Praise for an Effective Writing Site

Back at the end of December, I joined the online community, Agent Query Connect. This has been fabulous for me. First of all, I don’t really know any local writers or aspiring writers. Second of all, I am not particularly close to any major centres where I can hang out with other writers or even join in on the events hosted by the writers guild I am a member of. Third, I am a little shy about the idea of talking about my writing face to face with ‘real’ people–although I am getting better. And fourth, I squeeze my writing in around my life–ideal for online communities, but not so much for real life communities that get upset if you bring your children along or arrive late or leave early.

Aside from these personal reasons, there are a zillion of professional reasons on why this community is awesome. First of all, there are a pile of people with diverse ideas, diverse backgrounds and a variety of helpfulness. Second, you can pop by as often as you can or desire. Third, you can ask any question and it is likely that someone has an answer. Fourth, you can get a pile of feedback on your own writing. Fifth, it is inspiring. Sixth, it allows you to make contact with other writers and eases the lonliness or isolation of many writers. Seventh, you may even meet an agent over there. Eighth, you can hear all sorts of good stuff before it is published (and possibly encourage the next BIG thing). Ninth, resources of all sorts! Tenth, there are some good laughs.

Are you getting the picture that this site is the best thing I’ve ever stumbled upon? I can’t believe how much this site has helped me grow in the past few months. I feel more confident in my writing, I’ve met other writers, I’ve got some critiques going and I’m finding all sorts of resources all the time. It’s great!

So then the other day I was editing an essay for my husband who was writing a paper on organisational behaviour within the teaching profession and I came across this description of an effective group’s features and it made me think of Agent Query Connect. Here’s the list:

No clear experts, problems are solved as group by dividing tasks among members
Members learn from each other and are willing to share their expertise with the group
Combined experience of the group is leveraged in a given situation
Tendency to make riskier or more creative and innovative decisions
Ability to overcome organisational weaknesses, especially in the area of professional development through helping each other to acquire new skills and expertise
Helpful for newcomers to the organisation
(Hunt, Osborn and Schermerhorn, 2005. Organisational Behaviour.)

The amazing thing is that all of these points describe what I have experienced over at Aqent Query Connect.
So, after reading this and you want to join, it is free–and better than most things you pay for–so go on over and join up. See you there!