing life and practice that we ought to create some sort of structure for ourselves. Forget about how long all of those famous authors tell you to write in a day and create the encouraging environment that you need to foster progress. I have time bound myself by the days remaining in January, the school year, and the calendar year which allows me the chance to plan out my steps in between as well as track my progress. By giving yourself mini deadlines, you too can pace yourself in the pursuit of your goals! 

This entire entry may be full of rambling- I confess that I am writing it in line for a Starbucks at Disneyland- but I can’t contain the excitement and focus I feel for being the best writer and reader I can in 2022. I know there will be a fair share of trials and tribulations, but as one of my favorite books, Little Women, says: “I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.” 

I hope that you are able to set your sights on something positive this year and chase your goals with me. We can keep each other accountable along the way! 

Happy 2022 and I will write again soon! 

P.s. Isn’t this typewriter just gorgeous? It’s from 1958 and works like a dream. This was one of my favorite Christmas gifts and comes from Unplug. If you are looking for a way to write without the distraction of the internet while surrounded by the melodic clacking of keys, I cannot recommend them enough!