Community is Everything | Community and the 2023 Ydubs conference.

Last week I experienced one of the most beautiful times of my life.

Sunday, I packed my bags. I waited. I low-key stressed about several things that were out of my control. And then I drove several hours to the airport. Hopped on a slightly delayed plane. Got absolutely no sleep even though it was midnight.

And thus started the most chaotic and beautiful week I’ve ever experienced.

Those of you who met me there know I’m talking about the 2023 Young Writers Conference held in Linden, Tennessee. And I kid you know when I say that experience is one that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

I met so many people, y’all. Ydubs students and instructors and authors—authors! I met Victoria Lynn, guys!! *Jumps up and down* She is the absolute sweetest person ever and I love her to death. Victoria, if you’re reading this, thank you so much for our chats!

I also hugged people. Hugged them. So. Many. People. And I hugged at least half of them. (Coming from someone who isn’t the most touchy/feely person ever, that’s saying something.)

I shared a table with the most awesomest of human beings and passed way too many notes and completely adopted everyone at that Table of Chaos as my own. (Including you, Piper! I know you’re reading this. 😏 I love you, girl!)

I could go on and on about my time there. All the conversations and laughter and sharing of good fellowship. The extremely late nights and the rowdy games. There aren’t words for it. And that’s coming from an author.

In case you’re wondering, yes, there is a reason I brought all this up (besides the fact that I miss my people so darn much 🤎). During my time there, I realized just how important it was. The community. The people. The encouragement. The energy of a group of people coming together, united by a common purpose, and lifting each other up.

Solo is not so

Writing is not a solo effort. We might be the only ones who can write our story, but we are not the only ones along for the ride. Behind every great writer, there is a team of people supporting and encouraging them, celebrating their achievements and encouraging them through the struggles.

As it should be.

Humans were not meant to be alone. If one falls, another can help him up again. A three-strand cord isn’t easily broken. God did not create man to be alone. That goes for writing too.

I cannot tell you how much I’ve relied on my own support group in the past years. My tribe has encouraged and uplifted me in ways I never knew they needed. And even though they stood by me through tough decisions, they also urged, poked, prodded, shoved, dragged, threatened, and quite literally carried me towards the finish line.

And I needed it. Boy, did I need it.

And so do you.

If you are not a part of a writing community—or don’t have friends who are writers—I highly, highly, highly encourage you to get yourself one. I’m not saying your parents or family can’t be a part of your support group—far from it. But as encouraging as they can be, if they aren’t writers, then, to some extent at least, they can’t really relate or know just how much struggle writer’s block or uncooperative characters can be.

That’s where other writers come in.

No matter where you are in your writer journey, if you don’t have a community or people or group who has your back in this crazy thing called writing, please get yourself one. It might not happen overnight. It might take several months, or years even. But it is so worth it.

You will not regret it.

I hope you guys enjoyed my slightly different post this Friday. And for everyone I met, I love you guys so much! Y’all are so special to me in so many different ways, and I am so blessed to have met you. Until next year (or even before!).

Are you a part of a writing community? Who has encouraged you most in your writing journey? Were you at the Ydubs conference?? If so, what’s one of your favorite memories?

Catch ya on the flip side!

_Mac 🤎