When I began writing four years ago, I knew nobody who shared the same hobby—especially not anyone my own age. It took a while for me to get involved with the writing community, and I wish I had discovered it sooner. Many young writers share the same feeling, so this week’s post focuses on the many platforms where the young writing community thrives.
Instagram is a hub for young writers. Every day, hundreds of writing tips, memes, and prompts are posted by the many writing accounts on this social media platform.
To find these writing posts, look for accounts with “write” in their username or check out posts under hashtags like #writingtips or #writersofinstagram. Once you interact with one account that posts writing-related content, you will automatically find others in your suggested posts.
Find and engage with the accounts that appeal to you.
If you want to get really involved with the community, you can start a writing account yourself. Beware that running an account may require hours of dedication every day to create contact and interact with your followers and the rest of the community. However, it can be really rewarding. You’ll make tons of friends and learn a lot.
While I don’t have an Instagram writing account, I interact with the community using my personal account, @yessicajain.
TYWI
The Young Writers Initiative (TYWI) is a fiscally sponsored nonprofit organization with the goal of educating, inspiring, and serving young writers across the world. Joining their discord server can help you meet fellow young writers, giving you a platform to learn from others, share your work, or just rant.
You might use their free pre-reading, editing, etc. services or attend their events, such as the biannual Write-a-Thon or writing workshops. To get further involved, volunteer for the organization. You can also create and foster an in-person writing community by starting a TYWI chapter at your school!
Any amount of involvement with this amazing organization can introduce you to a global community of young writers. I am one of TYWI’s Directors of Chapters and help run the TYWI chapters program.
Wattpad
Wattpad, though not solely for young writers, is a community of about ninety million (90,000,000) readers and writers. Because it is an entirely digital platform, Wattpad users tend to be on the younger side, with many teens and young adults writing and posting content.
At its most basic, Wattpad is a platform for writers to share their work with the world. Many writers upload their WIPs as they write them, posting a chapter at consistent intervals. You can gain a following by posting your own work, discover other new writers, and make friends!
Most of my works are available on wattpad @YessicaJain.
Literary Magazines
There are many literary magazines run by and for young writers. Joining the masthead of one or starting your own can help you meet many other young writers. Submitting to existing LitMags allows you to share your work with others, get feedback, and get your name out there.
My works, “Trust the Devil” and “The Perfect King” have been published by Paper Crane Journal and Juven Press respectively.
Yes, Twitter can be overwhelming and is a social media platform mostly dominated by an older demographic. Still, there is no shortage of young writers sharing writing-related content, much like the Instagram writing community.
Follow me on Twitter @YessicaJain.
The community of young writers is large and ever-growing. Joining it through any of these platforms can help you form connections with people who share your interests and struggles. All of these platforms share one theme: if you want to get the most out of it, you have to be involved with the community. It may be frightening and difficult to start a writing account on Instagram or post your work on Wattpad, but the long-term benefits are worth it.
Which platforms do you use to interact with the writing community?
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