Today, I want to discuss the importance of community. This topic has been on my mind recently, particularly since I returned from the Origins Game Fair. This convention is centered around individuals who create games, and I was astounded by the close-knit nature of this community. Although it’s not a large community in the grand scheme of things, it was significantly larger than I had anticipated. The number of games present was impressive. This experience led me to reflect on my full-time job as a writer and the community often built around writing.
Similar to game design, writing is primarily a solitary endeavor. Most of the work is done alone, and even when collaborating with others, the actual work is completed in solitude. However, unlike games, writing is not inherently a multi-person activity on the back end. When you sit down to play a game, you’re usually playing with others. Conversely, when you sit down to read a book, you’re typically doing so alone.
I believe this is due to the introspective nature of writing. It is more targeted towards an individual, which can make it insular, even isolating. However, it’s crucial for a writer to have a community, to have people around who can encourage you to persevere, as writing can be a challenging endeavor.
Life seems to come in waves, and currently, I’ve noticed that many people seem stretched thin. It’s as if a wave of frustration and difficulty is washing over everyone. Perhaps this is due to my current mindset, as I am experiencing a period of frustration with my writing, causing me to notice similar struggles in others. But I genuinely believe there’s something in the air.
During times like these, we need each other. We need to come together as a community to support and encourage one another, to prevent each other from spiraling. No matter how far along you are in your career, these issues persist. I’ve been writing for six years now, full-time for three, and I still wake up some mornings doubting my abilities as a writer.
It may sound absurd coming from someone who has written numerous books that people have enjoyed, but that’s often how I feel. I’d like to say that once you’ve published a certain number of books, these feelings disappear, but they don’t. They’re not as intense or debilitating as they once were, but they still exist.
If you’re feeling down, whether it’s about your writing or your life circumstances, know that you’re not alone. Life isn’t always sunshine and roses. Often, it feels like a storm cloud is looming on the horizon, or perhaps it’s already hit and it’s pouring rain. But remember, behind every cloud is the sun, waiting for a gap to break through.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a writer is that how you handle yourself during difficult times has a greater impact on your life than anything else. If you can face adversity with courage, you’ll be able to move forward faster once the difficulty passes.
If life is frustrating right now, that’s okay. It’s okay to not feel great, to be upset, to feel like you’re not doing well. Just remember, tomorrow is a new day. What you have to say is important.
I’m not sure how this turned into a motivational speech, but perhaps it’s because I need a bit of motivation myself. Writing is hard and will always be hard, but it’s also wonderful. It brings life and enjoyment, it’s a fantastic way to connect with others and express yourself.
At the end of the day, it’s crucial that you continue to write. Most importantly, ensure you’re doing it with others. Encourage those around you and engage with the communities you’re part of so you can receive encouragement as well. Above all, keep writing.
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YouTube Video Link: https://youtu.be/_tx9FZOQLsI
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