The Importance of Communities for Writers and Writing

Why Going It Alone Might Be Holding You Back

Until you become part of a writing community, it's hard to assess the impact of creative isolation. Much like the 'invisible load', it's an unseen weight that can rest heavy on even the most introverted of shoulders. 

Many aspiring authors romanticize the idea of the solitary writer—curled up in a quiet nook, lost in their imagination, churning out the next bestseller. But here’s the truth: writing alone, without a support system, is one of the reasons most people never finish their books.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted yourself, or abandoned a writing project halfway through, you’re not alone. And more importantly, the problem isn’t a lack of discipline or talent—it could be isolation.

A community of writers, even an online writing community, can be a safe place for you to show your work to a critique circle as well as give honest feedback to others, a learning environment to understand the writing process (and the publishing process!), and a network to find like-minded people and beta readers. Ultimately it's a community of creative individuals coming together in their solitary endeavor to write a book. 

Writer friends are invaluable; they can offer advice, encouragement, or simply a listening ear when the challenges of being a new writer are overwhelming. It doesn't even need to be an in-real-life local group - there are plenty of facebook groups, online writing groups, and online platforms to meet new writers and fellow writers. Even if you're writing different genres or writers of all skill levels, the writing life requires many of the same writing skills whether that's creative writing, a memoir, a novel, non-fiction or short stories.

I also believe being part of a community can make you a better writer. Just the idea of community can make you feel more confident as you meet with people ahead of you and behind you on the writing journey. One of the best things is the opportunity to make lifelong friends and in a world which is becoming more fragmented, friendship and a community of people are becoming more important than ever before. Young writers are particularly prone to isolation as they have grown up with technology.

Whether you prefer an online community or meeting a community of people in real time, a group of other writers is your security against writer's block too - a support group where new ideas can flourish as you meet people who you can connect with. Have you ever done a writing course or workshop and felt all fired up with ideas, simply desperate to fill up the blank page? Writing communities can do that for you too. 

But don't take my word for it - let's look at the science. 

The Science Behind Why Community Matters

Studies have shown that accountability and social support significantly impact goal achievement. According to a study by Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University, people who write down their goals and share progress with others are 42% more likely to achieve them than those who keep them to themselves. 

Now, apply that to writing. If simply sharing your goal increases success rates, imagine how much more effective structured guidance and a writing community could be.

Isolation breeds self-doubt. Without feedback, small insecurities spiral into reasons to quit. Without encouragement, progress feels slower. And without structure, it’s easy to procrastinate indefinitely. This can happen to writers of all genres at any stage of the writing journey.

Why Most Writers Struggle in Silence

Many first-time authors think struggling alone is just part of the process. But if that were true, why do so many unfinished manuscripts collect dust in drawers? 

Here’s what can happen when you try to write in isolation:

• Self-Doubt Takes Over: Without feedback, it’s hard to know if your work is any good, leading to unnecessary rewrites or complete abandonment of the project.

• Procrastination Becomes a Habit: There’s no urgency to finish a book when no one is expecting it.

• Lack of Direction Stalls Progress: Writing a book is overwhelming, and without guidance, many writers get stuck in the middle and never move forward. 

What Happens When You Get the Right Support

Now, imagine the opposite. You’re part of a community of like-minded writers who understand the struggles. You have access to expert guidance that helps you push past roadblocks. Instead of second-guessing yourself, you get constructive feedback that refines your work. Writing stops being a lonely, uphill battle and becomes an exciting, achievable goal.

• Accountability keeps you on track. When you know others expect updates on your progress, you’re more likely to keep going.

• Feedback eliminates guesswork. Instead of wondering if your book is on the right track, you’ll have insights that help you move forward with confidence.

• Support fuels motivation. Seeing others achieve their writing goals makes your own success feel more possible.

  
  

If you're ready to join a good writing community or facebook group, my article 9 Online Writing Communities You Should Join and Why, is a great place to get started.

Here are a few more ideas:

• Take part in National Novel Writing Month, an active community during the month of November when writers aim for a certain word count. 

• Check out literary magazines for upcoming writers' conferences, writers' programs, and writers' workshops.

• Research social media platforms for the top online writing communities and an online writers group. If you have genre-specific challenges, join online groups that favor your genre whether that's science fiction or crime fiction. 

• Local writers can benefit from checking out their local library for their nearest literary community.

• If you love to travel, next time you book a trip, check out if there's a literary festival happening at the same time.

The Fastest Way to Finish Your Book

If writing alone has been holding you back, it’s time to change your environment. A structured writing program, a mentor, or a dedicated writing group can make all the difference between another unfinished manuscript and a published book.

You don’t have to do this alone. The most successful writers aren’t the ones who suffer in silence—they’re the ones who seek out the right support. 

And my last tip! When you become the next big writer with a book deal, don't forget to thank your community! Support from writers' groups most likely is an element of your success :) 

Are you ready to stop struggling alone and finally finish your book? Explore how a structured writing program can provide the accountability and guidance you need.

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