"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men." — Herman Melville
When I first started writing, I knew basically nothing. I had no friends who were writers. No contacts. No clue what to do beyond put words on a page. When I made the switch from nonfiction to speculative fiction, the isolation only grew. As a Christian writer, the fantasy and sci-fi spaces felt lonely and small. I didn’t really fit into the general market, so finding my place amongst its circles was more than daunting; it seemed impossible.
Then I stumbled across the Realm Makers Consortium on Facebook. It was a whole group of writers like me who loved Jesus and loved fantastical stories. As someone who wrestled with whether the stories I wanted to tell mattered, whether they were worthwhile, and whether they could find readers, finding this group felt like finding home.
While I had so much support from family and friends, finding other writers who understood the perils of publishing and offered wisdom, encouragement, and prayer, I think, is a key reason I didn’t stop with the first book, or the second, or the sixth.
From that online group, I made connections that became friends. Over the years, we have offered one another counsel, shared feedback on each other’s stories, commiserated together over doubts, fears, and frustrations, and cheered one another on. They are people who have been such a blessing to me and for whom I am grateful.
We are built for community. We are made to need the love, support, and wisdom from others who have traveled similar roads. We need people to listen, to pray, to cheer for us. And it’s not just through Sunday church—though that is a big piece—it’s also through other places and spaces where we find Jesus-followers with similar passions, hobbies, and gifts.
This piece of my community isn’t one I get to see daily. I rarely get to sit with them over a cup of coffee or around a dinner table, but their presence is felt so deeply in my writer life. The messages sent back and forth are rooted in mutual respect and love that the Holy Spirit has used time and again to fuel my weary writer heart.
So, thanks, fellow Realmies, for being Jesus with skin on for me. I hope I have been the same for you.