Your Writing Support Team

For the most part I enjoy being a freelance writer. However, it's a solitary occupation, and sometimes I do miss the camaraderie of working in an office (as I did in my earlier existence). In particular, there are times when I wish had colleagues to bounce ideas around with, or to give a second opinion on some point or other.

Well, I may not have colleagues any more, but I do have the next best thing. And that is, my forum at www.mywriterscircle.com. I know quite a few readers of this blog belong to the forum, but many still don't. So I thought in this post I'd mention some of the benefits that I, and other members, derive from belonging to the forum.

To start with, the forum is great when you want a second (or third) opinion from a fellow writer. In my recent Day in the Life article for Linda Jones's Freelance Writing Tips blog I mentioned an occasion recently when I used the forum this way. You can read the whole story in the article if you like, but briefly I was writing a profile for a client, and wasn't happy with my closing sentence. So I decided to post it on the forum and see if anyone could improve on it. Three forum members rose to the challenge, and one came up with the perfect solution. I was pleased, and so was my client!

The forum is also used regularly by members needing help with research. For example, a new member, Collegeguy, wanted some advice on creating a convincing bank robbery scene. On the topic in question several members offered comments and ideas. At the end Collegeguy wrote: 'Thanks a ton for all your help, everyone...it's coming along well, and I'm positive it would be totally different (and a lot worse) if it wasn't for your suggestions!'

Plotting is another area where the forum can be a life-saver. Written your hero or heroine into a corner where you can't see any way out? Describe the situation on the forum, and see if the ingenuity of MWC members can deliver a solution for you. Long-standing member (and forum moderator) Cathy C had this problem and sought help from our members. In the topic in question, she wrote:

I've managed to leave my character without money (the result of a house fire which destroyed everything - credit cards, cheque book, bank card etc.). Even worse, it's a Sunday and all the banks are closed. (Man, when I mess up I REALLY mess up). Anyone got any ideas as to how she can lay her hands on some money fast? (And no, robbing a bank/shop/house is not an option...)

Take a look on the forum to see the range of answers members came up with!

And, of course, if you have any questions about grammar and punctuation, correct manuscript format, how to write a query letter, or any other writing-related topic, our (nearly) 6000 members are ready and waiting to help. Check out the All the Write Questions board for a range of questions that have been asked - and answered - recently.

And finally, it's not just writing-related matters you can raise at MWC. On our Coffee Shop board, members have asked questions about or simply debated a huge range of topics, some serious, others less so. If you need advice, support or information on almost any subject, our members are ready to help if they possibly can.

So there you are. I hope in this post to have convinced you that Mywriterscircle.com is an invaluable resource for any writer, especially if (like me) you work on your own. If you're not yet a member, it's quick and easy to join, and of course it's free. And if you are already a member, ask yourself whether you are making the most of the forum? Remember - to harness the power of the friendliest writing community on the net, you only have to ask.

Happy writing, and see you on the forum!