Beware the Sirens' song of the introvert, which makes you reluctant to interact with fellow writers or chase your writing dreams solely on your own. I've made that mistake and it's slowed me down considerably.
Please remember that time's not like money (which you can "re-earn"). Frankly, time's probably the most precious thing that any of us possess.
Now, if you're uncomfortable about discussing your work with others, my advice is to get "comfortable" and quick. Everyone you meet won't help you. But there are so many ways that others can help you become a better writer (from constructive criticism to inspiration for a story to the name of their publisher/cousin).
It's not what you know or who you know - it's both. Hand-in-hand, your writing skills and the right allies can make it easier to get sh&t done.
Contacts with others in the writing game offer some useful advantages. Here are some examples of how help from others did wonders for my writing efforts so far:
1. I found my current editor while chatting with a friend of his. While she knew that I was working on a book, she didn't think to mention him until I said that I needed an editor.
2. I stopped writing a few years back. A fellow co-worker/fellow writer invited me to her Writer's Club. I went to a few meetings, got hooked, and ended up getting my first book done much sooner that I would've if she hadn't invited me in.
3. I knew this guy who was a graphic artist. I needed someone to do my cover and asked him if he knew anyone with skills. He raised hand and ended up giving me a killer cover for a great price.
4. One of my favorite stories "The Inheritance" was inspired by a story I heard from a lady in Subway restaurant. Her story was about a family cleaning out the home of a deceased relative, accidentally finiding some money, and then sharing what they found. My sick mind took that story and wrote about a group of siblings who enter a booby trapped mansion on a lethal scavenger hunt worth billions. Had I never met her, that story wouldn't exist.
I could go on and on about the impact of others upon my writing quest. And if you've been in the game long enough, I'm sure you'll come up with some examples as well.
Look up conferences. Join writers' groups. Submit pieces of your work and get known. Make buddies on-line. Learn from their mistakes and avoid 'em where you can.
And if you do nothing else, keep in touch with the outside world, which impacts everything you write. The more you interact, the more you learn, and the better you can write.
Learn what they have to teach and don't be afraid to give something back (say, to a writer with less experience). Struggling writers tend to get along pretty well, y'know. Makes me happy to know that I'm not the only lunatic dreamer out there.
So don't think of just needing "a room with a view".
Think of needing a world of colleagues, friends, and near-strangers whose collective aid/wisdom can make you a better writer.
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