I've recently come to the realization that I've been writing for about twelve years now, and I've just about come full circle.

When I first began pursuing a career in writing, I was afraid to actually WRITE. So I did everything else that there was to do. I joined organizations and attended workshops. I joined TWO critique groups. I participated in online communities and I plotted. For my first book I wrote a huge chapter by chapter, scene by scene breakdown. Now, I couldn't even imagine expending that much energy on something that wasn't a finished product.

Years later after having written for several publishers, I've resigned myself to the process of writing. The formula is simple.

Sitting in the chair + typing words into the computer = finished manuscript.

But, I've lost my touch for all the other things that make up a writer's life. All those things that I was once so good at. I can't remember the last workshop I've attended, and I keep forgetting to renew my memberships to various organizations. Back when I was twenty-five, I didn't have a husband or a lot of outside responsibilities.

Nevertheless, I'm writing all this to say that there's so much more to a writer's life than writing. Of course, writing is the key. None of the rest matters without it. But, networking within the community yields great benefits.

So, I'm trying to remind myself to make appearances. Plan booksignings. Go to workshops. Participate in online communities. All of those aspects of a writer's life can generate new opportunities and friendships.