“There are three kinds of advice in this world: advice that’s meant for you, advice that’s not meant for you, and advice you’re not ready for yet.”
– Michael La Ronn
Ever feel like you want to talk about your writing journey, but that little voice in your head tells you that nobody wants to hear from little ‘ole you? That at your level, there are so many others much better equipped to tackle the subject? It’s kind of annoying, right? Because as creatives, it’s in our nature to want to share our experiences, and when it comes to building community, sharing is vital. Especially when finding community on TikTok.
Now, I know lots of us are video-shy introverts, but hear me out. If you’re looking for a place to dip your feet in the water and test your networking skills, then I highly recommend giving TikTok a try. Why TikTok? For those who are aware of what’s been happening on Twitter (currently called X), you’ve seen what used to be a once vibrant community of authors, agents, and editors slowly fall apart. Gone from the platform are the days of connection that had built so many relationships and communities in the publishing world. But that connection is now being created on TikTok, and I’m going to give you a few tips on how to get your foot in the door.
Firstly, you don’t need all the high-end microphones, cameras, and ring lights to make a debut on TikTok. Primarily, outside of the ever-popular but strenuous TikTok dances, the app leaves a lot of room for personal connection through conversation. Now, this advice won’t make you go viral, but it can help you find your people. Start by talking about where you are in your writing journey. Even if you believe there are too many cooks in the kitchen, I guarantee
someone who shares your identity, background, or genre wants to hear from you. Share what you know, even if you don’t know much starting out.
Next, as you’re sharing and exploring the community, you might become overwhelmed by the amount of advice that isn’t meant for you. You know the advice:
- You must write every day.
- Don’t use adverbs, using one filler word will destroy your draft.
- No prologues, first person is best, third person is best, etc.
I’m sure you’ve heard more. But it’s totally fine to cast off advice that doesn’t work for you, and it can be beneficial to hear why people subscribe to such advice, and maybe you can use that advice and shape it into something useful. For example, author Susan DiRende, talked about some advice they heard, that if you want to be successful you have to make your bed every day. She chuckled at the advice at first, but then realized she could apply some of it. So, instead of bedmaking, she chose to move her morning dishwashing chore to the night before and talked about how, over time, that small accomplishment helped move her creative juices. What’s something you could do to get the muse flowing? I can tell you one thing that can help: you don’t have to follow every piece of advice you hear. Especially on big platforms like TikTok.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to take the first step in building the community you want to belong in. Like most good things in life, opportunities aren’t just going to fall into your lap. It’s true that community can be built anywhere, but sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone to reap the benefits. Seeking out and surrounding yourself with future forward-thinking people will enrich your creative spirit and open doors that previously seemed sealed shut. There are still plenty of authors on every level, editors, and agents giving freely to the community. Not to mention what can be learned from book professionals like audiobook narrators, book reviewers, and booksellers who also form communities on TikTok.
Your experiences at your current place in your writing journey matter, and your fellow authors want to hear from you, even if you’re not the expert. Sharing helps build communities that can grow stronger together and TikTok might just be the place to find your next online community.
About the Author
Blair Cousins is the author of the science fiction trilogy Ceapeaya’s Awakening and publisher of A Day in the Life of Cats coloring book series. She is a writer of many science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories and an avid traveler who is dedicated to learning all she can to forge stories that fuel both the mind and imagination.