It’s a pleasure to host J.H. Jones today as she discusses the central importance of community: 

Walking Your Path with Your Tribe
By J.H. Jones

Writing can feel like a solitary path—just you and your story idea. It’s personal work, often quiet and internal. But the truth is, while the writing itself might begin alone, the journey doesn’t have to be.

In fact, I’d argue that it shouldn’t be.

While writers grow their craft by writing, it’s the courage to share, listen and learn with others that makes the difference. It’s through community that we gain perspective, encouragement, and the kind of writing wisdom that only comes from other writers who’ve been there.

I know. As a member of Sisters in Crime (the international, inclusive community for all who write and love crime fiction, mystery, thrillers, and suspense), I’ve had the privilege to be part of critique circles that have helped me develop my craft. Yet, more importantly, writers have encouraged me to keep going when I wanted to quit.

While Sisters in Crime has been a great resource for me to develop my writing tribe, you don’t have to be a part of an international organization to find your writing community.                           

Whether it’s a library writing group, an online meetup, or contacts from your personal writer network, you can find like-minded writers who will transform a lonely writing experience into a journey of collaborative creativity. Whether it’s the shared thrill of a great sentence, the give-and-take over a stalled plot, the common challenge of crafting interesting characters—the people you surround yourself with will get it. And most importantly, they will get you.

But here’s the real magic: being part of a writing community doesn’t just mean others show up for you. It means you show up for others—by listening and offering your voice. Asking questions. Giving thoughtful feedback. Celebrating someone else’s triumph, even when your own words aren’t flowing. That kind of presence builds something deep. Something sustaining for yourself and everyone in the group.

Being part of a community reminds me that my writing isn’t just about me or my book. It’s about other writers, too, and all the books that are in us, and how we can build relationships that stretch across genres, skill levels, and life experiences to help each other bring our works to life.

If you’ve been walking the writing path alone for a while and you’re not where you want to be, maybe it’s time to reach out. Join a writing group or start a circle of your own. Whatever form it takes, finding your tribe can breathe life into your writing and keep you moving forward—especially on the days it’s hard to believe in yourself.

As writers, we all walk our own paths. But let’s walk with our writing tribe!

 

J.H. JONES BIO

J.H. Jones (she/her) is the author of The Write Group, which helps writers tap into the superpower of writing groups, and From Draft to Craft: A New Writer’s Guide to Feedback, which helps writers with the feedback process. For creative fiction, she experiments with paranormal romance and spooky short stories and is working on her debut gothic mystery novel. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hiking, talking over story ideas with her zillennial daughter, and working with her husband on their backyard re-wilding project.

Contact her at www.jhjones-author.com and follow her updates on Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

From Draft to Craft is available at: https://books2read.com/u/mgBAR7