As noted in another post, I recently left X (the platform formerly known as twitter). Upside, I found new writer-communities on Bluesky, Post, Spoutible, and Threads. But every creative community, (writing, art, music) no matter how supportive, has a cross-section of creatives who insist on eating alone. They do nothing to support other creatives. The only work that matters to them is their own.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to tell who is which. Upon joining Bluesky, I immediately followed an absolutely brilliant writer who is also a brilliant social activist committed to uplifting those most likely to be under the boot heel of our socio-economic system, (LGBTQ, ethnic minorities, impoverished, etc.). If Bluesky Writer (BW) is a bit harsh, well, not everyone channels their passion through a tact-filter.
And, of course, it is very rare to encounter anyone who shares all of your views and approaches. As it happens, I follow anarchist writers. I follow conservative writers, (few). I even follow apolitical writers, (fewer). So, I took BW’s exuberance in stride.
Then, a week or so ago, BW launched an incendiary attack on other writers. BW proclaimed they were tired of seeing “fake” writers posting about hating writing, not writing, and/or struggling with writing. That’s when I dropped BW like a bad habit.
It’s called Social Media for a reason
Writers on social media just to promote their book and/or never interact with other writers? I question their logic but it’s not a deal breaker. Baby writers making declarative statements about writing/publishing/marketing that they would/will see as faulty with some experience? Cringe but not cancel. Writers who trash other genres and/or books in the misguided belief that doing so elevates their genre/book Their insecurity slip showing is their problem, not mine.
But openly slamming other writers because of self-importance, (or insecurity)? That is a deal breaker. If the late-not-so-great twitter taught us anything, it’s that social media is a privilege predicated on perception. The interactions you have are largely based on the energy you put out there. Negative runs in ever-diminishing returns.
Community is based on reciprocity. Modeling other, more mature writers, I regularly share new release information for fellow writers. Additionally, I do book reviews for fellow writers—many outside of my home genre. The reward is immense and immediate. I have learn SO much about writing, publishing, and promotion.
I’m months, if not another year away from publishing my little crime ditty (cancer sucks, yo). Still, I firmly believe that karma is doing the right thing and, when the need/cause arises, other people will do the right thing, too. I also believe that lessons learned from other writers is an ancillary benefit of karma.
My book brother Michael Cook truly helped me on my emotional journey to self-publishing. A happy warrior, Michael embraces the process with an exuberance that is infectious. Fiona Quinn could teach a master class in leveraging self-publishing success into an optimum partnership with one of the big five publishing houses. With her latest book, J.L. Campbell took me to writing school in building an atmosphere of tension that touches every character.
The narcissistic writer, (NW) fails to reap those karmic benefits.
BW is the driver who’s annoyed with other cars on a very public road. That road was cut, leveled and paved by CENTURIES of writers before us. Every new writer, with every new essay, poem, short story, and book, contributes another paving stone that benefits all the rest of us.
Sadly, BW is far from the only writer who fails to recognize the benefit in other successes (and failures) born of other writers. I’ve written of NWs who use the writing community to build platforms and then turn their backs on genuine friendships once the NW “arrived” at publication. This is tragic for a variety of reasons but mostly because there are too many examples of HUGELY successful writers demonstrating great care with their fellow scribblers.
l-r unknown, Octavia Butler, Harlan Ellison
The Late Great Harlan Ellison and Samuel Delany both mentored and (monetarily) supported other writers. Ellison famously paid Octavia Butler’s tuition to attend the Clarion Writers workshop. Yes, the photo above looks like a police lineup, but really, they were great friends.
Or, you could, just offer encouragement to your fellow writers.
Neil Gaiman is unstinting in his commitment to helping fellow writers. Chuck Wendig has been supporting us mad scribblers nearly from the beginning of social media. Walter Mosley, (a huge influence on me as a writer and a human being) talks mucho-mucho shit about his peers but is unstinting with his support of new writers and accomplished writers still fighting in the trenches for success (by publishing numbers terms).
So, we’re all besties, now?
Would I get along with Hemingway? No. Dude really sucked all the air out of the room. Likewise, Harlan Ellison was notoriously “flinty” which means we would’ve ended up hurting each other's feelings. I’ve met Walter Mosley and admire him greatly however, I also believe a little of the guy goes a long, long way. And, yes, I am a “hoot” at parties, can’t you tell?
“We are scribble siblings—the same ink runs through our veins.” Yours truly, EJM
It’s always about the writing and the struggle we all face to get the words on the page (or screen, you know, whatevs). Other writers are not our competition. They are our natural allies. We owe it to them and us, to read, review, and support each other.
And if we cannot help—even as we drink from the same well, dug by our predecessors—we certainly should not hurt.
I own none of the images above. All images are used for educational/instructional purposes as covered by the Fair Use Doctrine.
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