Finding Your Writing Tribe

by Ralene Burke @RaleneB

Hey, friends! It’s Ralene, your friendly fantasy fanatic again. You know, when I first got involved in the writing world, I was pretty normal—by writer standards anyway, pretty sure the non-writers still thought I was a bit weird. My first novel was a contemporary YA where I learned I knew nothing about writing and needed to start fresh. So, I wrote an adult suspense.

During this time, I joined American Christian Fiction Writers and began to hone my craft and learn about pitching/querying and the rest of the publishing process. But then I ran out of “normal” story ideas. My next novel was a supernatural suspense. Still a bit on the normal side because, as a story that deals with spiritual warfare, it did not actually venture too much into the unknown.

During this time, though, I found that my romance/historical writer friends, even some of my suspense buds, got enthusiastic about my story, but they really did not relate to me as well. My first ACFW critique partner, bless her heart, was a romance writer, and try as we might we both struggled to help each other. Then I went and wrote a straight fantasy story. “Whoa, how does your mind work like that?” Yes, I got asked that more than once at Christian writer conferences.

On one hand, I was flattered my writer friends thought I was so unique. On the other hand, I began to feel a bit like an outsider. Very few people I met wrote fantasy or supernatural. Sure, the occasional friend made a comment about having a “speculative fiction story idea,” but, much like non-writers who say they have an idea for a book, they had no intention of actually writing said story.

Then, after a conference in which I was blessed to room with 3 other speculative fiction writers (2 of them wrote fantasy!), rumors started spreading that an acquaintance I had only met over the internet was starting a unique conference. This conference was for speculative fiction writers who felt they were too weird for the Christian conferences, but not weird enough for the general market fare. That was me!

The next year, I attended my first Realm Makers conference (where I volunteered for registration and bookstore setup), and you know what? It was like coming home. We had 80 attendees that first year, and they all got the various aspects of me. They understand my Christian side. They related to my writer side. And they celebrated my geek side.

Writing is often a lonely gig. We’re sequestered in a room with a computer for hours upon hours (not necessarily all in one day), playing with imaginary friends. The people around us in real life don’t understand our obsession and often regard writing as a hobby that can be interrupted for the most mundane reasons.

Writers need a tribe. They need a support system that understands their heart. They need someone to go to when they need encouragement, advice, or a shoulder to cry on. They need to feel connected.

Finding this tribe can take some time, but if often starts with a quick online search.

My first time looking online (in 2006), I found a website called Writing.Com, which had a free account. I joined, and quickly upgraded to the paid version. I found a critique group here that helped me stumble through my first 2 novels. They were a wonderful group—and I’m still friends with many of them online today—but something was missing.

Two years later, another search led me to join American Christian Fiction Writers, which was more specific to my calling as a writer. Here I found many friends and an organization that supported both my heart and my writing. I dove in and got heavily involved. And while, to this day, the group has fed my soul and my writing…there was still something missing.

And I finally found that mysterious “thing” with my Realm Makers tribe. Every year, going back to Realm Makers is like a family reunion. Throughout the year, we keep up with each other through our online forums and groups. We celebrate achievements and mourn our losses.

Through Realm Makers, I found my critique partners. I found my mastermind group. I found my agent, my editor, my publisher… What a blessing my tribe has been!

Now it’s your turn. Have you found your tribe yet? Do you have your support system in place? Where do you go when you need encouragement or advice on writing? If you haven’t found your place yet, that’s okay. Talk to other writers you know or do a quick online search. Let me know what you find!

Speaking of Realm Makers, registration for the conference is open! If you or someone you know would be interested in exploring speculative fiction and learning from some amazing professionals (like Robert Liparulo, Wayne Thomas Batson, Jill Williamson, Julie Hall, and more!), then hop on over to our website and check out the details!

TWEETABLES
Finding your #writing tribe - insight from @RaleneB on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

One writer's journey to find her #writing tribe - from @RaleneB on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Whether she’s wielding a fantasy writer’s pen, a social media wand, or a freelance editor’s sword, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to help everyone #SHINE Beyond their circumstances! Her novels, Bellanok and Armor of Aletheia, are available on Amazon. More fantasy novels coming soon!

When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all-around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . . You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or at her website.