Writers – Stop Hiding

Writing is generally considered to be a lonely affair. Granted, when your writing hits that utopic pace where the words flow and your characters finally begin to speak for themselves, it is anything but lonely. I recently experienced writing connection through my participation in the Muskoka Novel Marathon, where writers from all walks, genres, experience, and aspiration, come together to write for 72 hours straight to raise money for adult literacy.

Having a group of writers gathered, even if only through our computers, to create new words is compelling. When your juices drain and you doubt you have another intelligent thought left, another writer asks a silly question like, “what is the word for that yellow circle in the sky?” and you hear self-deprecating laughter and it inspires you to suck in a breath, shake off your tiredness and plod forth (usually blindly) into your plot.

After feeling the inspiration of writing as a collective during the marathon, I encourage you to join a writing spree online, show up for #5amwriters club, attack a coffee shop with another writer or schedule a writing retreat with your buddies. Quit hiding at home! Community holds power and all these events can help to remind you that writing isn’t so solitary after all.

This year, off the heals of COVID, my annual veterinary conference–which is usually held in January–was postponed to July… plunking it inconveniently onto the same weekend as my writing marathon. So, what did I do? I tilted my head and said, “What the heck, let’s do both!”

This was a gift and a hardship in equal measure. Although I nearly put myself into burnout when I returned to work run down and drained, this experience shared with me a new truth; my writing intersects my professional and creative worlds and centers on the WHY of my veterinary passion. I work as a veterinarian to support families whose lives are enriched by their animal companions.

I’m so blessed to love what I do. It isn’t always easy, but when I can help to keep a precious pet in their home with their family for another year, another week or even another day, to bring joy and healing to that family… then I’ve met my purpose.

Having the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association conference and the Muskoka Novel Marathon at the same time nudged me to lean into my writing purpose. As my colleagues were offering invitations to gather and unwind after lectures, I proudly declared I couldn’t participate as everyone would normally expect of me—who doesn’t like a glass of wine with good animal people—because I was participating in a marathon.

This was where I got hit with the double takes. (I don’t run… a good walk in the bush with the dogs is more my speed.) In response… I laughed, rolled my shoulders back and confessed to my veterinary professional friends, “I’m a novelist and I’m currently searching for an agent to assist with publication.”

I explained about being a writer and my participation in a writing marathon and I put myself out there.

And what occurred?

My confession was met with genuine support and not only did these amazing people, that I have come to know through my professional life, lean into my passion and ask questions and nod encouragingly… they went to my website, read my words, and donated to help raise money for adult literacy.

Putting yourself out there can be scary. As someone who is currently in the query trenches, I can speak to this intimately. It takes grit to share your words and to let others in, but I’m here to tell you, it’s worth it.

Stop hiding.

Mingle.

Meet other like minds.

Put yourself and your words out there. The renewal of your creative wells will inspire you and perhaps others, to keep trying and you may discover a whole new realm of support you hadn’t expected. Keep going!

I see you and others will as well.