This post is for my new friends joining me in Hope*Writers. If that’s not you or if you have no interest in writing, you can probably skip over this post. I just needed a place to save these tips to send my new writer friends. If you’re interested in Hope*Writers though, go here for more info and reach out to me directly with any questions you have! 

*This is an affiliate link, meaning I receive a small commission if you sign up via that link. Which means, sign up via that link, not another one! 😉

When I first joined Hope*Writers I was so overwhelmed. I had learned to call myself a writer, and yet I didn’t know exactly what I was supposed to be writing. It felt quite premature to join this group when I didn’t have a plan in mind. I learned quickly that I was in good company. I also learned that there was A LOT of information there, making it hard to know where to start or what to filter out. Here’s how I navigated that overwhelm:

1. Set time on your calendar for working through the library. These are important appointments and should be kept, not replaced with other things. “If you erase, you must replace,” meaning if you don’t keep the appointment at that time, you must reschedule it. 
2. Do not try to read every post in the facebook group. Engage where you can and disregard the rest. You will not be able to see every post and comment. That’s ok.
3. Use the search feature to find threads in the facebook group that pertain to you. Is there something specific you want to learn more about? There’s likely a thread in the group where fellow writers shared info and ideas. Use that search bar to find topics that might help you along.
4. Introduce yourself. Even though you feel like an imposter and you just know that everyone here is farther along than you (not true), say hello. If you read any of the other introductions, you’ll see that we’re all in the same boat. Everyone is lost, confused, and unsure. That’s why we need one another. Say hello and see firsthand how welcoming and friendly this community is. 
5. Watch the Tuesday Teachings. I have learned SO MUCH from these fellow writers, even when they’re in different stages than me. I almost always take away some nugget of information to push my writing forward. Even if you can’t watch them live, mark off time to watch the recordings. It’s one of my favorite perks of the group. 

If I offered up any general advice, it would be a friendly reminder that you belong here with us. You felt compelled to sign up for a reason. You did the hardest part, which is joining. Lean into the fear and really plug in. While we’re all at different stages in our writing, most of us all struggle with the same fears and insecurities.

This group is truly one of the friendliest and most inviting communities that I’ve been a part of and settling in here can be the very thing that propels you forward in accomplishing that writing dream of yours. Pull up a chair, take some deep breaths, and know — you belong here. 

If you’re not a member and have questions about Hope*Writers, don’t hesitate to reach out. Joining the group in 2019 made a tremendous difference in my writing/mindset and I’m a firm believer in community. Let me know what questions I can answer for you!