Miss Demeanor Susan Breen posted those words, join something, in her blog last week. She was recommending that her students further their careers by joining one of several groups in the mystery writing community. And it got me thinking about how important the mystery community has been for me.
When I started writing my first mystery, A Matter of Blood, my goal was to challenge myself. I loved reading mysteries, but could I write one? The idea of publishing never crossed my mind. However, once I had a complete draft and the family and friends who dared read it were extremely enthusiastic and encouraging, I thought, maybe I could publish it. But I didn’t have the vaguest idea of how the publishing world worked. So I looked around, found the New York chapters of Mystery Writers of America (MWA) and Sisters in Crime (SinC) and joined both.
That decision had a great impact on my future as a writer.
My first critique
One of the first things I did was take advantage of the MWA Mentor program which for a nominal charge, allowed me to submit the first fifty pages of my manuscript for a critique by a published writer. That was scary. A stranger reading and commenting on my writing.
On one hand, I hoped she would say the manuscript was wonderful and should be published immediately. On the other hand, I feared she’d say I was a terrible writer, and the manuscript should be trashed. Of course, she did neither. Instead, she gave me a thoughtful, positive critique that pointed out my writing problems, encouraged me to continue to improve my craft, and praised my characters and plot. That experience taught me two things: one, I could handle criticism, and two, I had a great deal of work to do to bring the manuscript up to a publishable level.
Monthly meetings
Through the monthly MWA and SinC meetings I learned the craft of writing and the nitty gritty of writing crime fiction. Some months there were craft presentations. Some months agents, editors or publishers offered advice on things like writing query letters and querying. Other months the speakers were professionals working to prevent and solve crimes, including policemen, detectives, medical examiners, private investigators, FBI agents, poison experts, bounty hunters, fire marshals, and skip tracers.
Networking
A side benefit of attending monthly meetings was the networking. I made friends with other writers, published and unpublished, and from them I learned about conferences and workshops, and the ups and downs of publishing. And connecting with the speakers meant I could call or email to ask questions about their jobs when necessary.
Was it worth it?
I have no doubt that joining MWA and SinC furthered my writing career. In fact, without those monthly meetings I’m not sure there would have been a career.
If you haven’t already joined one of the groups listed in Susan’s Community blog, I encourage you to do so.
Share your experience
Are you part of the mystery community. Tell us about your experience.
Catherine Maiorisi
In addition to her mysteries and her general fiction GOLDIE winner, The Disappearance of Lindy James, Catherine has authored five romances novels. Her latest, Love Among the Ruins, won the GOLDIE for Best Romance–long.
Catherine has also published multiple mystery and romance short stories in various anthologies.
Very true. I have loved my writing organizations, and as a side benefit, when I attend conferences now, I know many of the people there. That’s hugely important because otherwise I feel lost.
Catherine, I took my own advice and joined the Women’s National Book Association, which I should have included on the list. It is definitely a treat to go to a conference and know people.
My suggestion for every new writer is to find a “tribe.” I’ve found mine in SinC, Guppies, Buckeye Crime Writers, MWA, CWA, and Author’s Guild. Yes, I belong to that many groups! Each is unique, and I love the friends and colleagues I’ve made.
It may not be easy to show up the first time at an MWA or Sisters in Crime chapter meeting or at a local writers conference. But it’s so worth the temporary discomfort. (Discomfort?! Maybe I shouldn’t assume we’re all introverts.) Writers I’ve met at these get-togethers have become close friends, and I can’t imagine life without them.
Catherine, I often tell the story of how you welcomed me to my first New York SinC meeting. As president, you set a standard that I’ve never forgotten and have tried to emulate.
Good points, Catherine.
I really enjoy being part of Sisters in Crime and belong to two chapters – as well as the North Carolina Writers Network and the International Association of Crime Writers. Even attending a conference like Malice Domestic brings me in contact with people I only “see” during the year on Facebook or other social media; it’s fun to get together in person and share ideas or a meal, and learn who the people are behind the posts! Being a part of the writing community is so important since writing is such a solitary profession.
I’ve been meaning to join either MWA or SinC (or both!) and this post just gave me the nudge. Thanks! 🙂
I’m SO thankful for the connections and information I glean every week from my SinC membership! It’s encouraging and makes me feel less alone while I write!