Today she has graciously stopped by to talk about how she copes with the often solitary writer's life, and share several invaluable resources she's found for connecting with other writers online.
Kristina Knight
There are a lot of things that help me in my day to day writing life. One of the many - my writing buddies. In a job where much of the work is lonely and solitary, my writing friends -- CPs, brainstormers and shoulders -- are my lifeline. My girls from Maumee Valley RWA (the lovely Jayne Kingston included) listen patiently while I whine and they're my loudest cheerleaders when something great happens. Even though I have an incredibly supportive family and a great group of friends, these women know the daily grid of opening that blank document, of sending our 'babies' out into the world and of getting rejections by the hundreds. And they know the beauty of a celebration for even the smallest of miracles - like a rejection with a bit of encouragement!
Some of my best writing friends I've found online ... so I thought I'd pass on a few links to the places that are my online-home away from home!
Romance University (http://www.romanceuniversity.org)- Romance Writer's Community filled with all kind of fun information, tips and tricks.
Savvy Authors (http://www.savvyauthors.com) - is a great site, filled with community, workshops and friends. I mostly lurk...otherwise I'd never get anything written!
eHarlequin (http://www.eharlequin.com) - from writers guidelines to competitions to community, this site has a little bit of everything for the category romance writer.
Just Write It - This is Shirley Jump's email list and a great resource for writers.
In all of these sites (and there are many more, these are just a few favorites) the key is that you get what you give. If you reach out to another writer, chances are you'll make a connection. That connection could be worth it's weight in gold, even if you never meet that new friend face to face. Critique partnerships, brainstormers and friends are all waiting...if you just reach out.
As writers, how do you cope with the solitary confines of the writing life? Have online connections helped you cope?
Once upon a time, Kristina Knight spent her days running from car crash to fire to meetings with local police--no, she wasn't a troublemaker, she was a journalist. When the opportunity to focus a bit of energy on the stories in her head, she jumped at it. And she's never looked back. Now she writes magazine articles by day and romance novels with spice by night. She lives on Lake Erie with her husband and three-year-old daughter. Happily ever after. Kristina loves online visitors so stop by her website (http://www.kristinaknightauthor.com) or blog (http://www.kristiknight.blogspot.com).
What a Texas Girl Wants is available now at:
B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-a-texas-girl-wants-kristina-knight/1110496096?ean=9781440544637
Thanks so much for coming by, Kristina!
Hi, Jayne! Thanks for inviting me over today!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by! I hope you're having The Best Time Ever with your first book release this week. :)
DeleteThanks for coming by! I hope you're having The Best Time Ever with your first book release this week. :)
DeleteA great interview from my fellow Crimson Romance author! What A Texas Girl Wants was a fabulous read!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amanda! So glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteI agree with you, Kristina. Writing may be solitary, but having friends who support and understand is oh-so-valuable. Our RWA chapter is the best for that!
ReplyDeleteSo excited for your release and I can't wait to read it.
Thanks, Constance! Our RWA Chapter has been awesome for me - you ladies (and The Men) have been wonderful!
DeleteHi Kristina!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how writers coped before The Internet. Not only am I a part of several supportive online communities, but I've learned things I didn't even know to ask about. Hanging out with other writers online helped me improve my own writing, learn how and who to query, got me through the pain of early rejections, and eventually helped me find my publisher.
Thanks for sharing your favorite online hang-outs. There are a couple there that I didn't know and I'll be sure to check them out!
Have fun checking, Irene! If I'd been writing pre-Internet, I think I might have imploded...my online (and offline) peeps keep me sane.
DeleteYou're so right, Kristina! And I think the calibre of our writing friends makes a difference, too. That's why MVRWA is a great group of people. Congrats on your release. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDelete