Building A Community

One of my dear colleagues, Jon Meyers, an incredibly talented writer, teacher, and loving spirit, passed away suddenly a little over a week ago. It was a harsh reminder that one should never take anything for granted, especially health and time.

 Jon was always working toward achieving his creative goals, with grit, humor, and grace. But he also always had time to lift other writers up. He knew how to offer notes that never felt judgmental. He was always encouraging. Anyone who had interacted with him knows what I am talking about.

This can be an intensely lonely business, and sometimes it’s you against the world. But there are other creatives out there who are supportive, and to honor Jon's passing, I suggest you find ways to connect with those who lift you up.  

Like many writers, I have a tendency to “burrow.” Me: “I’ll just stay in this room all day and work on my creative projects. It’s so much fun!” Also me: “Damn, this is lonely! Isn’t there anyone else on this planet???”

At this point I usually take my beloved mini-doxie (Dandy) out for a walk, and realize: “Oh, there are other people in the world!” I’ll feel refreshed from interaction with others (especially other dog owners), and suddenly, during my walk, my mind will often solve many of the problems I was facing on the page. The point is: it’s healthy and important to interact with others so that one doesn’t feel isolated from the rest of the world.

If there is not a writers’ community in your town, seek one out online. There are many. Find your peers, exchange your projects, give notes. Encourage, uplift, inspire. It’s not really that hard to do, but I think that sometimes it’s easy to forget that others are also on this journey.

I had forgotten how often I would connect with people on social media, become friendly, and offer to read what they were working on, with notes, if they desired. They would do the same. This is how I met so many wonderful writers, some who have moved on to big careers. The notes I received, and the encouragement I received, were priceless.

Jon won’t be here to read my next script, but I still have his letters and his messages to remind me that yes, this is indeed a journey that we decide to take, but there are other kindred spirits on that same creative road, some behind us, some ahead of us, some by our side.

Find your fellow creatives, embrace them, and build your community. I dedicate this simple post to Jon Meyers. I am grateful that I knew him.